[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18644-18645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9717]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Information Collection Request for Extension Review for Public 
Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is planning to submit 
the collection of information requirement described below to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for extension approval under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Copies of the collection 
requirement and related forms and explanatory material may be obtained 
by contacting the Service's clearance officer at the phone number 
listed below. The Service is soliciting comment and suggestions on the 
requirement as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 16, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Mail Stop 224-Arlington Square, 1849 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Phyllis H. Cook, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, 703/
358-1943; 703/358-2269 (fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the 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 of the 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 collections of information on respondents, including through the 
use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Title: Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or 
Wildlife.
    OMB Approval Number: 1018-0012.
    Description: The Endangered Species Act of 1972, as amended, also 
known as Section 9(e), makes it unlawful for any person importing or 
exporting fish, wildlife or plants to fail to file any declaration or 
reports, as the Secretary deems necessary to facilitate enforcement of 
the Act or to meet the obligations of the Convention on International 
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Flora (CITES). Importers 
and exporters exempt from the requirements of Section 9(e) are as 
follows: Persons importing or exporting shellfish and fishery products, 
which are not listed as endangered or threatened and are imported for 
the purposes of human or animal consumption or taken in waters under 
the jurisdiction of the United States or on the high seas for 
recreational purposes. Generally these exemptions apply to persons 
importing or exporting wildlife products or manufactured articles, not 
intended for sale, as personal accompanying baggage or part of a 
shipment of household effects and to persons importing or exporting 
certain sport taken fish and wildlife.
    The information collected is necessary for the Secretary to fulfill 
the statutory requirements set forth for the enforcement of the ESA, 
including compilation of an annual report on the import and export of 
fish and wildlife (a treaty obligation under CITES).
    The information is used by the Service as an enforcement tool and 
management aid in monitoring the international wildlife market. The 
information is collected on the Service's Form Number 3-177, 
``Declaration for the Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife,'' 
which in the case of imports, must be filed with the Service at the 
time and place where clearance is requested. In certain cases, this 
form may be filed with Customs, acting on the behalf of the Service. 
The form must be filed with the Service prior to the export of any 
wildlife.
    Service Form Number: 3-177.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals and Households; Federal, 
State and local Governments; Businesses, and Non-profit institutions.
    Completion Time: The reporting burden is estimated to average 15 
minutes per entry. The average number of responses would be 4 entries 
per respondent. Respondents of commercial shipments will take 
approximately 10

[[Page 18645]]

minutes to complete the information required. The non-commercial 
entries will be filed by persons less knowledgeable of the declaration 
form and would require approximately 15 minutes each to complete. 
Occasionally an entry is received that lists scientific specimens of 
various species of wildlife. These entries may be required to be 
submitted with multiple invoices, permits and other pertinent 
documents. This will have the effect of increasing the completion time 
to approximately 30 minutes. Entries filed by hunters would require 
less than ten minutes to complete as the Service will not, by policy, 
require the entry of scientific names for the species.
    Annual Responses: It is estimated that 21,250 respondents will 
submit 4 responses for a total of 85,000 responses.
    Annual Burden Hours: 21,250.

    Dated: April 9, 1997.
Carolyn A. Bohan,
Acting Assistant Director--Refuges and Wildlife.
[FR Doc. 97-9717 Filed 4-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M