This request is for revision and extension of a currently approved information collection. The objective of the survey will be to understand diversâ and snorkelersâ expenditures associated with recreational coral reef diving activities in Hawaii and other coral reefs in the U.S. and U.S. territories (American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, and the Caribbean). The survey was previously implemented in Hawaii in 2019 and this revision proposes to make the survey national in scope. The name of the collection will be revised to Economic Impacts of Reef Diving and Snorkeling, from Economic Impacts of Hawaii Reef Diving and Snorkeling. The survey will also collect information on diversâ attitudes, preferences, and concerns about recreational diving and coral reefs health. This survey will help to improve our understanding of diversâ and snorkelersâ expenditure patterns and to estimate the economic impact of coral reef related spending. Results of the survey will be used to inform coastal resource management planning and establish a baseline for outreach and education. The expenditure survey is also expected to provide useful information for local economic and business interests.
Although the collection is expanding the geographic region for the survey, they will be targeting fewer Hawaiian households and there is no existing sample frame of divers and snorkelers to coral reefs in other U.S. states/territories, so the expected number of respondents/responses has decreased. The survey will include additional questions, so the burden time per response is increasing from 10 minutes to 25 minutes, which results in an overall burden time increase of 766 hours.
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.