E7-14460. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

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.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before September 24, 2007.

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, [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Community Development Quota (CDQ) program is implemented under the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, and regulations at 50 CFR part 679. The purpose of the CDQ program is to allocate a portion of the quotas for groundfish, Pacific halibut, crab, and prohibited species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area to Western Alaska communities so that these communities can start and support regionally-based, commercial seafood or other fisheries-related businesses. Under the CDQ program, 65 eligible Western Alaska communities have organized into six separate CDQ groups. The CDQ groups have incorporated under Alaska law as nonprofit corporations.

CDQ and prohibited species quota (PSQ) allocations are made to CDQ groups. However, in many cases the CDQ groups contract with existing fishing vessels and processors to harvest CDQ on their behalf. The CDQ group is responsible to monitor the catch of CDQ and PSQ by all vessels fishing under its Community Development Plan and to take the necessary action to prevent overages. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) monitors the reported catch to assure that quotas are not being exceeded.

II. Method of Collection

Paper reports and plans, and the method of submittal are through the U.S. mail.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0269.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions, and business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 93.

Estimated Time Per Response: 520 hours for Community Development Plan; 20 hours for Annual Budget Report; 8 hours for Annual Budget Reconciliation Report; 40 hours for Substantial Amendment; 8 hours for Technical Amendment; 30 minutes for CDQ or PSQ Transfer Request; 1 hour for Request for Approval or Removal of an Eligible Vessel; 4 hours for Alternative Fishing Plan; 2 minutes for Prior Notice to Shoreside Observers; and 2 minutes for Prior Notice to Vessel Observers.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,470.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $747.

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: July 20, 2007.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.