Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Conflict of Interest Disclosure for Nonfederal Government Individuals Who Are Candidates To Conduct Peer Reviews, 93667-93668 [2016-30724]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 21, 2016 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 February 21, 2017. 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 Shannon Sprague, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 207, Annapolis, MD 21403, 410–267–5664 or shannon.sprague@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This request is for a new information collection. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement of 2014 requires monitoring of progress towards the environmental literacy goal: ‘‘Enable students in the region to graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to act responsibly to protect and restore their local watersheds.’’ NOAA, on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay Program, will ask the state education agencies for Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to survey their local education agencies (LEAs) to determine: (1) LEA capacity to implement a comprehensive and systemic approach to environmental literacy education, (2) student participation in Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences during the school year, (3) sustainability practices at schools, and (4) LEA needs for improving environmental literacy education programming. LEAs (generally school districts, in some cases charter school administration) are asked to complete the survey on the status of their LEA on a set of key indicators for the four areas listed above. One individual from each LEA is asked to complete this survey once every two years. II. Method of Collection Respondents will submit their information electronically on web-based survey forms. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx. Form Number(s): None. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:38 Dec 20, 2016 Jkt 241001 Type of Review: Regular (request for a new information collection). Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal government (local education agencies); Not-for-profit organizations (charter schools). Estimated Number of Respondents: The survey will be distributed to approximately 983 local education agencies. Estimated Time per Response: 1.5 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,106 hours. 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: December 16, 2016. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2016–30757 Filed 12–20–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–12–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Conflict of Interest Disclosure for Nonfederal Government Individuals Who Are Candidates To Conduct Peer Reviews National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 93667 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 February 21, 2017. 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 Michael Liddel (301) 427– 8139 or Michael.Liddel@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This request is for extension of a currently approved collection. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued government-wide guidance to enhance the practice of peer review of government science documents. OMB’s Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (‘‘Peer Review Bulletin’’ or PRB) (available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ memoranda/fy2005/m05-03.pdf) establishes minimum peer review standards for influential scientific information that Federal agencies intend to disseminate. The Peer Review Bulletin also directs Federal agencies to adopt or adapt the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) policy for evaluating conflicts of interest when selecting peer reviewers who are not Federal government employees (federal employees are subject to Federal ethics requirements). For peer review purposes, the term ‘‘conflicts of interest’’ means any financial or other interest which conflicts with the service of the individual because it could: (1) Significantly impair the individual’s objectivity; or (2) create an unfair competitive advantage for any person or organization. NOAA has adapted the NAS policy and developed two confidential conflict disclosure forms which the agency will use to examine prospective reviewers’ potential financial conflicts and other interests that could impair objectivity or create an unfair advantage. One form is for peer reviewers of studies related to government regulation and the other form is for all other influential scientific information subject to the Peer Review Bulletin. In addition, the latter form has been adapted by NOAA’s Office of E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1 93668 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 21, 2016 / Notices Oceanic and Atmospheric Research for potential reviewers of scientific laboratories. The forms include questions about employment as well as investment and property interests and research funding. Both forms also require the submission of curriculum vitae. NOAA is seeking to collect this information from potential peer reviewers who are not government employees when conducting a peer review pursuant to the PRB. The information collected in the conflict of interest disclosure is essential to NOAA’s compliance with the OMB PRB, and helps to ensure that government studies are reviewed by independent, impartial peer reviewers. II. Method of Collection Forms may be downloaded from the Internet and are fillable and signable electronically or manually. They may be submitted, along with the Curriculum Vitae, via email or regular mail. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648–0567. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved collection). Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 321. Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 161. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting costs. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:38 Dec 20, 2016 Jkt 241001 Dated: December 16, 2016. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2016–30724 Filed 12–20–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee Meeting National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: This notice announces a public meeting of the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee provides advice to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on spectrum management policy matters. DATES: The meeting will be held on January 25, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST). ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Verizon Technology and Policy Center, 1300 I St NW., Suite 500 East, Washington, DC 20005. Public comments may be mailed to the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4600, Washington, DC 20230, or emailed to dreed@ ntia.doc.gov. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David J. Reed, Designated Federal Officer, at (202) 482–5955 or dreed@ ntia.doc.gov; and/or visit NTIA’s Web site at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ category/csmac. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Committee provides advice to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information on needed reforms to domestic spectrum policies and management in order to: License radio frequencies in a way that maximizes public benefits; keep wireless networks as open to innovation as possible; and make wireless services available to all Americans. See Charter at https:// www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/ publications/csmac_2015_charter_ renewal_2–26–15.pdf. This Committee is subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and is consistent with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Act, 47 U.S.C. 904(b). The Committee functions solely as an advisory body in compliance with the FACA. For more information about the Committee visit: https:// www.ntia.doc.gov/category/csmac. Matters to Be Considered: The Committee provides advice to the Assistant Secretary to assist in developing and maintaining spectrum management policies that enable the United States to maintain or strengthen its global leadership role in the introduction of communications technology, services, and innovation; thus expanding the economy, adding jobs, and increasing international trade, while at the same time providing for the expansion of existing technologies and supporting the country’s homeland security, national defense, and other critical needs of government missions. The Committee will hear the response of NTIA to the Committee’s recommendations provided at the end of the last session in August 2016, as well as discuss the questions it will address this session. NTIA intends to post a detailed agenda on its Web site prior to the meeting, at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ category/csmac. To the extent that the meeting time and agenda permit, members of the public may speak to or otherwise address the Committee regarding the agenda items. See Open Meeting and Public Participation Policy, available at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ category/csmac. Time and Date: The meeting will be held on January 25, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. The meeting time and agenda are subject to change. The meeting will be available via two-way audio link and may be webcast. Please refer to NTIA’s Web site, at https:// www.ntia.doc.gov/category/csmac, for the most up-to-date meeting agenda and access information. Place: The meeting will be held at the Verizon Technology and Policy Center, 1300 I St NW., Suite 500 East, Washington, DC 20005. Public comments may be mailed to Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4600, Washington, DC 20230. The meeting will be open to the public and members of the press on a first-come, first-served basis, as space is limited. The public meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals requiring accommodations, such as sign language E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93667-93668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30724]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Conflict of 
Interest Disclosure for Nonfederal Government Individuals Who Are 
Candidates To Conduct Peer Reviews

