[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 63377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31296]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey
Request for Public Comments on Proposed Information Collection To
Be Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Review Under
the Paperwork Reduction Act
The proposed information collection described below will be
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for approval under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
Copies of the proposed collection of information may be obtained by
contacting the Bureau's clearance officer at the phone number listed
below. Comments and suggestions on the proposal should be made within
60 days directly to the Bureau clearance officer, U.S. Geological
Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston,
Virginia, 20192, telephone (703) 648-7313.
Specific public comments are requested as to:
1. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions on the bureaus, including whether
the information will have practical utility;
2. The accuracy of the bureau's estimate of the burden of the
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology
and assumptions used:
3. The quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and
4. How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology.
Title: Quality of life in southwestern Colorado and northwestern
New Mexico.
OMB Approval Number: New Collection.
Abstract: This study is one part of an integrated study of public
knowledge of, preferences for, and responses to tourism and recreation
development on the Colorado Plateau. The correlated information is
designed to assist Federal, state, and local land and resource managers
in their management decisions by providing information about the
knowledge, needs, and desires of the affected publics surrounding
public lands. Natural resource land managers and county government
officials in seven counties, working as partners in this research, can
adjust management practices in response to citizens' knowledge and
perceived values. The intended effect is to better inform managers and
assist land managers in developing citizen involvement programs. This
study is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service,
Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and as part of the
Colorado Plateau Ecosystem Partnership Program (CPEPP). This study is
part of a peer-reviewed research study plan of the Midcontinent
Ecological Science Center in Fort Collins, Colorado and is part of the
study plan of the CPEPP.
To build a picture of quality of life on the Colorado Plateau, we
will measure the perceptions and preferences for the environment held
by diverse residents at several locations in the region. Our objectives
are to describe what resident populations perceive as the most salient
elements of the region's natural landscapes, ecosystems, and human
communities; what would have to be maintained, protected, or restored
to attain conditions of community and ecosystem quality that residents
desire. The first iteration of this research approach has been
conducted by Utah State University for the Utah State Travel Council in
partnership with the Canyon Country Partnership and U.S. Geological
Survey. The goal of that study was to help achieve the Travel Council's
specific directive to relate tourism planning to local residents'
quality of life. For this second iteration, surveys will be
administered to a stratified random sample of citizens living in six
counties in Colorado (Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, San
Miguel, and San Juan) and in San Juan County, New Mexico. The sampling
design is being developed in partnership with the combined U.S. Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management office in Durango, Colorado and
Fort Lewis College.
Respondents will be given 12 exposure, one-time use, 35mm cameras
and will be asked to photograph areas of their community that either
add to or detract from their quality of life. Respondents will receive
complete sets of their own photography, accompanied by a short mail-out
survey instrument for the purposes of collecting demographic data and
cross-check the quality of life factors reflected in the photographs.
Bureau Form Number: None.
Frequency: One time.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
Estimated completion time: 25 minutes per respondent.
Number of respondents: 300 (400 cameras and mail-surveys).
Burden hours: 125 hours. (The burden hour estimate is based on a
70% return rate, with 15 minutes to take photographs and fill out the
photo log and 10 minutes to complete the follow-up questionnaire.)
Dated: November 17, 1997.
Dennis B. Fern,
Chief Biologist.
[FR Doc. 97-31296 Filed 11-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-31-M
