[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 23766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11261]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Regulations Governing the Small Take of Marine Mammals

ACTION: Proposed collection; Comment request.

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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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
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 Kenneth Hollingshead, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301-713-
2055).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The harassment, injury or death of marine mammals is prohibited by 
the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), unless permitted, exempted, or 
otherwise authorized. Provided the taking (harassment, injury, 
mortality) is negligible, maritime activities that result in the 
incidental taking of marine mammals need an authorization under the 
MMPA to avoid prosecution under the MMPA. The Act requires applicants 
to submit information justifying the authorization. The MMPA also 
requires monitoring and reporting on marine mammal interactions with 
the activity.

II. Method of Collection

    No forms are used. Applications and reports follow guidelines in 
the regulations or established with authorizations.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0151.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Anyone, other than commercial fishermen, 
conducting activities that could result in an incidental take of marine 
mammals. The most common applicants are university researchers, oil and 
gas exploration companies, and Federal agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 35.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 60 hours (requests for regulations 
average 483 hours, applications for Letters of Authorization average 3 
hours, applications for Incidental Harassment Authorizations average 
200 hours, and reports range from 30-150 hours a response (depending 
upon the complexity of the activity).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,076.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no material or equipment 
will need to be purchased to provide information).

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: April 24, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-11261 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P