[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69644-69645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33393]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey


Request for Public Comments on Proposed Three Year Program of 
Customer Satisfaction Information Collection--To Be Submitted to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review Under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act

    A plan for the three-year proposed information collection program 
described herein has been submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of the proposed 
information collection plan may be obtained by contacting the USGS's 
Clearance Officer at the phone number listed below or e-mail 
www.usgs.gov">customer@www.usgs.gov. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove 
the information collection, but may respond after 30 days; therefore, 
public comments should be submitted directly to the Desk Officer for 
the Interior Department, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 and to the Bureau 
Clearance Officer, USGS, National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, 
M.S. 208, Reston, Virginia 20192. Telephone 703/648-7313.
    Specific public comments are requested as to:
    1. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the USGS, including whether the 
information will have practical utility;
    2. The accuracy of the USGS estimate of the burden of the 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
    3. The quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and
    4. How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology.
    Title: USGS Customer Surveys--Generic Clearance.
    OMB approval number: New collection.
    Abstract: The USGS provides science for a changing world by 
delivering reliable and impartial information that describes the Earth, 
its natural processes, and its natural species. Much of this 
information is used to minimize the loss of life and property from 
natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral 
resources; enhance and protect quality of life; and to contribute to 
wise societal, economic, and physical development. The USGS recognizes 
that excellent customer service is a key component of good government 
and that its interface with customers reflects the effectiveness of its 
organization. USGS is committed to engaging customers in a dialog to 
identify customer needs and satisfaction levels, and to deliver USGS 
products, information and services to customers in a timely and 
accurate manner.
    Under the proposed three year information collection program, 
voluntary customer surveys will be conducted to ascertain customer 
satisfaction with the products, information and services of the USGS. 
Measures such as timeliness, accessibility, accuracy, availability, 
product and service quality, service responsiveness, and courtesy of 
service will serve as the focus of these surveys. The surveys will 
involve individuals who interact directly with the USGS to use or to 
request its products, information and/or services. Over the three-year 
period, the USGS will focus on encouraging and obtaining satisfaction 
feedback from customers involved in three areas of effort: partnerships 
and cooperative agreements, technical assistance, and public inquiries 
and requests for publications, information, services, maps, and/or 
other products. This last area will also include a survey of our web-
page customers to ensure that our web pages are useful and easy to 
access and read. For the partnerships and cooperative agreements area, 
the USGS will ask its partners and cooperators (many of whom work for 
State government agencies) for feedback about our service and whether 
or not we are meeting their needs. For the technical assistance area, 
USGS will ask customers who have requested scientific technical 
assistance if this assistance has been provided in a timely manner, 
with courtesy, and whether or not the assistance met the customer's 
expectations. In the public inquiries and requests for information, 
products, and services area, customers of USGS web pages, Information 
Centers, and map sales centers will be asked if the service was 
satisfactory and if the product was delivered in a timely manner.
    To minimize burden on respondents, the surveys will be conducted 
using a variety of mechanisms ranging from questionnaires, comment 
cards, electronic queries and web-based feedback systems to focus 
groups. Customer information gathered from the surveys will be used to 
evaluate and improve satisfaction levels and to better meet customer 
needs. The average burden per response for these activities is 
estimated to range from 5 minutes for a simple comment card to 1 hour 
for a focus group. Summarized results of customer satisfaction surveys 
will be published annually by the USGS in a Report to Customers, which 
will be made available to customers through USGS information centers 
and through its web pages.
    Bureau form number: None.
    Frequency: An estimated 10-20 surveys (ranging from comment cards, 
web-based and electronic surveys, and mail-out questionnaires) and 5-10 
focus groups per year to evaluate customer satisfaction with specific 
products, information and services.
    Description of respondents: Representatives of state, local, and 
tribal government agencies; universities and schools; non-government 
and nonprofit natural resource organizations; and some private 
citizens.
    Estimated completion time: Varies depending upon the mechanism 
used: approximately 5 minutes for a comment card to one hour for a 
focus group session.
    Annual responses: Approximately 20 survey each with 500 responses 
and 10 focus groups each with 25 responses.
    Annual burden hours: 2250 hours.

(20 surveys) (500 responses) (0.2 hours)+(10 focus groups) (25 
responses) (1 hour)
    Bureau clearance officer: John Cordyack, 703/648-7313.


[[Page 69645]]


    Dated: October 20, 1998.
Michael P. McDermott,
Chief, Office of Outreach.
[FR Doc. 98-33393 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-Y7-M