[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34746-34747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11823]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Knowledge, 
Attitudes, and Perceptions of Management Strategies/Regulations in the 
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DOC.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Dr. Vernon R. (Bob Leeworthy, 301-713-3000 ext. 138 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The purpose of this effort is to do an approximate 10-year 
replication of a 1995-96 study that established baseline information on 
the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of management strategies and 
regulations of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). The 
baseline was conducted for three user groups: (1) Commercial fishermen, 
(2) Dive Shop Owners/Operators, and (3) members of three local 
environmental groups (Last Stand, Reef Relief, and Sanctuary Friends). 
In 1998, the Socioeconomic Research and Monitoring Program for the 
FKNMS was established and the 1995-96 study results were incorporated 
as baseline measures.
    The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431, et seq.) 
authorizes the use of monitoring within National Marine Sanctuaries 
(NMS). The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act 
(Public Law 101-605, Sec 7 (5)) also authorizes monitoring. The 
Management Plan and regulations for the FKNMS were not implemented 
until July 1997, which established 22 Sanctuary Preservation Areas 
(SPAs) and one Ecological Reserve (ER) that are ``no take'' zones. 
Another ER, the Tortugas, was established as part of a two-year public 
process and its regulations went into effect in July 2002. All 
consumptive or take activities were displaced from these zones. 
Eighteen (18) of the SPAs were also created to resolve user conflicts, 
while four were set aside for ``Research Only.'' In creating these 
special zones, socioeconomic impact analyses were done as required 
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In addition, a 
Regulatory Impact Review and an Initial and Final Regulatory

[[Page 34747]]

Flexibility Analysis (if small businesses are potentially impacted by 
the no take regulations) were conducted. However, many of the benefits 
and costs identified in these analyses are speculative in nature and 
therefore a great deal of uncertainty about both the benefits and the 
costs. The 10-year replication of the 1995-96 study will support an 
assessment of any changes in knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of 
the no-take areas and establish new baselines on several new 
regulations established since 1995-96.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper questionnaires and in-person interviews will be used to 
collect information.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profits organizations; not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 255.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 491.
    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: June 9, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-11823 Filed 6-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P