[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 37751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17797]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 070799I]


Application for Commercial Fisheries Exemption Under Section 118 
of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

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

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 September 13, 
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 (or via 
Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Vicki Cornish, Office of Protected Resources (F/
PR2), Room 13700, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-
713-2322, ext. 125.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the taking of marine 
mammals except under permit or exemption. Section 118 of the Act 
authorizes an exemption for commercial fisheries provided that fishers 
in Category I and II fisheries (those with the most likely interactions 
with marine mammals) to register for a certificate of exemption that 
will protect the fisher from prosecution for violating the moratorium 
on the taking of marine mammals.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents must submit a form with a registration fee.

III. Data

     OMB Number: 0648-0293
     Form Number: None
     Type of Review: Regular submission
     Affected public: Business and other for-profit, individuals
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 22,400
     Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,600
     Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $616,000
    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: July 1, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-17797 Filed 7-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F