[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 60004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24881]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Data Collection 
and Verification for the Marine Protected Areas Inventory

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 November 28, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Lauren Wenzel, (301) 563-1136 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Executive Order 13158 directs the Department of Commerce (DOC) and 
the Department of the Interior (DOI) to work with partners to 
strengthen the protection of U.S. oceans and coastal resources by 
developing a national system of marine protected areas (MPAs). These 
departments are working closely with state, territorial, local, and 
tribal governments, as well as other stakeholders, to identify and 
inventory the nation's existing MPAs. Toward this end, the DOC's 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and DOI have 
created the Marine Protected Areas Inventory, an online spatial 
database that provides detailed information on MPAs nationwide. The 
inventory stores data on over 1,600 sites, across different management 
programs and all levels of government. In order to keep this data 
resource current and accurate with the latest status and information on 
MPAs nationwide, the MPA Center has created an online site data form, 
posted at http://www.mpa.gov, that can be used to provide feedback 
regarding the accuracy of the MPA Inventory data and a mechanism to 
receive updates, additions or changes to existing database information. 
The online form can be used to identify new sites that should be added 
to the database or to provide clarification on the data stored in the 
existing version of the online MPA Inventory. An additional nomination 
checklist form is also posted at http://www.mpa.gov to collect 
information from eligible federal, state, territorial, local and tribal 
governments seeking to nominate their MPA to be part of the national 
system of MPAs. MPA programs (approximately five new each year) provide 
information on how their nominated sites meet the goals and objectives 
of the national system of MPAs.

II. Method of Collection

    The information will be collected via an online data form.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0449.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100 per year.
    Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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 22, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-24881 Filed 9-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P