1028-NEW SS-A Hunter Harvest and Satisfaction Surveys on Green Bay and Lake Michigan -20220914-1 - JP Feedback -dcdh20220930

Supporting Statement A

Hunter Harvest and Satisfaction Surveys on Green Bay and Lake Michigan

OMB Control Number 1028-NEW

Terms of Clearance: None.

Justification

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

State agencies are tasked with setting migratory gamebird regulations following Federal and international regulations,50 CFR Part 20 Migratory Bird Hunting. In Wisconsin, managers from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources gather information from hunters to assist in making regulatory framework decisions and to increase hunter satisfaction. From 2021 through 2025, the Wisconsin waterfowl hunting season will have a North, South, and Open Water Zone. The Open Water Zone will be specific to the offshore, open waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Specific regulations for this new zone, which starts 500 feet offshore and extends to the Wisconsin-Michigan state boundary, can be modified during the five-year period and input from hunters will provide critical information to improve hunter satisfaction. Former survey methods used to gather information on the season frameworks preferred by hunters under the 2016-2020 season structure cannot be applied to the Open Water Zone; thus, the USGS plans to conduct both in-person and online surveys targeted toward open water hunters to gather their input on season frameworks. Surveys will also be used to inform managers on what, where, and how many species of waterfowl are harvested in this open water environment. Wisconsin waterfowl managers will use information collected from this survey to assist in developing season frameworks within this zone and allow them to better assess harvest composition. 50 CFR Part 20 Migratory Bird Hunting and the the Organic Act of March 3, 1879, authorizes the USGS to conduct this survey.

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.

Information from this collection will be used by the Wisconsin Department of Natural to assist in setting waterfowl regulatory frameworks and assessing waterfowl harvest in a newly created hunting zone. Questions on the questionnaire were developed in coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to directly answer their needs. In addition, we will ask hunters information regarding the species they harvested. Hunters that use the Open Water Zone are thought to make up a small percentage (estimated at ~5%) of the Wisconsin hunting population and there is uncertainty in if the current harvest surveys can accurately assess the species composition and extent of harvest occurring in this new zone. Because of this, we plan to ask hunters about their harvest composition. Lastly, hunters must consider safety when hunting these open water environments and hunters, at times, may be precluded from hunting in this zone due to environmental conditions present. Our in-person surveys will allow us to better assess what conditions influence hunter participation in this zone.

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.

We have two different survey types to collect our information, and both will be broken down below:

In-person

Our in-person survey will be conducted at select boat launches during the Open Water Zone regular duck hunting season. The survey will consist of two parts. The first part will only need to be filled out once during the entirety of the season and asks questions pertaining to allowable season frameworks in the Open Water Zone; this part of the survey is asked at the individual level. The second part will be filled out by the in-person surveyor for each party of hunters that returns (i.e., information is collected at the boat level) and will relate to questions regarding harvest.

Online

Our online survey is targeted toward individuals, has two parts, and is intended to be filled out for each hunt that an individual has in the Open Water Zone. The first part of the survey asks about the hunt that they are reporting data for. Information such as date, location, and what was harvested is asked in this portion of the survey. This portion of the survey is intended to be filled out for each hunt and there is a concluding question that will ask if hunters have completed the second portion of the survey. The second portion of the survey only needs to be filled out one time during the entire hunting season; thus, the concluding question at the end of the first survey section. Hunters will be asked questions pertaining to allowable season frameworks in this part of the survey. The online portion of the survey will be administered using Microsoft Forms and will be communicated through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and partner agencies (e.g., Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl).

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 duplication.  The information requested is site/activity specific and is not otherwise available in the agency.

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

We do not anticipate any impacts to small businesses from this survey directly; however, guide services working in this new zone could be impacted by any management changes that result from this work.

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.

Results from this collection could impact Federal policies as they relate to harvest of waterfowl species on the Great Lakes, but that is not anticipated.

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.

The 60 Day Notice was published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2022 (Vol. 87, FR 18809) for public comment. We received one comment. Comment did not address IC therefore no action was taken.

We consulted with a wide variety of subject matter experts across the US Geological Survey, and hunters through partnerships with NGOs to ensure the completeness, understandability, and conciseness of our information collection instruments. Comments regarding changes have been considered and changed when appropriate.

The titles of those individuals and summary of feedback received is provided in the table below.

Table 1 Commenters on the survey or announcement

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Migratory Game Bird, Turkey, and Pheasant Ecologist Madison, Wisconsin	Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird Research Scientist Madison, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Kennedy-Grohne Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Stevens Point, Wisconsin	Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Executive Director Mequon, Wisconsin

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

We will not provide payments or gifts to respondents.

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

The USGS does not provide an assurance of confidentiality. However, respondents will remain anonymous beyond the research team. Assurance will be provided in the form of an informed consent document presented to respondents before information is collected as well as display of the Privacy Act Statement on all written materials (questionnaire and informed consent document) and stated verbally as part of interviews.

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.

Respondents will not be asked 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 are using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, USDL-22-1892, published on 09/22/2022, to determine our dollar value for burden hours. The value used is $41.03 per hour for public respondents (private industry) and $55.47 for State, local and Tribal government respondents

Table 2 Respondent burden

Participant / Activity	Number of Responses	Minute per response	Burden Hours	Dollar Value for Burden Hr
Public individual reads announcement or instructions and completes in Person Surveys	300	10	50	$2,052
Public individual reads announcement or instructions and completes Online Survey	300	10	50	$2,052
Total	600		100	$4,104

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.

We have not identified any non-hour cost burden associated with this 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.

We used the Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2022-GS to determine the hourly wage rate for all personnel that will be involved in administrating surveys, conducting interviews, and analyzing and interpretating the resulting data. To calculate benefits, we multiplied the hourly rate by 1.6 to account for benefits. The total cost to the government for this collection is $14, 257.

Table 3 Federal Government Expenses

Position	Grade/ Step	Hourly Rate	Annual Hrs	Fully Loaded Hr Rate	Total Labor Value
Biologist	09/04	$24.83	160	$39.73	$6,356.80
Biological Technician	08/10	$26.56	80	$42.50	$3,400.00

Table 4 Other Federal Government Expenses

Journal publication costs	$1,000
Travel, Lodging, and MI&E	$3,500

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

This is a new collection in use without an OMB Control Number.

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.

Timeline for the project is collections occurring in FY22, FY23, and FY24 with annual open file reports published after each of those collections. Open file reports will be published with basic statistics to provide quick information to state partners. At the conclusion of the final year of the project, we will attempt to evaluate hunter participation under the environmental conditions present during each hunt. This will require using generalized linear models or generalized linear mixed models. We hope to publish results sometime in FY25.

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.