1018-0088 Ss-a 07152021

Supporting Statement A for

Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

National Survey of Fishing,

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)

OMB Control Number 1018-0088

Terms of Clearance: None.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we) has overall Federal responsibility for managing the Nation's fish and wildlife resources and for providing technical and financial assistance to the States for carrying out their fish and wildlife programs.

To assist in carrying out our responsibilities, we have sponsored national surveys of fishing and hunting at 5-year intervals since 1955. Authorities for carrying out the Survey are:

• Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (D-J Act) (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.), as amended;

• Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (P-R Act) (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.), as amended;

• Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742d-f); and

• Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub.L. 106-408, Sec. 11).

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-408) authorizes multistate conservation grant programs, which fund projects such as the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR) that benefit a majority of the States.

Under the P-R and D-J Acts, we provide approximately $1 billion in grants annually to States for projects that support wildlife and sport fish management and restoration and improve boating access. Fish and wildlife projects include acquisition and improvement of aquatic resources, fishing access, fish stocking, and the acquisition and improvement of wildlife management areas, facilities, and access. We also provide grant funds for aquatic education, hunter education, and the development and operation of archery and shooting range facilities.

The 2022 FHWAR will result in a comprehensive database of fish and wildlife-related recreation activities and expenditures. It will provide comparable statistics not available from other sources. The survey information helps us effectively administer fish and wildlife restoration grant programs, and helps states develop project proposals and conservation programs. Data are used to evaluate the status and trends of recreational uses as well as the values and benefits of fish and wildlife resources. The data provide essential information on present recreation demands and serve as a basis for projecting future demands.

The FHWAR information is needed to prepare resource management and development plans and environmental documents required for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The data also are used to calculate economic values of fish and wildlife recreation resources.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection. Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.

The FHWAR, conducted about every five years since 1955, is a comprehensive survey of anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers and includes information on their participation and how they spend on these activities in the United States. The FHWAR will generate information identified as priority data needed by the Service, State agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other major survey users. General categories of information collected include the number of participants in different types of fish and wildlife activities, the extent of their participation (days and trips), and related trip and equipment expenditures. The 2022 FHWAR questions and methodology will be similar to those used in the 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016 surveys (with exceptions noted below), so the information collected will be comparable.

Although the Service is the primary Federal user of FHWAR information, other Federal agencies also use it. Fish and wildlife agencies use the information to make management and policy decisions. Land managing and water development agencies use the data on participation rates, species sought, and types of resources used to formulate policies, programs, and plans related to recreational fish and wildlife uses. Federal regulatory, permitting and environmental agencies rely on the economic data for determining the benefits and costs of projects affecting natural resources. Data are used in evaluating alternative plans and their environmental impacts.

Non-Federal users of the FHWAR data include States, conservation organizations, researchers, and trade and manufacturing associations. These users also participate in identifying priorities for data collection. Their needs for the data largely reflect those of Federal agencies. The value of the FHWAR database for natural resource economics was confirmed by Drs. Richard C. Bishop and David E. Ervin. They asked 3,000 professionals working in the natural resource and environmental field to identify their most "used" and "very important" data sources. The FHWAR was identified as one of the most important data sources for their work.

Table 1 summarizes the uses of the FHWAR.

Table 1. FHWAR Data Uses

Questions on …	Provide information about …	Which is used to …
Demographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, race, income)	Factors influencing participation and demand	Evaluate programs and estimate future participation.
Fish and wildlife-associated activities on private and public lands, and land leasing and ownership data	Extent that privately owned and leased lands meet demands for fish and wildlife resources and the amount of expenditures for those activities	Estimate trends in needs for public resources and to formulate acquisition and development plans.
Trip and equipment expenditure	Economic impacts of wildlife-related recreation activities on national and State economies	Estimate the economic significance of alternative fish and wildlife resource acquisition, development, and management programs.
Participation in shooting sports and archery activities	Extent of participation in these activities	Estimate the needs for public resources and to formulate acquisition and development plans and projects.
License and tag information	Expenditures for fishing and hunting	Plan ways to serve those who use the resources.
Participation in wildlife-watching activities	Recreation use patterns	Develop and evaluate game and nongame policies, programs, and resources.

