0596-NEW Flathead River Supporting Statement A_4-11-2012

The Supporting Statement for OMB 0596-NEW

McKenzie River and Trail Visitor Surveys

Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey

USDA Forest Service, Flathead and Willamette National Forests,

National Park Service, Glacier National Park

February 2012

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The Forest Service Willamette National Forest and Flathead National Forest, in co-operation with National Park Service Glacier National Park, are proposing to conduct an information collection in 2012, from forest visitors using the Flathead and McKenzie and Wild and Scenic Rivers and McKenzie River National Recreational Trail. The McKenzie visitor survey will (1) support implementation of the existing Willamette National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USFS 1990) and Upper McKenzie River Management Plan (“UMRMP,” USFS 1992) by providing the data necessary to help manage use in compliance with the plans and to protect the rivers’ Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs), (2) assess changes in visitor experience that have occurred since a previous river study in 1996, and (3) inform management practices to protect and enhance the outstandingly remarkable values identified for the McKenzie River, as required by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The Flathead visitor survey, which is being conducted in partnership with Glacier National Park, will (1) support the development of a Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) and, in particular, will assist managers in determining a user capacity for the river, both of which are statutory requirements of the Wild and Scenic River Act and (2) help determine the allocation of service days for outfitters and guides and develop thresholds and standards for important, measurable attributes.

These three surveys support the same mission sharing the same methodology, and are included in this one Information Collection Request to improve efficiency, interagency co-operation, to reduce public burden, and to reduce duplication of effort. However, the surveys for the two locations (Willamette National Forest and Flathead National Forest) will be implemented independently of each other, and the information collected will not be compared between the two locations because of the disparate management issues the surveys are meant to help address. The information from the two surveys on the Willamette National Forest, one for the McKenzie River and one for the McKenzie River Trail, will be combined and shared as useful and appropriate.

A 1986 amendment to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 99-590, An Act to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and other purposes) requires, among other things, that river managers must develop plans that address “user capacities” and consider management practices to maintain use within established capacities (Section 3 (d)(1)). Further, a 9^th Circuit court of appeals ruling (in Friends of Yosemite Valley, MERG v. Kempthorne) has strengthened the requirements for addressing user capacities, stating that the agency must identify an “actual level of visitor use that will not adversely impact the [River’s] outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs)” and that user capacities are a “specific measurable limit on use.” Establishing carrying capacity is in large part based on a determination of the impact of recreation on the natural resource base, which is outside the scope of this information collection. However, it is generally recognized that “social carrying capacity” should be based on visitors’ reports of their experience quality and how conditions such as crowding or conflict affect experience quality (Manning 2007; Shelby & Heberlein 1986). Reaching such a determination requires information from visitors themselves. This high level of standard requires Forests to gather sufficient information to identify a numeric user capacity for the river and to develop a management plan that will help protect the River’s ORVs.

Visitor surveys are an important element of the information necessary to develop a CRMP and support a user capacity finding. Visitor surveys are the only way for the Forest Service to collect information about visitor experiences and attitudes. In addition, since there is no user permitting system in place on these rivers, surveys are the only thorough way to study how individuals and groups are traveling on the river and what activities they are participating in. Observational visitor counts cannot efficiently provide this kind of specific information. The surveys proposed will also help managers to identify the most important indicators to monitor over the life of the plan to determine if any thresholds may be being approached and if management action may need to occur. Without this Information Collection, managers would not have the optimal information for determining how to best manage the Flathead and McKenzie Wild and Scenic Rivers to protect outstandingly remarkable values for which these rivers were designated, as required by law. Without this information, river managers would not have quantifiable nor representative information about public perceptions and preferences on which to base decisions that are meant to enhance visitors’ recreation experience and protect the natural resource. The data collected in 1996 about McKenzie River use will be used in comparison with the results of this survey to identify trends and changes in condition, but alone, that 1996 data is too old to rely on to understand the current situation and inform management decisions that protect ORVs.

