Information Collection Request Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Renewal Under the Paperwork Reduction Act

We propose to submit the following information collection clearance requirements to OMB for renewal under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. We invite comments on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of our estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Congress authorized a recreation fee demonstration program in Pub. L. 104-134. We were one of the four agencies mandated to implement the program and evaluate its impact on the visiting public. This study will scientifically evaluate visitor reactions and impact of the fees on visitation to the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). The U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Social Economic and Institutional Analysis Section in Fort Collins, Colorado will conduct the study under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Although we planned to end this survey on December 15, 1998 with a joint report issued on March 31, 1999, a November, 1998 GAO report (GAO-RCED-99-7) recommended that only one year of data collection for the recreation fee demonstration program was insufficient. GAO concluded that this collection should continue for further evaluation. Section 328 of H.R. 4193 (subsequently in FY 1999 Interior appropriations) authorized extension of the program through FY 2001. To represent the various types of fee changes, as well as fee demonstration refuges, six distinct fee programs and nine refuges were selected for inclusion in the study. These include: (1) New entrance fees (Sacramento NWR, CA and Aransas NWR, TX); (2) increased entrance fees (Dungeness NWR, WA); (3) new annual passes (Chincoteague NWR, VA and Crab Orchard NWR, IL); (4) new hunt fees (St. Catherine's Creek NWR, MS and Balcones Canyonlands NWR, TX); (5) non-hunt use permits (Buenos Aires NWR, AZ) and (6) non-fee adjustments (Piedmont NWR, GA). We will survey random samples of individuals using these refuges. We plan to use as part of the evaluation process a survey questionnaire to assess the different fee programs. We will distribute an on-site questionnaire during the peak season to a random sample of the visiting public and obtain a minimum of 400 completed surveys for each fee type. We will obtain additional information from Sacramento NWR to allow for examination of credit card entrances as well as new entrance fees in general. We will ask no questions of the participants, simply note payment by credit card. Overall, this will result in a total sample of 2,400 respondents. The margin of error for each fee type is 5% at the 95% confidence level. the information gained from this survey will provide a viability of the fee program among the visiting public. The lead project officer is Dr. Jonathan G. Taylor,

Research Social Scientist, phone 970/226/9438, 4512 McMurry Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80525-3400. Title: Evaluation of visitor responses to recreation fee demonstration program. Bureau for number: None. Frequency of collection: On occasion. Description of the respondents: Individuals and households. Number of respondents: 2,400. Estimated completion time: 10 minutes. Burden estimate: 400 hours.

Dated: February 10, 1999. Paul R. Schmidt, Acting Assistant Director for Refuges and Wildlife. [FR Doc. 99-3656 Filed 2-12-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M