Federal Register: April 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 69)
DOCID: FR Doc 05-7278
MORRIS K. UDALL SCHOLARSHIP AND EXCELLENCE IN NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
The United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution; Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request: See List of Evaluation Related ICRs in Section A
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 12, 2005.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and supporting regulations, this document announces that the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution (the U.S. Institute), part of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) six Information Collection Requests (ICRs). Five of the six ICRs are for revisions to currently approved collections due to expire 06/30/2005 (OMB control numbers 33200003, 33200004, 33200005, 33200006, and 33200007). One ICR pertains to a new collection request. The six ICRs are being consolidated under a single filing to provide a more coherent picture of information collection activities designed primarily to measure performance. The proposed collections are necessary to support program evaluation activities. The collection is expected neither to have a significant economic impact on respondents, nor to affect a substantial number of small entities. The average cost (in time spent) per respondent is estimated to be 0.16 hours/$6.18. Each ICR describes the authority and need for program evaluation, the nature and use of the information to be collected, the expected burden and cost to respondents and the U.S. Institute, and how the evaluation results will be made available. The ICRs also contain the specific questionnaires that will be used to collect the information for each program area. Approval is being sought for each ICR separately, and information collection will begin for each program area once OMB has approved the respective ICR. The U.S. Institute published a Federal Register notice on February 2, 2005, 70 FR, pages 54895494, to solicit public comments for a 60day period. The U.S. Institute received one comment. The comment and the U.S. Institute's response are included in the ICRs. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments regarding these ICRs.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Overview
To comply with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)
(Pub. L. 10362), the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict
Resolution, as part of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, is required to
produce, each year, an Annual Performance Budget and an Annual
Performance and Accountability Report, linked directly to the goals and
objectives outlined in the U.S. Institute's fiveyear Strategic Plan.
The U.S. Institute's evaluation system is key to evaluating progress
towards achieving its performance commitments. The U.S. Institute is
committed to evaluating all of its projects, programs and services not
only to measure and report on performance but also to use this
information to learn from and improve its services. The refined evaluation system has been
[[Page 19098]]
carefully designed to support efficient and economical generation,
analysis and use of this muchneeded information, with an emphasis on performance measurement, learning and improvement.
As part of the program evaluation system, the U.S. Institute intends to collect specific information from participants in, and users of, several of its programs and services. Specifically, six programs and services are the subject of this Federal Notice: (1) Mediation and facilitation services; (2) situation/conflict assessment services; (3) training and workshop services; (4) facilitated meeting services; (5) the roster program services; and (6) program support and system design services. Evaluations will mainly involve administering questionnaires to process participants and professionals, as well as members and users of the National Roster. Responses by members of the public to the Institute's request for information (i.e., questionnaires) will be voluntary.
In 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center (CPRC) was granted the approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to act as a named administrator of the U.S. Institute's currently approved information collections for evaluation. The CPRC and the U.S. Institute are seeking approval as part of this proposed collection to continue this evaluation partnership. Other agencies have approached the U.S. Institute seeking (a) evaluation services and (b) assistance in establishing their own internal evaluation systems. In contrast to the U.S. Institute's relationship with CPRC, these agencies are requesting the U.S. Institute to administer its evaluation questionnaires on their behalf. Therefore, the U.S. Institute is requesting OMB approval to administer the evaluation questionnaires on behalf of other agencies. One agency, the Department of Interior (Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution) has already requested such evaluation services through its interagency agreement with the U.S. Institute. The U.S. Institute is seeking approval to make minor conforming revisions to questionnaires to allow for the broader application of the instruments (e.g., change return address on cover).
The burden estimates in the ICRs take into consideration the multi agency usage of the evaluation instruments. The broad interest in the U.S. Institute's evaluation system has fostered an evaluation collaborative among several state and federal agencies. The sharing of evaluation resources and expertise is advantageous on several fronts: (a) Design and development efforts are not duplicated across agencies; (b) common methods for evaluating collaborative processes are established; (c) knowledge, expertise and resources are shared, realizing costefficiencies for the collaborating agencies; and (d) learning and improvement on a broader scale will be facilitated through the sharing of comparable multiagency findings.
