1018-0088 SSA updated 07102024

Supporting Statement A for

Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

National Survey of Fishing,

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)

OMB Control Number 1018-0088

Terms of Clearance: Due to the 3-year approval cycle for this collection, and since the Service has yet to identify the contractor to perform the next FHWAR, the Service anticipates another submission in 2026, prior to the implementation of the new information collection for pre-test cognitive interviews (see question 2) and the deployment of the next FHWAR survey (anticipated to be administered in 2027 or 2028). This submission seeks OMB approval of the pre-test cognitive interviews, previously approved by OMB under the DOI Fast Track Clearance Process (OMB Cont. No. 1090-0011), as a new permanent information collection within 1018-0088.

Due to the current expiration date of this collection occurring prior to the Service being able to select the new contractor, we are amendable to OMB assigning Terms of Clearance to their approval of this submission requiring we submit the updated pretest cognitive interview questions and updated FHWAR survey documents to OMB for approval prior to the next administration of the pretest or FHWAR survey.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), within the U.S. Department of the Interior, has overall Federal responsibility for managing the Nation's fish and wildlife resources and for providing technical and financial assistance to the States for carrying out their fish and wildlife programs.

To assist in carrying out our responsibilities, we have sponsored national surveys of fishing and hunting at 5-year intervals since 1955. Authorities for carrying out the Survey are:

• Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (D-J Act) (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.), as amended;

• Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (P-R Act) (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.), as amended;

• Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742d-f); and

• Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub.L. 106-408, Sec. 11).

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-408) authorizes multistate conservation grant programs, which fund projects such as the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR) that benefit a majority of the States.

Under the P-R and D-J Acts, we provide approximately $1 billion in grants annually to States for projects that support wildlife and sport fish management and restoration and improve boating access. Fish and wildlife projects include acquisition and improvement of aquatic resources, fishing access, fish stocking, and the acquisition and improvement of wildlife management areas, facilities, and access. We also provide grant funds for aquatic education, hunter education, and the development and operation of archery and shooting range facilities.

The 2027 FHWAR will result in a comprehensive database of fish and wildlife-related recreation activities and expenditures. It will provide comparable statistics not available from other sources. The survey information helps us effectively administer fish and wildlife restoration grant programs, and helps states develop project proposals and conservation programs. Data are used to evaluate the status and trends of recreational uses as well as the values and benefits of fish and wildlife resources. The data provide essential information on present recreation demands and serve as a basis for projecting future demands.

The FHWAR information is needed to prepare resource management and development plans and environmental documents required for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The data also are used to calculate economic impacts resulting from use of fish and wildlife recreation resources.

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. Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.

The FHWAR, conducted about every five years since 1955, is a comprehensive survey of anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers and includes information on their participation and how they spend on these activities in the United States. The FHWAR will generate information identified as priority data needed by the Service, State agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other major survey users. General categories of information collected include the number of participants in different types of fish and wildlife activities, the extent of their participation (days and trips), and related trip and equipment expenditures. The 2027 FHWAR questions and methodology will be similar to those used in the 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2022 surveys (with exceptions noted below), so the information collected will be comparable.

Although the Service is the primary Federal user of FHWAR information, other Federal agencies also use it. Fish and wildlife agencies use the information to make management and policy decisions. Land managing and water development agencies use the data on participation rates, species sought, and types of resources used to formulate policies, programs, and plans related to recreational fish and wildlife uses. Federal regulatory, permitting, and environmental agencies rely on the economic data for determining the benefits and costs of projects affecting natural resources. Data are used in evaluating alternative plans and their environmental impacts.

Non-Federal users of the FHWAR data include States, conservation organizations, researchers, and trade and manufacturing associations. These users also participate in identifying priorities for data collection. Their needs for the data largely reflect those of Federal agencies. The value of the FHWAR database for natural resource economics was confirmed by Drs. Richard C. Bishop and David E. Ervin. They asked 3,000 professionals working in the natural resource and environmental field to identify their most "used" and "very important" data sources. The FHWAR was identified as one of the most important data sources for their work.

