SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that we are requesting re-approval for the collection of data from recreational users of our lands, rivers, and reservoirs. To meet our needs for the collection of visitor use data, we will be requesting OMB to authorize a two-part request. The first part of the request provides us with a set of 11 pre-approved questionnaires to be administered as approved by OMB.

The second part of the request consists of OMB and the Bureau of Reclamation agreeing upon a process whereby we custom design a survey instrument to fit a specific situation or area. The custom designed survey would be created by extracting questions from the approved questionnaires as applicable to the area and issue being evaluated. Only questions included in the pre-approved questionnaires will be used. We will then submit the new survey form to OMB for expedited approval.

I. Abstract

The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for recreation development at all of its reservoirs. Presently, there are 289 designated recreation areas on our lands within the 17 Western States hosting over 24 million visitors annually. As a result, we must be able to respond to emerging trends, changes in the demographic profile of users, changing values, needs, wants, and desires, and conflicts between user groups. Statistically valid and up-to-date data derived from the user is essential to developing and providing recreation programs relevant to today's visitor.

II. Data

OMB Control Number: 1006-0028. ( printed page 47674)

Title: Recreation Visitor Use Surveys

Frequency: Varies by survey.

Respondents: Respondents to the surveys will be members of the public engaged in recreational activities on our lands. Several surveys target people engaged in various activities such as boating on a specific lake, or people camping at a developed campground. Visitors will primarily consist of local residents, people from large metropolitan areas in the vicinity of the lake/reservoir, and people from out of state.

Estimated Total Number of Respondents: 7,531

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.0

Estimated Total of Annual Responses: 7,531

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: 2,043

Comments

Comments are invited on:

(a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of our functions, including whether the information will have practical use;

(b) The accuracy of our estimated time and cost burdens of the proposed new collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c) Ways to enhance the quality, use, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including increased use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

We will summarize all comments received regarding this notice. We will publish that summary in the Federal Register when the information collection is submitted to OMB for review and approval.

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.

79 FR 47673