Key Issues
The U.S. Institute would appreciate receiving comments that can be used to:
i. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the U.S. Institute, including whether the information will have practical utility;
ii. Determine whether the nature and extent of the proposed level of anonymity for those from whom the U.S. Institute will be collecting information is adequate and appropriate;
iii. Evaluate the accuracy of the U.S. Institute's estimate of the burden associated with the proposed information collection activities;
iv. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
v. Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who are to respond, including suggestions concerning use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., allowing electronic submission of responses).
Burden
The average estimated burden for each response is 0.16 hours/$6.18. As used in this document, ``burden'' means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide information to or for a Federal Agency. This includes time needed to: Review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Hour burdens are monetized using fully burdened labor rates derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics tables (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, ``Employer Costs for Employee Compensation'', Table 2: Civilian workers, by occupational and industry group. Available at: http://www.ecr.gov/multiagency/program_eval.htm. Technical Details
Five of the six submitted ICRs are for revisions to currently approved collections. In 1999, the U.S. Institute, in cooperation with the Policy Consensus Initiative and state alternative dispute resolution programs, began the task of designing a common program evaluation system. After extensively piloting the evaluation instruments under the currently approved information collection, staff from the U.S. Institute, PCI, Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission, Oregon Department of Justice, Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium, Environmental Protection Agency (Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center), and the Department of Interior (Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution) joined forces to refine the evaluation instruments (particularly the mediation and facilitation instruments). This effort also benefited from input from over 40 practitioners, program administrators, evaluators, researchers and trainers. Dr. Kathy McKnight and Dr. Lee Sechrest, the University of Arizona, assisted with this effort. Evaluation consultant, Dr. Andy Rowe, GHK International, guided the earlier evaluation design. Throughout this effort the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation provided financial assistance.
Technical details of the U.S. Institute's program evaluation system are contained in a January 2005 design document entitled ``Program Evaluation System at the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.'' Paper copies of this report can be obtained by contacting the U.S. Institute; an electronic copy can be downloaded from the Institute's Web site: http://www.ecr.gov/multiagency/program_eval.htm.
Information generated from the evaluation system will be used for a
variety of purposes, including performance measurement and reporting,
and ongoing improvements to the design and operation of projects and
services. Primary audiences for results from the evaluation system
include the Udall Foundation Board of Trustees, Congress and OMB, and
program management and staff, who will use the information in decision
making regarding program operations and directions. Secondary audiences will likely include practitioners in the field,
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process participants, prospective users, and members of the public. A. List of ICRs Submitted
The U.S. Institute submitted six ICRs to OMB, corresponding to 11
individual questionnaires that will be administered to those involved
in collaborative problem solving and conflict resolution activities.
Five of the six ICRs are for revisions to currently approved
collections. In the listing below, the questionnaires are organized into six activity areas, indicating the recipients of the
questionnaires and, in parentheses, the frequency of administration per respondent.
Mediation/Facilitation Services (OMB control number 33200004, expiring 06/30/2005).
(1) Mediations/FacilitationsParticipants, at the conclusion of the process (once).
(2) Mediations/FacilitationsParticipants, subsequent to the conclusion of the process (once).
(3) Mediations/FacilitationsFacilitators/Mediators (Neutral Practitioners) at the conclusion of the process (once);
Situation/Conflict Assessment Services (OMB control number 3320 0003, expiring 06/30/2005).
(4) AssessmentInitiating Organizations and Key Participants, at the conclusion of the assessment (once).
(5) AssessmentAssessor (Neutral Practitioner) at the conclusion of the assessment (once);
Training and Workshop Services (OMB control number 33200006, expiring 06/30/2005).
(6) Training/WorkshopParticipants, at the conclusion (once).
Facilitated Meeting Services (OMB control number 33200007, expiring 06/30/2005).
(7) Facilitated MeetingMeeting Attendees, at the conclusion of the process (once);
Roster Program Services (OMB control number 33200005, expiring 06/ 30/2005).
(8) RosterMembers (once annually).
(9) RosterUsers, at the end of the search (once).
(10) RosterUsers, subsequent to the search (once);
Program Support and System Design Services (New collection request).
(11) Program Support and System DesignAgency Representatives and
Key Participants, annually or at the conclusion of the project if the
project is completed in less than 12 months (once annually for length of project).
B. Contact Individual for ICRs
Patricia Orr, Evaluation Coordinator, U.S. Institute for
Environmental Conflict Resolution, 130 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701, Fax: 5206705530, Phone: 5206705658, Email:
orr@ecr.gov.
C. Confidentiality and Access to Information
The U.S. Institute is committed to providing agencies, researchers and the public with information on the effectiveness of collaborative problem solving and conflict resolution processes and the performance of the U.S. Institute's programs and services. Access to such useful information will be facilitated to the extent possible. The U.S. Institute will strive to report all information in an open and transparent manner. The U.S. Institute is also committed, however, to managing the collection and reporting of data so as not to interfere with any ongoing processes or the subsequent implementation of agreements. Project/case specific data will not be released until an appropriate time period has passed following conclusion of the project/ case; such time periods will be determined on a casebycase basis. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests will also be evaluated on a casebycase basis.
To encourage candor and responsiveness on the part of those
completing the questionnaires, the U.S. Institute intends to report
information obtained from questionnaires only in the aggregate at a
case/project or program level. The U.S. Institute also intends to
withhold the names of respondents and individuals named in responses.
The U.S. Institute believes such information regarding individuals is
exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA),
pursuant to exemption (b)(6) (5 U.S.C. Section 552(b)(6)), as the
public interest in disclosure of that information would not outweigh
the privacy interests of the individuals. Therefore, respondents will
be afforded anonymity to the extent that names of respondents will not
be revealed. Furthermore, no substantive casespecific information that
might be confidential under statute, court order or rules, or agreement of the parties will be sought.
D. Information on Individual ICRs
Mediation/Facilitation Services
A variety of nonadversarial, participatory processes are available
as adjuncts or alternatives to conventional forums for solving
environmental problems or resolving environmental conflicts. Such
collaborative processes range broadly depending on the nature of the
problem/dispute and the parties involved as well as their context (for
example, early on in planning processes, when seeking administrative
relief, or during litigation). Under the right circumstances, a well
designed collaborative process facilitated or mediated by the
appropriate mediator/facilitator (neutral practitioner) can effectively
assist parties in reaching agreement on plans, proposals, and
recommendations to solve their problem or resolve their dispute.
Collaborative processes can also result in improvement in relationships
among the parties, and increase capacity among the parties to manage or
resolve the issue or dispute. The following survey instruments have
been designed for use across the broad range of collaborative
processes, be it a process to reach agreement on a plan or a set of
recommendations or environmental mediation to resolve a dispute.
(1) Mediation/Facilitation ProcessParticipants EndofProcess
Questionnaire; Revision of a currently approved collection; Abstract:
Immediately following conclusion of a mediation/facilitation process,
the participants that have been involved will be surveyed once, via
questionnaire, to determine their views on a variety of issues. Topics
to be investigated include: Are the parties now more likely to consider
collaborative processes in the future; were the appropriate
participants effectively engaged; did the participants have the
capacity to engage in the process; was the mediator/facilitator that
guided the process appropriate; and did all participants have access to
relevant information? The voluntary questionnaire contains 27 questions
requiring respondents to provide fillinthe blank and openended
responses. Information from the questionnaire will provide the
opportunity to evaluate if the intended outcomes were achieved, and if
so or not, why. Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by
this action are parties to the collaborative processes. Burden
Statement: It is estimated that the annual national public burden and
associated costs will be approximately 600 hours and $23,400
respectively. These values were calculated assuming that on average:
(a) Participants require 20 minutes per questionnaire; (b) there are 12
respondents per case; (c) respondents are requested to complete this
survey only once; and (d) there will be 150 cases evaluated each year.
Cost burden estimates assume: (a) There are no capital or startup
costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr. [[Page 19100]]
(2) Mediation/Facilitation ProcessParticipants Followup
Questionnaire; Revision of a currently approved collection; Abstract:
To gain information concerning the longerterm effectiveness of the
mediation/facilitation process, a followup questionnaire will be
administered to the parties at a future date following conclusion of
the process. Topics to be examined include: Do all participants
perceive an improvement in their collective relationships; is the
agreement durable. The voluntary questionnaire contains 12 questions
requiring respondents to provide fillinthe blank and openended
responses. Information from the questionnaire will permit U.S.
