[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 2, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37931-37932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14933]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NMFS Alaska 
Region Observer Providers

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
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 September 2, 
2008.

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 Patsy A. Bearden, (907) 586-7008 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska Region 
Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program) collects and 
disseminates catch, bycatch, and biological data necessary to support 
in-season monitoring and stock assessment of fisheries in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone off the coast of Alaska. Owners of vessels, shoreside 
processors, and stationary floating processors are required to carry 
observers and must arrange for observer services from an observer 
provider. Although the vessel and plant owners pay for the cost of the 
observers, the costs associated with managing the program are paid by 
NMFS. A list of observer providers is available from the Observer 
Program's home page at http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/refm/observers/observer_providers.htm. The main focus of this information collection 
continues to be the documentation required by NMFS from an observer 
provider. Observer providers are permitted by NMFS to hire and deploy 
qualified individuals as observers in the Alaska Region groundfish 
fisheries. Observer candidates are required to meet specified criteria 
in order to qualify as an observer and must successfully complete an 
initial certification training course, as well as meet other criteria, 
prior to being certified.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper applications, electronic reports, and telephone calls are 
required from participants, and methods of submittal include Internet 
and facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0318.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 205.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for industry request for 
assistance in improving observer data quality issues; 60 hours for new 
permit application for observer provider; 15 minutes for update to 
provider

[[Page 37932]]

information; 15 minutes for observer candidates college transcripts and 
disclosure statements, observer candidate; 15 minutes for observer 
candidates college transcripts and disclosure statements, observer 
provider; 5 minutes for notification of observer physical examination, 
observer provider; 2 hours for observer physical examination; 7 minutes 
for projected observer assignment; 7 minutes for briefing registration; 
12 minutes for certificate of insurance; 15 minutes for copies of 
contracts; 7 minutes for weekly deployment/logistics reports; 7 minutes 
for debriefing registration; 2 hours for reports of problems; 40 hours 
for observer provider permit expiration or denial of permit appeals; 
and 20 hours for appeals for denial of observer certification, 
certification suspension, or decertification.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,959.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $83,126.

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: June 26, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-14933 Filed 7-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P