00-31484. Request for Public Comments on Extension of Existing Information Collection To Be Submitted to OMB for Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act

A request extending the information collection described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)). Copies of the proposed collection may be obtained by contacting the Bureau's clearance officer at the phone number listed below. Comments on the proposal should be made within 60 days to the Bureau Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, Reston, VA 20192.

As required by OMB regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), the U.S. Geological Survey solicits specific public comments as to: 1. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the bureaus, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. The accuracy of the bureau's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used:

3. The quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4. How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology.

Title: North American Reporting Center for Amphibian Malformations.

OMB Approval No: 1028-0056.

Summary: The collection of information referred herein applies to a World-Wide Web site that permits individuals who observed malformed amphibians or who inspect substantial numbers of normal or malformed amphibians to report those observations and related information. The Web site is termed the North American Reporting Center for Amphibian Malformations. Information will be used by scientists and federal, state, and local agencies to identify areas where malformed amphibians occur and the rates of occurrence.

Estimated Completion Time: 20 minutes.

Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 900.

Frequency: Once.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 300 hours.

Affected Public: Primarily U.S. and Canadian residents.

For Further Information Contact: To obtain copies of the survey, contact the Bureau clearance officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia, 20192, telephone [phone], or go to the Website (http://www.npsc.nbs.gov./​narcam).

Dated: December 5, 2000.

Dennis B. Fenn,

Chief Biologist.