Several laws authorize this information collection:

1. The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA) (P.L. 93-378) guides planning and inventory activities on the National Forests. It requires the agency to inventory resources in the National Forests, including recreation opportunities, and to periodically review and update these assessments. It states (Sec. 1603) that “the inventory shall be kept current so as to reflect changes in conditions and identify new and emerging resources and values.” The RPA instructs the Forest Service to consider economic impacts of management actions and to manage for the multiple uses identified within the Multiple-Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960 (74 Stat. 215; 16 U.S.C. 528-531), which includes recreation. Section 1642 specifically authorizes the agency to conduct studies necessary to obtain scientific information to protect and manage resources for the key resource areas, one of which is recreation. Thus, the National Forests are authorized by this act to conduct monitoring studies, including visitor studies to support recreation management. Such activities should include “the best available scientific skills from a variety of disciplines” (16 USC Sec. 1645 (d)(1) and “a proper mixture of basic and applied research,” (16 USC Sec. 1645 (d)(2)).

EXCERPTS:

“the public interest is served by the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture… assessing the Nation's renewable resources, and developing and preparing a national renewable resource program, which is periodically reviewed and updated,” (16 USC Sec. 1600 (2).

Sec 1604 (g)(3): “specifying guidelines for land management plans developed to achieve the goals of the Program which - A) insure consideration of the economic and environmental aspects of various systems of renewable resource management, including the related systems of silviculture and protection of forest resources, to provide for outdoor recreation (including wilderness), range, timber, watershed, wildlife, and fish;

Sec 1642 (a): “The Secretary is authorized to conduct, support, and cooperate in investigations, experiments, tests, and other activities the Secretary deems necessary to obtain, analyze, develop, demonstrate, and disseminate scientific information about protecting, managing, and utilizing forest and rangeland renewable resources in rural, suburban, and urban areas. The activities conducted, supported, or cooperated in by the Secretary under this subchapter shall include, but not be limited to, the five major areas of renewable resource research identified in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection.”

2. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-542, 16 U.S.C. 1271-1287) directs the Forest Service to protect and enhance the Outstandingly Remarkable Values for which the river was designated. Recreation is one of the ORVs of the McKenzie and Flathead Rivers, and information is needed to determine whether recreational values are being adequately protected and enhanced. Such information should come from visitors themselves, and visitor surveys are an accepted way to assess the quality of recreational experiences and the factors that affect those experiences. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act specifically authorizes the agency to develop management policies and regulations to protect river values, and the choice of those policies and regulations should be guided in part by input from the public.

EXCERPTS:

Section 10(a) “Each component of the national wild and scenic rivers system shall be administered in such manner as to protect and enhance the values which caused it to be included in said system without, insofar as is consistent therewith, limiting other uses that do not substantially interfere with public use and enjoyment of these values.”

Section 12(a): “the Secretary of Agriculture… shall take such action respecting management policies, regulations, contracts, plans, affecting such lands, following the date of enactment of this sentence, as may be necessary to protect such rivers in accordance with the purposes of this Act.”

3. The National Trails System Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-543, as amended through P.L. 111-11, March 30, 2009; USC 16, Sections 1241-1251) directs land managers “to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas” (Sec 2(a)). To ensure the continued public enjoyment of the McKenzie River and Flathead River Trails, information is needed about how conditions and uses of the trail affect visitor experiences..

EXCERPT:

Section 7(i): “The appropriate Secretary… may issue regulations, which may be revised from time to time, governing the use, protection, management, development, and administration of trails of the national trails system.”

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The information will be used in conjunction with other information about natural resource conditions by Flathead and Willamette National Forest and Glacier National Park managers in taking actions to provide optimum recreation experiences for visitors, while still protecting the natural resource. Information from this study will help managers determine how well river and trail values are being protected and what actions may be needed to ensure the outstandingly remarkable values for which the rivers were designated are protected and enhanced.

The McKenzie River and Trail are located within close proximity of large population centers in Western Oregon. Access is very easy from highways. Those two destinations tend to be busy with an urban feeling. The McKenzie River is known primarily for the commercial fishing and floating opportunities; the McKenzie Trail for day hiking and mountain biking.

The Flathead River, by contrast, is in a fairly remote part of Northwestern Montana with no real population centers from which to draw. Users of the Flathead River vary from those seeking a very remote, multi-day wilderness experience (15-40 miles from a trailhead to the river put-in) to those who are interested in a short half day whitewater experience.

1. What information will be collected - reported or recorded? (If there are pieces of information that are especially burdensome in the collection, a specific explanation should be provided.)

