Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Submission of Conservation Efforts To Make Listings Unnecessary Under the Endangered Species Act, 46590 [E8-18451]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 155 (Monday, August 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 46590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18451]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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.

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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 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 dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Marta Nammack, (301) 713-1401 or marta.nammack@noaa.gov.

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.
 [FR Doc. E8-18451 Filed 8-8-08; 8:45 am]
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