[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 33568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13000]



[[Page 33568]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey


Request for Public Comments on Information Collection To Be 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Review Under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act

    A request revising and extending the information collection 
described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of the proposed collection 
instrument may be obtained by contacting the USGS clearance officer at 
the phone number listed below. Comments and suggestions on the proposal 
should be made within 60 days directly to the USGS Clearance Officer, 
U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley 
Drive, 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 on 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 are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology.
    Title: National Atlas of the United States of America.
    Current OMB approval number: 1028-0057.
    Abstract: Potential customers of electronic national atlas products 
will be asked questions that provide (1) potential uses of these 
products; (2) type of personal computer used; (3) current method of 
acquiring atlas-type information; (4) demographic information; and (5) 
personal expectations from the products. Survey questionnaires will be 
distributed by mail in a return postage-paid format and via the World 
Wide Web. Focus groups will be held at various locations across the 
United States and could include prototype product testing. Software 
usability studies will be conducted at various locations and will 
result in the development of products that are easier to use. Customer 
information gathered from the questionnaires, focus groups, and 
usability studies will be used to evaluate the National Atlas of the 
United States products and to make development adjustments based on 
customer responses. The proposed collection is limited in scope to the 
National Atlas products and the capability of the products to meet 
customer needs. The USGS intends to develop a cooperative research and 
development agreement with private industry to assist in product 
development and to provide an additional avenue for product 
distribution.
    Bureau form number: None.
    Frequency: An estimated 2-3 surveys, 2-5 focus groups, and 2-5 
software usability studies per year to evaluate potential customer 
segments and reactions.
    Description of respondents: Owners of powerful home personal 
computers, some with Internet access--potentially the general public, 
libraries, and schools.
    Estimated completion time: Varies depending on the mechanism used: 
approximately 0.15 minutes per survey and 1 hour per focus group 
session.
    Annual responses: Approximately 1,000 survey, 75 focus group 
responses, and 75 software usability responses.
    Annual burden hours: 500.
    Bureau clearance officer: John Cordyack, 703-648-7313.

    Dated: May 12, 2000.
Richard E. Witmer,
Chief Geographer.
[FR Doc. 00-13000 Filed 5-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-Y7-M