[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 71424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33063]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
I.D. 121599C]


Socioeconomic Monitoring Program for the Florida Keys National 
Marine Sanctuary

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 22, 
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 information collection is to add socioeconomic 
monitoring information to the ecological monitoring information in the 
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). In 1997, regulations 
became effective that created a series of ``no take zones'' in the 
FKNMS. Monitoring programs are used to test the ecological and 
socioeconomic impacts of the ``no take zones''. This year three 
voluntary data collection efforts will be initiated to support the 
socioeconomic monitoring program.
    The first collection involves a set of four panels on commercial 
fishing operations, where commercial fishermen will be interviewed to 
assess financial performance and assess the impacts of Sanctuary 
regulations. Information on catch, effort, revenues, operating and 
capital costs will be obtained to do financial performance analysis. 
Information on socioeconomic factors for developing profiles of the 
commercial fishermen such as age, sex, education level, household 
income, marital status, number of family members, race/ethnicity, 
percent of income derived from fishing, percent of income derived from 
study area, years of experience in fishing will be gathered to compare 
panels with the general commercial fishing population. The data would 
be collected annually.
    The second collection will monitor recreational for-hire operations 
through the use of dive logs for estimating use in the ``no take 
areas'' versus other areas for snorkeling, scuba diving and glass-
bottom boat rides. Volunteers will collect the logbooks monthly.
    The third collection will survey all users of ``no take areas''. 
Respondents will be asked to rate both the importance and satisfaction 
with various natural resource attributes and characteristics (e.g., 
water clarity, coral cover, number and diversity of sea life, etc.).

II. Method of Collection

    Interviews will generally be used. The user surveys will also 
include use of a mailed questionnaire. The dive shop logbook collection 
is a request to keep records.

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: 1,070
     Estimated Time Per Response: 3 hours for commercial fishing 
panels, 10 hours for dive shops, and 20 minutes for sanctuary users.
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 920
     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. 99-33063 Filed 12-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE