80 FR 66931 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. Geological Survey

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 210 (October 30, 2015)

Page Range		66931-66932
FR Document		2015-27730

We (the U.S. Geological Survey) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 210 (Friday, October 30, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66931-66932]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27730]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. Geological Survey

[GX16BD009AV0100]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of a new information collection: Assessment of Effects 
of Climate on Waterfowl.

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

SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Geological Survey) will ask the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) 
described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 
1995, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and 
respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal 
agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC.

DATES: To ensure that your comments are considered, we must receive 
them on or before December 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection to 
the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 807, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); (703) 648-
7197 (fax); or gs-info_collections@usgs.gov (email). Please reference 
`Information Collection 1028--Assessment of Effects of Climate on 
Waterfowl' in all correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Griffith, Leader, USGS, Alaska 
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at (907) 474-5067 or 
ffdbg@usgs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center 
coordinates the research activities of 8 Regional Climate Science 
Centers. To increase efficiency of investigations, the relevance of 
research topics and the effectiveness of research it is critical to 
identify the types of information that are most critical for the 
development of a focused and integrated multi-regional research 
program. This is particularly true for wildlife species that migrate 
(e.g., waterfowl) among regions in which the direction and strength of 
climate effects on wildlife populations and their habitats are expected 
to be quite variable. This collection seeks to identify (1) the most 
important habitat and harvest factors that affect waterfowl population 
size on breeding, migratory and winter ranges, (2) the demographic 
traits (fecundity or survival) that are affected by these factors, (3) 
the likely direction and magnitude of climate effects on the most 
important waterfowl habitat and harvest factors that affect waterfowl 
population size and (4) the highest priority research needs on 
breeding, migratory and wintering ranges. We are collecting this 
information with a questionnaire survey of a sample of professional 
waterfowl researchers and managers because scientific papers that 
present this information are not available. The information we collect 
will identify the most important research topics within and among 
Regional Climate Science Centers in regard to climate effects on 
migratory waterfowl. We will (1) summarize the results, (2) present 
them at a workshop at a national scientific meeting, (3) use this 
presentation to facilitate further discussion among professional 
waterfowl researchers and managers who attend the workshop regarding 
research priorities and (4) publish the results of the survey and the 
workshop discussion in a refereed scientific publication. The only 
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that we will collect will be 
the name and employer (State, Federal or Non-governmental Organization 
research or management) of the respondents to the survey. We will use 
these names to keep track of which questionnaire recipients have 
responded and to summarize the proportional composition of the types of 
employment of respondents. We will mail paper forms to all respondents 
and give them the option of filling out a web form if they prefer. We 
will not associate the names of recipients with summarized responses. 
All paper form responses received will be kept in a locked cabinet and 
web form responses will be encrypted. After publication of the 
summarized results we will remove the name of respondents from both the 
paper forms and web forms.

II. Data

    OMB Control Number: 1028--NEW.
    Title: Assessment of Effects of Climate on Waterfowl.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Affected Public: Professional waterfowl researchers and managers 
that are employed by State or Federal government agencies or Non-
governmental Organizations (NGO) such as the Migratory Bird Joint 
Ventures.
    Respondent's Obligation: None, participation is voluntary.
    Frequency of Collection: One time.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100; Public NGO 20, State 
and Local Govt. 20, Federal Govt. 60.
    Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 100.
    Estimated Time per Response: 60 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 100.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: 
None.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number and current expiration date.

III. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting comments as to: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its 
duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (d) how to minimize the burden 
on the respondents, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Please note that the comments submitted in response to this notice 
are a matter of public record. Before including your personal mailing 
address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable 
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 can ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from 
public view, we

[[Page 66932]]

cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

John Thompson,
Deputy Chief, U.S. Geological Survey, Cooperative Research Units.
[FR Doc. 2015-27730 Filed 10-29-15; 8:45 am]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Notices 66931

