2018-03878. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Title: Economic Impacts of Hawaii Reef Diving and Snorkeling.

OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Request: Regular (request for a new information collection).

Number of Respondents: 4,150.

Average Hours per Response: 10 minutes.

Burden Hours: 692.

Needs and Uses: This request is for a new collection of information.

The objective of the survey will be to understand divers' and snorkelers' expenditures associated with recreational coral reef diving activities in Hawaii. The survey will also collect information on divers' attitudes, preferences, and concerns about recreational diving and coral reefs health in Hawaii. We are conducting this survey to improve our understanding of divers' 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. A similar survey (OMB Control No. 0648-0746) was implemented in south Florida and was successfully completed in November 2017.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: One time.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

This information collection request may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB.

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to [e-mail] or fax to [phone].

Dated: February 21, 2018.

Sarah Brabson,

NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.