The surveys used in these projects will focus on the following categories of questions:

• Basic socio-demographic information, which will permit comparison among groups of managerially relevant groups;

• Characteristics of visitor groups (group size and composition) and trips (trip length and activities), which will permit comparison among groups of managerially relevant groups;

• Perception of social conditions such as crowding and conflict, and the effect of such conditions on visitor experiences, which will aid in determination of whether ORVs are being protected. Some questions (like types of watercraft) are intended to tease out specific visitor conflicts;

• Perception of ecological conditions such as litter and vegetation loss, and the effect of such conditions on visitor experiences, which will aid in the determination of whether ORVs are being protected;

• Visitor knowledge of recreational etiquette and safe behavior, which will help managers determine whether additional education or law enforcement efforts are needed;

• Visitor expenditures associated with their recreational visit, which will provide information about the economic value of recreation along the McKenzie River;

• Visitors’ opinions about existing and potential management actions and policies; which will help managers select appropriate and acceptable management options, should other data in the survey suggest that such actions are needed.

These questions are all designed to help the agency comply with its statutory requirements and serve the public more effectively. If visitors report that the conditions they experience detract from their experience quality, managers may consider taking action to reduce those impacts and thus improve conditions. Input from visitors about the acceptability of alternative management actions can help managers choose among different approaches to address problems. An understanding of visitor knowledge about appropriate and safe behaviors will enable the agency to determine whether additional educational or enforcement actions are needed. Visitor expenditure data will enable the agency to determine the economic value of recreation, as well as the potential economic impacts of alternative management actions. Basic socio-demographic and trip information will enable the agency to determine whether there are important differences among different user sub-groups that need to be taken into consideration. The public will benefit from this information collection by the inclusion of locally-relevant, current public values and attitudes being incorporated into management decisions.

This is a voluntary and anonymous survey. No part of this information collection will be intrusive.

2. From whom will the information be collected? If there are different respondent categories (e.g., loan applicant versus a bank versus an appraiser), each should be described along with the type of collection activity that applies.

The surveys will obtain data from recreational visitors (both outfitted clients and private citizens) who use the Flathead and McKenzie Rivers for boating or fishing, who use the McKenzie River Trail for recreational activities (hiking or mountain biking), or who camp along the Flathead and McKenzie Rivers. Visitors will be contacted at primary access points. Along the McKenzie River, boaters and anglers users will complete one version of the questionnaire and trail users will complete another version. The two questionnaires contain many of the same questions, but vary in specific elements pertinent to each setting and population of visitors. For the Flathead River, all questions are contained in one survey instrument.

The Willamette National Forest has identified 11 points for visitor contact. Visitors will be contacted on 12 randomly selected dates for each of these sites during one recreation season, between April 15 and September 30, 2012. The sampling strategy is stratified by use season, so that each site is sampled four times in during the first 1/3 of the recreation use season, four times in the middle 1/3 of the season, and four times in the last 1/3 of the season. See supplemental materials for sampling schedule.

For the Flathead River, Forest Service River Rangers, National Park Service Rangers, National Park Service backcountry permit office, volunteers, and/or interns will contact visitors at 33 sites on each of the three forks of the Flathead River five times per site throughout one recreation season (2012). Survey sites include major developed sites like trail heads, river take-outs, and backcountry air strips as well as more remote, less defined locations.

For both locations (McKenzie and Flathead Rivers), based on managers’ assessment of use levels, we are estimating that we will obtain an average of 9 completed surveys per site per day.

On each sample day, staff will be present for six hours. All visitor groups completing their recreational activities will be approached and adults (16 years and older) will be asked to participate in the survey. The unit of analysis is the individual. We will know if individuals are from the same group because that is marked on the survey log. Visitors who have previously responded to the survey will not be asked to respond a second time (this information will be obtained through a verbal screening question asking whether the individual had previously completed a questionnaire along the river previously in the year).

Based on recent experiences with similar surveys, and the level of participation in the 1996 survey on the McKenzie River, we expect approximately 80% of visitors to agree to complete the survey. (For example, in a 2011 study of visitors to Lake Roosevelt, WA, using similar instruments (Hall & Bentley 2012), compliance was above 80% at all study sites.) We used 81% -- the response rate from the 1996 McKenzie River study – in calculating burden hours. We will record information about all parties approached (see Survey Log), so that we can address potential non-response bias.

