[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 179 (Friday, September 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 54472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15305]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Correction; Steller Sea Lion Protection Economic Survey

ACTION: Notice.

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

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National 
Marine Fisheries Service is issuing a correction and clarification of a 
Federal Register notice (71 FR 47177) announcing plans to conduct a 
survey regarding public preferences for potential results of protection 
measures on Steller sea lion populations. The following Abstract 
replaces the one in the aforementioned notice:

I. Abstract

    The Steller sea lion is a listed species under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 35). The public benefits associated with 
the results of protection actions on the endangered Western and 
threatened Eastern stocks of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), 
such as population increases, are primarily the result of the non-
consumptive value people attribute to such protection (e.g., active use 
values associated with being able to view Steller sea lions and passive 
use values unrelated to direct human use). Little is known about these 
values, yet such information is needed for decision makers to more 
fully understand the trade-offs involved in choosing among protection 
alternatives and to complement other information available about the 
costs, benefits, and impacts of the protection alternatives.
    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) plans to conduct a 
survey of U.S. citizens, presenting information on Steller sea lions, 
including information about population trends and current management 
actions and asking respondents for information regarding their 
knowledge of and opinions regarding: Steller sea lions, other marine 
mammals and endangered species, and potential Steller sea lion 
population increases and changes in listing status that might result 
from management. The standard socio-demographic information needed to 
classify respondents will also be collected. The survey will gather a 
sufficient number of responses to estimate the non-consumptive benefits 
associated with the results of protection actions on Steller sea lions. 
This information is currently unavailable, and would be used by 
analysts to supplement existing information available for the 
evaluation of Steller sea lion protection alternatives.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Dr. Dan Lew, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., Seattle, WA 
98115; Telephone: (206) 526-4252; Fax: (206) 526-6723; e-mail: 
[email protected].

    Dated: September 11, 2006.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-15305 Filed 9-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P