OMB will approve
a one-time collection of information. The associated control number
will be valid for one year from the date of approval. OMB notes
that NOAA hopes to conduct a census of regional businesses engaged
in wildlife viewing but also that this survey is voluntary and that
some respondents may be reluctant to divulge sensitive business
information. The collection request indicates that respondent data
will be collected and maintained by a third party contractor, but
the contract has not been finalized. OMB needs to see the terms of
the contract regarding unauthorized data disclosure before data can
be collected. OMB also notes the following text in supporting
statement A: “The data may potentially be used for conduct of
socioeconomic impact analyses under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Impact Review)
and an Initial and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analyses (impacts
on small businesses).” Given that this data may be cited for
management and/or policy purposes, and given that the agency has
not made provisions for addressing issues that may arise if they do
not obtain data of sufficient quality, OMB includes the following
term of clearance. The sponsor agency (NOAA) cannot use this data
to inform management or policy if they do not obtain data of
sufficient quality (e.g., at least a 75% cumulative response rate
using the appropriate AAPOR definition of response rate when not
conducting a nonresponse bias follow-up study). NOAA must report
back to OMB on metrics of data quality (e.g., cumulative response
rate, item non-response rates, etc.) to ensure that data are of
sufficient quality to support analysis of policy of management
decisions.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
05/31/2019
36 Months From Approved
30
0
0
53
0
0
0
0
0
SBNMS is currently in the process of
updating the 2010 Management Plan, and has identified a lack of
baseline socioeconomic information on ocean recreation businesses.
The information is not available to assess the possible economic
benefits of marine wildlife protection to the local economy, or the
potential impact on ocean recreation businesses. The type of data
targeted for this collection; that is, information person-days,
trips has not been updated since 2008 and there are no source so
information that detail operators’ perceptions and attitudes
towards the industry and sanctuary. Thus, current information on
the importance of marine wildlife to the local tourism industry and
operators is required. The primary focus for the survey will be to
gather data on the non-consumptive, person-days of marine wildlife
viewing and operators’ perceptions and attitudes. Specifically,
researchers will collect data to help determine the contribution of
marine wildlife watching operations to the economy in the
Stellwagen Bank region. The number of person-days of wildlife
viewing is necessary to estimate the economic value that the
industry makes to the region.
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.
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuariy Wildlife Viewing Operation Survey
SBNMS 30d FRN pub 020518_5061.pdf
SBNMS Wildlife Viewing Survey Explanations 020518.docx
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuariy Wildlife Viewing Operation Survey