81 FR 83868 - Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Natural Sounds/Quiet Valuation Survey: Focus Group Pre-Test
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 225 (November 22, 2016)
National Park Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 225 (November 22, 2016)
| Page Range | 83868-83870 | |
| FR Document | 2016-28017 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 22, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 83868-83870] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-28017] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS-WASO-NRSS-NSNSD-22441; PPWONRADN1, PPMRSNR1Y.NS000 (177)] Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Natural Sounds/Quiet Valuation Survey: Focus Group Pre-Test AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 83869]] SUMMARY: We (National Park Service, NPS) have sent an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. We summarize the ICR below and describe the nature of the collection and the estimated respondent burden. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act 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. This collection is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2016. We 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. DATES: To ensure that your comments on this ICR are considered, OMB must receive them on or before December 22, 2016. ADDRESSES: Please direct all written comments on this ICR directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior, to [email protected] (email) or 202-395-5806 (fax); and identify your submission as ``1024-0296 NATSOUND''. Please also send a copy of your comments to Phadrea Ponds, Information Collection Coordinator, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525 (mail); or [email protected] (email). Please reference Information Collection ``1024-0296 NATSOUND'' in the subject line. You may also access this ICR at www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the Interior collections under review by OMB. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Turina, Night Skies and Natural Sounds Division, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 (mail); [email protected] (email). Please reference Information Collection ``1024-0296 NATSOUND'' in the subject line. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract Under the Organic Act of 1916 (54 U.S.C.100701), the NPS is charged with conserving the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife in its units. The acoustical environment or soundscape is a fundamental aspect of NPS units and critical to visitors' interaction with and interpretation of said resources. While the NPS has policies in place to monitor and manage acoustical conditions, it does not have information on how visitors value preserving natural sounds and/or reducing noise impacts. We are planning to conduct a stated-preference survey of visitors, however additional testing is needed to ensure that the future results are as reliable as possible. Between 2011 and 2014, researchers at the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center (DOT) requested and received OMB approval (OMB Control Number 1024-0269) to conduct a series of focus groups to pre-test materials for a stated-preference valuation study designed to estimate values for maintaining and enhancing natural soundscapes. The findings from the study indicated that in order to advance the project, another expert panel should be convened to determine how to address the issues raised by the focus groups. A subsequent peer review of this work commissioned by Night Skies and Natural Sounds Division (NSNSD) indicated that fundamental aspects of the survey, notably the framing, presentation and format of the valuation scenario, required restructuring. The purpose of this ICR is to request approval to continue survey development and pre-testing activities that were initiated in 2013. This continuation will involve a series of eight focus groups in two NPS units (four per unit). The intent of the focus groups is to refine and test existing survey materials. Specifically, previous pre-testing efforts indicated that further refinement and testing of stated-preference questions was necessary. Best practice guidelines in the conduct of stated-preference studies require that survey content, language and instructions be clearly understood by respondents. Failure to continue testing the instrument could possibly compromise the accuracy of information collected through the survey when it is implemented II. Data OMB Control Number: 1024-0269. Title: Natural Sounds/Quiet Valuation Survey. Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Park visitors; individual and general households. Respondent Obligation: Voluntary. Frequency of Collection: One time. Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 80 respondents. This collection will involve eight two-hour focus group sessions. We estimate that each group will have at most 10 participants. Annual Burden Hours: 160 hours; two hours per respondent. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'': None. III. Comments A Notice was published in the Federal Register (81 FR 63492) on September 15, 2016, stating that we intended to request OMB approval of our information collection described above. In that Notice, we solicited public comment for 60 days ending November 23, 2013. We received the following two substantive comments in response to that Notice: Comment #1 received October 31, 2016. ``I have reviewed the National Park Service's (NPS) Proposed Information Collection; Natural Sounds/Quiet Valuation Survey, notice and request for comments that appeared in the September 15, 2016 Federal Register (81 FR 63492). According to the notice, the NPS plans to conduct a stated-preference survey of visitors in two park units in order to estimate individual values for maintenance of improvement of acoustical conditions within a national park setting, including a series of focus groups in two NPS units. This ``sampling'' of two NPS units is far too small for the NPS to determine park users objections to noise inflected on our National Parks. In particular, Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest continue to be adversely impact by U.S. Navy jets (http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/05/11/is-noise-from-navy-jets-a-threat-to-olympic-national-park-kilmer-wants-soundings/). In addition, the Navy has proposed expanded its electronic warfare testing over Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/11/09/navy-olympic-national-park-look-jet-noise.html). In summary, the NPS proposed information collection will be woefully inadequate unless it includes Olympic National Park users.'' NPS response on October 31, 2016: ``Thank you for your response to the 60 day Federal Register Notice (81 FR 63492) dated September 15, 2016 for the Proposed Information Collection: Natural Sounds/Quiet Valuation Survey. To be clear, this request is not for the final study on this topic. This request is for sole purpose of conducting a series of focus groups at two National Parks. These focus groups will be used test the reliability and to validate the question we intend to use in the final version of the survey. In order to conduct these focus groups the request must receive OMB; therefore a Federal Register Notice is required. The questions will be calibrated as a result of the focus groups. We will not conduct a ``full'' [[Page 83870]] survey until the questions are peer reviewed and deemed reliable by a panel of non-NPS social scientists. The final version of the survey will be submitted to OMB for review and a separate Federal Register Notice will be published at that time. Neither the date nor the parks to be used in the study have been determined. Thank you again and your comment and our response will be reported to OMB in our request for approval--of the focus groups.'' Comment #2 from the American Motorcyclist Association dated November 3, 2016 (received by postal mail November 7, 2016): This comment addressed the following issues: (1) Whether additional data collection is necessary, and a request for consultation in drafting language for policies addressing excessive noise; (2) A recommendation to measure vehicle noise levels according to established methods, and to consider the implications of alternative study funding sources; and, (3) A request to consider alternative data collection modes that may be less burdensome to visitors such as internet administration or mail- back postcards. NPS response on November 8, 2016: Further refinement and testing of survey materials is necessary because previous focus group results, and an expert peer review, indicated that fundamental aspects of the valuation scenario and questionnaire were not functioning properly. No new noise measurement efforts will be conducted in conjunction with this study. Rather, existing recordings will be utilized to test respondent sensitivity to noise, and elicit a value for reducing or eliminating noises. To ensure that these audio recordings are properly and consistently administered to visitors in the full survey, it will be necessary to intercept them in the park units. NPS will take whatever measures are feasible to minimize respondent burden in the full survey. We again invite comments concerning this information collection on:Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; Ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and Ways to minimize the burden on the respondents, 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. 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 be made publicly available at any time. While you can 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. Dated: November 16, 2016. Madonna L. Baucum, Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service. [FR Doc. 2016-28017 Filed 11-21-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
![83868 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 22, 2016 / Notices
Protracted blocks 41 thru 46, those M.S. No. 10643, except that portion lying writing to the Forest Supervisor, Custer
portions not within the Absaroka-Beartooth northerly of the line bet. Secs. 25 and 36; Gallatin National Forest at the address
Wilderness; M.S. No. 6079. noted above. Comments, including
Protracted blocks 47 and 48; T. 7 S., R. 8 E., names and street addresses of
Protracted block 49, that portion not within M.S. No. 8838, except that portion lying
the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness; westerly of the line bet. Secs. 9 and 10.
respondents, will be available for public
H.E.S. No. 856. T. 6 S., Rs. 8 and 9 E., review at the address indicated above
T. 9 S., R. 9 E., M.S. No. 6078. during regular business hours.
Secs. 1 and 2, those portions not within the Tps. 6 and 7 S., Rs. 9 E., Before including your address, phone
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness; M.S. Nos. 4087 and 4724. number, email address, or other
Sec. 3, lots 1, 2, and 3, NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, T. 7 S., R. 9 E., personal identifying information in your
SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; M.S. Nos. 58, 6705, 6706, 6707, 6939, 6940, comment, you should be aware that
Sec. 4, lot 2, lots 5 thru 9, lots 12 thru 15, 6941, 9015, 9858, and 10229. your entire comment—including your
N1⁄2NE1⁄4, and NW1⁄4; T. 9 S., R. 9 E.,
Sec. 5, lots 1 thru 6, N1⁄2NE1⁄4, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, personal identifying information—may
Sec. 20, lot 1 and SW1⁄4NW1⁄4;
NW1⁄4, and W1⁄2SE1⁄4; M.S. Nos. 46 and 47;
be made publicly available at any time.
