[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9896-9897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3948]


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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), 
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 April 23, 2012.

[[Page 9897]]


ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, 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 Gary Rule, (503) 230-5424 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    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 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 apply 
to Pacific marine and anadromous fish species; requirements regarding 
other species are being addressed in a separate information collection.

II. Method of Collection

    Submissions may be in paper or electronic format.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0402.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Federal government; State, local, or tribal 
government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 160.
    Estimated Time per Response: Permit applications, 12 hours; permit 
modification requests 6 hours; and annual or final reports, 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 835.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $500 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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: February 15, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-3948 Filed 2-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P