[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37348-37349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15346]



[[Page 37348]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010--New; MMAA104000]


Proposed Information Collection; Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy 
Development: Public Attitudes, Values, and Implications for Tourism and 
Recreation; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: 60-day notice.

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

SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is inviting comments on a 
collection of information that we will submit to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information 
collection request (ICR) concerns a new survey on the potential impacts 
of Atlantic offshore wind energy development on coastal tourism and 
recreation.

DATES: Submit written comments by September 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this ICR to Arlene Bajusz, 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, 381 Elden Street, HM-3127, Herndon, VA 20170 (mail); or 
[email protected] (email); or 703-787-1209 (fax). Please reference 
1010--New in your comment and include your name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlene Bajusz, Office of Policy, 
Regulations, and Analysis at [email protected] or (703) 787-1025 
for a copy of the survey questions. For more information on the survey, 
contact Brian Krevor, Office of Renewable Energy Programs at 
[email protected] or (703) 787-1340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 1010-New.
    Title: Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Development: Public Attitudes, 
Values, and Implications for Tourism and Recreation.
    Abstract: Under the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1331-1356), BOEM is responsible for conducting OCS lease sales 
and for monitoring and mitigating adverse impacts that might be 
associated with offshore energy development. The Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 13201 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior 
to issue leases, easements, and rights-of-way for offshore renewable 
energy activities in Federal waters, such as offshore wind power 
development. In fulfilling these responsibilities, BOEM must take into 
consideration the impacts of OCS activities on recreational and 
cultural resources. While we have seen significant interest in offshore 
wind power development in recent years, the absence of baseline data 
for specific areas along the Atlantic coast and the absence of a 
broader regional study on tourism and wind power have made it difficult 
to identify and analyze the potential impacts of offshore wind 
development on coastal tourism and recreation. Additional information 
on these potential impacts will contribute to better planning and 
decision-making for BOEM and other stakeholders, including other 
Federal agencies and State and local governments.
    Under a cooperative agreement awarded by the Department of the 
Interior, the University of Delaware will conduct a survey to assess 
the impact of offshore wind power projects on coastal recreation and 
tourism from Massachusetts to South Carolina. The survey will gauge 
public perceptions of offshore wind energy projects and how development 
could impact future recreation and visitation choices. BOEM will use 
this information, along with other economic and environmental 
information, in our offshore wind decision-making process and marine 
spatial planning efforts. States and coastal communities will use the 
information for local coastal planning efforts.
    The data collection will be done by an internet-based survey. There 
are two versions of the survey: One for participants (people who have 
visited an East coast beach in the last 3 years) and one for 
nonparticipants (those who have not visited a beach within the last 3 
years). The nonparticipant survey is a subset of the participant 
survey. The survey includes questions about wind projects being located 
at a beach as well as demographic questions.
    Frequency: One time.
    Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Annual Respondents and Hour Burden: 527.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Completion
                                                                   Annual number     time per      Total annual
                            Activity                               of responses      response      burden hours
                                                                                     (minutes)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Survey..............................................           1,400              20             467
Nonparticipant Survey...........................................             360              10              60
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Totals......................................................           1,760  ..............             527
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Nonhour Cost Burden: None.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated 
to respond.
    Comments: We invite comments concerning this information collection 
on:
     Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, 
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
     The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this 
collection of information;
     Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents.
    We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them 
in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we 
will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to 
OMB.
    Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time.

[[Page 37349]]

While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so.

    Dated: June 23, 2014.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2014-15346 Filed 6-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P