Sec. 6, lot 1, lots 5 thru 12, NE1⁄4, and M.S. No. 44, that portion lying northerly of While you can ask us to withhold your
NE1⁄4NW1⁄4; the E–W center line of the SE1⁄4 of Sec. personal identifying information from
Sec. 7, lots 5 and 6, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4, 8; public review, we cannot guarantee that
E1⁄2SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; M.S. Nos. 48 and 61; we will be able to do so.
Sec. 8, lots 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10, M.S. No. 62, that portion lying northerly of Notice is hereby given that a public
SW1⁄4NW1⁄4, and SW1⁄4, excepting the E–W center line of the SE1⁄4 of Sec. meeting in connection with the
Wormsbecker Boundary Adjustment 8;
Tract, Certificate of Survey No. 792BA, application for withdrawal will be held
M.S. Nos. 4535, 4536, 4537, 4538, 4557, at the Shane Center, 415 E Lewis St.,
filed in Park County, Montana, July 22, 4558, 4559, 4560, 4899, 4900, 4901,
1985, Document No. 186782; 4902, 4903, 4904, 4905, 5527, 5528,
Livingston, Montana 59407 on January
Sec. 9, lots 1, 3, and 4, lots 9 thru 15, and 5529, 5531, 5532, 5533, 5542, 5573A, 18, 2017 from 4–7 p.m. The USFS will
S1⁄2SE1⁄4; 5573B, 5581, 5583, 5613, 5614, 5627, publish a notice of the time and place
Sec. 10, lots 1 and 2, N1⁄2, SW1⁄4, and 5628, 5629, 5674, 5675, 5676, 5713, in a local newspaper at least 30 days
N1⁄2SE1⁄4; 5786, 5819, 5820, 6117, 6283, 6284, before the scheduled date of the
Sec. 11, lots 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, N1⁄2NE1⁄4, 6341, 6374, 6376, 6377, 6657, 6930, meeting.
NW1⁄4, N1⁄2SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, SW1⁄4SE1⁄4, 6931, 6999, 7000, 7001, 7002, 7003,
those portions not within the Absaroka-
For a period until November 23, 2018,
7004, 7005, 7006, 7007, 7008, 7108, subject to valid existing rights, the
Beartooth Wilderness; 8869, 8876, 9023, and 9024;
Sec. 14, lots 1 thru 8, NW1⁄4NE1⁄4, National Forest System lands described
M.S. No. 9035, that portion not within the
SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and W1⁄2SW1⁄4, those Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness;
in this notice will be segregated from
portions not within the Absaroka- M.S. Nos. 9681, 9771, 9906, and 10774. location and entry under the United
Beartooth Wilderness; States mining laws, unless the
Sec. 15, lots 1 thru 9, NW1⁄4, and Wormsbecker Boundary Adjustment
application is denied or canceled or the
W1⁄2SW1⁄4; Tract, Certificate of Survey No. 792BA,
withdrawal is approved prior to that
Sec. 16, lots 1 thru 5, E1⁄2, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, and filed in Park County, Montana, July 22,
date. All other activities currently
SW1⁄4NW1⁄4; 1985, Document No. 186782.
Sec. 17, lots 2 and 3, lots 5 thru 8, The areas described aggregate consistent with the Forest plan could
SE1⁄4NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and approximately 1,668 acres in Park continue, including public recreation
SE1⁄4; County. and other activities compatible with
Sec. 18, lots 1 thru 6, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4, The purpose of the requested preservation of the character of the area,
E1⁄2SW1⁄4, and W1⁄2SE1⁄4; withdrawal is to protect and preserve subject to discretionary approval, during
Sec. 19, lots 1 thru 14, NE1⁄4NW1⁄4, and the temporary segregation period.
