20241210_PI-CASC-Supporting_Statement_A

SSUPPORTING STATEMENT A

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

The Impact and Potential of “Co-Production” in Addressing Climate Adaptation across the Pacific Islands      

OMB Control Number 1028-NEW    

Terms of Clearance: Not Applicable - New Collection.

Justification

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

Project A:

Pursuant to P.L. 110-161, and according to its mission, the USGS developed DOI Climate Adaptation Science Centers (previously, Climate Science Centers) to provide climate change impact data and analysis to resource managers as they develop adaptation strategies in response to climate change.

The Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center is one of nine regional centers created by the U.S. Department of the Interior, under the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center, to help meet the changing needs of land and resource managers. These partnership-driven centers connect teams of scientists, natural and cultural resource managers, and local communities to develop the latest data, tools, and knowledge on the impacts of and adaptation to climate change to support management decisions.

In order to continually improve future work, we would like to conduct an evaluation of our previously funded projects to examine whether science outputs have proven useful and usable to stakeholders, and the extent to which work has been co-produced between project collaborators, resource users, and community members. The information gathered will help us adjust future activities to provide higher quality resources and support.

Project B:

The Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (Pacific RISCC) is a Community of Practice supported by the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service Science Applications program. The goal of Pacific RISCC is to improve the prevention, management, and control of invasive species in the face of a changing climate through boundary-spanning (bridging the often two separate fields of climate change adaptation and invasive species), synthesis of existing science, and translation of relevant articles and reports for managers and researchers.

In order to make sure that Pacific RISCC is addressing the needs of managers in the US Pacific, we would like to evaluate our effectiveness in the region and how it can be improved. Pacific RISCC members include resource managers from marine, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems, researchers, and community members. The information we collect will help us understand which products and outputs are most effective, how Pacific RISCC events can be improved, and how to provide higher quality resources and support in the future.

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.

Project A:

The likely respondents to this information collection are individual researchers, resource managers, and community members representing nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and Federal, State, local, or Tribal governments. By collecting information from these individuals PI-CASC may improve their ability to provide support to project research and collaboration efforts. The end purpose of conducting a survey is to gather a broader and more broadly comparable understanding of projects’ collaboration and impacts across the portfolio, while interviews will aim to obtain more in-depth perspectives and detailed examples of a subset of projects’ impacts and processes of co-production.

The findings from this work are intended to inform PI-CASC activities and will be used to create reports that may be shared with the broader CASC network and project collaborators. Information may also be incorporated into documents or presentations that will be made public.

Survey information will be collected primarily electronically via an online survey site, with the option for paper survey submission to reduce burden if participants lack access to reliable internet. Interview information will be collected face-to-face, or via online video calls or phone calls when made to decrease burden on the participant. Information will be collected once per report cycle, with cycles potentially repeating every 5 years or so to gain updated information.

Information Collected

We ask about…	So that we can…
Status of products developed via PICASC funding (e.g., new grant awards, research articles, presentations, workshops, visualization tools, assessments, guidance documents, etc.).	Determine whether our records are accurate, and whether any newer products have been developed since last noted.
The state of collaborative relationships between project partners, the community, and others throughout and since project completion.	Better understand whether relationships have or have not been developed and/or maintained well.
PI-CASC experience’s influence on approaches taken in other projects.	Determine whether involvement in PI-CASC work has had farther reaching impacts on how individuals have undertaken other work.
Impact of products on management outcomes and system responses.	Understand the usability and influence of project outputs.

Project B:

The likely respondents to this information collection are individual resource managers, individual researchers, individuals representing non-governmental organizations, nonprofits, community groups, and civic organizations. By collecting information from these individuals, PI-CASC and Pacific RISCC may be able to better tailor workshops, webinars, and educational products towards the needs of practitioners. The end purpose of the surveys is to assess the effectiveness of past Pacific RISCC events and outputs to better increase their effectiveness and reach in the future.