Institute staff to evaluate if the process outcomes were sustainable,
and if not, why not. The information will also facilitate the
assessment of the longerterm impacts of the collaborative processes
and agreements. Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by
this action are participants to mediations/facilitations. Burden
Statement: It is estimated that the annual national public burden and
associated costs will be approximately 300 hours and $11,700,
respectively. These values were calculated assuming that on average:
(a) Participants require 10 minutes per questionnaire; (b) there are
approximately 12 respondents per project; (c) respondents are asked to
complete this questionnaire only once; and (d) there will be 150 cases
evaluated each year. Cost burden estimates assume: (a) There are no
capital or startup costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr.
(3) Mediation/Facilitation ProcessMediator/Facilitator (Neutral
Practitioner) Questionnaire; Revision of a currently approved
collection; Abstract: Immediately following conclusion of a mediation/
facilitation process, the mediator(s)/facilitator(s) will be surveyed
once, via questionnaire, to determine their views on a variety of
issues. Topics to be investigated include: Was the collaborative
approach well suited to the nature of the issues in conflict; were all
key parties consulted, and, were all key issues and alternatives
properly identified and considered? In most cases, it will be specified
in the mediator/facilitator contracts that they are required to
complete the questionnaire. The mediator/facilitator questionnaire
contains 34 questions. Information from this questionnaire will provide
the opportunity to evaluate if the intended mediation/facilitation
outcomes/impacts were achieved, and if so or not, why. Affected
Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are mediators/
facilitators who are federal agency staff or contracted nonfederal
professionals. Burden Statement: It is estimated that the annual
national public burden and associated costs will be approximately 100
hours and $3,900, respectively. These values were calculated assuming
that on average: (a) Mediators/facilitators will require 30 minutes per
questionnaire; (b) there are 2 respondents per project; (c) respondents
are surveyed only once; and (d) there will be 100 cases evaluated each
year (Note: The EPA's CPRC does not require ICR clearance to evaluate
its cases using this instrument. The CPRC mediators/facilitators will
be paid under contract to complete the evaluation questionnaires). Cost
burden estimates assume: (a) There are no capital or startup costs for
respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr. Situation/Conflict Assessment Services
Situation or conflict assessments are conducted by a neutral party
and include a series of confidential interviews in person or on the
telephone with individuals or groups of parties. Through such
assessments, assessors (neutral practitioners) identify and clarify key
issues and parties, and assess the appropriateness of a mediation/
facilitation process and its potential for helping the parties reach
agreement. Assessment reports seek to clarify and communicate in a
neutral manner the issues and concerns of all parties, and commonly
conclude with process design recommendations intended to provide the
parties with one or more options for effectively collaborating to find a solution to their conflict.
(4) AssessmentInitiating Organization/Key Participant
Questionnaire; Revision of a currently approved collection; Abstract:
Immediately following conclusion of a situation/conflict assessment
process, the initiating agencies/organization(s) and key participants
will be surveyed once via questionnaire to determine their views on a
variety of issues. Topics to be investigated include: Was the conflict
assessment approach well suited to the nature of the issues in
conflict; was the selected assessor (neutral practitioner) appropriate
for the assignment; were all key parties consulted, and, were all key
issues and alternatives properly identified and considered? The
voluntary questionnaire contains 11 questions requiring respondents to
provide fillinthe blank and openended responses. Information from
the questionnaire provides the opportunity to: (a) Evaluate the
performance for specific cases/projects; (b) evaluate the performance
of assessment programs; and (c) use the evaluation feedback as a
learning tool to improve the design of future assessment cases/
projects. Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this
action are individuals in initiating and other key organizations that
participate in a conflict assessment. Burden Statement: It is estimated
that the annual national public burden and associated costs will be
approximately 62.5 hours and $2,437 respectively. These values were
calculated assuming that on average: (a) Respondents require 10 minutes
per questionnaire; (b) there are 5 respondents per project (c)
respondents are surveyed only once; and (d) there will be 75
assessments evaluated each year. Cost burden estimates assume: (a)
there are no capital or startup costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr.