NE1⁄4SE1⁄4, including the bed of the
the areas scenic integrity, important
wildlife corridors, and high quality The application will be processed in
Yellowstone River; accordance with the regulations set
Sec. 20, lots 2 thru 5, N1⁄2SW1⁄4, and recreation values. The use of a right-of-
way, interagency agreement, or forth in 43 CFR part 2300.
N1⁄2SE1⁄4;
Sec. 21; cooperative agreement would not Kimberly O. Prill,
Sec. 22, lots 2 thru 13, W1⁄2NW1⁄4, and adequately constrain non-discretionary Chief, Branch of Realty, Lands and Renewable
NW1⁄4SW1⁄4; uses and would not provide adequate Energy.
Sec. 23, lots 1 thru 10, NE1⁄4, and N1⁄2SE1⁄4, protection for these areas. [FR Doc. 2016–28052 Filed 11–21–16; 8:45 am]
those portions not within the Absaroka- No alternative sites are feasible
Beartooth Wilderness; BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
because the lands subject to the
Tracts 37, 38, and 39;
H.E.S. No. 253.
withdrawal application are the lands for
which protection is sought from the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The areas described aggregate
approximately 30,370 acres of National
impacts of exploration and development
Forest System lands in Park County. under the United States mining laws. National Park Service
The following described non-Federal lands No water will be needed to fulfill the
and non-Federal mineral rights are within the purpose of the requested withdrawal. [NPS–WASO–NRSS–NSNSD–22441;
exterior boundary of the proposed Records related to the application PPWONRADN1, PPMRSNR1Y.NS000 (177)]
withdrawal application. If title to these non- may be examined by contacting either of
Federal lands or non-Federal mineral rights Information Collection Request Sent to
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
the individuals listed in the FOR
is subsequently acquired by the United FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section
the Office of Management and Budget
States, the application requests that such above. (OMB) for Approval; Natural Sounds/
acquired lands and/or mineral rights become Quiet Valuation Survey: Focus Group
For a period until February 21, 2017,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Pre-Test
withdrawal. all persons who wish to submit
comments, suggestions, or objections in AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
Principal Meridian, Montana connection with the withdrawal
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
T. 6 S., R. 8 E., application may present their views in
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![83870 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 22, 2016 / Notices
survey until the questions are peer public record. Before including your obtaining the Final Programmatic EIS,
reviewed and deemed reliable by a address, phone number, email address, OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2016–060, can
panel of non-NPS social scientists. The or other personal identifying download it from
final version of the survey will be information in your comment, you www.boemoceaninfo.com, or may
submitted to OMB for review and a should be aware that your entire contact BOEM at the address and phone
separate Federal Register Notice will be comment, including your personal number provided above to request a
published at that time. Neither the date identifying information, may be made paper copy or a CD–ROM version.
nor the parks to be used in the study publicly available at any time. While Please specify if you wish a CD–ROM or
have been determined. Thank you again you can ask us in your comment to paper copy. If neither is specified, a CD–
and your comment and our response withhold your personal identifying ROM containing the Final Programmatic
will be reported to OMB in our request information from public review, we EIS will be provided. The Final
for approval—of the focus groups.’’ cannot guarantee that we will be able to Programmatic EIS will also be available
Comment #2 from the American do so. at libraries in states adjacent to the
Motorcyclist Association dated proposed lease sales. These libraries are
Dated: November 16, 2016.