the Council within 30 days following I. Abstract will be encrypted. After publication of
the meeting. The USGS National Climate Change the summarized results we will remove
and Wildlife Science Center coordinates the name of respondents from both the
Meeting Minutes
the research activities of 8 Regional paper forms and web forms.
Summary minutes of the Council and Climate Science Centers. To increase II. Data
Advisory Group meetings will be efficiency of investigations, the
maintained by the Council Coordinator relevance of research topics and the OMB Control Number: 1028—NEW.
at the address under FOR FURTHER effectiveness of research it is critical to Title: Assessment of Effects of Climate
INFORMATION CONTACT. Meeting notes identify the types of information that are on Waterfowl.
will be available by contacting the most critical for the development of a Type of Request: New information
Council Coordinator within 30 days focused and integrated multi-regional collection.
following the meeting. Personal copies research program. This is particularly Affected Public: Professional
may be purchased for the cost of true for wildlife species that migrate waterfowl researchers and managers
duplication. (e.g., waterfowl) among regions in that are employed by State or Federal
which the direction and strength of government agencies or Non-
Jerome Ford,
climate effects on wildlife populations governmental Organizations (NGO) such
Assistant Director, Migratory Birds. as the Migratory Bird Joint Ventures.
and their habitats are expected to be
[FR Doc. 2015–27699 Filed 10–29–15; 8:45 am] Respondent’s Obligation: None,
quite variable. This collection seeks to
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
identify (1) the most important habitat participation is voluntary.
and harvest factors that affect waterfowl Frequency of Collection: One time.
population size on breeding, migratory Estimated Annual Number of
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Respondents: 100; Public NGO 20, State
and winter ranges, (2) the demographic
U.S. Geological Survey traits (fecundity or survival) that are and Local Govt. 20, Federal Govt. 60.
affected by these factors, (3) the likely Estimated Total Number of Annual
direction and magnitude of climate Responses: 100.
[GX16BD009AV0100]
effects on the most important waterfowl Estimated Time per Response: 60
Agency Information Collection habitat and harvest factors that affect minutes.
Activities: Request for Comments waterfowl population size and (4) the Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 100.
highest priority research needs on Estimated Reporting and
AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), breeding, migratory and wintering Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’
Interior. ranges. We are collecting this Burden: None.
information with a questionnaire survey Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA
ACTION: Notice of a new information
of a sample of professional waterfowl (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an
collection: Assessment of Effects of
researchers and managers because agency may not conduct or sponsor and
Climate on Waterfowl.
scientific papers that present this you are not required to respond to a
SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Geological information are not available. The collection of information unless it
Survey) will ask the Office of information we collect will identify the displays a currently valid OMB control
Management and Budget (OMB) to most important research topics within number and current expiration date.
approve the information collection (IC) and among Regional Climate Science
Centers in regard to climate effects on III. Request for Comments
described below. As required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of migratory waterfowl. We will (1) We are soliciting comments as to: (a)
1995, and as part of our continuing summarize the results, (2) present them Whether the proposed collection of
efforts to reduce paperwork and at a workshop at a national scientific information is necessary for the agency
respondent burden, we invite the meeting, (3) use this presentation to to perform its duties, including whether
general public and other Federal facilitate further discussion among the information is useful; (b) the
agencies to take this opportunity to professional waterfowl researchers and accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
comment on this IC. managers who attend the workshop burden of the proposed collection of
regarding research priorities and (4) information; (c) ways to enhance the
DATES: To ensure that your comments publish the results of the survey and the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the
are considered, we must receive them workshop discussion in a refereed information to be collected; and (d) how
on or before December 29, 2015. scientific publication. The only to minimize the burden on the
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Personally Identifiable Information (PII) respondents, including the use of
on this information collection to the that we will collect will be the name automated collection techniques or
Information Collection Clearance and employer (State, Federal or Non- other forms of information technology.
Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 governmental Organization research or Please note that the comments
Sunrise Valley Drive MS 807, Reston, management) of the respondents to the submitted in response to this notice are
VA 20192 (mail); (703) 648–7197 (fax); survey. We will use these names to keep a matter of public record. Before
or gs-info_collections@usgs.gov (email). track of which questionnaire recipients including your personal mailing
Please reference ‘Information Collection have responded and to summarize the address, phone number, email address,
1028—Assessment of Effects of Climate proportional composition of the types of or other personally identifiable
on Waterfowl’ in all correspondence. employment of respondents. We will information in your comment, you
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

mail paper forms to all respondents and should be aware that your entire
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad
give them the option of filling out a web comment, including your personally
Griffith, Leader, USGS, Alaska
form if they prefer. We will not identifiable information, may be made
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
associate the names of recipients with publicly available at any time. While
Unit at (907) 474–5067 or ffdbg@
summarized responses. All paper form you can ask us in your comment to
usgs.gov.
responses received will be kept in a withhold your personally identifiable
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: locked cabinet and web form responses information from public view, we

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66932 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Notices

