Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Green Sturgeon Endangered Species Act Take Exceptions and Exemptions, 27187-27188 [2013-11010]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 90 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27187-27188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11010]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Green Sturgeon 
Endangered Species Act Take Exceptions and Exemptions

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
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 the 
continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Melissa Neuman, (562) 980-4115 or 
Melissa.Neuman@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension, without change, of a currently 
approved information collection.
    The Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American green 
sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris; hereafter, ``Southern DPS'') was 
listed as a threatened species in April 2006. Protective regulations 
under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) were promulgated 
for the species on June 2, 2010 (75 FR 30714) (the final ESA 4(d) 
Rule). To comply with the ESA and the protective regulations, entities 
must obtain take authorization prior to engaging in activities 
involving take of Southern DPS fish unless the activity is covered by 
an exception or exemption. Certain activities described in the 
``exceptions'' provision of 50 CFR 223.210(b) are not subject to the 
take prohibitions if they adhere to specific criteria and reporting 
requirements. Under the ``exemption'' provision of 50 CFR 223.210(c), 
the take prohibitions do not apply to scientific research, scientific 
monitoring, and fisheries activities conducted under an approved 4(d) 
program or plan; similarly, take prohibitions do not apply to tribal 
resource management activities conducted under a Tribal Plan for which 
the requisite determinations described in 50 CFR 223.102(c)(3) have 
been made. In order to ensure that activities qualify under exceptions 
to or exemptions from the take prohibitions, local, state, and federal 
agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic researchers, and 
private organizations are asked to voluntarily submit detailed 
information regarding their activity on a schedule to be determined by 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) staff. This information is 
used by NMFS to (1) Track the number of Southern DPS fish taken as a 
result of each action; (2) understand and evaluate the cumulative 
effects of each action on the Southern DPS; and (3) determine whether 
additional protections are needed for the species, or whether 
additional exceptions may be warranted. NMFS designed the criteria to 
ensure that plans meeting the criteria would adequately limit impacts 
on threatened Southern DPS fish, such that additional protections in 
the form of a federal take prohibition would not be necessary and 
advisable.

[[Page 27188]]

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal include email of electronic forms, and mail and 
facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0613.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; State, local, or 
tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 67.
    Estimated Time per Response: Written notification describing 
research, monitoring or habitat restoration activities, 40 hours each; 
development of fisheries management and evaluation plans or state 4(d) 
research programs, 40 hours each; reports, 5 hours; development of a 
tribal fishery management plan, 20 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,528.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $200.

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: May 5, 2013.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-11010 Filed 5-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P