05-17288. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Protocol for Access to Tissue Specimen Samples From the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank

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 31, 2005.

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 Lawson, [phone] or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB) was established in 1992 and provides protocols, techniques, and physical facilities for the long-term storage of tissues from marine mammals. Scientists can request tissues from this repository for retrospective analyses to determine environmental trends of contaminants and other substances of interest. The NMMTB collects, processes, and stores tissues from specific indicator species (e.g., Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic white sided dolphins, pilot whales, harbor porpoise), animals from mass strandings, animals that have been obtained incidental to commercial fisheries, animals taken for subsistence purposes, biopsies, and animals from unusual mortality events.

The purpose of this collection of information is to enable NOAA to allow the scientific community the opportunity to request tissue specimen samples from the NMMTB.

II. Method of Collection

Electronic and paper applications are acceptable from participants, and methods of submittal include Internet, mail and facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0468.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

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

Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 40.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $33.60.

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 25, 2005.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.