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 0224—Programmatic Clearance Renewal Annual
do so. in the subject line. responses
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Thompson, Other ......................................... 2,500
Bret_Meldrum@nps.gov (email); or 970–
Deputy Chief, U.S. Geological Survey,
Cooperative Research Units. 267–7295 (phone) and Phadrea Ponds, Total ...................................... 41,500
Information Collection Coordinator,
[FR Doc. 2015–27730 Filed 10–29–15; 8:45 am]
National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Estimated Completion Time per
BILLING CODE 4338–11–P
Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525 (mail); or Response: 15 minutes per mail back
pponds@nps.gov (email). Please survey; 3 minutes per non response
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR reference Information Collection 1024– survey, 30 minutes per telephone
0224 Programmatic Clearance Renewal survey; 60 minutes per focus group/
National Park Service in the subject line. You may also access interview 60 minutes; Other 15 minutes.
this ICR at www.reginfo.gov. Estimated Total Annual Burden
[NPS–WASO–NRSS–SSB–19672; SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Hours: 11,283 hours.
PPWONRADE2, PMP00EI05.YP0000 (166)] Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden
I. Abstract Cost: There are no non-hour burden
Information Collection Request Sent to The Programmatic Clearance for NPS- costs associated with this collection.
the Office of Management and Budget Sponsored Public Surveys applies to
III. Comments
(OMB) for Approval; Programmatic surveys designed to furnish usable
Clearance for NPS-Sponsored Public information to NPS managers and On May 29, 2015, a 60-day Federal
Surveys planners concerning park visitors, Register notice (80 FR 30720) was
visitor services, potential park visitors, published announcing this information
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. and residents of communities near collection. Public comments were
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. parks. This information is intended to solicited for 60 days ending July 28,
provide NPS managers with data that 2015. We received one public comment
SUMMARY: We (National Park Service, can be used to improve the quality and in response to that notice. The
NPS) have sent an Information utility of agency programs, services, and commenter did not support the renewal
Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for planning efforts. Questions asked under of the collection and stated that ‘‘once
review and approval. We summarize the the programmatic review process must every 5 years is often enough to take
ICR below and describe the nature of the show a clear tie to NPS management these surveys.’’ In response to this
collection and the estimated burden and and planning needs. The programmatic comment, NPS contends that this
cost. The National Park Service (NPS) review may only be used for non- renewal is not a single annual survey;
sponsors public surveys to provide park controversial surveys that are unlikely rather it facilitates a set of independent
managers with information needed for to attract or include topics of significant surveys administered at multiples sites
park planning, management, operations public interest in the programmatic for a variety of NPS management needs.
and evaluation of performance related to review process. This process simplifies and streamlines
protecting park resources and meeting To qualify for the NPS generic the information collection requests to
the needs of the public. In consultation programmatic review process, all OMB in a manner that allows the NPS
with the Office of Management and information collections must be directly to submit more requests per year than
Budget (OMB) and the Department of tied to an area managed by the NPS or we would through the regular
the Interior (DOI), the NPS has research that will benefit NPS submission route. Surveys are reviewed
developed a Programmatic Clearance management efforts. All collections and approved in an expeditious manner
Process for NPS-sponsored public must be reviewed by the NPS and allowing data collection to occur more
surveys. It significantly streamlines the approved by OMB before the survey can frequently and in a timely manner—
information collection review process. be initiated. more specifically during the visitation
To comply with the Paperwork season of interest. In the 16 years of the
Reduction Act of 1995, and as part of II. Data programmatic approval on average, 40
our continuing efforts to reduce OMB Control Number: 1024–0224. new surveys have been approved each
paperwork and respondent burden, we Title: Programmatic Clearance for year in support of NPS management and
invite the general public and other NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys. planning. This is nearly five times as
Federal agencies to take this Type of Request: Revision of a many as we would expect going through
opportunity to comment on this ICR. currently approved collection. the regular submission route.
Description of Respondents: We again invite comments concerning
DATES: You must submit comments on
Individual households and general this information collection request on:
or before November 30, 2015.
public. • Whether or not the collection of
ADDRESSES: Send your comments and Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. information is necessary, including
suggestions on this information Frequency of Collection: Occasionally, whether or not the information will
collection to the Desk Officer for the one time. have practical utility;
Department of the Interior at OMB— Estimated Annual Number of • The accuracy of our estimate of the
OIRA at (202) 395–5806 (fax) or Responses: 41,500. burden for this collection of
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov (email) information;
and identify your submission as 1024– Annual • Ways to enhance the quality, utility,
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

0224. Please also send a copy of your responses and clarity of the information to be
comments to Phadrea Ponds,
On-site surveys ......................... 20,000 collected; and
Information Collections Coordinator, Mail-back surveys ..................... 10,000 • Ways to minimize the burden of the
National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge All non-response surveys ......... 6,500 collection of information on
Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525 (mail); or Telephone surveys ................... 1,000 respondents.
pponds@nps.gov (email). Please Focus Groups/In person inter- Comments that you submit in
reference Information Collection 1024– views ..................................... 1,500 response to this notice are a matter of

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Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:30:13
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:30:13

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 of a new information collection: Assessment of Effects of Climate on Waterfowl.
Dates		To ensure that your comments are considered, we must receive them on or before December 29, 2015.
Contact		Brad Griffith, Leader, USGS, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at (907) 474-5067 or [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 66931

80 FR 66931 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORU.S. Geological Survey

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 210 (October 30, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. Geological Survey