[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 123 (Thursday, June 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 38004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16100]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


National Survey on Recreation and the Environment

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent: request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Forest Service, as part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork and respondent burden, is seeking comments from all 
interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a 
previously approved information collection for a National Survey on 
Recreation and the Environment.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 25, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to H. Ken Cordell, USDA Forest 
Service, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602-2044. The public may 
inspect comments in Research Work Unit SRS-4901, USDA Forest Service, 
320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602-2044.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: H. Ken Cordell at (703) 559-4264, or 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Description of Information Collection

    OMB Number: 0596-0127.
    Expiration date: 10/31/2003.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission. Renewal of previously approved 
collection.
    Affected Public: American civilians, age 16 and older, living in 
U.S. households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75,000 total, 25,000 per year over 
3 years.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes average response time.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,250.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Abstract: The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment 
(NSRE) was established through a multi-agency partnership with the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the lead 
agencies. The NSRE 2005 is the eighth edition of this survey 
administered since 1960. The survey is used: (1) To measure the outdoor 
recreation demands the public makes on the Nation's land, water and 
other natural resources ; (2) to identify the public's perceptions of 
accessibility to recreational sites, especially persons with 
disabilities; (3) to gain public feedback about the management of 
public recreation sites and natural resources; (4) to request public 
opinion regarding how public agencies can improve management of public 
recreation areas and natural resources; (5) to understand public 
attitudes about the environment and preferences of visitors for public 
and private recreational sites; and (6) to keep abreast of shifts in 
recreational demands that might influence delivery of recreational 
services.

Method of Collection

    The NSRE 2005 will be conducted via telephone to a representative 
sample population of 75,000 American civilians (25,000 per year over a 
three year period), age 16 or older, living in U.S. households. The 
data collected will be used to conduct a stratified random sample based 
on geographic subgroups including urban, rural, and near urban 
locations.
    The NSRE 2005 consists of 15 versions, each made up of sets of 
questions called modules. Activity participation and demographics 
modules constitute the core of each version of the survey. A nationally 
representative sample of approximately 5,000 people will be surveyed 
for each version. Some over-sampling will be done to ensure a minimum 
sample size of 500 per State across all versions or for some modules 
that focus on rural outdoor recreation use (i.e., over-sampling of 
people living in rural areas). All versions are tested in advance to 
ensure a 15-minute average completion time. The U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census data is used to construct 
post-sample weights to correct for over-sampling.
    Both English and Spanish versions of the questionnaires are used 
and interviews are conducted bilingually to overcome language barriers.

Request for Comments

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) The necessity of 
the proposed information collection for the proper performance of 
agency functions, including the practical utility of the information; 
(b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) the enhancements of the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) the minimization of 
the burden of collection of information on respondents, including the 
use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comments

    All comments, including name and address when provided, will become 
a matter of public record. Comments received in response to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management 
and Budget approval.

    Dated: June 13, 2003.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Deputy Chief, Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 03-16100 Filed 6-25-03; 8:45 am]
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