[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 152 (Monday, August 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43172-43173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20433]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080399E]


Permits for Taking of Endangered or Threatened Species for 
Research/Enhancement Purposes.

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (N)AA), 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 October 8, 
1999..


[[Page 43173]]


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 the 
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 Karen Salvini - F/PR3, Office of Protected 
Resources, Room 13603, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301) 713-1401 (x130).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq.) 
imposed prohibitions against the taking of endangered species. Section 
10 of the ESA allows permits authorizing the taking of endangered 
species for research/enhancement purposes. The corresponding 
regulations established procedures for persons to apply for such 
permits. In addition, the regulations set forth specific reporting 
requirements for such permit holders.
    The regulations contain two sets of information collections: (l) 
applications for research/enhancement permits, and (2) reporting 
requirements for permits issued.
    The required information is used to evaluate the impacts of the 
proposed activity on endangered species, to make the determinations 
required by the ESA prior to issuing a permit, and to establish 
appropriate permit conditions. In order to issue permits as under ESA 
section 10(a)(1)(A), NMFS must determine that (1) such exceptions were 
applied for in good faith, (2) if granted and exercised will not 
operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species, and (3) will be 
consistent with the purposes and policy set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

II. Method of Collection

    Permit applicants must submit a written application to NMFS, 
including all appropriate information listed on the instructions. These 
instructions are a user-friendly version of the requirements at 50 CFR 
Sec. 222.23(b) for applications for research/enhancement permits.
    Once issued, the permit requires that permit holders submit an 
annual report on activities, including information on the species, 
stocks, dates, location, and condition of animals taken.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0084.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Federal, State, local, or tribal government; 
business or other for-profit; individuals; universities and research 
institutions; not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Permits: 60; Modification 
Requests: 60; Reports: 60 Annual Reports and 20 Final Reports.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Permits: 40 hours; Modification 
Requests: 10 hours; Annual Reports: 10; Final Reports: 20 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Per Year: Permits: 2,400 hours; 
Modification Requests: 600 hours; Annual Reports: 600 hours; Final 
Reports: 400 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $290 annual for printing and 
mailing of submissions.

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: August 2, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-20433 Filed 8-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F