E6-15032. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coral Reefs-Economic Valuation Study

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

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.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before November 13, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Dr. Vernon R. Leeworthy, NOS/Special Projects, 1305 East West Highway, SSMC 4, 9th Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 (or [e-mail]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The purpose of this data collection is to provide information on the value of Hawaii's coral reef habitats to specific segments of the U.S. population. This is a national survey using a panel based on a nationally representative, list-assisted, random digit-dial (RDD) sample drawn from all 10-digit telephone numbers in the U.S. The survey is designed to yield information that can be used to estimate non-use or passive economic use values for Hawaii's coral reef ecosystems. The survey addresses the public's preferences and economic values regarding the use of no-take areas as a management tool and their preferences regarding several alternative methods of restoring damaged coral reefs. A large scale pre-test of the survey has been conducted (200 survey responses) under OMB Approval Number 0648-0531, expiration date 8/31/2006.

II. Method of Collection

Members of the panel will complete the survey on-line using either WebTV technology supplied by Knowledge Networks, Inc. or their own Internet service.

III. Data

OMB Number: None.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,000.

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: September 5, 2006.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.