[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 71114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32922]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 121599A]
South Florida Artificial and Natural Reefs-Economic Valuation
Study; Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 18,
2000.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via
Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Dr. Vernon R. Leeworthy, NOS/Special Projects
Office, 1305 East West Highway, SSMC 4, 9th Floor, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20910 (301-713-3000, ext. 138) or via Internet at
Bob.Leeworthy@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The purpose of this data collection is to provide local, state and
federal agencies in charge of managing the artificial and natural reefs
of the coasts of southeast Florida (Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and
Monroe Counties) with information on both the market economic impact
(e.g., sales/output, income and employment) and non-market economic
value (consumer's surplus) associated with reef use. Separate surveys
of residents of each county, visitors (non-residents of each county)
and recreational for-hire operations will be conducted to estimate the
amount of use (measured in person-days) on both artificial and natural
reefs, spending in the local economies while undertaking the activities
on the reefs, and information that will support estimation of non-
market economic-use values using travel-cost- demand models and
discrete-choice-contingent valuation methods.
Three surveys are planned:
A. Survey of Local Resident Reef Users: Telephone surveys of 500
boating resident households per county for each of the four counties in
the study area will be conducted (Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and Monroe
Counties). A computer-aided telephone instrument (CATI) will be used.
Samples will be drawn from the State of Florida's boat registration
files.
B. Survey of Non Resident Reef Users: Non-residents are defined as
people who are not permanent residents of the county where interviewed.
Interviewing will be done on-site from a stratified sample of non
residents in each of the counties. There will be two separate sampled
populations: 1) General Visitors and 2) Boating Visitors. Samples will
be stratified by two seasons (e.g., summer and winter) and for boating
visitors by activity and mode of boating. Activities include diving and
fishing and boat modes include charter, party and own (household)
boats.
C. Survey of Recreational for Hire Operations: From previous
studies, it was determined that non-resident charter and party boat
users did not always know whether they were fishing on artificial or
natural reefs. Charter and party operators do know and can provide
estimates of the amount of use on both artificial and natural reefs. A
survey of charter and party boat fishing and diving operations will be
used to gather information on the amount of use on artificial and
natural reef use by charter and party boat visitors.
II. Method of Collection
The information will be collected by telephone surveys and personal
interviews.
III. Data
OMB Number: None
Form Number: None
Type of Review: Regular submission
Affected public: Individuals, business or other for-profit
Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,600
Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes for interviews of reef
users, 1 hour for surveys of recreational for-hire operations.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,700
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and /or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: December 10, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-32922 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE
