FR 2025-06240

The document at hand, published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), is a notice regarding the renewal of the North American Breeding Bird Survey under the auspices of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. This endeavor is crucial for collecting data on over 600 bird species across North America. The survey's results are leveraged by multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, educators, and the public, to understand bird population trends and make informed decisions on conservation and policy-making.

Summary of Document

This notice, found in the Federal Register, invites public comment on the proposed information collection, with a deadline for submissions on May 12, 2025. It highlights the importance of these comments in refining the data collection process and ensuring that it effectively serves its intended purpose while minimizing unnecessary burdens on respondents.

Participation in the survey is voluntary, involving approximately 1,650 individuals who provide 2,600 responses annually. On average, each response takes about 11 hours to complete, with the cost for mileage alone estimated at $182,000 per year.

Significant Issues and Concerns

1. Cost Estimation Transparency:

The document mentions a "Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost" of $182,000, primarily attributed to mileage expenses. However, it lacks a detailed breakdown of this figure, raising concerns about potential wastefulness or inflation. Transparency in how these costs are calculated could help assure the public of their necessity and fairness.

2. Legal Jargon:

The reference to legal codes such as "44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq." may be confusing to the layperson unfamiliar with such language. Simplifying or explaining these legal citations could improve the document's accessibility and comprehension for a broader audience.

3. Follow-up on Public Comments:

While the notice acknowledges a previous 60-day comment period that yielded no feedback, it does not specify any adjustments made or considered after that period. Understanding why no changes were made, despite the invitation for further comments, could clarify the process's responsiveness to public input.

4. Completion Time Burden:

An estimated 11 hours per response seems significant, particularly for data collection. More insight into what this time involves might help determine if the burden is justified. Clarifying this could also aid in exploring ways to streamline the process and reduce time commitments for participants.

5. Telecommunications Relay Services:

The document suggests contacting services through telecommunications relay services, which may be unfamiliar to some. Clear, additional guidance on using these services could enhance ease of communication, especially for those with specific accessibility needs.

Impact on the Public

Broadly speaking, the North American Breeding Bird Survey's renewal represents a necessary action to maintain up-to-date data on bird populations—vital not only for federal and local agencies but also for conservation efforts by private and non-profit sectors. The public, particularly those interested in environmental conservation and policy, stands to benefit from the insights derived from this data.

Impact on Stakeholders

For specific stakeholders such as birdwatchers, ecologists, and policymakers, the survey is a critical resource. By providing comprehensive data trends, it helps shape decisions and strategies aimed at biodiversity conservation. However, without transparent costing and clear procedural guidelines, these stakeholders might encounter challenges related to participation reluctance or misunderstanding of the survey's broader implications.

In conclusion, while the renewal of the North American Breeding Bird Survey is a step in sustaining vital ecological research, addressing concerns around cost transparency, language accessibility, and procedural clarity will be key to maximizing engagement and effectiveness.

The Federal Register document titled "Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; North American Breeding Bird Survey" includes specific financial references which merit further analysis and consideration. These references are concentrated primarily on the costs associated with collecting bird count data across North America.

Summary of Financial References

The document outlines a Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost of $182,000, which relates primarily to the mileage costs incurred by volunteers who collect data as part of the North American Breeding Bird Survey. The document provides a calculation for these costs, stating mileage costs average $70 per response. This is based on an approximate 100-mile round trip made for each data collection effort, utilizing the U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) 2025 reimbursement rate of $0.70 per mile for privately owned vehicle usage.

Analysis of Financial Allocation

Mileage Cost Justification: The document establishes that the nonhour burden cost arises from travel expenses incurred by individuals collecting data. With each respondent expected to travel approximately 100 miles per response, the reimbursement follows the standard mileage rate, which aims to cover fuel, maintenance, depreciation, and other costs associated with using personal vehicles for official purposes. The number of respondents and responses implies repeated trips, thus justifying the aggregate cost estimate. It's essential, however, to scrutinize whether the assumed distances traveled and the number of data collection efforts accurately reflect the fieldwork conditions.

Clarity and Transparency Concerns: One of the issues raised relates to a potential need for more detailed justification or a breakdown of the $182,000 estimated cost. While the document provides the average cost per response, additional transparency in the calculation of total respondents, frequency of data collection trips, and geographic variability could bolster confidence in the estimate's accuracy. Furthermore, explaining why a 100-mile round trip is typical or necessary across various survey sites would be beneficial for public understanding.

Overall, these financial references highlight the logistical expenses involved in managing large-scale environmental data collection efforts. Ensuring clarity and justification will help address any perceptions of wastefulness or cost inflation and promote a better understanding of how public funds are managed within federal programs.