Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Statement of Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils, 20810-20811 [2010-9191]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20810-20811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9191]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Statement of 
Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils

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 June 21, 2010.

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 William Chappell, (301) 713-2337 or 
william.chappell@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson Stevens Act) authorizes the establishment of Regional Fishery 
Management Councils to exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of 
fishery

[[Page 20811]]

resources through the preparation, monitoring, and revision of such 
fishery management plans under circumstances (a) which will enable the 
States, the fishing industry, consumers, environmental organizations, 
and other interested persons to participate in the development of such 
plans, and (b) which take into account the social and economic needs of 
fishermen and dependent communities.
    Section 302(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that Council 
members appointed by the Secretary, Scientific and Statistical 
Committee (SSC) members appointed by a Council under Section 302(g)(1), 
or individuals nominated by the Governor of a State for possible 
appointment as a Council member, disclose their financial interest in 
any Council fishery. These interests include harvesting, processing, 
lobbying, advocacy, or marketing activity that is being, or will be, 
undertaken within any fishery over which the Council concerned has 
jurisdiction, or with respect to an individual or organization with a 
financial interest in such activity. Seated Council members appointed 
by the Secretary, including the Tribal Government appointee and SSC 
members, must file a financial interest form within 45 days of taking 
office and must provide an update of their statements at any time any 
such financial interest is acquired, or substantially changed. The 
National Marine Fisheries Service is in the process of revising the 
statement of financial interests form by adding clearer instructions, 
providing examples of submissions, and updating the form to provide a 
more appropriate intuitive format.
    The Secretary is required to submit an annual report to Congress on 
action taken by the Secretary and the Councils to implement the 
disclosure of financial interest and recusal requirements, including 
identification of any conflict of interest problems with respect to the 
Councils and SSCs and recommendations for addressing any such problems.
    The Act further provides that a member shall not vote on a Council 
decision that would have a significant and predictable effect on a 
financial interest if there is a close causal link between the Council 
decision and an expected and substantially disproportionate benefit to 
the financial interest of the affected individual relative to the 
financial interest of other participants in the same gear type or 
sector of the fishery. However, an affected individual who is declared 
ineligible to vote on a Council action may participate in Council 
deliberations relating to the decision after notifying the Council of 
his/her recusal and identifying the financial interest that would be 
affected.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents submit paper forms by mail.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0192.
    Form Number: NOAA Form 88-195.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 330.
    Estimated Time per Response: 35 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 193.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $128.70.

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 16, 2010.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-9191 Filed 4-20-10; 8:45 am]
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