Surveys and Interviews to Evaluate and Improve the Cooperative Research Units Program Mission, Functions, and Goals

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
1028-NEW 30-Day FRN CRU Program -Published.pdf Supplementary Document	2022-09-01
SORN DOI-16.pdf Supplementary Document	2022-06-14
1028-NEW - SS-B CRU 20220614.docx Supporting Statement B	2022-06-14
1028-NEW SS-A 2022-04-07 Cooperative Research Units -20220614.docx Supporting Statement A	2022-06-14
USCODE-2010-title16-chap9-sec753a.pdf Supplementary Document	2022-06-09
1028-NEW Cooperative Research Units Program and Mission.pdf Supplementary Document	2022-06-09

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
254135	Cooperative Research Units Program Survey - State Local Other-	New
254070	Cooperative Research Units Program Survey -Public Other-	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202106-1028-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOI/GS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Surveys and Interviews to Evaluate and Improve the Cooperative Research Units Program Mission, Functions, and Goals
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/01/2022

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	840	0
Time Burden (Hours)	420	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program originated in 1935 to fill a need for qualified wildlife and fisheries professionals and provide evidence based graduate research to inform resource management. Currently the program has 40 individual Units in 38 states and formalizes relationships among a state natural resources management agency, a host university, the USGS, the USFWS, and the Wildlife Management Institute. The program’s graduate education and research mission has remained largely unchanged through its tenure, yet the issues challenging fish and wildlife conservation have transformed. This raises questions about the program’s support and sustainability into the future and how best to address cooperator needs. Through focused surveys and interviews, this information collection will ask participants to evaluate their communication and relationships with individuals in the program. The data will be used to examine the structure, communication, and socio-technical connectivity using network analysis and agent based modeling. This information collection aims to improve our understanding of the Cooperative Research Units Program and how it meets its partners’ needs.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 54468	10/01/2021
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 53773	09/01/2022
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Cooperative Research Units Program Survey - State Local
Cooperative Research Units Program Survey -Public

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	840	0	0	0	840	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	420	0	0	0	420	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new collection.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 09/01/2022

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