Table 1. Summary of FHWAR Data Uses

Questions on …	Provide information about …	Which is used to …
Demographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, race, income)	Factors influencing participation and demand	Evaluate programs and estimate future participation.
Fish and wildlife-associated activities on private and public lands, and land leasing and ownership data	Extent that privately owned and leased lands meet demands for fish and wildlife resources and the cost of expenditures for those activities	Estimate trends in needs for public resources and to formulate acquisition and development plans.
Trip and equipment expenditure	Economic impacts of wildlife-related recreation activities on national and State economies	Estimate the economic significance of alternative fish and wildlife resource acquisition, development, and management programs.
Participation in shooting sports, archery, and motorboating activities	Extent of participation in these activities	Estimate the needs for public resources and to formulate acquisition and development plans and projects.
License and tag information	Expenditures for fishing and hunting	Plan ways to serve those who use the resources.
Participation in wildlife-watching activities	Recreation use patterns	Develop and evaluate game and nongame policies, programs, and resources.

We are currently unsure who the data collector will be for the 2027 Survey and herein will use “data collector” where we would normally use the contracted survey organization’s name.

The data collection for the 2027 FHWAR will follow information quality guidelines to ensure reliability of the data collected and reported.

The questionnaire content, data collection methods, and quality assurance procedures used for the 2027 FHWAR will be similar to those of the 2022 FHWAR Survey. Like the 2022 Survey, the 2027 FHWAR will include the following:

1. Collecting a core set of elements.

2. The presentation will use a web mode and will address measurement issues that were identified in cognitive testing that the 2022 data collector conducted. The web instrument will contain edits on many variables and consistency checks on critical items to maximize quality of the data without unduly affecting the flow of the interview. This instrument will allow for backward data correction and will contain logic to ensure that the proper interview path is maintained.

3. The web option will be complemented by a mail (paper) survey and telephone interview option, as offered in past data collections. There will be no in-person interviewing for the 2027 FHWAR.

4. Sample for the 2027 FHWAR will be drawn from three sources:

   1. A probability-based, mixed-mode panel with population coverage and recruitment response rate;

   2. an address-based sample (ABS); and,

   3. nonprobability sample sources.

Table 2 shows the distribution of questions by type (existing, revised, or new) in the 2027 FHWAR questionnaires.

Table 2. Distribution of New, Old, and Revised Questions in 2027 FHWAR Questionnaires

Questionnaire	Old		Revised		New		Total
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Angler	2	7.1%	22	78.6%	4	14.3%	28	100.0%
Hunter	1	2.4%	35	85.4%	5	12.2%	41	100.0%
Screener	9	15.8%	21	36.8%	27	47.4%	57	100.0%
Wildlife Watcher	3	8.8%	29	85.3%	2	5.9%	34	100.0%
TOTAL	15	n/a	107	n/a	38	n/a	160	n/a

In addition to the core content, a module of state-specific questions will be included. The content of these questions will be determined in early 2026 and provided in the final questionnaires. The state-specific questions will provide state-level granularity on topics covered in the national survey. At the time of this submission the relevant topics include:

• Types of small game hunted (rabbit, deer, etc.)

• Types of big game hunted (elk, bear, etc.)

• Days/trips fishing in Great Lakes (as a subset of freshwater fishing)

• Expenditures associated with fishing in Great Lakes (as a subset of freshwater fishing)

• Days/trips fishing by type of fish (as a subset of freshwater and/or saltwater fishing)

• Expenditures associated with fishing by type of fish (as a subset of freshwater and/or saltwater fishing)

PROPOSED REVISION –

Pre-test: Cognitive Interviews – With this submission, we propose to add web-based cognitive interviews as a new information collection to 1018-0088. The web-based cognitive interviews were previously approved in 2020 by OMB under Control No. 1090-0011, DOI Fast Track Generic Clearance:

We anticipate the possible need for web-based cognitive interviews to be conducted prior to each FHWAR. The cognitive interviews would enable the research team to identify problems with survey items and with the organization and order of items in the instrument. We expect the data from the cognitive interviews to reveal potential sources of response error in the National Survey and to inform the redesign efforts. The objective of the cognitive interviews will be to test and refine the proposed instruments from the full survey, with particular focus on the revised questions on bounding, expenditure reporting, and 5-year recall of activities. We will use the results of this research to refine the survey instruments in preparation for fielding the next National Survey (likely to be held in 2032). Respondents will have the option to pause/resume the pretest as they work through the questionnaire.

