Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Economic Survey of Recreational Steelhead Fishermen in Washington State

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2018)

Federal Register Volume 83, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2018)

Notices

Page 1337

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2018-00312

Page 1337

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Economic Survey of Recreational Steelhead Fishermen in Washington State

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the internet at email protected).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Robby Fonner, (206) 302-2469 or email protected.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Abstract

   This request is for a new collection of information.

   The Northwest Fisheries Science Center and Southwest Fisheries Science Center are undertaking an economics research project to assess the preferences of recreational steelhead anglers for trip attributes including opportunities for catching wild and hatchery steelhead. The Economic Survey of Recreational Steelhead Fishermen (ESRSF) will yield information on angling preferences that will inform management of recreational steelhead resources and steelhead hatchery operations in The Pacific Northwest. More specifically, the ESRSF will collect data needed to (1) assess the socioeconomic characteristics of recreational anglers; (2) assess the economic value of steelhead recreational fishing trips through statistical estimation of models; and (3) assess the change in these values associated with possible changes in recreational steelhead angling opportunities, including catch rates of wild and hatchery fish, site attributes, and travel costs.

2. Method of Collection

   A sample of Washington State fishing license holders who intended to fish for steelhead will be screened with an email survey (screener), followed by an internet survey. Sampled anglers who do not have an email address in the license database used for sampling will be sent an invitation by mail to the web-based screener and subsequent survey. Respondents to the internet survey will submit data online.

3. Data

   OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.

   Form Number(s): None.

   Type of Review: Regular submission (new information collection).

   Affected Public: Individuals or households.

   Estimated Number of Respondents: 629.

   Estimated Time per Response: Five minutes for the screening survey; 25 minutes for the full survey.

   Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 102.

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

   reporting costs.

4. 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: January 5, 2018.

   Sarah Brabson,

   NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.

   FR Doc. 2018-00312 Filed 1-10-18; 8:45 am

   BILLING CODE 3510-22-P