80 FR 23773 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Evaluation Support Services
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 82 (April 29, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 82 (April 29, 2015)
| Page Range | 23773-23774 | |
| FR Document | 2015-09967 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 23773-23774] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-09967] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Evaluation Support Services AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This is a new information collection for Evaluation Support Services. DATES: Written comments should be received Written comments must be submitted on or before June 29, 2015. 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 JJessup@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Meka Laster at (301) 628-2906 or sent via email to meka.laster@noaa.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This request is for a new information collection. Since its establishment in 1970 under the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s primary goals are to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources, and to serve the nation's economic, social, and environmental needs. One of NOAA's staff offices, the Office of Education (OEd), also serves a critical function as the nation's primary educator on matters related to the ocean, coastal resources, the atmosphere, and climate. One of the ways NOAA fulfills its national duty is by providing educational resources and scholarship opportunities for future scholars. The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program (HUSP) was established in 2005; since then, it has provided support to approximately 1,144 undergraduate students. This scholarship opportunity provides 2 academic years of tuition support (up to $8,000 per year) and a 10-week paid internship with a NOAA mentor to competitive undergraduate scholars in NOAA-related major fields of study. The HUSP also provides undergraduates with additional supports such as living expenses, travel stipends, and conference allowances. The main goals of HUSP include increasing undergraduate training and research in NOAA sciences; recruiting and preparig students for careers as public servants and environmental science educators; and building public understanding of and support for environmental stewardship issues (i.e., increasing environmental literacy). The Educational Partnership Program (EPP) comprises three unique components: The Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP), the Graduate Studies Program (GSP), and four Cooperative Science Centers (CSCs). USP is a scholarship opportunity that provides recipients with hands-on research and training in NOAA-related sciences and provides scholars the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at NOAA facilities. To date, USP has funded 175 scholars. GSP is similar, and supported (funded 59 students) graduate students interested in pursuing NOAA mission-critical fields by providing them with work experience and hands-on training in NOAA-related research fields. The CSCs' overarching goal is to increase underrepresentation in STEM and NOAA- related fields by providing education and training opportunities in [[Page 23774]] these fields. Each CSC has a distinct educational focus, defined mission, partner institution, and designated research partner. In addition to providing education and training opportunities for students, CSCs assist their MSI partners in building their institutional management, scientific, and research capacities in NOAA- related fields. The proposed evaluation will examine the effectiveness of two of NOAA's OEd scholarship programs: EPP and HUSP. It will also assess the efficacy of the CSCs, which constitute another educational component central to NOAA's educational mission. The primary objective of this evaluation is to determine how well NOAA's HUSP and EPP scholarship programs translate to measurable outcomes for participants. II. Method of Collection This proposed mixed-methods evaluation will include the following components:Reviews of extant data to understand the program and historical trends. Web surveys of HUSP and EPP alumni with telephone follow- up to describe participant experiences and outcomes. A regression discontinuity design evaluation of HUSP, EPP USP, and EPP GSP to compare scholarship recipients to similar applicants who did not receive scholarships. Site visits to the CSCs to describe institution-level contexts and outcomes. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Request for a new information collection. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,409 survey respondents (1,034 scholarship recipients and 375 scholarship non-recipients); 44 interviewees; 20 focus group participants (interviewees and focus groups composed of Cooperative Science Center management, faculty, and students). Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes per recipient survey; 15 minutes per nonrecipient survey; 60 minutes per community partner, institution partner, CSC administrator, and CSC center director interview; 90 minutes per student focus group. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 599. 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 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 those who are eligible to respond. 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: April 24, 2015. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2015-09967 Filed 4-28-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-12-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 82 / Wednesday, April 29, 2015 / Notices 23773
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (Pub. L. 109–13), federal agencies, I. Abstract
Stephanie Shaw, VCAT, NIST, 100 including NIST, can only accept a state- This request is for a new information
Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1060, issued driver’s license or identification collection.
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899–1060, card for access to federal facilities if Since its establishment in 1970 under
telephone number 301–975–2667. Ms. issued by states that are REAL ID the Department of Commerce, the
Shaw’s email address is compliant or have an extension. NIST National Oceanic and Atmospheric
stephanie.shaw@nist.gov. also currently accepts other forms of Administration (NOAA)’s primary goals
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The federally-issued identification in lieu of are to understand and predict changes
purpose of this meeting is for the VCAT a state-issued driver’s license. For in the Earth’s environment, to conserve
to review and make recommendations detailed information please contact Ms. and manage coastal and marine
regarding general policy for NIST, its Shaw or visit: http://nist.gov/public_ resources, and to serve the nation’s
organization, its budget, and its affairs/visitor/. economic, social, and environmental
programs within the framework of Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278 and the Federal needs. One of NOAA’s staff offices, the
applicable national policies as set forth Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 Office of Education (OEd), also serves a
by the President and the Congress. The U.S.C. App. critical function as the nation’s primary
agenda will include updates on NIST Richard R. Cavanagh, educator on matters related to the ocean,
activities and a review of NIST’s coastal resources, the atmosphere, and
Acting Associate Director for Laboratory
bioscience and information technology Programs. climate. One of the ways NOAA fulfills
research along with external its national duty is by providing
[FR Doc. 2015–09973 Filed 4–28–15; 8:45 am]
presentations on the future direction educational resources and scholarship
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
and trends of these technical areas. The opportunities for future scholars.