Table 1. Summary of A.2.a and b – Description of information collection activities

Information Collected	Description	Information Provided to:	Prepared by
Resident demographics, beliefs and opinions	Survey of recreational visitors	USDAFS- Flathead and Willamette NF and NPS - Glacier National Park	Individual respondents

2. Information be used for - provide ALL uses?

The surveys are necessary to obtain information about recreational visitors’ experiences. Visitor responses about conditions encountered and their effects on experience quality will inform managers about the need to implement various management practices to avert conflict and redress impacts to experience quality. For the Flathead River, data will be used in development of the Comprehensive River Management Plan (as described above). For the McKenzie River, data will also serve as a benchmark for assessing trends in experience quality over time. Visitor responses about potential management alternatives will help managers identify management strategies that have minimal adverse impacts to visitor experience quality. Data about expenditures will help the agency comply with its legal obligation to consider economic impacts of different management alternatives.

2. How will the information be collected (e.g., forms, non-forms, electronically, face-to-face, over the phone, over the Internet)? Does the respondent have multiple options for providing the information? If so, what are they?

The surveys will be administered on-site. Visitors will be invited to participate, and willing participants will complete a paper copy of the questionnaire and return it to the surveyor. Given that the study sites are remote and visitors will be outdoors, the option for an on-line survey is not practical. A mail-return survey was considered, but not adopted, because recent research demonstrates that voluntary mail surveys of park visitors may have lower response rates, potentially resulting in biased samples of visitors. (For example, the overall response rate for mail surveys administered by the NPS Visitor Services Project is 69%; Dr. Lena Le, personal communication). Similar, recent projects using on-site self-administered questionnaires of park visitors have achieved response rates of approximately 80% (Hall & Bentley 2012).

2. How frequently will the information be collected?

The surveys will be administered during one recreation season (April 15 (McKenzie)/May 1 (Flathead) to September 30, 2012).

2. Will the information be shared with any other organizations inside or outside USDA or the government?

As partners on the Flathead River Survey, Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park will be working together on the survey analysis and sharing the survey information.

Analysis of aggregate survey results may be displayed or described in public management or planning documents, which would be made available to the public during their development (for official public comment periods) and afterwards via various standard methods. A summary report will be generated and made available on-line (likely on both Forest Service and NPS websites) to interested individuals, organizations, and agencies.

2. If this is an ongoing collection, how have the collection requirements changed over time?

This is a new collection.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic sub­mission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

There is no use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques. The survey will be entirely paper-based. The team considered the use of an internet-based survey and determined, given comparatively low response rates to mail and internet-based surveys versus onsite completed instruments. In addition, contacts will be made with visitors in remote areas, where paper-based methods are the only option for on-site completion. Researchers have had high participation rates and support from visitors in using on-site paper surveys at various recreation sites similar to those in this study.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

Other studies have previously investigated visitor experience and attitudes toward management among recreational users of national forests. We have queried other US Forest Service researchers across the country to identify similar studies, and those inquiries revealed that there are no other river-related studies currently being developed. It is important to note that prior research conducted in other areas does not provide information that can be used to make future management decisions on the Flathead or McKenzie Rivers and the McKenzie River Trail.

There is need for the specific Information Collection Instruments in this proposal because no other instruments previously approved by OMB will provide the site-specific information necessary to inform management decisions. This requires survey questions and methodology focused on characteristics of each study area. These include the unique and sometimes conflicting interplay between trail and river uses, the proximity of the McKenzie study area to urban centers, the remote wilderness location of parts of the Flathead River, local sensitivities to Forest Service management decisions of the rivers and trail, and commercial and institutional use of these community assets.

Moreover, this information collection seeks to assess trends in visitor experiences over the time since the previous 1996 study in the Willamette National Forest (Hall & Shelby 1996) and since development of the Flathead River Management Plan in 1980. This survey replication will provide important information about whether and how the visitor experience has been affected by the dramatic increases in recreational use over the past 15-25 years.

Although the findings from other research cannot accomplish these studies’ objectives, the specific survey questions have been informed by previous research. Study collaborator Dr. Troy Hall (University of Idaho) has conducted research on recreational visitors to National Forest units for the past 20 years (including studies on the McKenzie River in 1996 and the nearby Clackamas River in 1994), and she has carefully reviewed the survey questions and methods for these studies.

In the accompanying questionnaires, the origin of specific survey items is identified. Many are from the National Park Service’s “known pool” of questions that have previously been approved by OMB. These are labeled as “approved NPS.” In some cases, the NPS approved question specifies a required format (introduction and response format), while permitting individual units to supply the specific items. These are so noted in the McKenzie River and Trail questionnaires. Questions repeated from the 1996 McKenzie River study are labeled “1996.”

