Request for Generic Clearance

Request for Approval under the “Generic Clearance for the Collection of
Routine Customer Feedback” (OMB Control Number: XXXX-YYYY)
TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION:
Listening Sessions with FWS Partners for updating Migratory Bird Program’s Strategic Plan
PURPOSE:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program (MBP) is updating its long-range
(10-year) strategic plan. These small discussion groups will be conducted to collect information
from stakeholders (State and Federal agency personnel along with non-profit conservation
organizations) about their viewpoints regarding the major issues facing migratory birds, their
habitats and the FWS Migratory Bird Program. The information gained from these
conversations will be used to capture and categorize qualitative perspective from each region of
emerging issues and challenges, not attempting to establish statistical significance or validity.
The key point is this survey focuses on identifying emerging trends, issues, and partnerships for
global migratory bird management.
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS:
Participants in this process will include, but are not limited to Federal and State agency
personnel, and non-government agencies (e.g. Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy).
TYPE OF COLLECTION: (Check one)
[ ] Customer Comment Card/Complaint Form
[ ] Usability Testing (e.g., Website or Software
[] Focus Group

[ ] Customer Satisfaction Survey
[x] Small Discussion Group (Listening
Session)
[ ] Other: Short emerging trends web-based
survey

CERTIFICATION:
I certify the following to be true:
1. The collection is voluntary.
2. The collection is low-burden for respondents and low-cost for the Federal Government.
3. The collection is non-controversial and does not raise issues of concern to other federal
agencies.
4. The results are not intended to be disseminated to the public.
5. Information gathered will not be used for the purpose of substantially informing influential
policy decisions.
6. The collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions from respondents who have
experience with the program or may have experience with the program in the future.
Name:________________________________________________

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To assist review, please provide answers to the following question:
Personally Identifiable Information:
1. Is personally identifiable information (PII) collected? [ ] Yes [ x] No
2. If Yes, will any information that is collected be included in records that are subject to the
Privacy Act of 1974? [ ] Yes [ x] No
3. If Yes, has an up-to-date System of Records Notice (SORN) been published? [ ] Yes [X] No
Gifts or Payments:
Is an incentive (e.g., money or reimbursement of expenses, token of appreciation) provided to
participants? [ ] Yes [ x] No
BURDEN HOURS
Category of Respondents: Identify who you expect the respondents to be in terms of the
following categories: (1) Individuals or Households; (2) Private Sector; (3) State, local, or tribal
governments; or (4) Federal Government. Only one type of respondent can be selected per row.

In-person listening session/small discussion groups and interviews
Category of
Respondent
Individuals or
Households
Private Sector
State, local, or tribal
governments
Federal Government
Totals

Number of
Respondents
0

Participation Time
(Avg)
0

Burden

20
40

2 hours
2 hours

40 hours
80 hours

30
90

2 hours
2 hours

60 hours
180 hours

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FEDERAL COST: The estimated annual cost to the Federal government is not to exceed
$20,000
If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please
provide answers to the following questions:
The selection of your targeted respondents
1. Do you have a customer list or something similar that defines the universe of potential
respondents NO and do you have a sampling plan for selecting from this universe? NO
If the answer is yes, please provide a description of both below (or attach the sampling plan)? If
the answer is no, please provide a description of how you plan to identify your potential group of
respondents and how you will select them?
Participation will be strictly voluntary; a stakeholder invitee list will be developed in close
coordination with each FWS Regional Migratory Bird Program Lead based on prior knowledge,
involvement with national migratory bird issues and other factors. We will hold a focus group
meeting in each of the 8 FWS Regional Offices and headquarters office and speak with all
stakeholders who attend.

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Administration of the Instrument
1. How will you collect the information? (Check all that apply)
[ ] Web-based or other forms of Social Media
[x] Telephone
[x] In-person
[ ] Mail
[ ] Other, Explain
2. Will interviewers or facilitators be used? [ x ] Yes [ ] No
Please make sure that all instruments, instructions, and scripts are submitted with the
request.