November 3, 2016 (received by postal listed at www.boemoceaninfo.com.
mail November 7, 2016): This comment Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Authority: This Notice of Availability of a
addressed the following issues: (1) Final Programmatic EIS is in compliance
Whether additional data collection is National Park Service.
with the National Environmental Policy Act
necessary, and a request for consultation [FR Doc. 2016–28017 Filed 11–21–16; 8:45 am]
of 1969, as amended (Pub. L. 91–190, 42
in drafting language for policies BILLING CODE 4312–52–P U.S.C. 4231 et seq.), and is published
addressing excessive noise; (2) A pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.6.
recommendation to measure vehicle Dated: November 3, 2016.
noise levels according to established DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Abigail Ross Hopper,
methods, and to consider the Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
implications of alternative study Management.
funding sources; and, (3) A request to [MMAA104000]
[FR Doc. 2016–28249 Filed 11–21–16; 8:45 am]
consider alternative data collection
modes that may be less burdensome to Final Programmatic Environmental BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
visitors such as internet administration Impact Statement for the 2017–2022
or mail-back postcards. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and
NPS response on November 8, 2016: Gas Leasing Program INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND
Further refinement and testing of survey WATER COMMISSION, UNITED
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy STATES AND MEXICO
materials is necessary because previous Management (BOEM), Interior.
focus group results, and an expert peer ACTION: Notice of availability. United States Section
review, indicated that fundamental
aspects of the valuation scenario and SUMMARY: BOEM announces the Notice of Availability of a Draft
questionnaire were not functioning availability of the Final 2017–2022 OCS Environmental Assessment for Alamito
properly. No new noise measurement Oil and Gas Leasing Program and Terneros Sediment and Vegetation
efforts will be conducted in conjunction Programmatic Environmental Impact Removal Below Presidio Flood Control
with this study. Rather, existing Statement (Programmatic EIS) to inform Project, Presidio, Texas
recordings will be utilized to test the 2017–2022 Proposed Final Program.
respondent sensitivity to noise, and The Final Programmatic EIS provides a AGENCY: United States Section,
elicit a value for reducing or eliminating discussion of potential impacts of the International Boundary and Water
noises. To ensure that these audio proposed action, provides an analysis of Commission, United States and Mexico.
recordings are properly and consistently reasonable alternatives to the proposed ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft
administered to visitors in the full action, and recognizes BOEM’s Environmental Assessment (EA).
survey, it will be necessary to intercept preferred alternative. Under Council on SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c)
them in the park units. NPS will take Environmental Quality (CEQ) of the National Environmental Policy
whatever measures are feasible to regulations at 40 CFR 1506.10(b)(2), the Act of 1969; the Council on
minimize respondent burden in the full Secretary of the Interior will not finalize Environmental Quality Final
survey. the 2017–2022 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing
We again invite comments concerning Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through
Program until at least 30 days after 1508); and the United States Section,
this information collection on: publication of the Final Programmatic
• Whether the proposed collection of Operational Procedures for
EIS. Implementing Section 102 of NEPA,
information is necessary for the agency
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill published in the Federal Register
to perform its duties, including whether
the information is useful; Lewandowski, Ph.D., Bureau of Ocean September 2, 1981, (46 FR 44083); the
• The accuracy of the agency’s Energy Management, 45600 Woodland United States Section hereby gives
estimate of the burden of the proposed Road VAM–OEP, Sterling, VA 20166. notice that the Draft Environmental
collection of information; Dr. Lewandowski may also be reached Assessment for Alamito and Terneros
• Ways to enhance the quality, by telephone at (703) 787–1703. Sediment and Vegetation Removal
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Draft below Presidio Flood Control Project,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
usefulness, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and Programmatic EIS was published on Presidio, Texas is available. An
• Ways to minimize the burden on March 18, 2016, with a 45-day public environmental impact statement will
the respondents, including the use of comment period that ended on May 2, not be prepared unless additional
automated collection techniques or 2016. BOEM considered all comments information which may affect this
other forms of information technology. submitted on the Draft Programmatic decision is brought to our attention
Comments that you submit in EIS during preparation of the Final within 30-days from the date of this
response to this notice are a matter of Programmatic EIS. Persons interested in Notice.
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Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:29:35
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:29:35
| 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; request for comments. | |
| Dates | To ensure that your comments on this ICR are considered, OMB must receive them on or before December 22, 2016. | |
| Contact | Frank Turina, Night Skies and Natural Sounds Division, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 (mail); [email protected] (email). Please reference Information Collection ``1024-0296 NATSOUND'' in the subject line. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 83868 |
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