E8-18451. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Submission of Conservation Efforts To Make Listings Unnecessary Under the Endangered Species Act

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 October 10, 2008.

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 Marta Nammack, [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Services) announced a Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions. (68 FR 15100; March 28, 2003). This final policy lists criteria that NMFS will use to evaluate conservation efforts by states and other non-Federal entities. A conservation agreement/plan and procedures for monitoring the agreement/plan's effectiveness is developed by the respondent, based on the respondent's understanding of how best to meet these criteria, and thus to assure the Services that: (1) The conservation effort will be implemented; and (2) the conservation effort will be effective. The Services take these efforts into account when making decisions on whether to list a species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The accepted plans are followed with annuals reports.

II. Method of Collection

NMFS does not require, but will accept, plans and reports electronically. NMFS has not developed a form to be used for submission of plans or reports. In the past, NMFS has made plans and annual reports from states available through the Internet and plans to continue this practice.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0466.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; and State, local or tribal governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3.

Estimated Time per Response: 2,500 hours to complete each agreement or plan that has the intention of making listing unnecessary; 320 hours to conduct monitoring for successful agreements; and 80 hours to prepare a report for successful agreements.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,300.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $150.

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: August 6, 2008.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.