Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Economic Impacts of Hawaii Reef Diving and Snorkeling

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection, request for comment.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES:

To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before March 22, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at Adrienne.thomas@noaa.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 0648-0765 in the subject line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Sabrina Lovell, Office of Science & Technology, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, #12361, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; 301-427-8153; sabrina.lovell@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This request is for revision and extension of a currently approved information collection. The objective of the survey will be to understand divers' and snorkelers' expenditures associated with recreational coral reef diving activities in Hawaii, American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, California, Florida and the Caribbean. The survey was previously implemented in Hawaii in 2019 and this revision proposes to make the survey national in scope. The survey will also collect information on divers' attitudes, preferences, and concerns about recreational diving and coral reefs health. This survey will help to improve our understanding of divers' and snorkelers' expenditure patterns and to estimate the economic impact of coral reef related spending. Results of the survey will be used to inform coastal resource management planning and establish a baseline for outreach and education. The expenditure survey is also expected to provide useful information for local economic and business interests.

II. Method of Collection

The survey will be conducted using two modes: Mail and internet.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0765.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular submission. Revision of a current information collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.

Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,458 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting costs.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: U.S. Code: 16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq. Name of Law: Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000.

IV. Request for Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.