We anticipate a maximum of 70 respondents will participate in the web-based study. Respondents will be individuals who have participated in fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching activities in within 1 year of the cognitive interviews. Respondents will be adults ages 18 and over and children ages 16 and 17 who participate with the consent of a parent or guardian. The participants will represent a range of demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education level, State of residence).

We plan to recruit a non-probability sample of respondents for this research. The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies will work with State fish and wildlife directors to obtain lists of license holders. The data collector will send an invitation via email or text message to invite license holders to participate in a survey. Further, the data collector will place advertisements on Facebook in selected geographies in order to recruit individuals interested in being interviewed and will disseminate information about the study through word of mouth. People responding to an invitation to participate in the research will complete a brief eligibility screening to determine whether they have recently participated in fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching activities and to collect household composition and demographic information.

Potential participants will also be asked whether other household members would be interested in participating in the study. Adult participants for screener interviews will be household members who would likely complete a screener questionnaire, such as a head of household or adult sportsperson or wildlife watcher. We plan to request that a screener respondent (a respondent who finished the screen interview), or another household member aged 16 and up, who participates in fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching activities, complete the wave questionnaires. In addition, two to three respondents who do not participate in the relevant activities will be recruited for interviews in order to test the functioning of the instruments with non-participants.

Due to the timing of the expiration date for this collection and since we do not currently have a contractor identified who will work with us to review/refine the previously approved pretest cognitive interview questions, we provided copies of the originally approved documents in ROCIS as supplemental documents. Once the new FHWAR contractor is selected by the Service, we will review and refine these documents to be resubmitted to OMB to provide an opportunity to review/approve the updated pretest cognitive interview documents.

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 and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.

The data collector will collect the 2027 FHWAR data primarily via web for both the screener and the detailed wave questionnaires. The use of web technology will streamline the interviewing process and improve accuracy by eliminating the need for interviewers and respondents to make decisions about correct branching and skip patterns during the interview. Where appropriate, we will use screening questions in the instrument to determine eligibility for the administration of more detailed questions to each respondent. Edit checks alert interviewers or respondents to irreconcilable data during the interview so that the correct data can be obtained and verified.

The respondent panel sample members will receive an email (or text) notification that a new study is available for them to participate in. They will receive information about the FHWAR Pilot and a link to the screener or detailed wave questionnaire that they are to complete. They will also receive reminder emails/texts to encourage completion of the screener or wave questionnaire.

Nonprobability sample members will also be contacted via text/email about completing the screener questionnaire via web. They will also receive reminders to encourage screener completion.

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.

There is no other comparable source of national data on recreational fish and wildlife uses that we can adapt to carry out trend analysis needed to develop projects to meet current and future needs, and to carry out management responsibilities. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provides limited coverage of saltwater fishing, but does not cover freshwater fishing, hunting, or non-consumptive activities. NMFS coverage of the coastal States varies from year to year. In recent years, the NMFS survey has not included all of the States on the West and Gulf coasts. Since the NMFS survey does not provide comparable saltwater participation, there is no unnecessary duplication of efforts between the two surveys. Other surveys that gather similar information use different methodologies that are not comparable with the methods that will be used by the data collector to conduct the 2027 FHWAR, therefore, trend information would not be available.

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

This information collection does not involve small businesses or other small entities.

5. 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.

If the 2027 FHWAR Survey were not conducted, the Service would experience difficulty in effectively carrying out responsibilities to meet statutory, administrative, and other obligations. There would not be uniform national data to use in identifying priorities for fish and wildlife programs, to evaluate the effectiveness of those programs, and to identify and plan for special needs and new initiatives. The FHWAR’s uniformly collected and comparable data are not available elsewhere. Without it, the Service would have to acquire the data at greater expense and delay or use outdated and inconsistent data where available.

The 5-year frequency of data collection is appropriate for current and projected management and administrative purposes. FHWAR users have indicated they need the data updated at least every 5 years. If the Service collected the data at greater intervals than every 5 years, the value of the information collected would be reduced.

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;

* 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 secrets, 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 circumstances that require us to collect the information in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

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 in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years, and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

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 recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every three 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.

On January 3, 2024, we published in the Federal Register (89 FR 384) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on March 4, 2024. In an effort to increase public awareness of, and participation in, our public commenting processes associated with information collection requests, the Service also published the Federal Register notice on Regulations.gov (Docket FWS-HQ-WSFR-2023-0231) to provide the public with an additional method to submit comments (in addition to the typical U.S. mail submission method). We received the following comments in response to that notice:

Comment 1: Electronic comment received 01/03/2024 via Regulations.gov (FWS-HQ-WSFR-2023-0231-0002) from Jean Publie who stated this is a propaganda survey and hunting is insane

Agency Response to Comment 1: This comment did not address the information collection requirements; therefore, no response is required.

Comment 2: Electronic comment received 01/03/2024 via Regulations.gov (FWS-HQ-WSFR-2023-0231-0003) from Holly Huchko, Sport Fish Restoration Coordinator/ESA Specialist, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Ms. Huchko stated information should be collected both by mail and digital format, and the freshwater/saltwater fishing split for coastal states needs to continue to be collected.

Agency Response to Comment 2: The methodology for the 2027 FHWAR is responsive to the needs identified in this comment.  Oregon and other coastal states will continue to receive data on the number of freshwater/saltwater anglers within their respective state, free of cost.

Comment 3: Anonymous comment received 03/03/2024 via Regulations.gov (FWS-HQ-WSFR-2023-0231-0004) stating that hunting and fishing should not be encouraged, and that animal lives should be spared.

Agency Response to Comment 3: This comment did not address the information collection requirements; therefore, no response is required.

In addition to soliciting comments through the Federal Register, in preparation for the 2027 survey, we discussed survey content and methods with representatives of State fish and wildlife agencies. We had extensive consultations with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), including its national survey workgroup, regarding the survey content, methodology, and cost. They were asked their opinions about the importance and use of the data and the estimated burden of the information collection. They believe the information is of great importance and the estimated burden for this information collection is reasonable considering the sample size number and type of questions. The following were the main contacts from AFWA:

• Policy Supervisor, Missouri Fish and Game;

• Deputy Commissioner, Kentucky Fish and Game; and

• Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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

We understand that payments or gifts to survey respondents are not generally permissible to OMB. We argue that small monetary incentives are justified for the 2027 FHWAR for two reasons. First, the FHWAR methodology poses the burden of completing both a screener questionnaire and up to three waves of detailed questionnaires on respondents. This requires a respondent’s ongoing participation over several months and completion of up to four discrete questionnaires. Research shows that post-completion incentives boost survey cooperation (Singer and Ye, 2013). Second, monetary incentives will be especially useful for increasing representation of rarer populations in the survey sample, such as hunters. Increasing their representation improves the reliability of the estimates generated from the 2027 FHWAR. Incentives have been shown to be an important tool in reducing total survey error (TSE) (Wagner et al., 2017; Toepoel, 2012).

Our proposed plan for utilizing monetary incentives within the 2027 main FHWAR data collection effort is presented below.

Incentives for 2027 FHWAR

In the 2027 FHWAR (main data collection effort), we propose the following:

• Pre-incentive:

• $1 pre-incentive given to area probability sample members as part of the advance mailing introducing the screener and wave 3 questionnaires. There will be no pre-incentive included for waves 1 or 2.

• Post-incentives:

• An experiment among the address-based sample members involving post-incentive amounts of $5 and $10 following the completion of the screener and each of the wave questionnaires.

