[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31081-31082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14831]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Management and Oversight of the National Estuarine Research 
Reserve System

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 August 5, 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 Doris Grimm, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, 
Rm 12158, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301-713-
3132).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) consists of 
carefully selected estuarine areas of the United States that are 
designated, preserved, and managed for research and educational 
purposes. Information from states is needed to review their proposals 
for site designations, to evaluate state requests for funding of the

[[Page 31082]]

development of management plans and Environmental Impact Statements, 
and to ensure that national standards continue to be met (the latter 
information is contained in annual reports and work plans). While 
individuals and organizations can apply for grants to conduct research 
within the NERRS, that application process utilizes standard Federal 
forms and procedures that are approved separately by Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) and are not part of the proposed clearance 
request to OMB.

II. Method of Collection

    Applicants follow procedures given in regulations (15 CFR PART 921) 
and guidance. Funding requests are initiated by the applicant. States 
with established reserves must file annual reports and work plans.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0121.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: States, non-for-profit institutions, individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 31.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2,012 hours for Management Plans, 15 
hours for annual reports/work plans, and 1 hour for a ``Federal 
Consistency Certification'' or a ``Categorical Exclusion Checklist'' 
when required as part of a grant application.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,149.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public (excluding valuation of 
respondents' response time): $0.

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 2, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-14831 Filed 6-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P