The data collection for the 2022 FHWAR will follow Information Quality Guidelines to ensure reliability of the data collected and reported.

The questionnaire content, data collection methods, and quality assurance procedures used for the 2022 FHWAR will be similar to those of previous surveys. However, changes for 2022 include the following:

1. The 2022 FHWAR will collect a smaller set of data elements than prior rounds of the survey. The survey has been streamlined to provide a core set of elements.

2. While the majority of questions in the 2022 FHWAR screener and detailed questionnaires have been fielded in a previous version of the survey, the presentation of many questions and response options has been revised. These revisions were made to adapt the survey to the web mode and to address measurement issues that were identified in cognitive testing that NORC conducted.

3. In an effort to reduce survey costs, NORC will provide a web option for respondents to complete the Screener and detailed Wave questionnaires. The web instrument will contain edits on many variables and consistency checks on critical items to maximize quality of the data without unduly affecting the flow of the interview. This instrument will allow for backward data correction and will contain logic to ensure that the proper interview path is maintained.

4. The new web option will be complemented by a mail (paper) survey and telephone interview option, as offered in past data collections. There will be no in-person interviewing for the 2022 FHWAR.

5. Sample for the 2022 FHWAR will be drawn from three sources:

   1. NORC’s AmeriSpeak panel, a probability-based, mixed-mode panel with industry-leading population coverage and recruitment response rate (see details at https://amerispeak.norc.org/);

   2. an address-based sample (ABS) drawn from NORC’s National Frame; and,

   3. nonprobability sample sources.

6. NORC proposes to do an experiment involving the offer of $5 and $10 post-incentives within the 2022 FHWAR data collection effort. The experiment will allow us to examine the potential impact of offering a higher incentive ($10) on response propensity independent of sample characteristics (hard-to-reach or not). Our plan is described further following question 9 below.

PROPOSED REVISION

We request to reinstate the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR) information collection in 2022. The instruments will include a combination of existing, revised, and entirely new questions from the most recently conducted 2016 survey, as well as refinements based on the 2020 pre-test of the questionnaires (approved under OMB Control No. 1090-0011). Table 2 shows the distribution of questions by type (existing, revised, or new) in the 2022 FHWAR questionnaires.

Table 2. Distribution of New, Old, and Revised Questions in 2022 FHWAR Questionnaires

Questionnaire	Old		Revised		New		Total
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Angler	2	7.1%	22	78.6%	4	14.3%	28	100.0%
Hunter	1	2.4%	35	85.4%	5	12.2%	41	100.0%
Screener	9	15.8%	21	36.8%	27	47.4%	57	100.0%
Wildlife Watcher	3	10.0%	25	83.3%	2	6.7%	30	100.0%
TOTAL	15	n/a	103	n/a	38	n/a	156	n/a

In addition to the core content, a module of state-specific questions will be included. The content of these questions will be determined in early 2021 and provided in the final questionnaires. The state-specific questions will provide state-level granularity on topics covered in the national survey. At the time of this submission the relevant topics include:

• Types of small game hunted (rabbit, deer, etc.)

• Types of big game hunted (elk, bear, etc.)

• Days/trips fishing in Great Lakes (as a subset of freshwater fishing)

• Expenditures associated with fishing in Great Lakes (as a subset of freshwater fishing)

• Days/trips fishing by type of fish (as a subset of freshwater and/or saltwater fishing)

• Expenditures associated with fishing by type of fish (as a subset of freshwater and/or saltwater fishing)

Most of these questions were fielded in a prior FHWAR survey.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.

NORC will collect the 2022 FHWAR data primarily via web for both the screener and the detailed wave questionnaires. The use of web technology will streamline the interviewing process and improve accuracy by eliminating the need for interviewers and respondents to make decisions about correct branching and skip patterns during the interview. Where appropriate, we will use screening questions in the instrument to determine eligibility for the administration of more detailed questions to each respondent. Edit checks alert interviewers or respondents to irreconcilable data during the interview so that the correct data can be obtained and verified.