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities¹, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

No small business or other small entities as defined in 5 U.S.C. 601 (3) (4) (5) are targeted by this survey.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

The findings of this survey will be useful in improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and management of recreation opportunities in the Flathead and Willamette National Forests and Glacier National Park. If the collection is not conducted, the Forests and Park will continue to operate their programs under assumptions about effects on visitor experiences that may not be valid. Additionally, future restrictions on commercial and institutional use of the Flathead and McKenzie Rivers are likely.

If the visitor surveys were not performed, land managers would have to rely on limited monitoring and observational data from the records of field-based managers. Many previous studies have shown that managers’ perceptions are not accurate indicators of visitor experiences, and information about the attitudes, experiences, and preferences of visitors cannot be monitored by observing the visitors alone. In addition, research has shown that without the information from this survey, managers would not have representative information about public perceptions and preferences.

The surveys were specifically developed to place the smallest possible burden on respondents.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• Requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• Requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

Respondents will be asked to complete the questionnaire in-person, on-site, at the time they are approached.

• Requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• Requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

• In connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

• Requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been revie­wed and approved by OMB;

• That includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unneces­sarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

• Requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no other special circumstances. The collection of information is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

A Federal Register Notice notifying the public of the 60-day comment period for this Information Collection Request was published in Volume 76 page 77768 on December 14, 2011. One comment was received, suggesting a wording change to one of the survey questions. The Forest Service agreed with the suggestion and made the change on all three of the surveys. No other comments were received.

This collection package was forwarded to National Agricultural Statistical Service for review and comment. Their comments are attached to this submission, and all comments were accepted and addressed.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

The following individuals have commented on the project and data collection methodology. Their input was included in wording of specific survey items, as well as the details of sampling and data collection. These individuals were selected because of their knowledge of recreation visitor research and their expertise in survey methodology.

Dr. Ed Krumpe, Professor

Department of Conservation Social Sciences

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID, 83844

208 885-7911

ekrumpe@uidaho.edu

Dr. Robert Burns

West Virginia University

6125 Percival Hall
Morgantown, WV 26506-6125
304-293-6781

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

All questions used in this study have been adapted from previous visitor surveys. No record keeping is required for this study.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than re-enumeration of contractors or grantees.

No payment or gift will be provided. The surveys are completely voluntary.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

No information covered by the Privacy Act will be collected. Respondents will be assured of the anonymous nature of their responses – no identifying information will be collected.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

The surveys do not contain questions of a sensitive nature. Participation is voluntary and participants can choose to leave blank any question which they do not feel comfortable answering.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated.

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form.

a) Description of the collection activity

b) Corresponding form number (if applicable)

c) Number of respondents

d) Number of responses annually per respondent,

e) Total annual responses (columns c x d)

f) Estimated hours per response

g) Total annual burden hours (columns e x f)

Table 2. Summary for section A.12, a to g – Annual Burden Hours

(a) Description of the Collection Activity	(b) Form Number	(c) Number of Respondents	(d) Number of responses annually per Respondent	(e) Total annual responses (c x d)	(f) Estimate of Burden Hours per response	(g) Total Annual Burden Hours (e x f)
Forest Service McKenzie River and Trail Visitor Survey – Visitors approached-Non Response	NA	279		279	0.10 hours (6 minutes)	28
Forest Service McKenzie River and Trail Visitor Survey – Visitors approached and Agree to complete survey	NA	1188*	1	1188	0.10 hours (6 minutes)	119
Forest Service McKenzie River and Trail Visitor Survey – Surveys completed	NA	1188*	1	1188	0.33 hours (20 minutes)	392
FOREST SERVICE WILLAMETTE NF (MCKENZIE RIVER & TRAIL) TOTAL		2655		2655		539
Forest Service Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey – visitors approached- Non-response (Flathead National Forest)	NA	258	1	258	0.10 hours (6 minutes)	26
Forest Service Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey – visitors approached-Agree to complete survey (Flathead National Forest)	NA	1100*	1	1100	0.10 hours (6 minutes)	110
Forest Service Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey – Surveys completed (Flathead National Forest)	NA	1100*	1	1100	0.33 hours (20 minutes)	363
FOREST SERVICE FLATHEAD NF TOTAL		1358		1358		499
DOI-NPS Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey – visitors approached-Non-response (Glacier National Park)	NA	90	1	90	0.10 hours (6 minutes)	9
DOI-NPS Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey – visitors approached-Agree to complete survey (Glacier National Park)	NA	385*	1	385	0.10 hours (6 minutes)	39
DOI-NPS Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey – Surveys completed (Glacier National Park)	NA	385*	1	385	0.33 hours (20 minutes)	127
DOI-NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK TOTAL		475		475		175
GRAND TOTAL		5973*		5973		1213

*Assumes 81% of the total number of Visitors approached will agree to continue on to second phase of the Information Collection and complete the survey.

