02-27563. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery Program Requirements

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before December 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Patsy A. Bearden, NMFS Alaska Region, 907-586-7228 or e-mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that the Secretary of Commerce implement a Cost Recovery Program to cover the management and enforcement costs of the Alaska Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program. This Cost Recovery Program requires IFQ permit holders and registered buyers to submit information about the value of landings of IFQ species and for the permit holders to calculate and submit fees.

II. Method of Collection

Forms are used except for appeals, which involve the submission of evidence/documentation.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0398.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, individuals or households, and not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,100.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours for a fee submission form; 2 hours for a Register Buyer Ex-vessel Value and Volume Report; 2 hours for an appeal; and 30 minutes for a prepayment of fees.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,400.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $17,116.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: October 9, 2002.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.