Households will be allocated into 4 groups:

• $5, not hard-to-reach

• $5, hard-to-reach

• $10, not hard-to-reach

• $10, hard-to-reach

This design will allow us to examine the potential impact of the higher incentive ($10) independent of sample characteristics (hard-to-reach or not). The total amount paid to a given ABS respondent who completes all requested questionnaires within this design will range from $22 ($1 pre-incentive in Screener advance package + $1 pre-incentive in Wave 3 advance package + ($5 post-incentive x 4 questionnaires)) to $42 ($1 pre-incentive in Screener advance package + $1 pre-incentive in Wave 3 advance package + ($10 post-incentive x 4 questionnaires)).

• Respondent panel members will be offered a $5 post-incentive following the completion of the Screener and each of the wave questionnaires. The total amount paid to a given respondent who completes all requested questionnaires within this group will be $20 ($5 post-incentive x 4 questionnaires)).

• The data collector will not pay nonprobability sample members a pre-incentive nor post-incentive.

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

The data collector will collect and maintain data in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, and may share information in accordance to the routine uses listed in System of Records Notice FWS-27, Correspondence Control System (published May 28, 1999 (64 FR 29055); modifications published June 4, 2008 (73 FR 31877) and March 16, 2023 (88 FR 16277)), and OMB A-130. We also provided OMB with a copy of the currently approved data management plan in ROCIS as a supplementary document for this information collection.

A letter mailed to respondents prior to interviewing includes the information required by the Privacy Act of 1974, explains the voluntary nature of the survey, and states the estimated time required for participating in the survey. In cases where the letter was not received, a statement containing this information will be read to the respondent before the interview begins. All information given by respondents to data collector employees will be held in strict confidence under Title 13, United States Code, Section 9. Each data collector employee will take an oath to that effect and is subject to a jail penalty or substantial fine if he or she discloses any information.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and 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.

We do not ask questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here.

We estimate that we will receive 220,628 responses totaling 43,008 burden hours. We estimate the annual dollar value of the burden hours is $1,984,389 (rounded).

We used the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) News Release 24-1172, June 18, 2024, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2024, to calculate the cost of the total annual burden hours. The News Release lists the hourly rate for all workers is $46.14, including benefits. We used this information to calculate the value of respondent burden hours shown below.

The screener will obtain email addresses; basic demographic characteristics of residents of the selected address; potential household participation in angling, hunting, wildlife watching activities; and participation in target shooting, motorized boating, and archery activities. We will use this data to select households and household members for wave interviews on fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching.

The data collector will include three sources of sample in conducting the FHWAR: sample drawn from A respondent panel, the data collector’s nationally representative probability-based panel; addressed-based sample (ABS) drawn from the data collector’s National Frame; and nonprobability sample provided by the data collector’s vendors. For the 2022 FHWAR, all three sample sources will be included.

For the 2027 FHWAR, the data collector will screen A respondent panel and ABS probability-based samples. In Wave 1 of the 2027 FHWAR survey, the data collector will interview sample members who were selected based on participation in fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching as determined in the screener. Wave 2 respondents will be those who provided a response in Wave 1. Wave 3 will include: nonrespondents from Waves 1 and 2; nonprobability sample members (fishing questionnaire only); and respondents who indicated during screening that they are non-participants (who do not fish, hunt, or watch wildlife).

Based on prior FHWAR data, 100% of wildlife watching questionnaire respondents will be asked about participating in birdwatching around the home and about 58% of them will also answer the question on days of participation. About 31% of wildlife watching questionnaire respondents will be asked about participation in birdwatching away from home, and 79% of these respondents will be asked about days of participation. The birdwatching questions add about 2.13 questions on average for wildlife watching questionnaire respondents in Wave 3. Averaged across all Wave 3 respondents, this results in the addition of less than one question of burden overall.

