Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Applications and Reporting Requirements for the Incidental Take of Marine Mammals by Specified Activities Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 5420 [E7-1822]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 5420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1822]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Applications 
and Reporting Requirements for the Incidental Take of Marine Mammals by 
Specified Activities Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 April 9, 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 dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Kenneth R. Hollingshead, (301) 713-2055, ext. 128 or 
ken.hollingshead@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits the taking by 
harassment, injury, or mortality of marine mammals unless exempted or 
authorized by permit. The incidental-take program authorizes the taking 
of marine mammal incidental to maritime activities (military, oil 
industry, oceanographic research). It is the responsibility of the 
activity to determine if it might have a ``taking'' and, if it does, to 
apply for an authorization. Applications are necessary for NOAA to know 
that an authorization is needed and to determine whether authorization 
can be made under the MMPA. The reporting requirements are mandated by 
the MMPA and are necessary to ensure that determinations made 
concerning the impact on marine mammals are valid.

II. Method of Collection

    Applications and reports are submitted by paper copy via overnight 
delivery and via e-mail to provide us with the .pdf and .doc copies 
that we use to work on the application and for posting for the public 
to download and review. While our application instructions are posted 
on the Web, we do not have the ability to accept applications via the 
Web. We are currently beta-testing the system for accepting 
applications for scientific research permits which we may be able to 
apply to this information collection also.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0151.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; not-
for-profit institutions; and State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 72.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 483 hours for a request for new or the 
renewal of regulations; 45 hours for an application for Letter of 
Authorization (response times vary significantly based on the 
complexity of the application); 200 hours for an application for an 
Incidental Harassment Authorization; and 93-120 hours for a 90-day, 
quarterly, or annual report under a Letter of Authorization or 
Incidental Harassment Authorization.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 12,376.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,359.

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: January 31, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-1822 Filed 2-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P