[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 23766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11261]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Regulations Governing the Small Take of Marine Mammals
ACTION: Proposed collection; Comment request.
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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 30, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Kenneth Hollingshead, National Marine Fisheries
Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301-713-
2055).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The harassment, injury or death of marine mammals is prohibited by
the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), unless permitted, exempted, or
otherwise authorized. Provided the taking (harassment, injury,
mortality) is negligible, maritime activities that result in the
incidental taking of marine mammals need an authorization under the
MMPA to avoid prosecution under the MMPA. The Act requires applicants
to submit information justifying the authorization. The MMPA also
requires monitoring and reporting on marine mammal interactions with
the activity.
II. Method of Collection
No forms are used. Applications and reports follow guidelines in
the regulations or established with authorizations.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0648-0151.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Regular Submission.
Affected Public: Anyone, other than commercial fishermen,
conducting activities that could result in an incidental take of marine
mammals. The most common applicants are university researchers, oil and
gas exploration companies, and Federal agencies.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 35.
Estimated Time Per Response: 60 hours (requests for regulations
average 483 hours, applications for Letters of Authorization average 3
hours, applications for Incidental Harassment Authorizations average
200 hours, and reports range from 30-150 hours a response (depending
upon the complexity of the activity).
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,076.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no material or equipment
will need to be purchased to provide information).
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: April 24, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-11261 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
