[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 55365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27592]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Report of Right Whale Sighting; 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 December 14, 
1998.

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 Greg Silber, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, Maryland 20910; (phone 301-713-2322 or fax 301-713-4060).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act mandates the protection and 
conservation of marine mammals and makes the killing or serious injury 
of marine mammals a violation of the Act. The northern right whale 
(Eubalaena glacialis) has been recognized as the world's most 
endangered large whale species. Vessel interactions are identified as 
one of the major threats facing these whales especially collisions with 
and disturbances from, vessels. Human interactions with right whales 
are a very serious problem for right whales in the western North 
Atlantic. In particular, where human activities coincide with the 
distribution of right whales off the east coast of the United States, 
especially where vessel traffic and similar activities occur, there is 
the potential that right whales may be disturbed or their behavior 
otherwise altered, or that they may be injured or killed. In addition 
to disturbances caused by vessel movement or noise, vessels may affect 
right whales indirectly. For example, feeding behavior may be 
interrupted or affected as a result of a vessel breaking up dense 
surface zooplankton patches in certain feeding areas. The National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued regulations that prohibit all 
approaches within 500 yards (460m), whether by vessel, aircraft or 
other means, and requires whale avoidance measures under specified 
circumstances. Similarly, NMFS has recognized that approaches to marine 
mammals by aircraft below certain altitudes has the potential to harass 
marine mammals and has imposed restrictions on these types of 
approaches as conditions in various permits. If a right whale is 
positively identified, lookouts and/or vessel operators are encouraged 
to report the right whale sighting and location to the U.S. Coast Guard 
or other appropriate port authority, and request assistance if 
appropriate. Knowledge of the location of right whales may help prevent 
collisions and allow vessels to implement appropriate whale avoidance 
measures.

II. Method of Collection

    If a right whale is positively identified and observed near a port, 
in a channel, in an established shipping lane, or in other areas with a 
high concentration of shipping activity, a vessel operator is 
encouraged to report the sighting to the U.S. Coast Guard or other 
appropriate port authority, and request assistance, if appropriate. 
Instructions from the Coast Guard or other port authority may require a 
collection of information. For example, the Coast Guard may require a 
vessel operator to respond on channel 16 of VHF radio.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0322.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; individuals, not-for 
profit institutions; Federal government; and state, local, or tribal 
governments (vessel operators).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $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: October 8, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-27592 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P