AmeriSpeak sample members will receive an email (or text) notification that a new study is available for them to participate in. They will receive information about the FHWAR Pilot and a link to the screener or detailed wave questionnaire that they are to complete. They will also receive reminder emails/texts to encourage completion of the screener or wave questionnaire.

Nonprobability sample members will also be contacted via text/email about completing the screener questionnaire via web. They will also receive reminders to encourage screener completion.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

There is no other comparable source of national data on recreational fish and wildlife uses that we can adapt to carry out trend analysis needed to develop projects to meet current and future needs, and to carry out management responsibilities. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provides limited coverage of saltwater fishing, but does not cover freshwater fishing, hunting, or non-consumptive activities. NMFS coverage of the coastal States varies from year to year. In recent years, the NMFS survey has not included all of the States on the West and Gulf coasts. Since the NMFS survey does not provide comparable saltwater participation, there is no unnecessary duplication of efforts between the two surveys. Other surveys that gather similar information use different methodologies that are not comparable with the methods that will be used by NORC to conduct the 2022 FHWAR, therefore, trend information would not be available.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This information collection does not involve small businesses or other small entities.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If the 2022 FHWAR Survey were not conducted, the Service would experience difficulty in effectively carrying out responsibilities to meet statutory, administrative, and other obligations. There would not be uniform national data to use in identifying priorities for fish and wildlife programs, to evaluate the effectiveness of those programs, and to identify and plan for special needs and new initiatives. The FHWAR's uniformly collected and comparable data are not available elsewhere. Without it, the Service would have to acquire the data at greater expense and delay or use outdated and inconsistent data where available.

The 5-year frequency of data collection is appropriate for current and projected management and administrative purposes. FHWAR users have indicated they need the data updated at least every 5 years. If the Service collected the data at greater intervals than every 5 years, the value of the information collected would be reduced.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

* requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

* in connection with a statistical survey that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

* requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

* that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information, unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no circumstances that require us to collect the information in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years, and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every three years — even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

On May 14, 2020, we published in the Federal Register (85 FR 28972) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on July 13, 2020. We received the following comments in response to that notice:

Comment 1: Email comment received on May 15, 2020, from Jean Public; however, her comment did not address the information collection requirements.

Agency Response to Comment 1: No response required.

Comment 2: Email comment received on July 9, 2020, from Holly Huchko, Endangered Species Act Program Specialist/Sport Fish Restoration Coordinator, on behalf of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Ms. Huchko emphasized that the national data generated by the FHWAR are invaluable for assessing engagement in and spending on outdoor recreation in Oregon. She stated that the FHWAR survey is also essential to USFWS WSFR program and ODFW since coastal states must obligate Sport Fish Restoration program grant funds so that the ratio is equal to the resident marine and freshwater anglers (50 CFR 80.65-66). Ms. Huchko shared the understanding that for the 2022 and future FHWAR surveys, states will need to pay for state level data if desired, though USFWS will continue to provide the freshwater/saltwater percent of resident anglers in coastal states at no cost. This information may be used for determining the Sport Fish Restoration saltwater/freshwater split. Ms. Huchko’s understanding is accurate. Finally, Ms. Huchko urged that the FHWAR continue to be administered in both mail and digital (web) modes, so as to reduce barriers to participation.

Agency Response to Comment 2: The methodology for the 2022 FHWAR, described above, is responsive to the needs identified in Ms. Huchko’s comments. Oregon and other coastal states will continue to receive data on the number of freshwater/saltwater anglers within their respective state, free of cost. The 2022 FHWAR will also be fielded in both mail and web modes.

Comment 3: Email comment received on July 10, 2020, from Adam Kreger, Martha C. Nussbaum Fellow – Wildlife Law Program, on behalf of Friends of Animals:

On behalf of Friends of Animals, Mr. Kreger endorsed the FHWAR data collection. He pointed to trends in decreasing participation in hunting, evolving views on hunting and fishing among Americans, and the need to gather reliable data on these topics. Kreger argues that FWS and state agencies should use the FHWAR and other surveys to assess “future needs and demands” - namely, in the areas of wildlife observation and photography.

