[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 121 (Friday, June 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31923-31924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15841]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Proposed Collection; Basic Requirements for All Marine Mammal
Special Exception Permits To Take, Import and Export Marine Mammals
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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 August 20, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Management
Analyst, 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 Laurel Bryant, Permits Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, (301) 713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Respondents will be applicants for and holders of scientific
research and enhancement permits, commercial and educational
photography permits, public display permits for captures and first-time
imports, and General Authorizations for Level-B scientific research
projects. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered
Species Act prohibit the taking, import, and export of marine mammals
with certain exceptions. Applicants wanting a permit or authorization
to take, import, or export must provide certain information to be used
as a basis for determining whether a permit or authorization should be
issued. Permit holders and authorized researchers under the General
Authorization are required to report periodically on activities
conducted, species taken, and to update information as necessary on any
marine mammals held captive for purposes of maintaining the marine
mammal inventory as required under the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA.
II. Method of Collection
The collection of information will be in the form of applications,
annual and final reports, and notifications to the Office Director
regarding transports of marine mammals through submission of a Marine
Mammal Transport Notification form, and updated information to the
marine mammal inventory regarding births, deaths, location, and cause
of death if determined, through submission of a Marine Mammal Data
Sheet.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0648-0084.
Type of Review: Regular Submission.
Affected Public: The affected public will include Federal agencies
and employees, Non-profit institutions, State or local governments;
Businesses or other for-profits; and Small businesses or organizations.
The majority of the affected public will be from the scientific
research community, photographic journalists, and public display
facilities seeking permission to capture from the wild or import a
marine mammal into the U.S. which has not been previously held under a
permit.
Estimated Number of Respondents: The universe of respondents is
estimated at 738 annually. This estimate
[[Page 31924]]
involves applications and requests that include: 172 permit
applications, Letters of Intent, and requests for amendments and
changes; approximately 206 annual and final reports; and an estimated
350 notifications of transport; marine mammal data sheets and
notifications of rehabilitated stranded marine mammals.
Estimated Time Per Response: Permit applications for scientific
research (SR), enhancement (EN), public display (PD), Letters or Intent
under the General Authorization (GA), and major amendments to permits
are estimated at 29 hours each.
Applications for photography permits are estimated at 10 hours
each. Minor amendments and requests for changes under the GA are
estimated at 3 hours each.
Annual reports for scientific research, enhancement or projects
under the General Authorization are estimated at 12 hours each, and 2
hours for annual recordkeeping needs.
Public display annual reports are estimated at 9 hours each with 2
hours for annual recordkeeping.
Photography annual reports have been estimated at 3 hours each, and
2 hours for recordkeeping.
Notifications of Transports and submission of Marine Mammal Data
Sheets have been estimated at one-half hour each.
Notification of release or other disposition of rehabilitated
marine mammals is estimated at 1 hour per report and 2 hours for
recordkeeping.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total annual burden of
hours is estimated at 6,925 hours per year.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total annual cost is estimated at
$352 per year to cover the mailing of submissions.
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: June 17, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Management Analyst, Office of Management and Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-15841 Filed 6-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