Activity	Estimated Number of Responses	Estimated Completion Time per Response (Minutes)	Estimated Burden Hours*	$ Value of Annual Burden Hours ($46.14/hour)
Screener Survey
Screener: Web	27,639	9	4,146	$ 191,296.44
Screener: PAPI	31,361	10	5,227	241,173.78
Screener: Phone	1,000	15	250	11,535.00
Wave 1 Survey
Wave Questionnaires: Web	43,068	13	9,331	$ 430,532.34
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI	6,972	14	1,627	75,069.78
Wave Questionnaires: Phone	833	22	305	14,072.70
Wave 2 Survey
Wave Questionnaires: Web	32,173	13	6,971	$ 321,641.94
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI	3,645	14	851	39,265.14
Wave Questionnaires: Phone	833	22	305	14,072.70
Wave 3 Survey
Wave Questionnaires: Web	46,773	13	10,134	$ 467,582.76
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI	11,811	14	2,756	127,161.84
Wave Questionnaires: Phone	950	22	348	16,056.72
Wave 3 Coastal Freshwater/ Saltwater Ratio Questionnaire*	13,500	3	675	31,144.50
Pre-test: Cognitive Interviews (NEW)
Web-based Cognitive Interviews	70	70	82	$ 3,783.48
Totals:	220,628		43,008	$ 1,984,389.12

*Rounded to match ROCIS

Note: The Wave 3 Freshwater/Saltwater Ratio Questionnaire is designed to get freshwater and saltwater fishing data for coastal states. The USFWS Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program is required to divide fishing management funds according to the ratio of freshwater and saltwater anglers in each coastal state. A non-probability sample for Wave 3 will be screened for participation in fishing and will proceed to the Wave 3 fishing questionnaire if they participate in fishing.

Methodologies Used To Determine Estimated Respondent Burden

Household Responses--Screener calculations

The Screener questionnaire estimates are calculated by taking the screener initial sample size, 275,000 households (245,000 for ABS and 30,000 for A respondent panel), and an assumed response rate of 20.3% (for ABS sample) and 33.3% (for A respondent panel sample), resulting in approximately 60,000 completed interviews (50,000 for ABS and 10,000 for A respondent panel). Of these interviews, we expect 27,639 to be completed via web, 1,000 to be completed by phone, and 31,361 to be completed via a mailed paper-and-pencil instrument (PAPI). Since the questions and response options must be read aloud to respondents in the phone mode, we estimate that a phone interview will take about 6 minutes longer than a web interview. Since respondents completing a PAPI must navigate the question skips in the questionnaire independently, we expect respondents completing a PAPI to take one minute longer than those completing the web survey. We estimate a response time of 9 minutes per completed web interview, 15 per completed phone interview, and 10 minutes per completed PAPI survey, resulting in 4,146 burden hours for the web Screener questionnaire, 250 burden hours for the phone screener, and 5,227 burden hours for the PAPI Screener questionnaire, equaling 9,623 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the 9,623 burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $40.35, is $167,291.10 for the web survey, $10,087.50 for phone, and $210,909.45 for the PAPI survey, for a total of $388,288.05.

Participant Responses--Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Detail Wave 1 Interview calculation

The Wave 1 questionnaire estimates are calculated by taking the Wave 1 initial sample size, 83,404 respondents (69,743 respondents for ABS and 13,661 for A respondent panel), and an assumed response rate of 61.0% for both samples, resulting in approximately 50,873 completed interviews (42,540 for ABS and 8,333 for A respondent panel). Of these interviews, we expect 43,068 to be completed via web, 833 to be completed via phone and 6,972 to be completed via PAPI. We estimate that a phone interview will take about 9 minutes longer than a web interview. We expect respondents completing a PAPI to take one minute longer than those completing the survey online. We estimate a response time of 13 minutes per completed web interview, 22 minutes per completed phone interview, and 14 minutes per completed PAPI survey, resulting in 9,331 burden hours for the web Wave 1 questionnaire, 305 burden hours for the phone Wave 1 interviews, and 1,627 burden hours for the PAPI Wave 1 questionnaire, equaling 11,263 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the 11,263 burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $40.35, is $376,505.85 for the web survey, $12,306.75 for the phone interviews, and $65,649.45 for the PAPI survey, for a total of $454,462.05.

