In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years but only for the purposes of conducting the pre-test
described in the supporting statement. The agency must submit the
results of the pre-test (including discussion of cumulative
response rate and item non-response rate for key questions) to
demonstrate that the study objectives can be achieved. The agency
should carefully document any changes to the study as a result of
this pre-test for OMB’s consideration when resubmitting.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/2021
36 Months From Approved
2,455
0
0
205
0
0
0
0
0
This project proposes a survey to
collect data for a case study of changes in recreation demand and
values due to changes in nutrients in northeastern coastal waters.
This includes the development of methods and tools for estimating
recreational values that can be applied in other locations, either
by EPA researchers, EPA’s regional offices or state partners. Our
initial geographic focus for these efforts will be Cape Cod,
Massachusetts (“the Cape”; Barnstable County), and New England
residents within 100 miles of the Cape. We focus on Cape Cod and
its surrounding coastal areas both in order to limit the scope of
the work to remain feasible within our research budget and to
coordinate this socio-economic analysis with extensive ecological
research being conducted on the Cape by ORD researchers,
researchers at EPA’s Region 1 office, and other external research
groups. Cape Cod is also in the midst of an extensive regional
planning effort related to its coastal waters, and this research
can provide helpful socio-economic information to decision makers
about the use of those waters. Because the 100-mile radius from
Cape Cod includes a large area of southern New England and the
largest population centers in New England, the results will be more
broadly applicable to residents of southern New England. One of the
key water quality concerns on Cape Cod, and throughout New England,
is nonpoint sources of nitrogen, which lead to ecological
impairments in estuaries, with resultant socio-economic impacts.
The decisions needed to meet water quality standards are highly
complex and involve significant cross-disciplinary challenges in
identifying, implementing, and monitoring social and ecological
management needs. We will focus on understanding recreational uses
as valued economic goods in coastal New England (including
beachgoing, swimming, fishing, shellfishing, and boating). As a
part of these efforts, EPA’s ORD/AED is seeking approval to conduct
a revealed preference survey to collect data on: people’s saltwater
recreational activities; how recreational values are related to
water quality; how perceptions of water quality relate to objective
measures; the connections between perceptions of water quality,
recreational choices and values, and sense of place; and
demographic information. If approved, the survey will be
administered using a mixed-mode approach that includes a mailed
invitation to a web survey with an optional paper survey for people
who are unable or unwilling to answer the web survey. ORD will use
the survey responses to estimate willingness to pay for changes
related to reductions in nutrient and pathogen loadings to coastal
New England waters.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.