Agency Response to Comment 3: The FHWAR questionnaires will systematically collect information about three major activities: fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching. Our processes and questionnaires devote equal emphasis to each of these three major activities.

The survey defines wildlife watching as taking a special interest in observing or viewing wildlife through any of the following activities:

• Closely observing wildlife or trying to identify types of wildlife you did not know

• Photographing wildlife

• Feeding birds or other wildlife

• Maintaining natural areas such as wooded lots, hedgerows, or open fields of at least one-quarter acre for the benefit of wildlife, not including farmland

• Maintaining plantings such as shrubs or agricultural crops for the benefit of wildlife

• Visiting parks and natural areas to observe, photograph, or feed wildlife

The data from these items will allow for analyses of trends in wildlife watching among Americans, including but not limited to wildlife observation and photography. Similarly, detailed questions about hunting and fishing will allow for trend analysis surrounding those major activities.

In addition to soliciting comments through the Federal Register, we discussed survey content and methods with representatives of State fish and wildlife agencies. We had extensive consultations with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), including its national survey workgroup, regarding the survey content, methodology, and cost. They were asked their opinions about the importance and use of the data and the estimated burden of the information collection. They believe the information is of great importance and the estimated burden for this information collection is reasonable considering the sample size number and type of questions. The following were the main contacts from NORC and AFWA:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Branch of National Survey

Economist

We also contacted economists, researchers, and consultants who have extensive knowledge and use the survey data in their wildlife-related recreation research and services. These individuals included:

National Survey Technical Workgroup	Technical Advisor/Research Scientist Facebook
Statistics Department College of Science, Oregon State University	Professor

Comments and suggestions from individuals and organizations varied and reflected the interests of those particular users of the Survey. As much as possible, comments were incorporated in the final data collection plan and questionnaires.

OMB Approval to Pretest FHWAR Under OMB Control No. 1090-0011, “Fast Track”:

In September 2020, the Service requested and received OMB approval to conduct cognitive interviews to pre-test the 2022 National Survey of FHWAR. Based on the results of the pre-testing, we made changes to the FHWAR instruments. They key outcomes from the cognitive pre-testing performed in 2020 are listed below:

 

• As recommended by experts who evaluated the 2016 FHWAR, NORC tested bounding procedures intended to collect information from the household respondent to be used to enhance the accuracy of Wave 1 recall. However, it was found that household respondents could not recall with sufficient accuracy what other household members did. We determined that collecting “bounding information” from the screener respondent for use in wave 1 would not be effective.  As a result, we removed experimental questions from the Screener about the number of trips and days other household members spent participating in various outdoor recreational activities.

• The language used in prior FHWAR surveys did not sufficiently cue to respondents that trips and outings include excursions that are as short as an hour. We developed new questions to ask respondents about outings of a single day or less as well as trips where they were away from home to improve accuracy of trip reporting. These new questions were refined through the cognitive testing.  For example, previous language asked “From January 1, 2020 until today, how many trips lasting a single day or longer have you taken to do any recreational fishing in each state?”  New language was added to separate this question into two parts: “This year, (from January 1, 2020 until today), how many fishing trips did you take to each state where you were away from home for at least one night?” and “This year (from January 1, 2020 until today), how many outings of a single day or less did you take in each state to go fishing? Please count all outings, even if it was a short outing. You can count more than one outing per day.”

• Prior FHWAR surveys were conducted using in-person/phone and mail data collection modes. NORC is designing a multi-mode approach that includes web, mail, and limited use of phone. Since web would be a new mode for the FHWAR, we tested online presentation of the survey, mimicking the web experience by presenting screens via PPT. This allowed us to develop and refine methods for fielding the survey in the web mode prior to the pilot test. For example, in the case above regarding new language about fishing trips, we added “This year” before referencing the time period.  The time period was also moved to parentheses. This was in response to respondent feedback suggesting we more clearly identify the activity period asked about throughout the surveys.  We also underlined “single day or less” and “away from home at least one night” to emphasize differences in questions regarding trip duration.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

