[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 121 (Friday, June 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31923-31924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15841]



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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Collection; Basic Requirements for All Marine Mammal 
Special Exception Permits To Take, Import and Export Marine Mammals

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 20, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Management 
Analyst, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Laurel Bryant, Permits Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, (301) 713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Respondents will be applicants for and holders of scientific 
research and enhancement permits, commercial and educational 
photography permits, public display permits for captures and first-time 
imports, and General Authorizations for Level-B scientific research 
projects. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered 
Species Act prohibit the taking, import, and export of marine mammals 
with certain exceptions. Applicants wanting a permit or authorization 
to take, import, or export must provide certain information to be used 
as a basis for determining whether a permit or authorization should be 
issued. Permit holders and authorized researchers under the General 
Authorization are required to report periodically on activities 
conducted, species taken, and to update information as necessary on any 
marine mammals held captive for purposes of maintaining the marine 
mammal inventory as required under the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA.

II. Method of Collection

    The collection of information will be in the form of applications, 
annual and final reports, and notifications to the Office Director 
regarding transports of marine mammals through submission of a Marine 
Mammal Transport Notification form, and updated information to the 
marine mammal inventory regarding births, deaths, location, and cause 
of death if determined, through submission of a Marine Mammal Data 
Sheet.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0084.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: The affected public will include Federal agencies 
and employees, Non-profit institutions, State or local governments; 
Businesses or other for-profits; and Small businesses or organizations. 
The majority of the affected public will be from the scientific 
research community, photographic journalists, and public display 
facilities seeking permission to capture from the wild or import a 
marine mammal into the U.S. which has not been previously held under a 
permit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: The universe of respondents is 
estimated at 738 annually. This estimate

[[Page 31924]]

involves applications and requests that include: 172 permit 
applications, Letters of Intent, and requests for amendments and 
changes; approximately 206 annual and final reports; and an estimated 
350 notifications of transport; marine mammal data sheets and 
notifications of rehabilitated stranded marine mammals.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Permit applications for scientific 
research (SR), enhancement (EN), public display (PD), Letters or Intent 
under the General Authorization (GA), and major amendments to permits 
are estimated at 29 hours each.
    Applications for photography permits are estimated at 10 hours 
each. Minor amendments and requests for changes under the GA are 
estimated at 3 hours each.
    Annual reports for scientific research, enhancement or projects 
under the General Authorization are estimated at 12 hours each, and 2 
hours for annual recordkeeping needs.
    Public display annual reports are estimated at 9 hours each with 2 
hours for annual recordkeeping.
    Photography annual reports have been estimated at 3 hours each, and 
2 hours for recordkeeping.
    Notifications of Transports and submission of Marine Mammal Data 
Sheets have been estimated at one-half hour each.
    Notification of release or other disposition of rehabilitated 
marine mammals is estimated at 1 hour per report and 2 hours for 
recordkeeping.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total annual burden of 
hours is estimated at 6,925 hours per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total annual cost is estimated at 
$352 per year to cover the mailing of submissions.

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: June 17, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Management Analyst, Office of Management and Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-15841 Filed 6-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P