Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions To Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions With North Atlantic Right Whales, 59185-59186 [2016-20661]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 167 (Monday, August 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59185-59186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20661]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Implementation 
of Vessel Speed Restrictions To Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions 
With North Atlantic Right Whales

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 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 28, 
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 Gregory Silber, Ph.D., Fishery Biologist, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8485.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a current information 
collection. On October 10, 2008, NMFS published a final rule 
promulgated under the Endangered Species Act implementing speed 
restrictions to reduce the incidence and severity of ship collisions 
with North Atlantic right whales (73 FR 60173). That final rule 
contained a collection-of-information requirement subject to the 
Paperwork Reduction act (PRA). Specifically, 50 CFR 224.105(c) requires 
a logbook entry to document that a deviation from the 10-knot speed 
limit was necessary for safe

[[Page 59186]]

maneuverability under certain conditions.
    In certain sea and weather conditions, a large ship may lose 
maneuverability at slow speeds. Therefore, under such conditions a 
ship, at the captain's discretion, may opt not to abide by the speed 
restrictions. If she/he chooses this option, she/he is required to make 
an entry into the ship's log, providing such information as: The 
reasons for the deviation, the speed at which the vessel is operated, 
the area, and the time and duration of such deviation.

II. Method of Collection

    Typically, paper logbooks are not routinely submitted to a federal 
agency and remain entirely on individual vessels. However, logbooks may 
be requested by federal authorities if questions arise regarding the 
circumstances under which the deviation was invoked.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0580.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of a current information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 250.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 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: August 24, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-20661 Filed 8-26-16; 8:45 am]
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