Participant Responses--Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Detail Wave 2 Interview calculation

The Wave 2 questionnaire estimates are calculated by taking the Wave 2 initial sample size, 56,201 respondents (42,540 for ABS and 13,661 for A respondent panel), and an assumed response rate of 66.6% (for ABS sample) and 61.0% (for A respondent panel sample), resulting in approximately 36,651 completed interviews (28,318 for ABS and 8,333 for A respondent panel). Of these interviews, we expect 32,173 to be completed via web, 833 to be completed via phone interview, and 3,645 to be completed via PAPI. We estimate that a phone interview will take about 9 minutes longer than a web interview. We expect respondents completing a PAPI to take one minute longer than those completing the survey online. We estimate a response time of 13 minutes per completed web interview, 22 minutes per completed phone interview, and 14 minutes per completed PAPI survey, resulting in 6,971 burden hours for the web Wave 2 questionnaire, 305 burden hours for the phone interviews, and 851 burden hours for the PAPI Wave 2 questionnaire, equaling 8,127 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the 8,127 burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $40.35, is $281,279.85 for the web survey, $12,306.75 for the phone interviews, and $34,337.85 for the PAPI survey, for a total of $327,924.45.

Participant Responses--Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Detail Wave 3 Interview calculation

The Wave 3 questionnaire estimates are calculated separately for the probability samples (ABS and A respondent panel) and the non-probability sample.

For the probability samples, the Wave 3 estimates are calculated by taking the Wave 3 initial sample size, 144,086 respondents (125,086 for ABS and 19,000 for A respondent panel), and an assumed response rate of 40.0% (for ABS sample) and 50.0% (for A respondent panel sample), resulting in approximately 59,534 completed interviews (50,034 for ABS and 9,500 for A respondent panel). Of these interviews, we expect 46,773 to be completed via web, 950 to be completed via phone, and 11,811 to be completed via PAPI. We expect respondents completing a PAPI to take one minute longer than those completing the survey online. We estimate that a phone interview will take about 9 minutes longer than a web interview. We estimate a response time of 13 minutes per completed web interview, 22 minutes per completed phone interview, and 14 minutes per completed PAPI survey, resulting in 10,134 burden hours for the web Wave 3 questionnaire, 348 burden hours for the phone interviews, and 2,756 burden hours for the PAPI Wave 3 questionnaire, equaling 13,238 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $40.35, is $408,906.90 for the web survey, $14,041.80 for the phone interviews, and $111,204.60 for the PAPI survey, for a total of $534,153.30.

For the non-probability sample, the Wave 3 estimate is calculated for approximately 13,500 completed online interviews. The data from these respondents will be used only to calculate estimates of participation in fishing by residents of coastal states. These respondents will receive an abbreviated set of questions on participation in fishing and demographics. We estimate a response time of 3 minutes per completed interview for this group, resulting in 675 total burden hours. The result of multiplying the 675 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $40.35 is $27,236.25.

Across probability and non-probability samples, the total burden is 42,926 hours. The result of multiplying 42,926 hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $40.35, is $1,732,064.10.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)

* The cost estimate 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. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information (including filing fees paid for form processing). Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no nonhour burden costs associated with this information collection.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The annualized cost to the Federal government for the 2027 FHWAR Survey is approximately $2,230,382 (rounded) which is the average of the total 5-year Service expenses of $2,022,723 plus $9,129,185 for costs associated with the data collector).