agenda may change to accommodate The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate
Committee business. The final agenda DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Scholarship Program (HUSP) was
will be posted on the NIST Web site at established in 2005; since then, it has
http://www.nist.gov/director/vcat/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric provided support to approximately
agenda.cfm. Administration 1,144 undergraduate students. This
Individuals and representatives of scholarship opportunity provides 2
organizations who would like to offer Proposed Collection; Comment academic years of tuition support (up to
comments and suggestions related to the Request; Evaluation Support Services $8,000 per year) and a 10-week paid
Committee’s affairs are invited to internship with a NOAA mentor to
request a place on the agenda. AGENCY: National Oceanic and competitive undergraduate scholars in
On Wednesday, June 10, Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NOAA-related major fields of study. The
approximately one-half hour in the Commerce. HUSP also provides undergraduates
morning will be reserved for public ACTION: Notice. with additional supports such as living
comments and speaking times will be expenses, travel stipends, and
assigned on a first-come, first-serve SUMMARY: In accordance with the conference allowances. The main goals
basis. The amount of time per speaker Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this of HUSP include increasing
will be determined by the number of notice invites the general public and undergraduate training and research in
requests received, but is likely to be other public agencies to comment on NOAA sciences; recruiting and preparig
about 3 minutes each. The exact time for this proposed information collection for students for careers as public servants
public comments will be included in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric and environmental science educators;
the final agenda that will be posted on Administration. This is a new and building public understanding of
the NIST Web site at http://www.nist. information collection for Evaluation and support for environmental
gov/director/vcat/agenda.cfm. Support Services. stewardship issues (i.e., increasing
Questions from the public will not be DATES: Written comments should be environmental literacy).
considered during this period. Speakers received Written comments must be The Educational Partnership Program
who wish to expand upon their oral submitted on or before June 29, 2015. (EPP) comprises three unique
statements, those who had wished to ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
components: The Undergraduate
speak but could not be accommodated to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Scholarship Program (USP), the
on the agenda, and those who were Paperwork Clearance Officer, Graduate Studies Program (GSP), and
unable to attend in person are invited to Department of Commerce, Room 6616, four Cooperative Science Centers
submit written statements to VCAT, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., (CSCs). USP is a scholarship
NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 1060, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the opportunity that provides recipients
Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, via fax Internet at JJessup@doc.gov). with hands-on research and training in
at 301–216–0529 or electronically by NOAA-related sciences and provides
email to Karen.lellock@nist.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: scholars the opportunity to gain
All visitors to the NIST site are Requests for additional information or valuable work experience at NOAA
required to pre-register to be admitted. copies of the information collection facilities. To date, USP has funded 175
Please submit your name, time of instrument and instructions should be scholars. GSP is similar, and supported
arrival, email address and phone directed to Meka Laster at (301) 628– (funded 59 students) graduate students
2906 or sent via email to meka.laster@
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
number to Stephanie Shaw by 5:00 p.m. interested in pursuing NOAA mission-
Eastern Time, Tuesday, June 2, 2015. noaa.gov. Individuals who use a critical fields by providing them with
Non-U.S. citizens must submit telecommunication device for the deaf work experience and hands-on training
additional information; please contact (TDD) may call the Federal Information in NOAA-related research fields. The
Ms. Shaw. Ms. Shaw’s email address is Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 CSCs’ overarching goal is to increase
stephanie.shaw@nist.gov and her phone between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, underrepresentation in STEM and
number is 301–975–2667. Also, please Monday through Friday. NOAA-related fields by providing
note that under the REAL ID Act of 2005 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: education and training opportunities in
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![23774 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 82 / Wednesday, April 29, 2015 / Notices
these fields. Each CSC has a distinct IV. Request for Comments East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
educational focus, defined mission, Comments are invited on (a) Whether 20910–3225. The mailbox address for
partner institution, and designated the proposed collection of information providing email comments is
research partner. In addition to is necessary for the proper performance itp.pauline@noaa.gov. NMFS is not
providing education and training of the functions of the agency, including responsible for email comments sent to
opportunities for students, CSCs assist whether the information shall have addresses other than the one provided
their MSI partners in building their practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the here. Comments sent via email,
institutional management, scientific, agency’s estimate of the burden of the including all attachments, must not
and research capacities in NOAA- proposed collection of information; (c) exceed a 10-megabyte file size.
related fields. ways to enhance the quality, utility, and Instructions: All comments received
The proposed evaluation will clarity of the information to be are a part of the public record and will
examine the effectiveness of two of collected; and (d) ways to minimize the generally be posted to http://www.nmfs.