We understand that payments or gifts to survey respondents are not generally permissible to OMB. We argue that small monetary incentives are justified for the 2022 FHWAR for two reasons. First, the FHWAR methodology poses the burden of completing both a screener questionnaire and up to three waves of detailed questionnaires on respondents. This requires a respondent’s ongoing participation over several months and completion of up to four discrete questionnaires. Research shows that post-completion incentives boost survey cooperation (Singer and Ye, 2013). Second, monetary incentives will be especially useful for increasing representation of rarer populations in the survey sample, such as hunters. Increasing their representation improves the reliability of the estimates generated from the 2022 FHWAR. Incentives have been shown to be an important tool in reducing total survey error (TSE) (Wagner et al., 2017; Toepoel, 2012).

Our proposed plan for utilizing monetary incentives within the 2022 main FHWAR data collection effort is presented below.

Incentives for 2022 FHWAR

In the 2022 FHWAR (main data collection effort), we propose the following:

• Pre-incentive:

  • $1 pre-incentive given to area probability sample members as part of the advance mailing introducing the screener and wave 3 questionnaires. There will be no pre-incentive included for waves 1 or 2.

• Post-incentives:

  • An experiment among the address-based sample members involving post-incentive amounts of $5 and $10 following the completion of the screener and each of the wave questionnaires.

Households will be allocated into 4 groups:

• $5, not hard-to-reach

• $5, hard-to-reach

• $10, not hard-to-reach

• $10, hard-to-reach

This design will allow us to examine the potential impact of the higher incentive ($10) independent of sample characteristics (hard-to-reach or not). The total amount paid to a given ABS respondent who completes all requested questionnaires within this design will range from $22 ($1 pre-incentive in Screener advance package + $1 pre-incentive in Wave 3 advance package + ($5 post-incentive x 4 questionnaires)) to $42 ($1 pre-incentive in Screener advance package + $1 pre-incentive in Wave 3 advance package + ($10 post-incentive x 4 questionnaires)).

• AmeriSpeak panel members will be offered a $5 post-incentive following the completion of the Screener and each of the wave questionnaires. The total amount paid to a given respondent who completes all requested questionnaires within this group will be $20 ($5 post-incentive x 4 questionnaires)).

• NORC will not pay nonprobability sample members a pre-incentive nor post-incentive.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

NORC will collect and maintain data in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, and may share information in accordance to the routine uses listed in System of Records Notice FWS-27, Correspondence Control System (published May 28, 1999 (64 FR 29055); modification published June 4, 2008 (73 FR 31877) and OMB A-130.

A letter mailed to respondents prior to interviewing includes the information required by the Privacy Act of 1974, explains the voluntary nature of the survey, and states the estimated time required for participating in the survey. In cases where the letter was not received, a statement containing this information will be read to the respondent before the interview begins. All information given by respondents to NORC employees is held in strict confidence under Title 13, United States Code, Section 9. Each NORC employee has taken an oath to that effect and is subject to a jail penalty or substantial fine if he or she discloses any information.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

We do not ask questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here.

We estimate that we will receive 220,558 responses totaling 42,926 burden hours. We estimate the annual dollar value of the burden hours is $1,674,543 (rounded).

We used the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) News Release USDL-21-1094, June 17, 2021, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2021, to calculate the cost of the total annual burden hours. The News Release lists the hourly rate for all workers is $39.01, including benefits. We used this information to calculate the value of respondent burden hours shown below.

The screener will obtain email addresses; basic demographic characteristics of residents of the selected address; potential household participation in angling, hunting, wildlife watching activities; and participation in target shooting, motorized boating, and archery activities. We will use this data to select households and household members for wave interviews on fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching.

NORC will include three sources of sample in conducting the FHWAR: sample drawn from Amerispeak, NORC’s nationally representative probability-based panel; addressed-based sample (ABS) drawn from NORC’s National Frame; and nonprobability sample provided by NORC’s vendors. For the 2022 FHWAR, all three sample sources will be included.