• Record keeping burden should be addressed separately and should include columns for:

a) Description of record keeping activity: None

b) Number of record keepers: None

c) Annual hours per record keeper: None

d) Total annual record keeping hours (columns b x c): Zero

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.

Table 3. Summary for section A.12, part 3 – Estimated cost to respondents

(a) Description of the Collection Activity	(b) Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents (Hours from table 2)	(c)* Estimated Average Income per Hour	(d) Estimated Cost to Respondents
Approach & survey	1185	$22.78	$ 26,994.30

* The Estimated Average Income Per Hour was obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics December 2010 (preliminary) estimate of average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls, seasonally adjusted (Summary Table B, http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf)

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information, (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in items 12 and 14). The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.

There are no capital operation and maintenance costs.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Provide a description of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The response to this question covers the actual costs the agency will incur as a result of implementing the information collection. The estimate should cover the entire life cycle of the collection and include costs, if applicable, for:

• Employee labor and materials for developing, printing, storing forms

• Employee labor and materials for developing computer systems, screens, or reports to support the collection

• Employee travel costs

• Cost of contractor services or other reimbursements to individuals or organizations assisting in the collection of information

• Employee labor and materials for collecting the information

• Employee labor and materials for analyzing, evaluating, summarizing, and/or reporting on the collected information

For the McKenzie River, data collection and analysis are to be conducted under a cooperative agreement with Oregon State University and the University of Idaho. Estimates provided here include associated material and travel costs to collect and analyze data and disseminate results for only the federal employee portion (USDA Forest Service, Willamette National Forests). Over the life of the collection, it is estimated that the information collection will require 100 hours to work with study collaborators and to collect and manage the dataset. In addition to the costs associated with this staff time, the Willamette National Forest will pay $65,951 to the University of Idaho and Oregon State University for the development and implementation of the survey and analysis of the data.

For the Flathead River, the data collection will be conducted by seasonal river rangers from the Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park as well as volunteers and interns. Supervision will be from the GS 9 Recreation Managers. Estimates provided here include associated material and travel costs to collect the data. It is estimated that the information collection will require approximately 400 hours with a significant number of hours conducted by volunteers or interns with little to no cost to the government.

Table 4. Summary for section A.14 – Estimate of annual cost to the Federal government

ACTION ITEM	PERSONNEL	GS LEVEL/STEP	HOURLY RATE1	HOURS	TOTAL COSTS2
Labor for Willamette National Forests	Willamette National Forest staff	GS 12-5	42.55	100	4255.00
Travel for Willamette National Forest					500.00
Cooperative Agreement between Willamette National Forest and the University of Idaho and Oregon State University					65,951.00
Labor for Flathead National Forest	Flathead Forest personnel	GS 5-1 GS 9-5	17.08 29.34	200 50	3416.00 1467.00
Labor for Glacier National Park	Glacier National Park personnel	GS 5-1 GS 9-5	17.08 29.34	50 15	854.00 440.10
Travel for Flathead National Forest					500.00
Travel for Glacier National Park					200.00
Total					$77,583.10

1. Cost per hour includes salary, supervision, and overhead.

2. Total costs include both salary and other costs for travel, supplies, etc.

* Taken from: http://www.opm.gov/oca/11tables/index.asp - Estimated cost to Government calculated as hourly wage multiplied by 1.3; Salary Table 2011-GS used based on hourly rate and locality pay for the rest of the United States.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in items 13 or 14 of OMB form 83-I.

This is a new information collection.

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.

The data received from the survey will be stored in an Excel database and would be available to the public upon request. Results of the data analysis will be reported in a summary report and in any relevant planning documents (such as documents produced for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act). Both the Flathead (along with Glacier National Park) and the Willamette National Forest plan to use the data and analysis to inform the development and revision of the respective river management plans, which are expected to be completed within 5 years of survey completion.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

The valid OMB control number and expiration date will be displayed on all instruments.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in item 19, "Certification Requirement for Paperwork Reduction Act."

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

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