[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 63962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25177]


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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: Green Sturgeon ESA 4(d) Rule Take Exceptions and Exemptions.
    OMB Control Number: 0648-0613.
    Form Number(s): NA.
    Type of Request: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Number of Respondents: 46.
    Average Hours per Response: Scientific research, monitoring or 
habitat restoration exceptions, state and individual research plans/
applications, 40 hours each; fishery management and evaluation plans 
and tribal plans, 160 hours each; reports, 5 or 20 hours, depending on 
the research or plan.
    Burden Hours: 1,760.
    Needs and Uses: This request is for an extension of a current 
information collection.
    The Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American green 
sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris; hereafter, ``Southern DPS'') was 
listed as a threatened species in April 2006. Protective regulations 
under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) were promulgated 
for the species on June 2, 2010 (75 FR 30714) (the final ESA 4(d) 
Rule). To comply with the ESA and the protective regulations, entities 
must obtain take authorization prior to engaging in activities 
involving take of Southern DPS fish unless the activity is covered by 
an exception or exemption. Certain activities described in the 
``exceptions'' provision of 50 CFR 223.210(b) are not subject to the 
take prohibitions if they adhere to specific criteria and reporting 
requirements. Under the ``exemption'' provision of 50 CFR 223.210(c), 
the take prohibitions do not apply to scientific research, scientific 
monitoring, and fisheries activities conducted under an approved 4(d) 
program or plan; similarly, take prohibitions do not apply to tribal 
resource management activities conducted under a Tribal Plan for which 
the requisite determinations described in 50 CFR 223.102(c)(3) have 
been made. In order to ensure that activities qualify under exceptions 
to or exemptions from the take prohibitions, local, state, and federal 
agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic researchers, and 
private organizations are asked to voluntarily submit detailed 
information regarding their activity on a schedule to be determined by 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) staff. This information is 
used by NMFS to (1) Track the number of Southern DPS fish taken as a 
result of each action; (2) understand and evaluate the cumulative 
effects of each action on the Southern DPS; and (3) determine whether 
additional protections are needed for the species, or whether 
additional exceptions may be warranted.
    Affected Public: State, local and tribal governments, not-for-
profit institutions.
    Frequency: Annually, biannually and on occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or maintain benefits.
    OMB Desk Officer: [email protected].
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0336, 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: October 22, 2013.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-25177 Filed 10-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P