[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 48504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19848]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Economic Value 
of Puerto Rico's Coral Reef Ecosystems for Recreation-Tourism

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

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 October 15, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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) 713-7261 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a regular submission (new collection).
    NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have 
entered a partnership to estimate the market and non-market economic 
values of Puerto Rico's coral reef ecosystems. Estimates will be made 
for all ecosystem services for the Guanica Bay Watershed and for 
recreation-tourism for all of Puerto Rico's coral reef ecosystems.
    The required information is to conduct focus groups to help in 
designing the full surveys of visitors and residents of Puerto Rico. 
The four focus groups; two visitor and two resident focus groups, will 
be used to address the attributes of coral reef ecosystems that people 
may consider important, and the levels of the attributes to be valued. 
Attributes would include natural attributes such as water clarity/
visibility, coral cover and diversity, and fish abundance and 
diversity. In addition, issues such as crowded conditions that users 
(e.g. SCUBA divers, snorkelers, recreational fishers, and wildlife 
viewers) see while doing their activities on the reefs will be 
evaluated. This set of focus groups will be conducted one-time only.

II. Method of Collection

    Four focus groups will be conducted, two for visitors and two for 
residents of Puerto Rico. Each focus group will consist of eight 
people. Focus groups will be conducted at a suitable facility where 
they will engage in open discussions about reef attributes. Some paper 
forms, photos and illustrations describing reef attributes will be 
presented. Focus group sessions will last about two hours per session 
and will be recorded for the research team (video and audio).

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-XXXX.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (new information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 32.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours per focus group member.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 64.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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 8, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-19848 Filed 8-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P