[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6146-6147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3046]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 25 / Friday, February 6, 1998 /
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-124-1]
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information
Collection
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment
request.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's
intention to request an extension of approval of an information
collection in support of the Animal Welfare Act.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 7, 1998 to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate,
ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any
other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 97-124-1,
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River
Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and
three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket 97-124-1.
Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building,
14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, between 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons
wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-
2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the Animal
Welfare Act, contact Dr. Barbara Kohn, Senior Staff Veterinarian,
Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234,
(301) 734-7833. For copies of more detailed information on the
information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Groves, Information
Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5086.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Animal Welfare.
OMB Number: 0579-0115.
Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1998.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information
collection.
Abstract: Regulations and standards have been promulgated to
promote and ensure the humane handling, care, treatment, and
transportation of regulated animals under the Animal Welfare Act (the
Act) (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.). Title 9, part 3, subpart E, of the Code
of Federal Regulations (the regulations) addresses specific standards
for marine mammals.
With respect to the transportation of marine mammals, the
regulations require that intermediate handlers and carriers only accept
shipping enclosures that meet the minimum requirements set forth in the
regulations (Sec. 3.113) or that are accompanied by documentation
signed by the cosigner verifying that the shipping enclosures comply
with the regulations. If marine mammals are to be transported in cargo
space that falls below 45 deg.F (7.2 deg.C), regulations specify that
the animals must be accompanied by a certificate of acclimation that
has been signed by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
accredited veterinarian.
In addition, all shipping enclosures must be marked with the words
``Live Animals'' and have arrows indicating the correct upright
position of the container. Intermediate handlers and carriers are
required to attempt to contact the consignee at least once every 6
hours upon the arrival of any marine mammal. Documentation of these
attempts must be recorded by the intermediate handlers and carriers and
maintained for inspection by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) personnel.
These reporting and recordkeeping requirements do not mandate the
use of any official government form.
The regulations also require that all facilities holding marine
mammals submit a contingency plan regarding emergency sources of water
and electric power in the event of failure of the primary sources.
The regulations also require facilities to maintain water quality
records to verify compliance with Sec. 3.106, including information on
coliform levels, salinity (if applicable), pH, and any chemical
additives. To comply with Sec. 3.110(d) and Sec. 3.111(g)(6), complete
necropsies must be conducted on any marine mammals that die at the
facility and the records must be maintained at the facility.
APHIS needs the reports and records required by the regulations to
enforce the regulations for marine mammals and ensure the humane
treatment of these animals.
On January 23, 1995, we published a proposal (APHIS Docket No. 93-
076-2, ``Animal Welfare; Marine Mammals,'' 60 FR 4383-4389) that would
establish standards and recordkeeping requirements for facilities that
operate a ``swim-with-the-dolphin'' (SWTD) program.
The reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in APHIS
Docket No. 93-076-2 were given preliminary approval by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 0579-0115.
Although these requirements may change (a final rule has not yet been
published), we are seeking a continuation of the preliminary approval.
The recordkeeping requirements proposed in Docket No. 93-076-2
would require that each facility operating an SWTD program submit
written copies of the rules and instructions used in the introductory
(classroom) session (proposed Sec. 3.111(e)(4)), the procedures for
terminating a session (proposed Sec. 3.111(e)(7)), a description of the
SWTD program (proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(1)), and semiannual reports
regarding participation in the program (proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(5)).
Under the proposal, each facility would be required to maintain
veterinary, feeding, and behavioral records for SWTD animals in order
to comply with proposed Secs. 3.111(f)(3) and (f)(4). Proposed
Secs. 3.111(g)(3) through (g)(5) would require that each facility
maintain profile (animal identification) information, nutritional and
reproductive status information, and a monthly written assessment by
the
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attending veterinarian. Proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(6) would require that
injuries sustained by dolphins or participants be reported to APHIS
within 24 hours, with a written report required within 7 days.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection.
We need this outside input to help us:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated,
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of responses.
Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection
of information is estimated to average .17666 hours per response.
Respondents: USDA licensed/registered marine mammal facility
representatives.
Estimated number of respondents: 810.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 48.94.
Estimated annual number of responses: 39,641.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7,003 hours. (Due to
rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of
the annual number of responses multiplied by the average reporting
burden per response.)
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of February 1998.
Craig A. Reed,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3046 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
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