[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 216 (Thursday, November 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77293-77295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24852]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Collaborative Hybrid-Generic Human Dimension of Use and Non-
Use in Marine and Coastal Environments

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the information collection request to OMB for 
review and approval.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before January 8, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Do not submit 
Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected 
information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Dr. Danielle Schwarzmann, ONMS Chief Economist, 1315 East West Hwy, 
SSMC4, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 240-533-0706, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This is a request for a new information collection.
    NOAA is developing an information collection to characterize, 
assess and research social and economic value and importance of natural 
and cultural resources in the Ocean and Great Lakes. This coordinated 
project will allow for consistent metrics of human use to be collected 
across the environments managed by NOAA. In order to fulfill the 
mandates of the following legislation, timely human use and 
socioeconomic data is required: the National Marine Sanctuaries Act; 
Coastal Zone Management Act; Digital Coast Act; Coral Reef Conservation 
Act; National Historic Preservation Act; and the Magnuson Stevens-
Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
    The purpose of this information collection is to obtain human 
dimensions information from users of marine areas, including 
individuals and households, businesses, local, State and Federal 
Governments, tribal and territorial governments, Tribal and Indigenous 
peoples, nonprofits and academic institutions.
    Focusing on the Ocean and Great Lakes, data collected will quantify 
over

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time and space visitation rates (frequency, duration, purpose, 
location), uses (commercial, recreational, cultural, science and 
education), how resources are used to support cultural heritage 
practices within the marine landscapes and ecosystems, and expenditures 
of users. Data will also be used to understand attitudes and 
perceptions of users and non-users of marine and coastal areas, and 
collect socioeconomic information of both users and non-users of marine 
and coastal areas.
    The intended use of the information collected through this 
instrument is to fulfill the aforementioned mandates. Selected acts are 
highlighted here. Regarding the National Marine Sanctuary Act (NMSA), 
NOAA shall consider ``the present and potential uses of the area that 
depend on maintenance of the area's resources, including commercial and 
recreational fishing, subsistence uses, other commercial and 
recreational activities, and research and education.'' 16 U.S.C. 
1433(b)(1). NOAA must also determine whether present and potential 
activities may adversely affect the area's qualities that contribute to 
its significance, the public benefits to be derived from sanctuary 
status, negative impacts produced by management restrictions on income-
generating activities, socioeconomic effects of sanctuary designation, 
the area's scientific value, and the value for monitoring the 
sanctuary's resources. In developing a sanctuary's management plan, the 
NMSA requires NOAA to include, among other things, resource studies and 
appropriate strategies for managing sanctuary resources, including 
innovative management strategies, research, monitoring and assessment, 
and surveillance activities. 16 U.S.C. 1434(a)(2)(C).
    The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) establishes the national 
policy to ``preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore 
or enhance, the resources of the Nation's coastal zone'' and to 
``encourage and assist the states to exercise effectively their 
responsibilities in the coastal zone through the development and 
implementation of management programs to achieve wise use of the land 
and water resources of the coastal zone, giving full consideration to 
ecological, cultural, historic, and esthetic values as well as the 
needs for compatible economic development.'' 16 U.S.C. 1452(1-2).
    The Magnuson Stevens-Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) 
governs marine fisheries management in U.S. Federal waters. Its 
objectives include increasing long-term economic and social benefits 
and ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of seafood. It states that, 
``Conservation and management measures shall . . . take into account 
the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities by utilizing 
economic and social data in order to (A) provide for the sustained 
participation of such communities, and (B) to the extent practicable, 
minimize adverse economic impacts on such communities.'' (16 U.S.C. 
1851 (a) (8)).
    The Digital Coast Act supports the coordination of activities 
across multiple legislation relevant to NOAA; ``The Secretary shall 
coordinate the activities carried out under the program to optimize 
data collection, sharing and integration, and to minimize duplication 
by . . . consulting with other Federal agencies, including interagency 
committees, on relevant Federal activities, including activities 
carried out under the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 
U.S.C. 1451 et seq.), the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), and the Hydrographic 
Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892 et seq.).'' 16 
U.S.C.1467(c)(2). The Digital Coast Act, section 2, Findings, states 
that ``highly accurate, high-resolution remote sensing and other 
geospatial data play an increasingly important role in decision making 
and management of the coastal zone and economy . . .'' Public Law 116-
223, sec. 2. The Act specifically calls for filling data needs and gaps 
for coastal management. Specifically, to ``continue improvement in 
existing efforts to coordinate the acquisition and integration of key 
data sets needed for coastal management and other purposes'' including 
``socioeconomic and human use data.'' 16 U.S.C.1467(d)(3)(C).
    The surveys will also characterize and assess reasons for non-use 
of the marine and coastal environment and identify barriers to access 
and opportunity which addresses the Executive Order on Advancing Racial 
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal 
Government.
    Study data will be made available to the public (with personally 
identifiable information removed), and reports and papers will be 
published with study findings. Pursuant to conversations with NOAA, 
Department of Commerce, and the Office of Management and Budget, this 
request is being submitted as a Collaborative Hybrid-Generic 
collection.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected using the most efficient and 
effective methodology that is feasible in the individual marine 
protected area, region, or jurisdiction. It is expected that data 
collection methods will vary by site and may include in-person, phone, 
electronic (internet), and mail surveys.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission--New Collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or 
Tribal government; Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,383.
    Estimated Time per Response: Response times will vary depending on 
the instrument and mode of collection. Response times vary from 10 
minutes to 60 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,689 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: We do not anticipate any 
costs to the public.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Digital Coast 
Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Coral Reef Conservation Act, Maritime 
Heritage Protection Act & Magnuson Stevens-Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. 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

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be made publicly available at any time. While you may 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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-24852 Filed 11-8-23; 8:45 am]
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