Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Reporting of Sea Turtle Incidental Take in Virginia Chesapeake Bay Pound Net Operations, 64433-64434 [2024-17425]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 7, 2024 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES and the Secretary of State may pay the necessary travel expenses of members of the Advisory Committee. The terms of all currently appointed Advisory Committee members expire on December 31, 2024. NMFS is soliciting nominees to serve as members of the Advisory Committee for a term of 2 years that will begin January 1, 2025, and expire December 31, 2026. ATCA specifies that the U.S. Commissioners may establish species working groups for the purpose of providing advice and recommendations to the U.S. Commissioners and to the Advisory Committee on matters relating to the conservation and management of any highly migratory species covered by the ICCAT Convention (see 16 U.S.C. 971b-1). Any species working group shall consist of no more than seven members of the Advisory Committee and no more than four scientific or technical personnel, as considered necessary by the Commissioners. Currently, there are four species working groups advising the Committee and the U.S. Commissioners: a Bluefin Tuna and Albacore Working Group, a Swordfish/Sharks Working Group, a Billfish Working Group, and a Bigeye, Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tunas Working Group. Scientific or technical personnel (known as Technical Advisors) appointed to species working groups serve at the pleasure of the Commissioners; therefore, the Commissioners can choose to alter these appointments at any time. As with Committee Members, Technical Advisors may not be represented by a proxy during meetings of the Advisory Committee. Nominees should be able to fulfill the time and travel commitments required to participate in the annual spring meeting of the Advisory Committee, when the species working groups are convened, in addition to ad hoc meetings throughout the year, as appropriate. Procedure for Submitting Nominations Nominations to either the Advisory Committee or a species working group should include a letter of interest and a resume or curriculum vitae that describes the individual’s knowledge and experience in a field related to the highly migratory species covered by the ICCAT Convention. Self-nominations are acceptable. Letters of recommendation are useful but not required. When making a nomination, please specify which appointment (Advisory Committee member or Technical Advisor to a species working group) is being sought. Nominees are also encouraged to indicate which of the four species working groups is VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Aug 06, 2024 Jkt 262001 preferred, although placement on the requested group is not guaranteed. NMFS encourages nominations for women and for individuals from underserved communities that meet the knowledge, experience, and other requirements of the positions described in this notice. See Executive Order (E.O.) 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government) section 2 (defining ‘‘underserved communities’’ as populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.). E.O. 13985 is available at https:// www.federalregister.gov/documents/ 2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancingracial-equity-and-support-forunderserved-communities-through-thefederal-government. Dated: August 2, 2024. Alexa Cole, Director, Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–17448 Filed 8–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Reporting of Sea Turtle Incidental Take in Virginia Chesapeake Bay Pound Net Operations National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64433 collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB. DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before October 7, 2024. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at NOAA.PRA@noaa.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 0648– 0470 in the subject line of your comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will generally be posted on https:// www.regulations.gov without change. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Carrie Upite, Sea Turtle Recovery Coordinator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; (978) 282–8475; or carrie.upite@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This is a request for renewal of an approved information collection. Since 2002, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has promulgated several rules restricting the use of large mesh and stringer pound net leaders in certain Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters during the late spring/early summer each year. On June 17, 2002, an interim final rule was published (67 FR 41196) restricting leader use, which also required yearround reporting of sea turtle takes. In 2004, NMFS issued a final rule further restricting pound net leader use in Virginia (69 FR 24997). The 2004 rule retained the reporting requirement from the 2002 rule. These regulations (modifications to 50 CFR parts 222 and 223) were implemented as a result of high sea turtle strandings each spring in Virginia and the documented take of sea turtles in pound net leaders. On March 31, 2018, a revised Biological Opinion on NMFS gear regulations in the Virginia pound net fishery was completed pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). An Incidental Take Statement was included in this E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1 64434 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 7, 2024 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Biological Opinion, exempting the incidental take of a certain number of loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, green and leatherback sea turtles in pound net operations. A non-discretionary term and condition of the Incidental Take Statement involved the reporting to NMFS of live or dead sea turtles taken in pound net operations (reflected in 50 CFR 223.206). The collection of this information on the incidental take of sea turtles in the Virginia pound net fishery is necessary to ensure sea turtles are being conserved and protected, as mandated by the ESA. Documenting the accurate occurrence of sea turtle incidental take in pound net operations will help to determine if additional regulatory actions or management measures are necessary to protect sea turtles caught in pound net operations. This information will help NMFS better assess the Virginia pound net fishery and its impacts (or lack thereof) on sea turtle populations in the Virginia Chesapeake Bay. The collection of this information is also imperative to ensure that the Incidental Take Statement is not being exceeded, the anticipated take levels are appropriate, and the effects analysis in the Biological Opinion is accurate. Further, reporting the take of live, injured sea turtles caught in pound net gear will ensure these turtles are transferred immediately to a stranding and rehabilitation center for appropriate medical treatment. including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Sheleen Dumas, Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2024–17425 Filed 8–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P II. Method of Collection DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Reports may be made either by telephone or email. Department of the Army III. Data Army Education Advisory Committee Meeting Notice OMB Control Number: 0648–0470. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current information collection). Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 37. Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 167 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $231. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Endangered Species Act. IV. Request for Comments We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Aug 06, 2024 Jkt 262001 Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of open committee meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Army is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Army Education Advisory Committee (AEAC). This meeting is open to the public. DATES: The Army Education Advisory Committee will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both August 21–22, 2024. ADDRESSES: Army Education Advisory Committee, 950 Jefferson Avenue, Building 950, U.S. Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Headquarters, Conference Room 2047, Ft. Eustis, VA 23604. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Justin M. Green, the Designated Federal Officer for the committee, in writing at ATTN: ATTG–TRI–G, TRADOC, 950 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Jefferson Ave, Fort Eustis, VA 23604, by email at justin.m.green12.civ@army.mil, or by telephone at (757) 501–9935. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The committee meeting is being held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA; 5 U.S.C. 10), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102–3.150. Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of the meeting is to review TRADOC Priorities, review the committee and subcommittee FY24 businesses, and to review the Fiscal Year 2024 AEAC Study which will focus on the modernization of the Special Operations School of Excellence (SOCoE). Agenda: August 21–22: The committee is chartered to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Army on the educational, doctrinal, and research policies and activities of U.S. Army educational programs. The committee will complete all FACA annual requirements, finalize discussions related to the modernization of the Special Operations School of Excellence (SOCoE), and discuss and deliberate provisional findings and recommendations submitted by its subcommittees for FY 2024. Public Accessibility to the Meeting: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102– 3.165, and subject to the availability of space, this meeting is open to the public. Seating is on a first to arrive basis. Attendees are requested to submit their name, affiliation, and daytime phone number seven business days prior to the meeting to Dr. Green, via electronic mail, the preferred mode of submission, at the address listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Because the meeting of the committee will be held in a Federal Government facility on a military base, security screening is required. A photo ID is required to enter base. Please note that security and gate guards have the right to inspect vehicles and persons seeking to enter and exit the installation. TRADOC Headquarters is fully handicap accessible. Wheelchair access is available in front at the main entrance of the building. For additional information about public access procedures, contact Dr. Green, the committee’s Designated Federal Officer, at the email address or telephone number listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Written Comments or Statements: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and 102–3.140 and section 10(a)(3) of the E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64433-64434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17425]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Reporting of Sea Turtle Incidental Take in Virginia Chesapeake 
Bay Pound Net Operations

AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before October 7, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0470 in the subject line of your 
comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will 
generally be posted on https://www.regulations.gov without change. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Carrie Upite, Sea Turtle Recovery Coordinator, Greater Atlantic 
Regional Fisheries Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great 
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; (978) 282-8475; or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This is a request for renewal of an approved information 
collection.
    Since 2002, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
(NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has promulgated several 
rules restricting the use of large mesh and stringer pound net leaders 
in certain Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters during the late spring/early 
summer each year. On June 17, 2002, an interim final rule was published 
(67 FR 41196) restricting leader use, which also required year-round 
reporting of sea turtle takes. In 2004, NMFS issued a final rule 
further restricting pound net leader use in Virginia (69 FR 24997). The 
2004 rule retained the reporting requirement from the 2002 rule. These 
regulations (modifications to 50 CFR parts 222 and 223) were 
implemented as a result of high sea turtle strandings each spring in 
Virginia and the documented take of sea turtles in pound net leaders. 
On March 31, 2018, a revised Biological Opinion on NMFS gear 
regulations in the Virginia pound net fishery was completed pursuant to 
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). An 
Incidental Take Statement was included in this

[[Page 64434]]

Biological Opinion, exempting the incidental take of a certain number 
of loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, green and leatherback sea turtles in 
pound net operations.
    A non-discretionary term and condition of the Incidental Take 
Statement involved the reporting to NMFS of live or dead sea turtles 
taken in pound net operations (reflected in 50 CFR 223.206). The 
collection of this information on the incidental take of sea turtles in 
the Virginia pound net fishery is necessary to ensure sea turtles are 
being conserved and protected, as mandated by the ESA. Documenting the 
accurate occurrence of sea turtle incidental take in pound net 
operations will help to determine if additional regulatory actions or 
management measures are necessary to protect sea turtles caught in 
pound net operations. This information will help NMFS better assess the 
Virginia pound net fishery and its impacts (or lack thereof) on sea 
turtle populations in the Virginia Chesapeake Bay. The collection of 
this information is also imperative to ensure that the Incidental Take 
Statement is not being exceeded, the anticipated take levels are 
appropriate, and the effects analysis in the Biological Opinion is 
accurate. Further, reporting the take of live, injured sea turtles 
caught in pound net gear will ensure these turtles are transferred 
immediately to a stranding and rehabilitation center for appropriate 
medical treatment.

II. Method of Collection

    Reports may be made either by telephone or email.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0470.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 37.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 167 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $231.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Endangered Species Act.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-17425 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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