[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 228 (Monday, November 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 72901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30394]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    Title: Shipboard Observation Form for Floating Marine Debris.
    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Request: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Number of Respondents: 45.
    Average Hours per Response: 1 hour.
    Burden Hours: 45.
    Needs and Uses: This request is for a new information collection.

This data collection project will be coordinated by James Callahan 
(private citizen/recreational sailor who began this data collection on 
a small-scale in 2008) with assistance from the NOAA Marine Debris 
Program, recreational sailors (respondents), NGOs (respondents) as well 
as numerous experts on marine debris observations at sea. The Shipboard 
Observation Form for Floating Marine Debris was created based on 
methods used in studies of floating marine debris by established 
researchers, previous shipboard observational studies conducted at sea 
by NOAA, and the experience and input of recreational sailors. The goal 
of this form is to be able to calculate the density of marine debris 
within an area of a known size. Additionally, this form will help 
collect data on potential marine debris resulting from the March 2011 
Japan tsunami in order to better model movement of the debris as well 
as prepare (as needed) for debris arrival to areas around the Pacific. 
This form may be used to collect data on floating marine debris in any 
water body. This survey will assist in carrying out activities 
prescribed in the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act 
of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.), mainly ``mapping, identification and 
impact assessment''.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; not-for-profit 
organizations.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    OMB Desk Officer: [email protected].
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to [email protected].

    Dated: November 21, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-30394 Filed 11-25-11; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P