The findings from this work are intended to inform Pacific RISCC activities and will be used to create reports that will be shared with collaborators within this Community of Practice, across the region through the Pacific RISCC Listserv, and with the broader CASC network. Information may also be incorporated into documents or presentations that are made public.

Survey information will be collected electronically via online survey sites, and interview information may be collected face-to-face, or through online video calls. It is expected that survey information will be collected twice a year after workshops or symposia, and that surveys assessing Pacific RISCC effectiveness and assessing needs will be collected once per report cycle, with cycles potentially repeating every 5 years to gain updated information.

Information Collected

We ask about…	So that we can…
Effectiveness and usefulness of products, trainings, events, and outreach developed by Pacific RISCC	Determine whether these outputs are meeting the needs of climate change and invasive species practitioners in the PI-CASC region so they can be improved and better tailored to needs
The topics that Pacific RISCC members would like to see more of in the future	Design webinars, manager research summaries, workshops, and outputs that address those topics of interest
Affiliation, work location within the region, and expertise of Pacific RISCC members	Create products and outputs tailored to the needs of Pacific RISCC members
The usefulness, effectiveness, and strengths of Pacific RISCC workshops	Better workshops that are more useful to practitioners, that build familiarity with tools that can be applied, and that better meet workshop goals
The challenges being faced by Pacific RISCC members in the region in regards to climate change and invasive species	Understand how climate change is affecting the work of invasive species professionals in the region so that we can better tailor outputs to meet those challenges

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.

Project A:

Surveys will be distributed electronically via an online survey website in a fillable format, in order to reduce the burden on participants. Respondents will be sent invitations to the survey through email. Participants may also request paper surveys if preferred. Approximately half of the requested survey participants are expected to respond, with most responses anticipated to be completed electronically. The direct survey results will not be made available to the public online, but produced reports and summarized findings may be.

Interviews will be conducted in-person, or over video or voice calling platforms where necessary to reduce burden. Non-format interview approaches will serve to allow for more comprehensive and adaptable, semi-structured approaches to garnering project specific qualitative information. The reports and presentations made using interview information may be made available to the public online.

Project B:

Surveys will be distributed electronically via an online survey website in a fillable format in order to reduce burden. Pacific RISCC members and workshop attendees will be sent electronic invitations to complete the survey (e.g., via email). We expect that about 50% of the invitees will respond, with 100% of responses happening electronically. The direct survey responses will not be made public, but synthesized reports with summaries are expected to be released publicly.

Interviews will be conducted in-person or over video or voice calling platforms. These interviews will help increase response rate from the electronic surveys as a number of our members lack access to technology or lack the bandwidth needed to complete electronic surveys. Interviews will be conducted with a semi-structured approach to allow for some flexibility. We plan to make reports and presentations which summarize information across all of the oral interviews available to the Pacific RISCC network as well as online.

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.

Neither Project A nor B has gathered or maintained similar data. We also do not know of other sources for this information. The information requested is unique to each research project and respondent 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.

Neither the information collection for Project A nor B impacts 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.

Project A:

The information collected in this effort will be used to improve the approach to developing climate adaptation science/knowledge production and concomitant management/stewardship plans in future PI-CASC work. If we do not collect the information or if we collect the information less frequently, we could not assess the current and evolving state of co-production across PI-CASC projects. This could limit our ability to provide adequate support for project goals and the resource management efforts and communities affected.

Project B:

The information collected will be used to improve the effectiveness of Pacific RISCC products and services to better meet the needs of resource managers in the US Pacific. If we do not collect the information or if we collect it less frequently, we will 1) not know if we are meeting the needs of managers in the region, 2) not know how effective our outputs are and how to improve them, 3) not understand how the needs change and if this change is related to a changing climate, and 4) not be able to design better workshops. This could limit the effectiveness of the Pacific RISCC Community of Practice, and the ability of this boundary-spanning organization to meet the diverse needs of practitioners in the region.

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.

