[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 238 (Thursday, December 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 65280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32422]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Information Collection To Be Submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval Under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act

SUMMARY: The collection of information described below will be 
submitted to OMB for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. Copies of specific information collection 
requirements, related forms and explanatory material may be obtained by 
contacting the Service Information Collection Clearance officer at the 
address and/or phone numbers listed below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments and suggestions on specific requirements should be 
sent to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, MS 222 ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 
20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth L. Grannemann, Chief, Branch 
of Visitor Services, Division of Refuges, 703/358-2029; or Phadrea 
Ponds, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO, 
970/226-9445.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service proposes to submit the following 
information collection clearance requirements to OMB for review and 
approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. 
Comments are invited 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 the agency's 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. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was one of the four 
agencies mandated to implement the program and evaluate its impact on 
the visiting public. This study is designed to scientifically evaluate 
visitor reactions and impact of the fees on visitation to the national 
wildlife refuges (NWR); it will be conducted by the U.S. Geological 
Survey Biological Resources Divisions Social Economic and Institutional 
Analysis Section in Fort Collins, Colorado under a cooperative 
agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
    To represent the various types of fee changes, as well as fee 
demonstration refuges, six distinct fee programs and ten refuges were 
selected for inclusion in the study. These include (1) new entrance 
fees (Sacramento NWR, CA and Arkansas NWR, TX); (2) increased entrance 
fees (Dungeness NWR, WA); (3) new annual passes (Chincoteaque NWR, VA 
and Crab Orchard NWR, IL); (4) new hunt fees (St. Catherine's Creek 
NWR, MS and Balcones NWR, TX); (5) non-hunt use permits (Buenos Aires 
NWR, AZ and Fort Niobrara NWR, NE) and (6) non-fee adjustments 
(Piedmont NWR, GA). Random samples of individuals using these refuges 
will be surveyed. The Service plans to use as part of the evaluation 
process a survey questionnaire to assess the different fee programs. An 
on-site questionnaire will be distributed during the peak season to a 
random sample of the visiting public. A minimum of 400 completed 
surveys will be obtained for each fee type. An additional 200 surveys 
will be obtained from Sacramento NWR to allow for examination of credit 
card entrances as well as new entrance fees in general. Overall, this 
will result in a total sample of 2,600 respondents. The margin of error 
for each fee type is <plus-minus>5% at the 95% confidence level. The 
information gained from this survey will provide a scientific basis for 
evaluating the 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 programs.
    Bureau form number: None.
    Frequency of collection: One time.
    Description of respondents: Individuals and households.
    Number of respondents: 2,600.
    Estimated completion time: 10 minutes.
    Burden estimate: 433 hours.

    Dated: December 4, 1997.
Jeffery M. Donahoe,
Acting Assistant Director, Refuges and Wildlife.
[FR Doc. 97-32422 Filed 12-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M