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, 13341-13342 [2016-05612]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2016 / Notices c. Rare events bycatch workshop plan iv. Discussion and synthesis 6. Public Comment 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday, April 8, 2016 7. FEP Annual Report Review Part II A. Pelagic Non-longline Fishery Sections i. Summary of relevant fishery data ii. Protected species section iii. Discussion and synthesis B. Insular Fishery Sections i. Summary of relevant fishery data ii. Protected species section iii. Discussion and synthesis C. Discussion on Monitoring Protected Species Interactions under the FEP Annual Reports D. Discussion on Data Gaps and Research Needs 8. Council’s Research Priorities A. Five-year Research Priorities B. Cooperative Research Priorities C. Discussion 8. Public Comment 9. Committee Discussion and Recommendations 10. Other Business & Next Meeting Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522–8220 (voice) or (808) 522– 8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 9, 2016. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–05637 Filed 3–11–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:27 Mar 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 May 13, 2016. 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 Amy Sloan, NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 ((301) 427–84010), Amy.Sloan@ noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This request is for a revision and extension of a currently approved information collection. 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 activities affecting marine mammals and endangered and threatened species, with exceptions. Pursuant to section 104 of the MMPA and Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA, special exception permits may be obtained for scientific research and enhancing the survival or recovery of a species or stock of marine mammals or threatened or endangered species. Section 104 of the MMPA also includes permits for commercial and educational photography of marine mammals; import and capture of marine mammals for public display; and, Letters of Confirmation under the General Authorization for scientific research that involves minimal disturbance to marine mammals. The regulations implementing permits and reporting 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. The required information in this collection is used to make the determinations required by the MMPA, ESA and their implementing regulations prior to issuing a permit; to establish appropriate permit conditions; and to evaluate the impacts of the proposed activity on protected species. Inventory reporting pertaining to marine PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13341 mammals in public display facilities is required by the MMPA. This information collection applies to certain protected species for which NMFS is responsible, including cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sawfish (largetooth and smalltooth), sea turtles (in water), and sturgeon (Atlantic and shortnose). The information collection may be used for future listed species. The currently approved application and reporting requirements will be revised to (1) create separate sections for marine mammals versus non-mammal species where doing so will result in less burden to the applicant (e.g., for scientific methods); (2) clarify to applicants why the information is required and what level of detail is needed for our analyses; (3) create ‘enhanced help’ features (e.g., pop-up windows) in the online application system, Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species (APPS; https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/) to make the instructions more accessible; (4) create a streamlined application and online module in APPS for scientific research permits involving only import, export, or receipt of biological samples (i.e., where no animals in the wild are affected); (5) make photography permit applications accessible via APPS. II. Method of Collection Permit applications, permit reports, and inventory reports are available in paper or electronic versions (online or via email). Respondents may submit all applications and forms by email, facsimile, or mail. Respondents may also submit scientific research and enhancement permit applications and Letters of Intent under the General Authorization online via APPS. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648–0084. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular (revision and extension of a currently approved collection). Affected Public: Individuals; business or other for-profit organizations; not-forprofit institutions; state, local, or tribal government; Federal government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 536. Estimated Time per Response: Scientific research permit applications, 50 hours; public display permit applications, 30 hours; photography permit applications, 10 hours; General Authorization applications, 10 hours; major permit modification requests, 35 hours; minor permit modification requests, 3 hours; scientific research E:\FR\FM\14MRN1.SGM 14MRN1 13342 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2016 / Notices permit reports, 12 hours; public display permit reports, 2 hours; photography permit reports, 2 hours; General Authorization reports, 8 hours; public display inventory reporting, 2 hours; and record keeping, 2 hours per permit or authorization type (including permits for scientific research, public display, photography, General Authorization; and retention or transfer of rehabilitated animals). Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,455. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,000 in recordkeeping/ reporting costs. 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: March 8, 2016. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2016–05612 Filed 3–11–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:27 Mar 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 9 a.m. DATES: ADDRESSES: Dated: March 9, 2016. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–05636 Filed 3–11–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn, 300 Woodbury Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801; phone: (603) 431–8000; fax: (603) 431–2065. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE075 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marine Mammals; File No. 18636 Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. AGENCY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda The Committee plans to discuss the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan in regards to plans for a public workshop on the Management Strategy Evaluation of Atlantic Herring Acceptable Biological Catch control rules, Plan Development Team (PDT) analyses related to localized depletion in inshore waters and potentially develop a definition of localized depletion, a problem statement and related measures, and/or task PDT with additional analyses. The Committee also plans to discuss Georges Bank haddock catch cap accountability measures (AMs), specifically, plans to potentially develop a framework adjustment in 2016 to consider revising the AMs. Other business will be discussed as necessary. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Iain Kerr, D.H.L., Ocean Alliance, 32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 to conduct research on 15 species of whales, including endangered sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), southern right (Eubalaena australis), blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and sei (B. borealis) whales. SUMMARY: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Amy Sloan, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 27, 2015, notice was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 52035) that a request for a permit to conduct research on the species identified above had been submitted by the above-named applicant. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). Mr. Kerr has been issued a permit to conduct research on cetaceans in U.S. waters and the high seas of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans to determine how environmental toxicants ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\14MRN1.SGM 14MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13341-13342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05612]


