[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47177-47178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13386]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Steller Sea 
Lion Protection Economic Survey

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 16, 
2006.

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]).

[[Page 47178]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Dan Lew, (206) 526-4252 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) plans to conduct a 
survey with the objective of measuring the preferences that U.S. 
residents have toward protecting the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias 
jubatus), which is a listed species under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 35). NMFS is charged with protecting this species and 
has identified numerous potential protection options, and begun 
implementing selected options, to this end (68 FR 204). Since different 
management options are available to protect Steller sea lions, it is 
important to understand the public's attitudes toward the variety of 
potential impacts on Steller sea lions, Alaskan fisheries and fishing 
communities, and the nation. This information is currently not 
available, yet is crucial to ensure the efficient management of Alaskan 
fisheries and protection of Steller sea lions.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected primarily through a mail survey of a random 
sample of U.S. households. Additional data will be collected in 
telephone interviews with individuals who do not respond to the mail 
survey.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,400 by mail, 2,000 by telephone.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes per mail respondent, 6 
minutes per telephone respondent.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,400.
    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: August 10, 2006.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-13386 Filed 8-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P