E6-10502. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southwest Region Permit Family of Forms

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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 5, 2006.

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 Patricia A. Culver, 562-980-4239 or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Permits are required for persons to participate in Federally-managed fisheries off the West Coast. There are two types of permits, for coastal pelagic and highly migratory fisheries. Appeals and certain waiver requests can also be submitted. Transfer applications may also be required. Permits for the Western Pacific fisheries have been included in this information collection, but will now be covered under 0648-0490, Pacific Islands Permit Family of Forms.

The permit application forms provide basic information about permit holders and the vessels and gear being used. This information is important for understanding the nature of the fisheries and provides a link to participants. It also aids in enforcement of regulations.

II. Method of Collection

Forms are available on the Internet; paper applications are also available and may be submitted by mail or FAX.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0204.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,407.

Estimated Time Per Response: Permit applications and transfers, 30 minutes; additional information (when requested) for the coastal pelagic fishery, 1 hour; appeals, 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 333.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $575.

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 29, 2006.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.