Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions To Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions With North Atlantic Right Whales, 54119-54120 [2019-22001]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54119-54120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22001]


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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 December 9, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Adrienne Thomas, PRA Officer, 
NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue, Room 159, Asheville, NC 28801 (or at 
[email protected]). All comments received are part of the public 
record. Comments will generally be posted without change. All 
Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Caroline Good, Ph.D., [email protected], Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection.
    On October 10, 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service 
published a final rule implementing speed restrictions to reduce the 
incidence and severity of ship collisions with North Atlantic right 
whales (73 FR 60173). Under this rule, most non-sovereign vessels 
greater than or equal to 65ft in overall length are required to travel 
at a speed of 10 knots or less within Seasonal Management Areas along 
the east coast at certain times of year.
    The final rule contained a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) in limited circumstances 
when a vessel needs to transit at a speed above 10 knots to maintain 
safe maneuverability. Specifically, 50 CFR 224.105(c) requires a 
logbook entry if a deviation from the 10 knot speed limit is necessary 
for safe maneuverability of a vessel ``in an area where oceanographic, 
hydrographic and/or meteorological conditions severely restrict the 
maneuverability of the vessel''. The logbook entry must provide the 
reasons for the deviation, the speed at which the vessel is operated 
and the area, time and duration of the deviation.
    This extension includes a modest increase in the anticipated number 
of respondents and annual burden hours due to an increase in the number 
of vessels transiting through seasonal speed restricted areas over 
time.

II. Method of Collection

    This information collection requires an entry into the vessel's 
logbook.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0580.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, non-
profit institutions and individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3263.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 272.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
recording 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

[[Page 54120]]

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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2019-22001 Filed 10-8-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P