Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Basic Requirements for Special Exemption Permits and Authorizations To Take, Import, and Export Marine Mammals, Threatened and Endangered Species, and for Maintaining a Captive Marine Mammal Inventory Under the Marine Mammal Protection, the Fur Seal, and the Endangered Species Acts, 15458 [E9-7676]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 64 (Monday, April 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 15458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7676]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Basic 
Requirements for Special Exemption Permits and Authorizations To Take, 
Import, and Export Marine Mammals, Threatened and Endangered Species, 
and for Maintaining a Captive Marine Mammal Inventory Under the Marine 
Mammal Protection, the Fur Seal, and the Endangered Species Acts

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of 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 June 5, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 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 Amy Sloan, (301) 713-2289 or Amy.Sloan@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; MMPA), 
Fur Seal Act (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.; FSA), and Endangered Species Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; ESA) prohibit certain actions affecting marine 
mammals and endangered and threatened species, with exceptions. Permits 
can be obtained for scientific research and enhancing the survival or 
recovery of a species or stock of marine mammals or threatened or 
endangered species; commercial and educational photography of marine 
mammals; and import and capture of marine mammals for public display. 
Letters of Confirmation can be obtained under the General Authorization 
(GA) for scientific research that involves minimal disturbance to 
marine mammals. The applicants desiring a permit or authorization must 
provide certain information for the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) to determine whether a proposed activity is consistent with the 
purposes, policies, and requirements of the applicable laws, and that 
the activity is in the best interest of the protected species and the 
public. Permit holders and authorized researchers must report on 
activities conducted to ensure compliance with permit conditions and 
protection of the animals. Holders of captive marine mammals must 
report changes to their animal inventory.
    This information collection applies to protected species for which 
NMFS is responsible, including the marine mammal species of cetaceans 
(whales, dolphins and porpoises) and pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) 
and threatened and endangered species including sea turtles (in water), 
white abalone, black abalone, smalltooth sawfish, shortnose sturgeon, 
and elkhorn and staghorn corals. The regulations implementing permit, 
authorization, and inventory requirements under the MMPA and FSA are at 
50 CFR part 216; the regulations for permit requirements under the ESA 
are at 50 CFR part 222.
    Respondents will be researchers, photographers, and other members 
of the public seeking exceptions to prohibited activities on marine 
mammals and endangered and threatened species through permits or 
authorizations for purposes described above; and holders of marine 
mammals in captivity.

II. Method of Collection

    Permit and authorization application materials and reports are 
available in paper and electronic versions, and are written to respond 
to a required format. Inventory materials and reports are paper forms. 
Methods of submission include mail, facsimile transmission, and 
electronic submission via e-mail or through an on-line application 
system known as Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS).

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0084.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; not-for-profit 
institutions; business or other for-profit organizations; Federal 
Government; and State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 514.
    Estimated Time per Response: 50 hours for an application for a 
scientific research or enhancement permit; 30 hours for an application 
for a public display permit; 10 hours for an application for a 
photography permit or GA Letter of Confirmation; 35 hours for a major 
amendment or modification to a permit; 3 hours for a minor amendment or 
modification to a permit or for a change to a GA Letter of 
Confirmation; 12 hours for a scientific research or enhancement permit 
report; 8 hours for a GA Letter of Confirmation report; 2 hours for a 
public display or photography permit report; request to retain or 
transfer a rehabilitated marine mammal, or a marine mammal inventory (1 
hour for a transport notification; 30 minutes each for a data sheet and 
a person/holder/facility sheet); and 2 hours for recordkeeping.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,716.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,000.

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: April 1, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-7676 Filed 4-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P