[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 92 (Thursday, May 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 25872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12115]



[[Page 25872]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 050799C]


Proposed Agency Information Collection; Certified Observer 
Contractors of the North Pacific

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 July 12, 1999.

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 Patsy A. Bearden, F/AK01, NOAA National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS), Sustainable Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 
21668, Juneau, Alaska 99802, telephone (907) 586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    NMFS is requesting renewal of OMB approval of the information 
collection to support the Certified Observer Contractor Program. 
Information must be submitted by persons wishing to become certified 
observers or contractors who can then provide observer services to the 
groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea-Aleutian 
Islands management areas. Certified contractors and observers must 
submit additional information as part of the on-going observer process.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents would comply with requirements set forth in 50 CFR part 
679.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0318.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Contractor business.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 540.
    Estimated Time Per Response: The response times for this proposed 
information collection are 60 hours per application to be certified as 
a contractor; 3 minutes to supply a certificate of insurance; 7 minutes 
to register for training, briefing, or debriefing; 2 minutes submit a 
notification of an observer's physical examination; 2 hours for an 
observer's actual physical examination; 7 minutes for observer 
assignment information; 7 minutes for weekly deployment/logistics 
reports; 15 minutes to provide copies of contracts; 2 hours to provide 
reports on observer harassment, observer safety concerns, or observer 
performance problems; 40 hours for appeals of suspension or 
decertification of a contractor; and 4 hours for appeals of suspension 
of decertification of an observer.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,106.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $38,904.

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: May 5, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 99-12115 Filed 5-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F