For the 2022 FHWAR, NORC will screen AmeriSpeak and ABS probability-based samples. In Wave 1 of the 2022 FHWAR survey, NORC will interview sample members who were selected based on participation in fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching as determined in the screener. Wave 2 respondents will be those who provided a response in Wave 1. Wave 3 will include: nonrespondents from Waves 1 and 2; nonprobability sample members (fishing questionnaire only); and respondents who indicated during screening that they are non-participants (who do not fish, hunt, or watch wildlife).

Activity	Estimated Number of Responses	Estimated Completion Time per Response (Minutes)	Estimated Burden Hours*	$ Value of Annual Burden Hours ($39.01/hour)
2022 Screener Survey
Screener: Web	27,639	9	4,146	$ 161,735.46
Screener: PAPI	31,361	10	5,227	203,905.27
Screener: Phone	1,000	15	250	9,752.50
2022 Wave 1 Survey
Wave Questionnaires: Web	43,068	13	9,331	364,002.31
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI	6,972	14	1,627	63,469.27
Wave Questionnaires: Phone	833	22	305	11,898.05
2022 Wave 2 Survey
Wave Questionnaires: Web	32,173	13	6,971	271,938.71
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI	3,645	14	851	33,197.51
Wave Questionnaires: Phone	833	22	305	11,898.05
2022 Wave 3 Survey
Wave Questionnaires: Web	46,773	13	10,134	395,327.34
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI	11,811	14	2,756	107,511.56
Wave Questionnaires: Phone	950	22	348	13,575.48
Wave 3 Coastal Freshwater/ Saltwater Ratio Questionnaire*	13,500	3	675	26,331.75
Totals for 2022 FHWAR:	220,558		42,926	$ 1,674,543.26

*Rounded to match ROCIS

Note: The Wave 3 Freshwater/Saltwater Ratio Questionnaire is designed to get freshwater and saltwater fishing data for coastal states. The Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program is required to divide fishing management funds according to the ratio of freshwater and saltwater anglers in each coastal state. A non-probability sample for Wave 3 will be screened for participation in fishing and will proceed to the Wave 3 fishing questionnaire if they participate in fishing.

Methodologies Used To Determine Estimated Respondent Burden

Household Responses--Screener calculations

The Screener questionnaire estimates are calculated by taking the screener initial sample size, 275,000 households (245,000 for ABS and 30,000 for AmeriSpeak), and an assumed response rate of 20.3% (for ABS sample) and 33.3% (for AmeriSpeak sample), resulting in approximately 60,000 completed interviews (50,000 for ABS and 10,000 for AmeriSpeak). Of these interviews, we expect 27,639 to be completed via web, 1,000 to be completed by phone, and 31,361 to be completed via a mailed paper-and-pencil instrument (PAPI). Since the questions and response options must be read aloud to respondents in the phone mode, we estimate that a phone interview will take about 6 minutes longer than a web interview. Since respondents completing a PAPI must navigate the question skips in the questionnaire independently, we expect respondents completing a PAPI to take one minute longer than those completing the web survey. We estimate a response time of 9 minutes per completed web interview, 15 per completed phone interview, and 10 minutes per completed PAPI survey, resulting in 4,146 burden hours for the web Screener questionnaire, 250 burden hours for the phone screener, and 5,227 burden hours for the PAPI Screener questionnaire, equaling 9,623 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the 9,623 burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $37.73, is $156,428.58 for the web survey, $9,432.50 for phone, and $197,214.71 for the PAPI survey, for a total of $363,075.79.

Participant Responses--Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Detail Wave 1 Interview calculation

The Wave 1 questionnaire estimates are calculated by taking the Wave 1 initial sample size, 83,404 respondents (69,743 respondents for ABS and 13,661 for AmeriSpeak), and an assumed response rate of 61.0% for both samples, resulting in approximately 50,873 completed interviews (42,540 for ABS and 8,333 for AmeriSpeak). Of these interviews, we expect 43,068 to be completed via web, 833 to be completed via phone and 6,972 to be completed via PAPI. We estimate that a phone interview will take about 9 minutes longer than a web interview. We expect respondents completing a PAPI to take one minute longer than those completing the survey online. We estimate a response time of 13 minutes per completed web interview, 22 minutes per completed phone interview, and 14 minutes per completed PAPI survey, resulting in 9,331 burden hours for the web Wave 1 questionnaire, 305 burden hours for the phone Wave 1 interviews, and 1,627 burden hours for the PAPI Wave 1 questionnaire, equaling 11,263 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the 11,263 burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $37.73, is $352,058.63 for the web survey, $11,507.65 for the phone interviews, and $61,386.71 for the PAPI survey, for a total of $424,952.99.

