Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Special Subsistence Permits and Harvest Logs for Pacific Halibut in Waters Off Alaska, 9726 [2017-02591]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 9726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02591]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Special 
Subsistence Permits and Harvest Logs for Pacific Halibut in Waters Off 
Alaska

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 April 10, 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 instruments and instructions 
should be directed to Rachel Baker, (907) 586-7425 or 
rachel.baker@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    This information collection describes special permits issued to 
participants in the Pacific halibut subsistence fishery in waters off 
the coast of Alaska and any appeals resulting from denials. The 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) designed the permits to work 
in conjunction with other halibut harvest assessment measures. 
Subsistence fishing for halibut has occurred for many years among the 
Alaska Native people and non-Native people. Special permits are 
initiated in response to the concerns of Native and community groups 
regarding increased restrictions in International Pacific Halibut 
Commission Area 2C and include Community Harvest Permits, Ceremonial 
Permits, and Educational Permits.
    A Community Harvest Permit allows the community or Alaska Native 
tribe to appoint one or more individuals from its respective community 
or tribe to harvest subsistence halibut from a single vessel under 
reduced gear and harvest restrictions.
    Ceremonial and Educational Permits are available exclusively to 
Alaska Native tribes. Eligible Alaska Native tribes may appoint only 
one Ceremonial Permit Coordinator per tribe for Ceremonial Permits or 
one authorized Instructor per tribe for Educational Permits.
    Except for enrolled students fishing under a valid Educational 
Permit, special permits require persons fishing under them to also 
possess a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC) (see OMB 
No. 0648-0460) which identifies those persons who are currently 
eligible for subsistence halibut fishing. Each of the instruments is 
designed to minimize the reporting burden on subsistence halibut 
fishermen while retrieving essential information.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal include online, email of electronic forms, mail, 
and facsimile transmission of paper forms. Educational Permits may not 
be applied for online.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0512.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; state, local, or tribal 
government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 33.
    Estimated Time per Response: Permit applications, 10 minutes; 
Community harvest log, 30 minutes; Ceremonial or educational harvest 
log, 30 minutes; Appeal for permit denial, 4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $21 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: February 3, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-02591 Filed 2-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P