[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 64 (Friday, April 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16571-16572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8691]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of a new information collection.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and 
respondent burden, MMS invites the public and other Federal agencies to 
comment on a proposal to request approval of the new collection of 
information discussed below. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Submit written comments by June 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Rules Processing Team, 
Minerals Management Service, Mail Stop 4024, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, 
Virginia 20170-4817.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis London, Rules Processing Team, 
telephone (703) 787-1600. You may contact Alexis London to obtain a 
copy of the proposed collection of information at no cost.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Survey--Recreational Usage of Oil and Gas Rigs by Fishermen 
and Divers
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (CS) Lands Act (at U.S.C. 
1346, Environmental Studies), instructs the Secretary of the Interior, 
subsequent to the leasing and developing of any area or region, to 
conduct additional studies to establish environmental information as he 
deems necessary and to monitor the human, marine, and coastal 
environments of such area or region in a manner designed to provide 
time-series and data trend information which can be used for comparison 
with previously collected data for the purpose of identifying any 
significant changes in the quality and productivity of such 
environments, for establishing trends in the areas studied and 
monitored, and for designing experiments to identify the causes of such 
changes.
    Biological studies have shown that there are between 20 and 50 
times more fish found under and near oil platforms than in nearby soft 
bottom areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, in order to make 
decisions regarding the conversion of existing rigs to artificial 
reefs, MMS needs statistically accurate information on the extent to 
which oil and gas structures are used by recreational fishers and 
divers and the economic impact of the continued availability of these 
structures on local communities.
    A data collection survey is being proposed to obtain statistically 
reliable estimates of the level of fishing and diving activity at oil 
and gas structures in the Gulf of Mexico from Alabama through Texas and 
to determine the levels of economic activity associated with this 
fishing and diving.
    Frequency: This is a one time survey. Data collection will occur 
over a one year period (January 1, 1999--December 31, 1999).
    Estimated number and description of respondents and reporting and 
recordkeeping ``hour'' burden: The estimated hour burden is shown in

[[Page 16572]]

parenthesis for each type of proposed respondent:
    Dockside field interviews with 6,513 private boat fishermen from 
Alabama through Texas. Private boat fishermen are individuals who are 
fishing either from a boat that they own or rent (10.0 minutes).
    Dockside field interviews with 1,331 charter boat fishermen from 
Alabama through Texas. This includes fishermen who ``lease'' an entire 
boat for, usually, either a \1/2\ day or full day fishing trip. The 
charter boat is usually licensed to carry 6 or less people (10 
minutes).
    Dockside field interviews with 400 party boat fishermen from 
Alabama through Texas. Party boats usually take out more than six 
people for a fee and the group consists of individual fishermen buying 
a single spot on a boat not leasing the entire boat (10 minutes).
    Dockside field interviews with 200 divers from Alabama through 
Texas. This includes both snorkelers as well as individuals wearing 
self contained breathing apparatus who may be spear fishing or swimming 
(10 minutes).
    Telephone follow-up interviews with 3,255 private boat anglers 
(20.6 minutes), 920 charter boat anglers and 280 party boat anglers 
(12.3 minutes), and 200 divers (20.2 minutes).
    Telephone survey of 200 charter boat operators from Alabama through 
Texas. Boat operators are the individuals captaining the vessel (6.2 
minutes).
    Telephone interviews with 50 party boat operators from Alabama 
through Texas (6.2 minutes).
    Telephone interviews with 50 dive shop or diving guide service 
providers from Alabama through Texas (2.0 minutes).
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The PRA requires 
agencies to estimate the total annual cost burden to respondents as a 
direct result of this collection of information. This is a one time 
survey. There are no questions asked which would require review of such 
detailed records as capital or operating expenditures of businesses or 
individuals. There is no cost burden on the respondents associated with 
this collection of information.
    Comments: The MMS will summarize written responses to this notice 
and address them in its submission for OMB approval. All comments will 
become a matter of public record. In calculating the burden, MMS has 
assumed that information requested from respondents will not require 
the reviewing of detailed records. Questions have been designed to 
elicit information which would reasonably be recalled by respondents or 
quickly estimated. The MMS specifically solicits comments on the 
following questions:
    (a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the 
proper performance of MMS's functions, and will it be useful?
    (b) Are the estimates of the burden hours of the proposed 
collection reasonable?
    (c) Do you have any suggestions that would enhance the quality, 
clarity, or usefulness of the information to be collected?
    (d) Is there a way to minimize the information collection burden on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information 
technology?
    MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Jo Ann Lauterbach, 
(202) 208-7744.

    Dated: March 26, 1998.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 98-8691 Filed 4-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-U