14.1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Costs

The total FWS estimated cost is $2,022,723. The staff includes two economists: A GS-14 who is the national survey team leader and a GS-14 economist who is a member of the team. We used Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2024-DCB to obtain the most up-to-date hourly rates for staff. We used BLS News Release USDL-23-2567 to account for benefits. For the salary costs projected for 2025-2029, we projected a 2.5 percent increase for estimated salary costs. Table 14.1A provides the FWS itemized cost estimates:

14.1A – Itemized FWS Costs

FWS Expenses	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	Total Cost
Total Salary Costs	$361,212	$372,048	$383,210	$394,706	$406,547	$1,917723
Supplies & Equipment	3,000	3,000	3,000	3,000	93,000	105,000
Totals:	$364,212	$375,048	$386,210	$397,706	$499,547	$2,022,723

14.2 THE DATA COLLECTOR Costs

The cost for the data collector contract is approximately $9,129,185. This is based on sample size; length of questionnaire; administration; overhead; mailings to sampled households; telephone interviewing; and data processing. Professional labor costs amount to $668,852. Professional staff are responsible for project management; sample design; instrument development and testing; printing and mailing of materials; training interviewing staff; data quality control; weighting and estimating sampling error; file preparation and delivery; and preparation of documentation and final reports. Support staff labor costs amount to $675,954. The data collector’s other personnel costs are estimated at $711,896. Support staff are responsible for processing project mailings, performing receipt control, and conducting telephone interviews. Data collection costs amount to $4,190,628. These costs include acquisition of nonprobability sample, long distance telephone, postage, cognitive interviews, and data processing. Table 14.2A lists these and other itemized cost estimates:

14.2A – Itemized Data Collector Costs

Data Collector Expenses		2026
	2025	2026 Pilot	2026 Other	2026 Total	2027	2028	2029	Total Cost
Professional Personnel	$130,996	$344,733	$229,821	$574,554	$140,232	$190,125	$33,333	$668,852
Support Personnel	89,249	228,822	152,548	381,370	308,432	89,658	9,157	675,954
Other Personnel Costs	91,569	251,440	167,629	419,070	243,649	178,752	31,176	711,896
Total Personnel Costs	311,814	824,995	549,998	1,374,994	692,314	458,535	73,666	2,056,701
Data Collection	15,585	83,356	55,573	138,929	3,210,589	369	123	4,190,628
Travel	7,353	0	0	0	0	0	0	10,301
Other Expenses	256,347	649,952	433,302	1,083,254	1,054,044	388,882	62,388	2,324,540
Pilot Activities	n/a	1,558,303	-	1,558,307	n/a	n/a	n/a	547,015
Grand Total	$591,100	$1,558,303	$1,038,873	$2,597,176	$4,956,947	$847,786	$136,177	$9,129,185

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

We are reporting a discretionary adjustment of 70 annual responses and 82 annual burden hours associated with the addition of the web-based cognitive interviews (pre-test) as explained in questions 2.

We also amended the previously approved IC attachments for the FHWAR survey to remove the references to the previous contractor, but no other substantive changes were made to the documents.

Once the new contractor is identified, we will begin working with them to review and update all documents (to include the pre-test documents) to be resubmitted to OMB no later than 2026, ahead of the next FHWAR pre-test and full survey (anticipated to be administered in 2027, or possibly 2028).

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The Fish and Wildlife Service and the data collector will collaborate in preparing reports with the 2027 Survey results. These reports will have formats and tables similar to those of the 2022 Survey. The Service will produce and print the national overview report. The data collector will produce the final national report in printable PDF format. The reports will be accessible from the data collector and the Service Web sites. Web site addresses will be in news releases announcing release of the reports.

The time schedule for the information collection and publication of reports is:

Data Collection	January 2027 to January 2028
Computer Processing	January 2027 to April 2028
Preliminary Tabulations released to FWS	April 2028
Release of Preliminary Overview and Final National Report	July to October 2028

The 2027 FHWAR will produce an updated preliminary overview and a final national report on fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation statistics. We will release preliminary estimates in April 2028, and final tabulations in October 2028. The final tabulations will be similar to those produced in 2022 with some modifications due to meeting current data needs of the users. Attachment 11 (11_Sample_Tables_Attachment_D.docx) includes draft report tables that will be populated with national-level results from the 2027 FHWAR. The national report will be available in PDF format only. The PDFs will be accessible from both the data collector’s and Fish and Wildlife Service’s websites.

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.

We will display the OMB control number and expiration date on appropriate materials.

18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

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