[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 65028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31259]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms; 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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 10, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, 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 Patsy A. Bearden, F/AKO1, NOAA/NMFS, P.O. Box 
21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907-586-7228).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    Fishermen wanting to fish in regulated fisheries in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone off Alaska must apply for a Federal Fisheries Permit, a 
Federal Processor Permit, a High Seas Power Troller Permit, or an 
Experimental Fishing Permit. The issuance of a permit is an essential 
ingredient in the management of fishery resources. Identification of 
the participants, harvest gear types, descriptions of vessels or 
shoreside facilities, and expected activity levels is needed to measure 
the consequences of management controls, and is an effective tool in 
the enforcement of other fishery regulations. Experience has shown that 
fines for violations of specific fishery regulations are not as 
effective as the threat of a permit revocation that would exclude the 
vessel from the fishery altogether. Experimental fishing provides 
information not otherwise available through research or commercial 
fishing operations.

II. Method of Collection

    Each of the four permits is mandatory for certain fishery 
participants. A permit is obtained through completion of an 
application.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0206.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals, Businesses and other for-profit 
(commercial fishermen, fish processors).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,456.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes for Federal Fisheries 
Permits or Federal Processor Permits, 30 minutes for a High Seas Power 
Troller Permit in the Salmon Fishery, and 30 hours for an Experimental 
Fishing Permit.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 966 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0--no capital, operations, 
or maintenance costs are expected.

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 2, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-31259 Filed 12-9-96; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P