[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15842-15843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04626]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; 3D Nation Elevation Data Requirements and Benefits Study

AGENCY: National Oceanic and 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 an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the 
Office of Management and Budget.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed ICR 
must be received on or before May 6, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0762 in the subject line of your 
comments. 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 Ashley Chappell, NOAA Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping 
Coordinator, 1315 East West Hwy SSMC3 Rm 6206, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 
240-429-0293, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This is a request for extension of a currently approved ICR.
    NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are working to improve 
the technology systems, data, and services that provide information 
about 3D elevation data and related applications within the United 
States. By continuing to learn about business uses and associated 
benefits that would be realized from improved elevation data, the 
agencies can more effectively prioritize and direct investments that 
will best serve user needs. The 3D Nation Elevation Data Requirements 
and Benefits Study (``3D Nation Study'') is part of the continuing 
effort to develop and refine future program alternatives that would 
provide enhanced 3D data to meet many Federal, State, and other 
national business needs. The 3D Nation Study seeks to understand needs 
for 3D elevation data in terms of mission-critical activities, 
geographic extents of data needs, accuracy requirements, frequency 
needed, and anticipated benefits of having the required data.
    In 2022, NOAA and the USGS completed the first 3D Nation Study 
assessing requirements and benefits of topographic (terrestrial 
elevation) and bathymetric (water depth) data in inland, nearshore, and 
offshore geographies. The 3D Nation Study consisted of a standardized 
questionnaire covering a wide range of business uses that depend on 
elevation data to inform policy, regulation, scientific research, and 
management decisions. Input was gathered from a variety of government 
entities (e.g., Federal, State, local, Tribal) as well as not-for-
profit, academic, and private/commercial users of elevation data. 
Collected responses were aggregated at the agency, organization, state 
and national levels. Responses associated with individuals were not 
distributed. Responses were one-time and voluntary. In-person 
interviews to clarify questionnaire results were arranged on a case-by-
case basis.
    NOAA and USGS are now analyzing respondent data from the first 3D 
Nation Study. The report and appendices of questionnaire and other 
report-related sections are available at the 3D Nation Study site 
(https://3dnation.iocm.noaa.gov/) and via NOAA's Integrated Ocean and 
Coastal Mapping Program page (https://iocm.noaa.gov/planning/3DNationStudy.html). The findings are being used to update a baseline 
of national business needs and associated benefits for 3D data and 
associated technologies. This baseline enhances the responsiveness of 
NOAA, USGS, and partner agency programs to stakeholder needs. It is 
intended to inform the design of directed future programs that balance 
requirements, benefits, and costs at a national scale.
    NOAA and USGS plan to revisit national elevation data needs to 
assess changes to the 3D Nation Study baseline in or after 2026, which 
is why NOAA and USGS are seeking to extend this ICR. The survey tool 
for the future 3D Nation Study collection will likely include a subset 
of questions from the original questionnaire because the 2022

[[Page 15843]]

3D Nation Study provides a sufficient foundation to minimize questions 
in a number of study areas. Prior to conducting the next round of 
surveys, NOAA will submit a request for questionnaire revision to OMB 
based on analysis of the baseline survey.

II. Method of Collection

    Emails regarding the survey will be sent to a comprehensive list of 
stakeholders, with a request to forward the email to any other 
interested survey participants. The emails will include a link to the 
online survey, which can also be provided upon request by paper or 
other means by emailing or calling the study point of contact. In-
person interviews may follow to resolve questions, clarify answers and 
add more detail to responses. Responses may be summarized in the future 
3D Nation Study report and verified by respondents willing for their 
input to be included in final reports and appendices.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0762.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Federal government, State, local, or Tribal 
governments; not-for-profit institutions, academia, business, or other 
for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting activities.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Coast and Geodetic Survey Act of 1947 (33 U.S.C. 
883a et seq.).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed ICR is necessary for the proper 
functions of the Department, including whether the information will 
have practical use; (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, use, 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 personally identifiable information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personally identifiable 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. 2024-04626 Filed 3-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P