[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6146-6147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3046]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 25 / Friday, February 6, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 6146]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-124-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of approval of an information 
collection in support of the Animal Welfare Act.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 7, 1998 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, 
ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any 
other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 97-124-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River 
Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and 
three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket 97-124-1. 
Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 
14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, between 8 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons 
wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-
2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the Animal 
Welfare Act, contact Dr. Barbara Kohn, Senior Staff Veterinarian, 
Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234, 
(301) 734-7833. For copies of more detailed information on the 
information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Groves, Information 
Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Animal Welfare.
    OMB Number: 0579-0115.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Regulations and standards have been promulgated to 
promote and ensure the humane handling, care, treatment, and 
transportation of regulated animals under the Animal Welfare Act (the 
Act) (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.). Title 9, part 3, subpart E, of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (the regulations) addresses specific standards 
for marine mammals.
    With respect to the transportation of marine mammals, the 
regulations require that intermediate handlers and carriers only accept 
shipping enclosures that meet the minimum requirements set forth in the 
regulations (Sec. 3.113) or that are accompanied by documentation 
signed by the cosigner verifying that the shipping enclosures comply 
with the regulations. If marine mammals are to be transported in cargo 
space that falls below 45  deg.F (7.2  deg.C), regulations specify that 
the animals must be accompanied by a certificate of acclimation that 
has been signed by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
accredited veterinarian.
    In addition, all shipping enclosures must be marked with the words 
``Live Animals'' and have arrows indicating the correct upright 
position of the container. Intermediate handlers and carriers are 
required to attempt to contact the consignee at least once every 6 
hours upon the arrival of any marine mammal. Documentation of these 
attempts must be recorded by the intermediate handlers and carriers and 
maintained for inspection by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) personnel.
    These reporting and recordkeeping requirements do not mandate the 
use of any official government form.
    The regulations also require that all facilities holding marine 
mammals submit a contingency plan regarding emergency sources of water 
and electric power in the event of failure of the primary sources.
    The regulations also require facilities to maintain water quality 
records to verify compliance with Sec. 3.106, including information on 
coliform levels, salinity (if applicable), pH, and any chemical 
additives. To comply with Sec. 3.110(d) and Sec. 3.111(g)(6), complete 
necropsies must be conducted on any marine mammals that die at the 
facility and the records must be maintained at the facility.
    APHIS needs the reports and records required by the regulations to 
enforce the regulations for marine mammals and ensure the humane 
treatment of these animals.
    On January 23, 1995, we published a proposal (APHIS Docket No. 93-
076-2, ``Animal Welfare; Marine Mammals,'' 60 FR 4383-4389) that would 
establish standards and recordkeeping requirements for facilities that 
operate a ``swim-with-the-dolphin'' (SWTD) program.
    The reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in APHIS 
Docket No. 93-076-2 were given preliminary approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 0579-0115. 
Although these requirements may change (a final rule has not yet been 
published), we are seeking a continuation of the preliminary approval.
    The recordkeeping requirements proposed in Docket No. 93-076-2 
would require that each facility operating an SWTD program submit 
written copies of the rules and instructions used in the introductory 
(classroom) session (proposed Sec. 3.111(e)(4)), the procedures for 
terminating a session (proposed Sec. 3.111(e)(7)), a description of the 
SWTD program (proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(1)), and semiannual reports 
regarding participation in the program (proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(5)).
    Under the proposal, each facility would be required to maintain 
veterinary, feeding, and behavioral records for SWTD animals in order 
to comply with proposed Secs. 3.111(f)(3) and (f)(4). Proposed 
Secs. 3.111(g)(3) through (g)(5) would require that each facility 
maintain profile (animal identification) information, nutritional and 
reproductive status information, and a monthly written assessment by 
the

[[Page 6147]]

attending veterinarian. Proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(6) would require that 
injuries sustained by dolphins or participants be reported to APHIS 
within 24 hours, with a written report required within 7 days.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
We need this outside input to help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .17666 hours per response.
    Respondents: USDA licensed/registered marine mammal facility 
representatives.
    Estimated number of respondents: 810.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 48.94.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 39,641.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7,003 hours. (Due to 
rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the average reporting 
burden per response.)
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of February 1998.
Craig A. Reed,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3046 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
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