(5) AssessmentAssessor (Neutral Practitioner) Questionnaire;
Revision of a currently approved collection; Abstract: Immediately
following conclusion of a situation/conflict assessment, the selected
assessor(s) will be surveyed once via questionnaire to determine their
views on a variety of issues. Topics to be investigated include: Was
the conflict assessment approach well suited to the nature of the
issues in conflict; was assisted negotiation recommended; and, was the
recommendation followed? In most cases, it will be specified in the
assessor's contract that the assessor will be required to complete the
questionnaire. The assessor's questionnaire contains nine questions
requiring respondents to provide fillinthe blank and openended
responses. Information from the questionnaire will permit the agency
staff to evaluate the assessment process and outcomes, and learn from
and improve the design of future assessment projects. Affected
Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are assessors
who either are staff from or have been contracted by the agency. Burden
Statement: It is estimated that the annual national public burden and
associated costs will be approximately 5 hours and $195, respectively.
These values were calculated assuming that on average: (a) Assessors
require 6 minutes per questionnaire; (b) there is one respondent per
project; (c) respondents are surveyed only once; and (d) there will be
50 assessments evaluated each year (Note: The EPA's CPRC does not
require ICR clearance to evaluate its cases using this instrument. The
CPRC assessors are paid under contract to complete the evaluation questionnaires). Cost burden estimates assume: (a) There
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are no capital or startup costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr.
Training and Workshop Services
Training and workshop sessions are conducted by agency staff and contractors for a variety of audiences. The subject of training and workshop sessions varies widely, depending on the participants and their specific training needs. In general, the training and workshop sessions are designed to increase the appropriate and effective use of collaborative problem solving and conflict resolution processes. (6) Training/WorkshopParticipants Questionnaire, at the conclusion of the training/workshop; Revision of a currently approved collection; Abstract: Training participants will be asked to complete a voluntary questionnaire at the end of the training or workshop session. Participation is voluntary and the survey instrument contains seven questions, requiring responses to fillintheblank and openended questions. Topics to be evaluated include whether: The training objectives were clear and understood by the participants; an appropriate trainer(s)/facilitator(s) guided the session; participants were engaged appropriately; participants gained unable knowledge. Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are individuals who participate in training/workshop sessions. Burden Statement: It is estimated that the annual national public burden and associated costs will be approximately 195 hours and $7,605, respectively. These values were calculated assuming that on average: (a) Training participants require 6 minutes to complete this questionnaire; and (b) there will be 1,950 participants evaluated each year. Cost burden estimates assume: (a) There are no capital or start up costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/ hr.
Facilitated Meeting Services
Agency staff and contractors facilitate and provide leadership for
many meetings, ranging from small group meetings to large public
convenings of several hundred attendees. The purpose of the facilitated
meetings varies widely, depending on the attendees and their specific meeting objectives.
(7) Meeting FacilitationParticipants Questionnaire, at the
conclusion of the meeting; Revision of a currently approved collection;
Abstract: Participants at facilitated meetings run by agency staff or
contractors will be asked to complete a voluntary questionnaire at the
conclusion of the meeting. The questionnaire used in this case contains
seven questions, requiring fillinthe blank and openended responses.
Information from this questionnaire will help evaluate the
effectiveness of meeting design, effectiveness of facilitator(s), and
meeting accomplishments. Affected Entities: Entities potentially
affected by this action are individuals who participate in these
meetings. Burden Statement: It is estimated that the annual national
public burden and associated costs will be approximately 351 hours and
$13,689, respectively. These values were calculated assuming that on
average: (a) Meeting attendees require 6 minutes to complete the
questionnaire, and (b) there will be 3,510 participants evaluated each
year. Cost burden estimates assume: (a) There are no capital or start
up costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/ hr.
Roster Program Services
The U.S. Institute has a fulltime Roster Manager who supervises a
Roster Program consisting of two main components: Design and operation
of the National Roster of Environmental Dispute Resolution and
Consensus Building Professionals and an associated referral system.
Membership on the roster remains open to new applicants at all times.
Potential members apply online and are required to provide information
that demonstrates a level of training and experience adequate to meet
specific, objective entry criteria. First constituted in February 2000,
the roster currently includes over 250 members nationwide. When making
referrals and locating neutral practitioners for subcontracting, the
U.S. Institute uses the roster as a primary source to identify
experienced individuals, particularly in the locale of the project or
dispute (as required by the U.S. Institute's enabling legislation). The
public now has direct access to the roster search system via the
Internet. When requested by any party, the Roster Manager also provides
advice and assistance regarding selection of appropriate practitioners.