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Instructions for completing Request for Approval under the “Generic
Clearance for the Collection of Routine Customer Feedback”
TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Provide the name of the collection that is the
subject of the request. (e.g. Comment card for soliciting feedback on xxxx)
PURPOSE: Provide a brief description of the purpose of this collection and how it will be used.
If this is part of a larger study or effort, please include this in your explanation.
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS: Provide a brief description of the targeted group or
groups for this collection of information. These groups must have experience with the program.
TYPE OF COLLECTION: Check one box. If you are requesting approval of other
instruments under the generic, you must complete a form for each instrument.
CERTIFICATION: Please read the certification carefully. If you incorrectly certify, the
collection will be returned as improperly submitted or it will be disapproved.
Personally Identifiable Information: Provide answers to the questions. Note: Agencies
should only collect PII to the extent necessary, and they should only retain PII for the period of
time that is necessary to achieve a specific objective.
Gifts or Payments: If you answer yes to the question, please describe the incentive and provide
a justification for the amount.
BURDEN HOURS:
Category of Respondents: Identify who you expect the respondents to be in terms of the
following categories: (1) Individuals or Households; (2) Private Sector; (3) State, local, or tribal
governments; or (4) Federal Government. Only one type of respondent can be selected per row.
No. of Respondents: Provide an estimate of the Number of Respondents.
Participation Time: Provide an estimate of the amount of time (in minutes) required for a
respondent to participate (e.g. fill out a survey or participate in a focus group)
Burden: Provide the Annual burden hours: Multiply the Number of Respondents and the
Participation Time then divide by 60.
FEDERAL COST: Provide an estimate of the annual cost to the Federal government.
If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please
provide answers to the following questions:
The selection of your targeted respondents. Please provide a description of how you plan to
identify your potential group of respondents and how you will select them. If the answer is yes,
to the first question, you may provide the sampling plan in an attachment.

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Administration of the Instrument: Identify how the information will be collected. More than
one box may be checked. Indicate whether there will be interviewers (e.g. for surveys) or
facilitators (e.g., for focus groups) used.
Submit all instruments, instructions, and scripts are submitted with the request.
Discussion Guide Draft Small Group Meeting/Listening Session
Introduction
 Quick intro of the Facilitators (Group Solutions) and their role working on behalf of FWS
as a neutral 3rd party facilitator to help develop a strategic plan. Their role is to help
structure good discussions, leverage the best thinking in the room and frame logical,
productive choices on shared vision and direction.
 There are no right answers to any of these questions. They will summarize thematic
areas we heard in interviews…not attribute them to any particular region or person.
Context: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to “work with others to conserve,
protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the
American people”.
Facilitated discussion on emerging trends and issues
Facilitator will choose 8 - 10 questions from this list.
1. Identify top “shaping forces” the MBP plan should address in the medium and long range
future
2. Do stakeholders generally support the work and goals of the MBP? Is MBP seen as a
good partner?
3. How well do you think State and Federal agencies are working together on MB issues in
your area?
4. Is MPB well integrated into the larger bird community? Does it function well there? How
relevant is MBP to its stakeholders?
5. Is the MB program sufficiently responsive to new or outside knowledge in changing or
adjusting our resource management strategies, practices and focus?
6. How can the MB program better anticipate changing program needs and address them
when new issues arise?
7. What management challenges must your organization must answer in the next 5-10
years?
8. In your view, what is the single most significant MB accomplishment or lesson learned?
9. In your view, what is your single biggest MB disappointment or lesson learned?
10. What investment and training will the MBP need to be successful in the next 10 years?
11. Are there things we do that have outlived their usefulness?
12. What are some roles that you believe other stakeholders should assume in leveraging
Regional resources to benefit migratory bird resources?
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13. What criteria should guide prioritization of MBP goals and objectives?
14. How can Regional partners assist in the accomplishment of action items consistent with
the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan?
15. What recommendations can you make regarding the development of cooperative
funding strategies to facilitate leveraging Regional resources to benefit migratory bird
resources and habitat?
16. If our goal is increasing cooperation, how should we measure progress and success?
17. How well equipped is the MBP to address the following challenges (i.e. changing
landscapes, climate change, ESA demands, permitting, energy development,
addressing habitat loss, international partnerships, relevancy to public, a diverse partner
base) at a coordinated national level?
18. How well equipped is the MBP to address the following challenges regionally? Same list
as above).

Pre- meeting Survey script to be read:
Hello, My name is ________ from Group Solutions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Program is updating its long-range strategic plan. These small discussion groups
are being conducted to collect information from stakeholders (State and Federal agency
personnel along with non-profit conservation organizations) about their viewpoints regarding the
major issues facing migratory birds, their habitats and the FWS Migratory Bird Program.
Would you mind if we ask you some questions?
In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 522a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the information you provide will be used only to help capture and
categorize qualitative perspectives about emerging issues and challenges facing the migratory
bird management community. It is our policy not to use your name or personal information for
any other purpose.
A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it is associated with a currently valid OMB control number. OMB
has approved this information collection and assigned OMB control number 1090-XXX, which
expires August 31, 2018. We estimate that this focus group discussion will last 2 hrs to allow for
some discussion about these issues. Your response is voluntary. You may send comments on
any aspect of this information collection to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Mail Stop BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803

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