[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9354-9355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-740]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


60-Day Notice of Intention To Request Clearance of Collection of 
Information; Opportunity for Public Comment

AGENCY:  Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

ACTION:  Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
and 5 CFR Part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the 
National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on a proposed new 
collection of information (1024-xxxx).

DATES: Public comments will be accepted on the proposed Information 
Collection Request (ICR) on or before April 21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send Comments To: Eppley Institute for Parks & Public Lands. 
Indiana University Research Park, RE: Assateague Island National 
Seashore (ASIS), 501 N. Morton Street, Suite 100, Bloomington, Indiana 
474074; or via phone at 812/855-3095; or via fax 812/856-5600; or via 
e-mail at [email protected]. Also, you may send comments to Leonard E. 
Stowe, NPS Information Collection Clearance Officer, 1849 C St., NW., 
(2605), Washington, DC 20240, or by e-mail at leonard [email protected]. 
All responses of this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record.
    To Request a Draft of Proposed Collection of Information Contact: 
Eppley Institute for Parks & Public Lands Indiana University Research 
Park, RE: ASIS, 501 N. Morton Street, Suite 100, Bloomington, Indiana 
47404; or via phone at 812/855-3095; or via fax at 812/855-5600; or via 
e-mail at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. James Gramann, NPS Social Science 
Program, 1201 ``Eye'' Street, Washington, DC 20005; or via phone at 
202/513-7189; or via e-mail at [email protected]. You are 
entitled to a copy of the entire ICR package free of charge once the 
package is submitted to OMB for review. You can access this ICR at 
http://www.reginfo.gov/public/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Assessing Visitor Attitudes, Experiences and Expectations 
associated with the Management and Use of Over-sand Vehicles at 
Assateague Island National Seashore.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    OMB Number: To be requested.
    Expiration Date: To be requested.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Description of Need: The proposed study would provide information 
for use in identifying and evaluating alternatives for future 
management of Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) use at Assateague Island National 
Seashore (ASIS), Maryland. The purpose of this research is to provide 
park managers with information about the types and characteristics of 
visitors to the OSV zone and adjacent backcountry areas, attributes of 
the OSV zone important to the quality of visitor experience, and 
visitor attitudes regarding OSV management and resource protection 
practices.
    The use of Over-Sand Vehicles (OSVs) for access and recreation is a 
traditional activity that was occurring on ASIS prior to the 
establishment of ASIS in 1965. Management of OSV use was formalized 
with the adoption of special regulations (36 CFR 7.65) in 1974, which 
established a maximum limit of 145 vehicles using the Maryland District 
OSV zone at any time, vehicle and equipment requirements, an OSV permit 
system, and general requirements for legal OSV operation. OSV use was 
re-evaluated during development of the Seashore's 1982 General 
Management Plan (GMP). The GMP designated a ``Traditional Recreation 
Subzone'' in the Maryland District approximately 12-miles long to be 
managed for multiple uses including over-sand travel by properly 
equipped and permitted OSVs. The Traditional Recreation Subzone also 
includes a small area for overnight accommodation of self-contained 
OSVs, and tow hike-in, beach front, primitive backcountry campgrounds.
    In 2008, the NPS will begin a revision of the GMP for ASIS. GMPs 
are broad umbrella documents that set the long-term goals for an 
individual park unit based upon the area's enabling legislation and 
other relevant laws and executive orders. The GMP (1) clearly defines 
the desired natural and cultural resource conditions to be achieved and 
maintained over time; (2) clearly defines the necessary conditions for 
visitors to understand, enjoy, and appreciate the park's significant 
resources; (3) identifies the kinds and levels of management 
activities, visitor use, and development that are appropriate for 
maintaining the desired conditions; and (4) identifies indicators and 
standards for maintaining the desired conditions.
    The proposed study will develop information about contemporary OSV 
use and the nature and expectations of visitors to the Traditional 
Recreation Subzone. The results are expected to assist in the upcoming 
GMP revision process by providing currently unavailable information for 
decision-making related to the future management of OSV use at the 
National Seashore. The study has two primary objectives: (1) Develop 
baseline data on users of the Traditional Recreation Subzone including 
types, frequency and patterns of use, and socio-economic and 
demographic characteristics: and (2) identify potential indicators and 
standards of quality for maintaining the desired visitor experience in 
the Traditional Recreation Subzone.
    To accomplish these objectives, the proposed study includes two 
components. The first focuses on OSV permit holders utilizing the ASIS

[[Page 9355]]

Traditional Recreation Subzone. The second component targets other, 
non-OSV users of the Traditional Recreation Subzone.

1. Survey OSV Permit Holders Utilizing the Traditional Recreation 
Subzone

    The purpose of the proposed research is to provide park managers 
with information about National Seashore OSV users, attributes and 
quality of the current OSV experience, and user attitudes regarding OSV 
management. A randomly selected group of current (2008) OSV permit 
holders will be provided survey questionnaires either in-person or 
through the mail. The survey will include questions intended to develop 
information describing OSV user demographics, the frequency, patterns 
and type of OSV use, standards of quality and factors influencing 
visitor experience (both positive and negative), and user attitudes 
regarding the impacts of current and potential future OSV management 
and resource protection practices. This research is proposed for the 
summer and fall of 2008.

2. Survey Non-OSV Users of the Traditional Recreation Subzone

    The second component of the proposed research is intended to 
provide park managers with information about other, non-OSV users of 
the National Seashore's Traditional Recreation Subzone. Non-OSV users 
of the Subzone include day use hikers, overnight campers using the 
hike-in primitive backcountry campgrounds, and boat-in visitors. A 
randomly selected group of visitors issued backcountry camping permits 
between September 1, 2007 and August 30, 2008, will be provided survey 
questionnaires through the mail. The survey will include questions 
similar to the types described above for Component 1, except that the 
intent will be to develop information from the perspective of non-OSV 
users of the Traditional Recreation Subzone. This research is proposed 
for the summer and fall of 2008. The obligation to respond is 
voluntary.
    Automated data collection: This information will be collected via 
questionnaires, distributed either on-site or through the mail. No 
automated data collection will take place.
    Description of respondents: Component 1--on-site or mail-back 
surveys: ASIS OSV special use permit holders for calendar year 2008. 
Component 2--mail-back surveys: ASIS visitors issued backcountry 
camping permits between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008.
    Estimated average number of respondents: Component 1: 300 
respondents; Component 2: 200 respondents.
    Estimated average burden hours per response: Component 1: 15 
minutes; Component 2: 15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: 1 time per respondent.
    Estimated annual reporting burden: 125 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) The practical utility of the 
information being gathered; (2) the accuracy of the burden hour 
estimate; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden to 
respondents, including use of automated information collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Before including 
your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be 
publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to 
withhold your personal identifying information from pubic view, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: February 11, 2008.
Leonard E. Stowe,
NPS, Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 08-740 Filed 2-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-60-M