[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55413-55414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20616]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 090704C]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Statement of 
Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils

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 November 15, 
2004.

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 Bruce C. Morehead, F/SF5, RM: 13142, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282 (phone 301-713-2337).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
authorizes the establishment of Regional Fishery Management Councils to 
exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of fishery resources through 
the preparation, monitoring,

[[Page 55414]]

and revision of such fishery management plans under circumstances (a) 
which will enable the States, the fishing industry, consumers, 
environmental organizations, and other interested persons to 
participate in the development of such plans, and (b) which take into 
account the social and economic needs of fishermen and dependent 
communities. Section 302(j) of the Act also requires that Council 
members disclose their financial interest in any Council fishery. These 
interests include harvesting, processing, or marketing activity that is 
being, or will be, undertaken within any fishery over which the Council 
concerned has jurisdiction.
    The Act further provides that a member shall not vote on a Council 
decision that would have a significant and predictable effect on a 
financial interest if there is a close causal link between the Council 
decision and an expected and substantially disproportionate benefit to 
the financial interest of the affected individual relative to the 
financial interest of other participants in the same gear type or 
sector of the fishery. However, an affected individual who is declared 
ineligible to vote on a Council action may participate in Council 
deliberations relating to the decision after notifying the Council of 
his/her recusal and identifying the financial interest that would be 
affected.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents submit paper forms. With the exception of the Tribal 
Government nominees, Council nominees for appointment must provide and 
file a financial interest form as prescribed by the Secretary prior to 
the date of appointment. Seated Council members appointed by the 
Secretary, including the Tribal Government appointees, must file a 
financial interest form within 45 days of taking office and must file 
an update of their statements within 30 days of the time any such 
financial interest is acquired or substantially changed.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0192.
    Form Number: NOAA Form 88-195.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 185.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 35 min.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 108.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $124.00.

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: September 2, 2004.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-20616 Filed 9-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S