[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33345-33346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13465]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; West Copper River 
Delta Sport Fish Use Survey

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the proposed new information collection, West Copper 
River Delta Sport Fish Use Survey. The collection is necessary to 
provide baseline data on the amount and distribution of sport fish use 
(recreational anglers) on National Forest System lands of the Copper 
River Delta. The information provided by this survey will assist in 
managing recreational fishing resources on the Copper River Delta.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 16, 
2004. Comments received after that date will be considered to the 
extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Deyna 
Kuntzsch, Fisheries Biologist, or Dirk Lang, Fisheries Biologist, 
Cordova Ranger District, Chugach National Forest, Forest Service, USDA, 
PO Box 280, Cordova, AK 99574.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (907) 424-7214 or 
by e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at 612 North 2nd Street, 
Cordova, Alaska. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (907) 424-
7661 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deyna Kuntzsch, Cordova Ranger 
District, at (907) 424-4737, or Dirk Lang, Cordova Ranger District, at 
(907) 424-4753. Individuals, who use telecommunication devices for the 
deaf (TDD), may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339

[[Page 33346]]

twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: West Copper River Delta Sport Fish Use Survey.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: N/A.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: The amount and distribution of sport fish use 
(recreational angling) on individual streams of the West Copper River 
Delta is currently unknown. Local managers have observed a recent 
increase in use and are concerned that concentrated use will impact 
fisheries resources. Concentrated sport fish use can result in habitat 
degradation, over harvest of small coho salmon stocks, increased trash/
noise/pollution, congested fishing at popular spots, and increased 
traffic/parking problems at access points. There are two main sport 
fish user groups: local and non-local. Much of the use may come from 
non-local anglers that arrive by one of two means: airplane or ferry. 
Improved ferry service in 2005 may further increase the number of sport 
fish users on the Copper River Delta. There is a need to collect 
baseline data on the current amount and distribution of sport fish use 
on the Copper River Delta.
    The Cordova Ranger District proposes to collect the information in 
three ways: person-to-person interviews at the airport and at ferry 
terminals, mail-in questionnaires distributed to local residents, and 
aerial counts of anglers. Respondents will be asked where they fished, 
how long they fished, what species they caught, and what species they 
harvested. The information from the interviews and from the mail-in 
questionnaires will be assessed against the aerial surveys.
    The collected information will provide Forest Service resource 
managers with a means by which to measure and monitor sport fish use on 
the West Copper River Delta during the peak fishing period and to 
assist in the management of sport fish use at the individual stream 
level on the Copper River Delta. The data will be useful to: (1) Focus 
sport fish related interpretive and educational projects (signs and 
brochures); (2) focus habitat protection and restoration projects in 
areas of concentrated use; (3) focus habitat monitoring efforts in 
areas of concentrated use; (4) identify areas where improved access and 
or facilities would benefit users or other forest resources (trails, 
parking areas, fish cleaning stations, etc.); and (5) evaluate special 
use permit (SUP) needs.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 10 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals who sport fish on the West Copper 
River Delta.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 3,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 hours.
    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information 
is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the 
functions of the agency, including whether the information will have 
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's 
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 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 received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request for 
Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: May 27, 2004.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 04-13465 Filed 6-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P