Participant Responses--Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Detail Wave 2 Interview calculation

The Wave 2 questionnaire estimates are calculated by taking the Wave 2 initial sample size, 56,201 respondents (42,540 for ABS and 13,661 for AmeriSpeak), and an assumed response rate of 66.6% (for ABS sample) and 61.0% (for AmeriSpeak sample), resulting in approximately 36,651 completed interviews (28,318 for ABS and 8,333 for AmeriSpeak). Of these interviews, we expect 32,173 to be completed via web, 833 to be completed via phone interview, and 3,645 to be completed via PAPI. We estimate that a phone interview will take about 9 minutes longer than a web interview. We expect respondents completing a PAPI to take one minute longer than those completing the survey online. We estimate a response time of 13 minutes per completed web interview, 22 minutes per completed phone interview, and 14 minutes per completed PAPI survey, resulting in 6,971 burden hours for the web Wave 2 questionnaire, 305 burden hours for the phone interviews, and 851 burden hours for the PAPI Wave 2 questionnaire, equaling 8,127 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the 8,127 burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $37.73, is $263,015.83 for the web survey, $11,507.65 for the phone interviews, and $32,108.23 for the PAPI survey, for a total of $306,631.71.

Participant Responses--Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Detail Wave 3 Interview calculation

The Wave 3 questionnaire estimates are calculated separately for the probability samples (ABS and AmeriSpeak) and the non-probability sample.

For the probability samples, the Wave 3 estimates are calculated by taking the Wave 3 initial sample size, 144,086 respondents (125,086 for ABS and 19,000 for AmeriSpeak), and an assumed response rate of 40.0% (for ABS sample) and 50.0% (for AmeriSpeak sample), resulting in approximately 59,534 completed interviews (50,034 for ABS and 9,500 for AmeriSpeak). Of these interviews, we expect 46,773 to be completed via web, 950 to be completed via phone, and 11,811 to be completed via PAPI. We expect respondents completing a PAPI to take one minute longer than those completing the survey online. We estimate that a phone interview will take about 9 minutes longer than a web interview. We estimate a response time of 13 minutes per completed web interview, 22 minutes per completed phone interview, and 14 minutes per completed PAPI survey, resulting in 10,134 burden hours for the web Wave 3 questionnaire, 348 burden hours for the phone interviews, and 2,756 burden hours for the PAPI Wave 3 questionnaire, equaling 13,238 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $37.73, is $382,355.82 for the web survey, $13,130.04 for the phone interviews, and $103,983.88 for the PAPI survey, for a total of $499,469.74.

For the non-probability sample, the Wave 3 estimate is calculated for approximately 13,500 completed online interviews. The data from these respondents will be used only to calculate estimates of participation in fishing by residents of coastal states. These respondents will receive an abbreviated set of questions on participation in fishing and demographics. We estimate a response time of 3 minutes per completed interview for this group, resulting in 675 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the 675 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $37.73, is $25,467.75.

Across probability and non-probability samples, the total burden is 42,926 hours. The result of multiplying 42,926 hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $37.73, is $1,619,597.98.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)

* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information (including filing fees paid for form processing). Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no nonhour burden costs associated with this information collection.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The annualized cost to the Federal government for the 2022 FHWAR Survey is approximately $1,842,580. The total estimated cost to the Federal government for the FHWAR Survey is approximately $9,212,900, which includes $1,790,798 for Fish and Wildlife Service costs and $7,422,102 for NORC costs.

