The Fish and Wildlife Service uses the information collected to administer a light goose Conservation Order. The conservation order allows States to reduce the number of light geese, which have become overabundant and are damaging arctic habitat.
Based on the results of our outreach, we updated the time burden for the government reporting from 45 hours (42 for reporting plus 3 for recordkeeping) to 114 hours (106 hours for reporting plus 8 for recordkeeping). The time burden for the individual category remained the same at 8 minutes. The table shown in question 12 reflect these updated burden estimates. In 2015 we reduced the number of survey questions to individuals. Therefore, we assumed that the burden hours to states would decline. We cannot explain the increase in burden hours estimated by state agencies when the survey was reduced in size. It is possible that the burden hour estimates were gross over-estimates of actual time spent processing and reporting survey results. Nevertheless, we used the average burden hour estimates reported from 8 of the respondents, which resulted in an increase from the 2015 submission.
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.