[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59911-59912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26397]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 101503A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Applications 
and Reporting Requirements for Small Take of Marine Mammals by 
Specified Activities Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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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 December 19, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Kenneth R. Hollingshead, fishery biologist, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225 (telephone 301-713-2055, ext 
128).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The taking by harassment, injury, or mortality of marine mammals is 
prohibited by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) unless exempted 
or authorized by permit. The incidental-take program authorizes the 
taking of marine mammals incidental to maritime activities (military, 
oil industry, oceanographic research). It is the responsibility of the 
activity to determine if it might have a ``taking'' and, if it does, to 
apply for an authorization. Applications are necessary for NOAA to know 
that an authorization is needed and to determine whether authorization 
can be made under the MMPA. Reporting requirements are mandated by the 
MMPA and are necessary to ensure that determinations made in regard to 
the impact on marine mammals are valid.

II. Method of Collection

    Information is supplied in response to regulations or other 
guidance. No forms are involved.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0151.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; not-
for-profit institutions; Federal government; and State, Local, or 
Tribal Government.

[[Page 59912]]

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 67.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 483 hours for a request for new or the 
renewal of regulations; 45 hours for an application for Letter of 
Authorization (response times vary significantly based on the 
complexity of the application); 200 hours for an application for an 
Incidental Harassment Authorization; and 93-120 hours for a 90-day, 
quarterly, or annual report under a Letter of Authorization or 
Incidental Harassment Authorization.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,912.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $24,200.

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 14, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-26397 Filed 10-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S