14.1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Costs

The total FWS estimated cost is $1,790,798. The staff includes two economists: A GS-14 who is the national survey team leader and a GS-14 economist who is a member of the team. We used Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2021-DCB to obtain the most up-to-date hourly rates for staff. We used BLS News Release USDL-21-1094, June 17, 2021, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2021 to account for benefits. For the salary costs projected for 2021-2024, we projected a 2.5 increase for estimated salary costs. Table 14.2A provides the FWS itemized cost estimates:

14.1A – Itemized FWS Costs

FWS Expenses	2020*	2021	2022	2023	2024	Total Cost
Total Salary Costs	$337,840	$346,286	$354,943	$363,817	$372,912	$1,775,798
Supplies & Equipment	3,000	3,000	3,000	3,000	3,000	15,000
Totals:	$340,840	$349,286	$357,943	$366,817	$375,912	$1,790,798

*Actual obligations

14.2 NORC Costs

The total NORC cost is approximately $7,422,102. This is based on sample size; length of questionnaire; administration; overhead; mailings to sampled households, telephone interviewing; and data processing. Professional labor costs amount to $543,782. Professional staff are responsible for project management; sample design; instrument development and testing; printing and mailing of materials; training interviewing staff; data quality control; weighting and estimating sampling error; file preparation and delivery; and preparation of documentation and final reports. Support staff labor costs amount to $549,556. NORC’s other personnel costs are estimated at $578,777. Support staff are responsible for processing project mailings, performing receipt control, and conducting telephone interviews. Data collection costs amount to $3,407,015. These costs include acquisition of nonprobability sample, long distance telephone, postage, cognitive interviews, and data processing. Table 14.2A lists these and other NORC itemized cost estimates:

14.2A – Itemized NORC Costs

NORC Expenses	2020	2021			2022	2023	2024	Total Cost
		Pilot	Other	Total
Professional Personnel	$149,194	$98,384	$65,589	$163,973	$147,326	$154,573	$27,100	$543,782
Support Personnel	101,647	65,304	43,536	108,840	324,035	72,893	7,445	549,556
Other Personnel Costs	104,289	71,759	47,840	119,599	255,975	145,327	25,346	578,777
Total Personnel Costs	355,130	235,447	156,965	392,412	727,336	372,793	59,891	1,672,115
Data Collection	17,750	23,789	15,860	39,649	3,373,005	300	100	3,407,015
Travel	8,375	0	0	0	0	0	0	8,375
Other Expenses	291,958	185,491	123,661	309,152	1,107,365	316,164	50,722	1,889,870
Pilot Activities	n/a	444,728	0	444,728	n/a	n/a	n/a	444,728
Grand Total	$673,213	$444,728	$296,485	$741,213	$5,207,706	$689,257	$110,713	$7,422,102

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

This is a reinstatement of a previously approved collection. Therefore, we are reporting a discretionary burden change of 191,379 responses and 36,571 burden hours.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The Fish and Wildlife Service and NORC will collaborate in preparing reports with the 2022 Survey results. These reports will have formats and tables similar to those of the 2016 Survey, but with a reduced set of estimates. The Service will produce and print the national overview report. NORC will produce the final national report in printable PDF format. The reports will be accessible from the NORC and the Service Web sites. Web site addresses will be in news releases announcing release of the reports.

The time schedule for the information collection and publication of reports is:

Data Collection	January 2022 to January 2023
Computer Processing	January 2022 to April 2023
Preliminary Tabulations released to FWS	April 2023
Release of Preliminary Overview and Final National Report	July to October 2023

The 2022 FHWAR will produce an updated preliminary overview and a final national report on fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation statistics. We will release preliminary estimates in April 2023, and final tabulations in October 2023. The final tabulations will be similar to those produced in 2016 with some modifications due to streamlining of the estimates being generated and meeting current data needs of the users. Attachment 11 (11_Sample_Tables_Attachment_D.docx) includes draft report tables that will be populated with national-level results from the 2022 FHWAR. The national report will be available in PDF format only. The PDFs will be accessible from both NORC’s and Fish and Wildlife Service’s websites.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

We will display the OMB control number and expiration date on appropriate materials.

18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

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