[Federal Register: December 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 249)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69062-69063]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30de09-24]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

 
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Cook Inlet 
Beluga Whale Pilot Economic Survey

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

ACTION: Notice.

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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 March 1, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Dr. Dan Lew, (530) 752-1746 or Dan.Lew@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The population of Cook Inlet beluga whales found in the Cook Inlet 
of Alaska is one of five distinct population segments in United States 
(U.S.) waters. It was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species 
Act on October 22, 2008 (73 FR 62919). The public benefits associated 
with the results of protective actions on the Cook Inlet beluga whale, 
such as population increases, are primarily the result of the non-
consumptive value people attribute to such protection (e.g., active use 
values associated with being able to view beluga whales and passive use 
values unrelated to direct human use). Little is known about these 
values, yet such information is needed for decision makers to more 
fully understand the trade-offs involved in choosing among potential 
protection alternatives and to complement other information available 
about the costs, benefits, and impacts of protection alternatives.
    The National Marine Fisheries Service plans to conduct a pilot 
survey to test a survey instrument that will be used to collect data 
for measuring the economic benefits the public receives for providing 
additional protection, beyond current levels, to the Cook Inlet beluga 
whale. These preferences are currently not known, but are needed to 
assist in the evaluation of alternative measures to further protect and 
recover the species' population, such as in the evaluation of critical 
habitat designations. The pilot survey consists of conducting a small-
scale mail-telephone survey of U.S. households that will collect 
information needed to evaluate the survey instrument and implementation 
procedures.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected primarily through a mail survey of a random 
sample of U.S. households with an oversampling of Alaska households. 
Additional data will be collected in telephone interviews with 
individuals who do not respond to the mail survey.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 240.
    Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 34.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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

[[Page 69063]]

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.C

    Dated: December 23, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-30924 Filed 12-29-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P