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

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), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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 May 13, 2016.

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 Amy Sloan, NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 ((301) 427-84010), 
Amy.Sloan@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection.
    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 activities affecting 
marine mammals and endangered and threatened species, with exceptions. 
Pursuant to section 104 of the MMPA and Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA, 
special exception permits may be obtained for scientific research and 
enhancing the survival or recovery of a species or stock of marine 
mammals or threatened or endangered species. Section 104 of the MMPA 
also includes permits for commercial and educational photography of 
marine mammals; import and capture of marine mammals for public 
display; and, Letters of Confirmation under the General Authorization 
for scientific research that involves minimal disturbance to marine 
mammals. The regulations implementing permits and reporting 
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. The required information in this collection is used to make the 
determinations required by the MMPA, ESA and their implementing 
regulations prior to issuing a permit; to establish appropriate permit 
conditions; and to evaluate the impacts of the proposed activity on 
protected species. Inventory reporting pertaining to marine mammals in 
public display facilities is required by the MMPA.
    This information collection applies to certain protected species 
for which NMFS is responsible, including cetaceans (whales, dolphins 
and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sawfish (largetooth 
and smalltooth), sea turtles (in water), and sturgeon (Atlantic and 
shortnose). The information collection may be used for future listed 
species.
    The currently approved application and reporting requirements will 
be revised to (1) create separate sections for marine mammals versus 
non-mammal species where doing so will result in less burden to the 
applicant (e.g., for scientific methods); (2) clarify to applicants why 
the information is required and what level of detail is needed for our 
analyses; (3) create `enhanced help' features (e.g., pop-up windows) in 
the online application system, Authorizations and Permits for Protected 
Species (APPS; https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/) to make the instructions 
more accessible; (4) create a streamlined application and online module 
in APPS for scientific research permits involving only import, export, 
or receipt of biological samples (i.e., where no animals in the wild 
are affected); (5) make photography permit applications accessible via 
APPS.

II. Method of Collection

    Permit applications, permit reports, and inventory reports are 
available in paper or electronic versions (online or via email). 
Respondents may submit all applications and forms by email, facsimile, 
or mail. Respondents may also submit scientific research and 
enhancement permit applications and Letters of Intent under the General 
Authorization online via APPS.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0084.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (revision and extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals; business or other for-profit 
organizations; not-for-profit institutions; state, local, or tribal 
government; Federal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 536.
    Estimated Time per Response: Scientific research permit 
applications, 50 hours; public display permit applications, 30 hours; 
photography permit applications, 10 hours; General Authorization 
applications, 10 hours; major permit modification requests, 35 hours; 
minor permit modification requests, 3 hours; scientific research

[[Page 13342]]

permit reports, 12 hours; public display permit reports, 2 hours; 
photography permit reports, 2 hours; General Authorization reports, 8 
hours; public display inventory reporting, 2 hours; and record keeping, 
2 hours per permit or authorization type (including permits for 
scientific research, public display, photography, General 
Authorization; and retention or transfer of rehabilitated animals).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,455.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,000 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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: March 8, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-05612 Filed 3-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.