[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 87 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25746-25747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8634]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce.

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 6, 2007.

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 William Chappell, (301) 713-2337 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 25747]]

I. Abstract

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Act) 
authorizes the establishment of Regional Fishery Management Councils to 
exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of fishery resources through 
the preparation, monitoring, 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 requires that Council members appointed 
by the Secretary, Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) members 
appointed by a Council under Section 302(g)(1), or individuals 
nominated by the Governor of a State for possible appointment as a 
Council member disclose their financial interest in any Council 
fishery. These interests include harvesting, processing, lobbying, 
advocacy, or marketing activity that is being, or will be, undertaken 
within any fishery over which the Council concerned has jurisdiction, 
or with respect to an individual or organization with a financial 
interest in such activity. In 2008, the Secretary is required to submit 
an annual report to Congress for 2007 on action taken by the Secretary 
and the Councils to implement the disclosure of financial interest and 
recusal requirements, including identification of any conflict of 
interest problems with respect to the Councils and SSCs and 
recommendations for addressing any such problems.
    Seated Council members appointed by the Secretary, including the 
Tribal Government appointee and SSC members, must file a financial 
interest form within 45 days of taking office and must provide an 
update of their statements at any time any such financial interest is 
acquired, or substantially changed.
    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.

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: 306.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 35 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 179.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $54.

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 1, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-8634 Filed 5-4-07; 8:45 am]
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