Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; 1018-0113; Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant Programs, 78385-78386 [E8-30432]

Download as PDF 78385 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 246 / Monday, December 22, 2008 / Notices Number of respondents Reporting Burden .................................................. Total Estimated Burden Hours: 53,784. Status: Extension of a currently approved collection. 20,774 ACTION: Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as amended. Dated: December 16, 2008. Lillian L. Deitzer, Departmental Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E8–30292 Filed 12–19–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service × 1 Notice; request for comments. SUMMARY: We (Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. The ICR, which is summarized below, describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost. This ICR is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2008. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. However, under OMB regulations, we may continue to conduct or sponsor this information collection while it is pending at OMB. Send your comments and suggestions on this ICR to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior at OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-6566 (fax) or OIRA_DOCKET@OMB.eop.gov (e-mail). Please provide a copy of your comments to Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, MS 222-ARLSQ, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. Number of annual respondents Activity mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Grant Applications ................................................................... Reports .................................................................................... Totals ................................................................................ Abstract: The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act establishes a matching grants program to fund projects that promote the conservation of neotropical migratory birds in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The purposes of NMBCA are to: (1) Perpetuate healthy populations of neotropical migratory birds; (2) Assist in the conservation of these birds by supporting conservation initiatives in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean; and (3) Provide financial resources and foster international cooperation for those initiatives. Principal conservation actions supported by NMBCA are: (1) Protection and management of neotropical migratory bird populations. 19:07 Dec 19, 2008 Jkt 217001 2.58 ADDRESSES: Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; 1018-0113; Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant Programs 100 65 165 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 = Burden hours 53,784 22203 (mail) or hope_grey@fws.gov (email). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Hope Grey by mail or e-mail (see ADDRESSES) or by telephone at (703) 358–2482. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 1018-0113. Title: Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant Programs. Service Form Number(s): None. Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection. Affected Public: Domestic or foreign individuals; corporations, partnerships, trusts, associations, or other private entities; and State/local/tribal governments. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit. Frequency of Collection: On occasion. This grants program has one project proposal submission per year. Annual reports are due 90 days after the anniversary date of the grant agreement. Final reports are due 90 days after the end of the project period. The project period is up to 2 years. Number of annual responses 120 75 195 (2) Maintenance, management, protection, and restoration of neotropical migratory bird habitat. (3) Research and monitoring. (4) Law enforcement. (5) Community outreach and education. We publish notices of funding availability on the Grants.gov website (https://www.grants.gov) as well as in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (https://cfda.gov). To compete for grant funds, partnerships submit applications that describe in substantial detail project locations, project resources, future benefits, and other characteristics that meet the standards established by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the requirements of NMBCA. Materials that describe the program and assist applicants in formulating project proposals for consideration are PO 00000 Hours per response × DATES: You must send comments on or before January 21, 2009. [FWS-R9-MB-2008-N0339] [91100-3740GRNT-7C] VerDate Aug<31>2005 Annual responses Completion time per response 70 hours .......... 30 hours .......... ..................... Annual burden hours 8,400 2,250 10,650 available on our website at https:// www.fws.gov/birdhabitat. Persons who do not have access to the Internet may obtain instructional materials by mail. We have not made any major changes in the scope and general nature of the instructions since the OMB first approved the information collection in 2002. Comments: On June 24, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (73 FR 35704) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew this ICR. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on August 25, 2008. We received one comment. The comment expressed opposition to the NMBCA grants program, but did not address the information collection requirements. We did not make any changes to our information collection requirements as a result of this comment. E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1 78386 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 246 / Monday, December 22, 2008 / Notices We again invite comments concerning this information collection on: (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: November 28, 2008 Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service. FR Doc. E8–30432 Filed 12–19–08; 8:45 am BILLING CODE 4310–55–S U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–R–2008–N0282; 81640–1265– 0000–S3] Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, San Francisco County, CA mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (draft CCP/EA) is available for review and comment. Also available for review are the draft compatibility determinations for research and monitoring, media access, and environmental education and monitoring through a remote camera system. DATES: To ensure that we have adequate time to evaluate and incorporate VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:07 Dec 19, 2008 Jkt 217001 suggestions and other input into the planning process, we must receive comments on or before February 20, 2009. For information on obtaining documents and submitting comments, see ‘‘Public Review and Comment’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, (510) 792–0222. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the Improvement Act, requires us to develop a CCP for each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the CCP identifies wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, which can include opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. Background The Refuge is located off the coast of San Francisco and is within San Francisco County. The 211-acre Refuge consists of four island groupings that were first designated as a Refuge in 1909 ‘‘as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds’’ (Executive Order 1043, Feb. 27, 1909). The Refuge supports the largest seabird breeding colony in the contiguous United States and provides wintering and nesting habitat for migratory seabirds and pinnipeds. In 1974, Congress enacted Pub. L. 93–550, which designated all the islands except for Southeast Island as the Farallon Wilderness, totaling 141 acres. Alternatives The draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates four alternatives for managing Farallon National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. Each alternative describes a combination of wildlife, habitat, and public use management prescriptions designed to achieve Refuge purposes. Of the alternatives described below, we believe Alternative C would best achieve the purposes of the Refuge, and therefore we have identified C as the Preferred Alternative. PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Alternative A, the no-action alternative, assumes no change from current management programs and is considered the baseline with which to compare other alternatives. Under this alternative, the focus of the Refuge would be to continue to protect and maintain habitats for nesting seabirds including restoration of native vegetation. Wildlife research and monitoring would continue. The Refuge would remain closed to the public, with the exception of requested media visits that are closely supervised by Refuge staff. Alternative B calls for the development of a vegetation management and monitoring plan to accelerate weed removal and restoration of native vegetation. Non-native house mice would be eradicated to reduce predation of seabirds and a tiered National Environmental Policy Act planning document would be prepared to evaluate the eradication methods and protocols. Public involvement opportunities for this tiered plan would be provided. New research and monitoring methods would be implemented to improve wildlife management. In addition, new or expanded research studies will also be implemented to study other wildlife on the Refuge (e.g., arboreal salamanders, hoary bats, and insects). Law enforcement to reduce wildlife disturbance would be increased through coordination with other agencies and outreach to boaters and pilots. The Refuge would remain closed to public access under this alternative, but limited supervised access for media personnel in order to further public education and provide outreach opportunities for the public would be allowed. While land-based wildlife observation would not be allowed, Refuge staff will coordinate with charter boat operators to enhance their wildlife tours in waters surrounding the Refuge. This alternative also includes outreach and environmental education objectives, including coordination with other outreach organizations in the San Francisco area, the development of environmental education programs and materials for outreach events, a remote camera system, and expanding the existing Farallon program in elementary schools. Alternative C, the preferred alternative, would include the same components as Alternative B. In addition, a visitor service plan would be developed to consider on-site visitor opportunities such as tours and volunteer activities. Additional areas on Southeast Island would also be considered for seasonal closure to E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 246 (Monday, December 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78385-78386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30432]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R9-MB-2008-N0339] [91100-3740-GRNT-7C]


Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for Approval; 1018-0113; Neotropical Migratory Bird 
Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant Programs

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:  Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY:  We (Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an Information 
Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. The ICR, which 
is summarized below, describes the nature of the collection and the 
estimated burden and cost. This ICR is scheduled to expire on December 
31, 2008. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to 
respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number. However, under OMB regulations, we may 
continue to conduct or sponsor this information collection while it is 
pending at OMB.

DATES: You must send comments on or before January 21, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments and suggestions on this ICR to the Desk 
Officer for the Department of the Interior at OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-
6566 (fax) or OIRA_DOCKET@OMB.eop.gov (e-mail). Please provide a copy 
of your comments to Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, MS 222-ARLSQ, 4401 North Fairfax 
Drive, Arlington, VA 22203 (mail) or hope_grey@fws.gov (e-mail).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Hope Grey by mail or e-mail (see ADDRESSES) or 
by telephone at (703) 358-2482.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0113.
    Title: Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant 
Programs.
    Service Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Domestic or foreign individuals; corporations, 
partnerships, trusts, associations, or other private entities; and 
State/local/tribal governments.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion. This grants program has one 
project proposal submission per year. Annual reports are due 90 days 
after the anniversary date of the grant agreement. Final reports are 
due 90 days after the end of the project period. The project period is 
up to 2 years.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Number of annual    Number of annual   Completion time per    Annual burden
            Activity                  respondents          responses            response             hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grant Applications..............                 100                 120  70 hours...........              8,400
Reports.........................                  65                  75  30 hours...........              2,250
    Totals......................                 165                 195  ...................             10,650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Abstract: The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act 
establishes a matching grants program to fund projects that promote the 
conservation of neotropical migratory birds in the United States, 
Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The purposes of NMBCA are to:
    (1) Perpetuate healthy populations of neotropical migratory birds;
    (2) Assist in the conservation of these birds by supporting 
conservation initiatives in the United States, Canada, Latin America, 
and the Caribbean; and
    (3) Provide financial resources and foster international 
cooperation for those initiatives.
    Principal conservation actions supported by NMBCA are:
    (1) Protection and management of neotropical migratory bird 
populations.
    (2) Maintenance, management, protection, and restoration of 
neotropical migratory bird habitat.
    (3) Research and monitoring.
    (4) Law enforcement.
    (5) Community outreach and education.
    We publish notices of funding availability on the Grants.gov 
website (https://www.grants.gov) as well as in the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (https://cfda.gov). To compete for grant funds, 
partnerships submit applications that describe in substantial detail 
project locations, project resources, future benefits, and other 
characteristics that meet the standards established by the Fish and 
Wildlife Service and the requirements of NMBCA.
    Materials that describe the program and assist applicants in 
formulating project proposals for consideration are available on our 
website at https://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat. Persons who do not have 
access to the Internet may obtain instructional materials by mail. We 
have not made any major changes in the scope and general nature of the 
instructions since the OMB first approved the information collection in 
2002.
    Comments: On June 24, 2008, we published in the Federal Register 
(73 FR 35704) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew this 
ICR. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on 
August 25, 2008. We received one comment. The comment expressed 
opposition to the NMBCA grants program, but did not address the 
information collection requirements. We did not make any changes to our 
information collection requirements as a result of this comment.

[[Page 78386]]

    We again invite comments concerning this information collection on:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, 
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection 
of information;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you 
should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal 
identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask OMB in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it 
will be done.

    Dated: November 28, 2008
Hope Grey,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service.
FR Doc. E8-30432 Filed 12-19-08; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4310-55-S
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