(8) RosterMembers Questionnaire; Revision of a currently approved
collection; Abstract: On an annual basis roster members will be
surveyed to evaluate their perceptions of the roster and to solicit
their feedback on how the roster program can be improved. This
voluntary questionnaire contains two questions, requiring fillinthe
blank and openended responses. Information from this questionnaire
will permit U.S. Institute staff to evaluate how well the Roster is
performing in meeting the needs of roster members. Affected Entities:
Entities potentially affected by this action are roster members. Burden
Statement: It is estimated that the annual national public burden and
associated costs will be approximately 25 hours and $975, respectively.
These values were calculated assuming that on average: (a) Roster
members require 5 minutes per questionnaire; (b) 300 roster members
will respond per year; (c) respondents are surveyed only once annually.
Cost burden estimates assume: (a) There are no capital or startup
costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr.
(9) RosterQuestionnaire for Users After Each Roster Search;
Revision of a currently approved collection; Abstract: Users who search
the roster will be surveyed once for each new roster search. This
voluntary questionnaire contains four questions, requiring simple fill
inthe blank and openended responses. Information from this
questionnaire will permit U.S. Institute staff to evaluate how well the
Roster is performing in meeting the needs of those searching the
roster. Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action
are individuals who use the roster search system. Burden Statement: It
is estimated that the annual national public burden and associated
costs will be approximately 50 hours and $1,950 respectively. These
values were calculated assuming that on average: (a) Roster searchers
require six minutes to complete the questionnaire; (b) there will be
500 searches per year; and (c) searchers are asked to complete this
questionnaire once per search. Cost burden estimates assume: (a) There
are no capital or startup costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr.
(10) RosterUser QuestionnaireFollowUp to Search; Revision of a
currently approved collection; Abstract: Users of the roster system
will receive a followup questionnaire approximately four weeks after
their search. This voluntary questionnaire contains five questions,
requiring fillinthe blank and openended responses. Information from
this questionnaire will permit U.S. Institute staff to evaluate how
well the roster program is performing to help users find appropriate
practitioners. Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this
action are individuals who use the roster search system. Burden
Statement: It is estimated that the annual national public burden and
associated costs will be approximately 17 hours and $663, respectively.
These values were calculated assuming that on average: (a) Users will require four minutes to
[[Page 19102]]
complete the questionnaire; (b) there will be 250 followup evaluations
administered each year; and (c) searchers are asked to complete this
questionnaire once per search. Cost burden estimates assume: (a) There
are no capital or startup costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr.
Program Support and System Design Services
The U.S. Institute provides leadership and assistance to agencies/
organizations developing collaborative problem solving and dispute
resolution programs and systems. Program development and dispute system
design services include assistance with planning, developing,
designing, implementing, evaluating, and/or refining federal
environmental conflict resolution programs, systems for handling
administrative disputes, or approaches for managing environmental
decision making (e.g., with processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)).
(11) Program Support and System Design ServicesQuestionnaire for
Agency Representatives and Key Participants (annual survey for length of project);
New collection request; Abstract: Agency representatives and key
project participants who request and receive U.S. Institute program
support and system design services will be asked to complete a
voluntary questionnaire containing seven questions. The questionnaire
will require fillinthe blank and openended responses. Affected
Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are individuals
who benefit from program support and system design services from the
U.S. Institute. Burden Statement: It is estimated that the annual
national public burden and associated costs will be approximately six
hours and $234, respectively. These values were calculated assuming
that on average: (a) Agency representatives or key project participants
require six minutes to complete the questionnaire; (b) there will be 60
responses each year; and (c) on average three agency representatives/
key participants are involved in each initiative. Cost burden estimates
assume: (a) There are no capital or startup costs for respondents, and (b) respondents' time is valued at $39/hr.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 56015609)
Dated: April 6, 2005.
Christopher L. Helms,
Executive Director, Morris K. Udall Foundation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Technical details of the U.S. Institute's program evaluation system are contained in a January 2005 design document entitled ``Program Evaluation System at the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution''. Paper copies of this report can be obtained by contacting the U.S. Institute; an electronic copy can be downloaded from the U.S. Institute's website: http://www.ecr.gov/multiagency/program_eval.htm .
For further information or a copy of the ICRs, contact: Patricia Orr, Evaluation Coordinator, U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, 130 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701, Fax: 520 6705530, Phone: 5206705658, Email: orr@ecr.gov.