NOAA’s OEd scholarship programs: EPP burden of the collection of information noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/
and HUSP. It will also assess the on those who are eligible to respond. construction.htm. All Personal
efficacy of the CSCs, which constitute Comments submitted in response to Identifying Information (for example,
another educational component central this notice will be summarized and/or name, address, etc.) voluntarily
to NOAA’s educational mission. The included in the request for OMB submitted by the commenter may be
primary objective of this evaluation is to approval of this information collection; publicly accessible. Do not submit
determine how well NOAA’s HUSP and they also will become a matter of public Confidential Business Information or
EPP scholarship programs translate to record. otherwise sensitive or protected
measurable outcomes for participants. information.
Dated: April 24, 2015.
The application used in this
II. Method of Collection Sarah Brabson, document may be obtained by visiting
This proposed mixed-methods NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.
evaluation will include the following [FR Doc. 2015–09967 Filed 4–28–15; 8:45 am] gov/pr/permits/incidental/
components: BILLING CODE 3510–12–P construction.htm. Documents cited in
• Reviews of extant data to this notice may also be viewed, by
understand the program and historical appointment, during regular business
trends. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE hours, at the aforementioned address.
• Web surveys of HUSP and EPP FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
alumni with telephone follow-up to National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Robert Pauline, Office of Protected
describe participant experiences and Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
outcomes. RIN 0648–XD829
• A regression discontinuity design SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
evaluation of HUSP, EPP USP, and EPP Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental Background
GSP to compare scholarship recipients to Specified Activities; Construction of
to similar applicants who did not Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
the East Span of the San Francisco-
receive scholarships. MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
Oakland Bay Bridge
• Site visits to the CSCs to describe the Secretary of Commerce to allow,
institution-level contexts and outcomes. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries upon request, the incidental, but not
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and intentional, taking of small numbers of
III. Data Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), marine mammals by U.S. citizens who
OMB Control Number: 0648–xxxx. Commerce. engage in a specified activity (other than
Form Number(s): None. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. commercial fishing) within a specified
Type of Review: Request for a new geographical region if certain findings
information collection. SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request are made and either regulations are
Affected Public: Individuals or from the California Department of issued or, if the taking is limited to
households. Transportation (CALTRANS) for an harassment, a notice of a proposed
Estimated Number of Respondents: incidental take authorization to take authorization is provided to the public
1,409 survey respondents (1,034 small numbers of California sea lions, for review.
scholarship recipients and 375 Pacific harbor seals, harbor porpoises, An authorization for incidental
scholarship non-recipients); 44 and gray whales, by harassment, takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
interviewees; 20 focus group incidental to construction activities that the taking will have a negligible
participants (interviewees and focus associated with the East Span of the San impact on the species or stock(s), will
groups composed of Cooperative Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SF– not have an unmitigable adverse impact
Science Center management, faculty, OBB) in California. Pursuant to the on the availability of the species or
and students). Marine Mammal Protection Act stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
Estimated Time per Response: 25 (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments relevant), and if the permissible
minutes per recipient survey; 15 on its proposal to issue an authorization methods of taking and requirements
minutes per nonrecipient survey; 60 to CALTRANS to incidentally take, by pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring
minutes per community partner, harassment, small numbers of marine and reporting of such takings are set
mammals for a period of 1 year.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
institution partner, CSC administrator, forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
and CSC center director interview; 90 DATES: Comments and information must impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘. . . an
minutes per student focus group. be received no later than May 29, 2015. impact resulting from the specified
Estimated Total Annual Burden ADDRESSES: Comments on the activity that cannot be reasonably
Hours: 599. application should be addressed to Rob expected to, and is not reasonably likely
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Pauline, Permits and Conservation to, adversely affect the species or stock
Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting Division, Office of Protected Resources, through effects on annual rates of
costs. National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 recruitment or survival.’’
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Document Created: 2015-12-16 08:26:02
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 08:26:02
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Written comments should be received Written comments must be submitted on or before June 29, 2015. | |
| Contact | Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Meka Laster at (301) 628-2906 or sent via email to [email protected] Individuals who use a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 23773 |
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