If the ICR contains surveys or censuses or employs statistical methods (see questions #5 and #6 above), then a Supporting Statement B is required. If the collection is not consistent with OMB guidelines, you must thoroughly explain the need for any inconsistencies.

There are no circumstances that require us to collect the information in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines. Supporting Statement B will be submitted to describe our use of statistical analysis of our survey.

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 Federal Register Notice was published 7/25/2024 (89 FR 60445). No comments were received. Because this is a new collection, no outreach was conducted.

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

Neither Project A nor B will 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.

These collections do not collect personally identifiable information (PII). Both the written survey introduction and interviewer will inform respondents that this collection is voluntary and that no PII will be collected. All planned uses of the collected data will also be described. Survey and interview information will be anonymized and any data stored electronically will be secured in accordance with the most current National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requirements (https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/CSWP/NIST.CSWP.01162020.pdf). Information will not be maintained in a paper or electronic system from which they are actually or directly retrieved by an individuals’ personal identifier.

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.

Neither Project A nor B will require respondents to answer questions of a personal or 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.

Project A:

Respondents will include PI-CASC funded projects’ principal investigators, co-investigators, and collaborators; graduate scholars and postdocs; and community members. These include individuals from Federal organizations, state organizations (including academic institutions), NGOs, and tribal entities. Interview participants are expected to overlap with the pool of participants that are also asked to complete the research surveys.

An estimated 77 burden hours per year are expected for Project A based on the anticipated response rate of approximately 50%.

(10 min x 150) + (60 min x 50) = 4500 min = 75 hours.

The information collection needed to reach the described 165 surveys and 50 interviews may take place over multiple years, and the overall collection process may be potentially repeated per every 5 years to gather information about changes over time.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours – Project A

Type of Collection	Number of respondents	Collection Frequency per Response	Average Min/Hrs per Response	Total Hours
Research Surveys	150	1	10 minutes	25
Interviews	50	1	1 hour	50
Combined Totals	200			75

We estimate each survey will take an average of 10 minutes to complete. Additionally, we estimate each interview to take approximately 1 hour.

We estimate the dollar value of the annual burden hours for Project A to be about $5248 (approximately $1296 for the survey portion and $3952 for the interview portion). We used the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) News Release USDL-24-1863, September 10, 2024, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—June 2024, to calculate all labor and benefit calculations.

• Individuals: Average hourly wage is $46.21 multiplied by 1.45 to account for benefits ($67.00).

• Private Sector: Average hourly wage is $43.94 multiplied by 1.42 to account for benefits ($62.40).

• Government: Average hourly wage is $61.37 multiplied by 1.62 to account for benefits ($99.42).

Estimated Annual Cost to Respondents – Project A

Type of Collection	Annual Number of Responses	Estimated Completion Time per Respondent	Total Annual Burden Hours	Dollar Value of Burden Hour (Including Benefits)	Total Dollar Value of Annual Burden Hours
Surveys					$1296
Individuals	75	10 min	13	$67.00	$871
Private Sector	25	10 min	4	$62.40	$250.00
Government	50	10 min	8	$99.42	$795.36
Interviews					$3952
Individuals	20	1 hour	20	$67.00	$1340
Private Sector	10	1 hour	10	$62.40	$624
Government	20	1 hour	20	$99.42	$1988
Combined Totals	200		75		$5248

Project B:

Respondents to Pacific RISCC surveys will include those in resource management (county, state, federal or private landowner positions), academia (researchers), nongovernmental organizations (nonprofits, community organizations), and the community.

An estimated 102 burden hours per year are expected (~800 Listserv members, ~50% response rate, 10 minutes per survey for online surveys = 65 hours; interviews = 15 interviews, 1 hour/each = 15 hours; 2 post-workshop surveys (50% response rate), 60 respondents each (120 total), 10 minutes/each = 20 hours).