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 February 21, 
2017.

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 Michael Liddel (301) 427-8139 or 
Michael.Liddel@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved collection.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued government-wide 
guidance to enhance the practice of peer review of government science 
documents. OMB's Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review 
(``Peer Review Bulletin'' or PRB) (available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2005/m05-03.pdf) establishes minimum 
peer review standards for influential scientific information that 
Federal agencies intend to disseminate.
    The Peer Review Bulletin also directs Federal agencies to adopt or 
adapt the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) policy for evaluating 
conflicts of interest when selecting peer reviewers who are not Federal 
government employees (federal employees are subject to Federal ethics 
requirements). For peer review purposes, the term ``conflicts of 
interest'' means any financial or other interest which conflicts with 
the service of the individual because it could: (1) Significantly 
impair the individual's objectivity; or (2) create an unfair 
competitive advantage for any person or organization. NOAA has adapted 
the NAS policy and developed two confidential conflict disclosure forms 
which the agency will use to examine prospective reviewers' potential 
financial conflicts and other interests that could impair objectivity 
or create an unfair advantage. One form is for peer reviewers of 
studies related to government regulation and the other form is for all 
other influential scientific information subject to the Peer Review 
Bulletin. In addition, the latter form has been adapted by NOAA's 
Office of

[[Page 93668]]

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research for potential reviewers of scientific 
laboratories.
    The forms include questions about employment as well as investment 
and property interests and research funding. Both forms also require 
the submission of curriculum vitae. NOAA is seeking to collect this 
information from potential peer reviewers who are not government 
employees when conducting a peer review pursuant to the PRB. The 
information collected in the conflict of interest disclosure is 
essential to NOAA's compliance with the OMB PRB, and helps to ensure 
that government studies are reviewed by independent, impartial peer 
reviewers.

II. Method of Collection

    Forms may be downloaded from the Internet and are fillable and 
signable electronically or manually. They may be submitted, along with 
the Curriculum Vitae, via email or regular mail.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0567.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 321.
    Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 161.
    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: December 16, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-30724 Filed 12-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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