96-19218. Marine Mammal Stranding Report; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39441-39442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19218]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Marine Mammal Stranding Report; 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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 27, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
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 Dean Wilkinson, Office of Protected Resources, F/
PR2, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1335 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Section 402(b) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requires 
that information on marine mammal strandings be collected. The marine 
mammal stranding reports provide baseline information on marine mammal 
mortalities, human interactions with marine mammals, and marine mammal 
population dynamics. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) uses 
the information to fulfill management responsibilities under the MMPA. 
The Marine Mammal Stranding Reports are submitted by members of the 
marine mammal stranding network--the vast majority of whom are 
volunteers who have been authorized by NMFS to respond to strandings.

II. Method of Collection

    Stranding Network members submit basic biological data contained on 
the reporting form to NMFS Regional Offices for compilation and 
analysis.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0178.
    Form Number: NOAA Form 89-864.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: There are approximately 350 institutional and 
individual members of the Marine

[[Page 39442]]

Mammal Stranding Network. Institutional members include aquaria, 
academic institutions, rehabilitation facilities, non-profit 
institutions, veterinary clinics, and Federal, State and local 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 350.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,333.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,300.

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 23, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-19218 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]
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