The information collection needed to reach the approximately 520 described surveys and 15 interviews may take place over multiple years, and the overall collection process may be potentially repeated every 5 years to gather information about changes over time.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours – Project B

Type of Collection	Number of respondents	Collection Frequency per Response	Average Min/Hrs per Response	Total Hours
Online Surveys	400	1	10 minutes	67
Interviews	15	1	1 hour	15
Post-workshop surveys	120	1	10 minutes	20
Combined Totals	535			102

We estimate the dollar value of the annual burden hours for Project B to be about $6972 (approximately $6475 for the survey portion and $497 for the interview portion). We used the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) News Release USDL-24-1863, September 10, 2024, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—June 2024, to calculate all labor and benefit calculations.

• Individuals: Average hourly wage is $46.21 multiplied by 1.45 to account for benefits ($67.00).

• Private Sector: Average hourly wage is $43.94 multiplied by 1.42 to account for benefits ($62.40).

• Government: Average hourly wage is $61.37 multiplied by 1.62 to account for benefits ($99.42).

Estimated Annual Cost to Respondents – Project B

Type of Collection	Annual Number of Responses	Estimated Completion Time per Respondent	Total Annual Burden Hours	Dollar Value of Burden Hour (Including Benefits)	Total Dollar Value of Annual Burden Hours
Surveys					$6636
Individuals	174	10 min	29	$67.00	$1943
Private Sector	173	10 min	29	$62.40	$1810
Government	173	10 min	29	$99.42	$2883
Interviews					$1144
Individuals	5	1 hour	5	$67.00	$335
Private Sector	5	1 hour	5	$62.40	$312
Government	5	1 hour	5	$99.42	$497
Combined Totals	535		102		$7780

Thus, the total combined estimated burden hours for Project A and B together is 175 hours. The total combined estimated annual cost to respondents for Project A and B together is $12,267.

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, 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.

Neither Project A nor B anticipates any non-hour cost burdens 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.

Include here a description of the method used to estimate costs to the Federal Government, which should show the quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and staff support), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. If there will be no costs beyond the normal labor costs for staff, state that here.

Project A:

We estimate that the annual cost to the Federal Government via ORISE Fellowship funding to administer this information collection is $14,745, with no costs beyond the normal labor costs for staff.

Position/Grade	Annual Salary	Annual Salary (Inc. Benefits)	Time Spent on Collection	Total Annual Salary Costs
ORISE Fellow	$ 49,150	$ 49,150	30%	$ 14,745
Total				$ 14,745

Project B:

We estimate that the annual cost to the Federal Government via funding from the Cooperative Agreement with UH to administer this information collection is $7,524, with no costs beyond the normal labor costs for staff.

Position/Grade	Annual Salary	Annual Salary (Inc. Benefits)	Time Spent on Collection	Total Annual Salary Costs
Cooperative Agreement with UH	$ 90,780	$ 150,480	5%	$ 7,524
Total				$ 7,524

The total estimated cost for Projects A and B is $22,269.

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

Not applicable. This is a new collection.

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.

Project A:

Survey and interview data will begin being collected in 2025 for our first analysis. Information collected will be reported in internal PI-CASC reports and shared with recipients, including project leads and other collaborators, the PI-CASC network, and broader CASC network, beginning in 2025. Information may also be shared through presentations and other documents relevant to PI-CASC work, which may be made available to the public to help provide better understanding of the state of PI-CASC impacts.

All information will be aggregated and reported with no personal identifying information in external documents. Produced reports are intended primarily for program improvement, but may also be submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publications beginning in 2025. Most statistical analyses will be descriptive.

Project B:

Survey and interview data collection will begin in 2025. Information collected will be reported in internal Pacific RISCC reports and shared with leadership and science team members of Pacific RISCC, the Pacific RISCC network, and project partners. Information may also be shared through oral presentations and other documents relevant to Pacific RISCC work, which may be made available to the public.

All information will be aggregated and reported with no personal identifying information (PII) collected or present in all outputs created. Produced reports are intended primarily for program improvement, not for peer-reviewed journal publications. The analyses will be descriptive and will be used to help inform future Pacific RISCC outputs.

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 do not request an exemption and 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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