Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; OMB Control Number 1018-0119; Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE), 4972-4973 [E9-1833]

Download as PDF 4972 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 28, 2009 / Notices Total Estimated Burden Hours: 250. Status: New Collection. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as amended. Dated: January 22, 2009. Lillian L. Deitzer, Departmental Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E9–1823 Filed 1–27–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R9-ES-2009-N0012; 92210-1111-0000B3] Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; OMB Control Number 1018-0119; Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE) 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. This ICR is scheduled to expire on January 31, 2009. 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 February 27, 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 Number of annual respondents Activity sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Original Agreement .................................................................. Monitoring ................................................................................ Reporting ................................................................................. Totals ................................................................................ Abstract: Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) specifies the process by which we can list species as threatened or endangered. When we consider whether or not to list a species, the ESA requires us to take into account the efforts being made by any State or any political subdivision of a State to protect such species. We also take into account the efforts being made by other entities. States or other entities often formalize conservation efforts in conservation agreements, conservation plans, management plans, or similar documents. The conservation efforts recommended or called for in such documents could prevent some species from becoming so imperiled that they meet the definition of a threatened or endangered species under the ESA. The Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE) encourages the development of conservation agreements/plans and provides certainty about the standard that an individual conservation effort must meet for us to consider whether it contributes to forming a basis for making a decision about the listing of a species. PECE VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:30 Jan 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 Frm 00060 4 7 7 18 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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: 1018-0119. Title: Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE). Service Form Number(s): None. Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection. Affected Public: Primarily State, local, or tribal governments. However, individuals, businesses, and not-forprofit organizations could develop agreements/plans or may agree to implement certain conservation efforts identified in a State agreement/plan. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit. Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Number of annual responses Completion time per response 4 7 7 18 applies to ‘‘formalized conservation efforts’’ that have not been implemented or have been implemented but have not yet demonstrated if they are effective at the time of a listing decision. Under PECE, formalized conservation efforts are defined as conservation efforts (specific actions, activities, or programs designed to eliminate or reduce threats or otherwise improve the status of a species) identified in a conservation agreement, conservation plan, management plan, or similar document (68 FR 15100). The development of such agreements/plans is voluntary. There is no requirement that the individual conservation efforts included in such documents be designed to meet the standard in PECE. Comments: On November 24, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (73 FR 71041) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew this ICR. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on January 23, 2009. We received one comment in response to this notice. The commenter did not address the information collection requirements, but did object to the continuation of this program. We have PO 00000 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203 (mail) or hope_grey@fws.gov (email). 2,000 hours ..... 600 hours ........ 120 hours ........ ..................... Annual burden hours 8,000 4,200 840 13,040 not made any changes to our information collection requirements as a result of this comment. 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 E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 28, 2009 / Notices information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service. FR Doc. E9–1833 Filed 1–27–09; 8:45 am BILLING CODE 4310-55-S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R9-IA-2009-N0011; 96200-1672-00507D] Proposed Information Collection; Evaluation of Great Ape Conservation Fund Grant Activities AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. SUMMARY: We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC. 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. DATES: You must submit comments on or before March 30, 2009. ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the IC to Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, MS 222–ARLSQ, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203 (mail); 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: sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES I. Abstract The Fish and Wildlife Service (we, Service) has contracted with Frederick Sowers Consulting to conduct an independent evaluation of Great Ape Conservation Fund (GACF) grants. The evaluation will be limited to those grants we financed during Fiscal Years 2006 through 2008 through a $2.5 million/year resource transfer from the Agency for International Development in support of the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment. VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:35 Jan 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 In the central African region, conservation efforts are focused around approximately 12 large landscapes where conservation organizations take the lead in a multi-stakeholder process of land use and conservation planning. We plan to survey the direct recipients of GACF grants and their associated partners (e.g. international and African conservation and development nongovernmental organizations, stakeholder groups, civic organizations, and other funding agencies). The survey will cover both leading partners and smaller implementing partners within the landscape. The 74 grantees, who serve in direct contact with the public, are spread across five countries in the central African region. We plan to use an online survey as an efficient and minimally disruptive means of collecting information on grants management mechanics and operations and grantee performance in achieving conservation aims. The online survey will be open for an adequate period of time to allow respondents ample time to complete and update the survey questionnaire. We plan to collect: (1) Basic demographic data about the institutions, such as the size of the organization, the length and duration of its presence in the landscape, the nature of its activities, and its relationship with other stakeholders. (2) Information on the quality and nature of the relationships between grant recipients and the Government. (3) Effectiveness of the program in contributing to conservation objectives. II. Data OMB Control Number: None. This is a new collection. Title: Evaluation of Great Ape Conservation Fund Grant Activities. Service Form Number(s): None. Type of Request: New. Affected Public: GACF grantees and associated partners (e.g., nongovernment organizations, stakeholder groups, civic organizations, and other funding agencies). Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. Frequency of Collection: One time. Total Annual Number of Responses: 160. Completion Time per Response: 1.5 hours. Total Annual Burden Hours: 240 hours. III. Request for Comments We invite comments concerning this IC on: (1) whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4973 (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. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this IC. 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 us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: January 12, 2009 Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service. FR Doc. E9–1834 Filed 1–27–09; 8:45 am BILLING CODE 4310-55-S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee U.S. Geological Survey. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to Public Law 106– 503, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC) will hold its 19th meeting. The meeting location is the Silver Cloud Inn/University District, 3056 25th Avenue, NE., Seattle, Washington 98105. The Committee is comprised of members from academia, industry, and State government. The Committee shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on matters relating to the USGS’s participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The Committee will be hearing updates on the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program with a focus on partnered activities in the Pacific Northwest, discuss lessons learned from the Great Southern California Shakeout, and make assignments for annual report preparation. Meetings of the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee are open to the public. E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4972-4973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1833]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R9-ES-2009-N0012; 92210-1111-0000-B3]


Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for Approval; OMB Control Number 1018-0119; Policy for 
Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE)

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. This ICR is scheduled to expire on January 31, 2009. 
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 February 27, 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: 1018-0119.
    Title: Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making 
Listing Decisions (PECE).
    Service Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Primarily State, local, or tribal governments. 
However, individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations 
could develop agreements/plans or may agree to implement certain 
conservation efforts identified in a State agreement/plan.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Number of annual    Number of annual   Completion time per    Annual burden
            Activity                  respondents          responses            response             hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Agreement..............                   4                   4  2,000 hours........              8,000
Monitoring......................                   7                   7  600 hours..........              4,200
Reporting.......................                   7                   7  120 hours..........                840
    Totals......................                  18                  18  ...................             13,040
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Abstract: Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) specifies 
the process by which we can list species as threatened or endangered. 
When we consider whether or not to list a species, the ESA requires us 
to take into account the efforts being made by any State or any 
political subdivision of a State to protect such species. We also take 
into account the efforts being made by other entities. States or other 
entities often formalize conservation efforts in conservation 
agreements, conservation plans, management plans, or similar documents. 
The conservation efforts recommended or called for in such documents 
could prevent some species from becoming so imperiled that they meet 
the definition of a threatened or endangered species under the ESA.
    The Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making 
Listing Decisions (PECE) encourages the development of conservation 
agreements/plans and provides certainty about the standard that an 
individual conservation effort must meet for us to consider whether it 
contributes to forming a basis for making a decision about the listing 
of a species. PECE applies to ``formalized conservation efforts'' that 
have not been implemented or have been implemented but have not yet 
demonstrated if they are effective at the time of a listing decision.
    Under PECE, formalized conservation efforts are defined as 
conservation efforts (specific actions, activities, or programs 
designed to eliminate or reduce threats or otherwise improve the status 
of a species) identified in a conservation agreement, conservation 
plan, management plan, or similar document (68 FR 15100). The 
development of such agreements/plans is voluntary. There is no 
requirement that the individual conservation efforts included in such 
documents be designed to meet the standard in PECE.
    Comments: On November 24, 2008, we published in the Federal 
Register (73 FR 71041) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew 
this ICR. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on 
January 23, 2009. We received one comment in response to this notice. 
The commenter did not address the information collection requirements, 
but did object to the continuation of this program. We have not made 
any changes to our information collection requirements as a result of 
this comment.
    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

[[Page 4973]]

information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be 
done.

Hope Grey,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service.
FR Doc. E9-1833 Filed 1-27-09; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4310-55-S
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