[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 71114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32922]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 121599A]


South Florida Artificial and Natural Reefs-Economic Valuation 
Study; Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

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

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 18, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via 
Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Dr. Vernon R. Leeworthy, NOS/Special Projects 
Office, 1305 East West Highway, SSMC 4, 9th Floor, Silver 
Spring, Maryland 20910 (301-713-3000, ext. 138) or via Internet at 
Bob.L[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The purpose of this data collection is to provide local, state and 
federal agencies in charge of managing the artificial and natural reefs 
of the coasts of southeast Florida (Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and 
Monroe Counties) with information on both the market economic impact 
(e.g., sales/output, income and employment) and non-market economic 
value (consumer's surplus) associated with reef use. Separate surveys 
of residents of each county, visitors (non-residents of each county) 
and recreational for-hire operations will be conducted to estimate the 
amount of use (measured in person-days) on both artificial and natural 
reefs, spending in the local economies while undertaking the activities 
on the reefs, and information that will support estimation of non-
market economic-use values using travel-cost- demand models and 
discrete-choice-contingent valuation methods.
    Three surveys are planned:
    A. Survey of Local Resident Reef Users: Telephone surveys of 500 
boating resident households per county for each of the four counties in 
the study area will be conducted (Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and Monroe 
Counties). A computer-aided telephone instrument (CATI) will be used. 
Samples will be drawn from the State of Florida's boat registration 
files.
    B. Survey of Non Resident Reef Users: Non-residents are defined as 
people who are not permanent residents of the county where interviewed. 
Interviewing will be done on-site from a stratified sample of non 
residents in each of the counties. There will be two separate sampled 
populations: 1) General Visitors and 2) Boating Visitors. Samples will 
be stratified by two seasons (e.g., summer and winter) and for boating 
visitors by activity and mode of boating. Activities include diving and 
fishing and boat modes include charter, party and own (household) 
boats.
    C. Survey of Recreational for Hire Operations: From previous 
studies, it was determined that non-resident charter and party boat 
users did not always know whether they were fishing on artificial or 
natural reefs. Charter and party operators do know and can provide 
estimates of the amount of use on both artificial and natural reefs. A 
survey of charter and party boat fishing and diving operations will be 
used to gather information on the amount of use on artificial and 
natural reef use by charter and party boat visitors.

II. Method of Collection

    The information will be collected by telephone surveys and personal 
interviews.

III. Data

     OMB Number: None
     Form Number: None
     Type of Review: Regular submission
     Affected public: Individuals, business or other for-profit
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,600
     Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes for interviews of reef 
users, 1 hour for surveys of recreational for-hire operations.
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,700
     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: December 10, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-32922 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE