[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 203 (Monday, October 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62256-62257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24888]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Application and 
Reports for Scientific Research and Enhancement Permits Under the 
Endangered Species 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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 19, 
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 Gary Rule, (503) 230-5424 or [email protected].

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

[[Page 62257]]

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: (1) 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. To issue permits under ESA Section 
10(a)(1)(A), the National Marine Fisheries Service (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.
    The currently approved application and reporting requirements are 
being revised to apply only to Pacific salmon and steelhead, as 
requirements regarding other species are being addressed in a separate 
information collection. Clarification of some of the instructions will 
also be provided, based on previous applicants' responses and submitted 
applications and reports.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal include e-mail of electronic forms, and mail and 
facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0402.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Non-profit institutions; State, local, or tribal 
government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 131.
    Estimated Time per Response: Permit applications, 20 hours; permit 
modification requests and final reports, 10 hours; and annual reports, 
5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 865.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $18,646.

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 15, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-24888 Filed 10-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P