[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 36 (Friday, February 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11601-11603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03584]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-RF-2017-N011; FXRS12630900000-167-FF09R81000]


Proposed Information Collection; National Wildlife Refuge Special 
Use Permit Applications and Reports

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) 
described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take 
this opportunity to comment on this IC. This IC is scheduled to expire 
on June 30, 2017. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

DATES: To ensure that we are able to consider your comments on this IC, 
we must receive them by April 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the IC to the Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or 
[email protected] (email). Please include ``1018-0102'' in the 
subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna Baucum, at 
[email protected] (email) or (703) 358-2503 (telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, consolidated all refuge 
units into a single National Wildlife Refuge System (System). It also 
authorized us to offer visitor and public programs, including those 
facilitated by commercial visitor and management support services, on 
lands of the System when we find that the activities are appropriate 
and compatible with the purpose for which the refuge was established 
and the System's mission. The Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 
460k-460k-4) (Recreation Act) allows the use of refuges for public 
recreation when it is not inconsistent or

[[Page 11602]]

does not interfere with the primary purpose(s) of the refuge. The 
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3101 et 
seq.) (ANILCA) provides specific authorization and guidance for the 
administration and management of national wildlife refuges within the 
State of Alaska. Its provisions provide for the issuance of permits 
under certain circumstances.
    We issue special use permits for a specific period as determined by 
the type and location of the management activity or visitor service 
provided. These permits authorize activities such as:
     Agricultural activities (haying and grazing, 50 CFR 29.1 
and 29.2).
     Beneficial management tools that we use to provide the 
best habitat possible on some refuges (50 CFR 30.11, 31.14, 31.16, and 
36.41).
     Special events, group visits and other one-time events (50 
CFR 25.41, 25.61, 26.36, and 36.41).
     Recreational visitor service operations (50 CFR 25.41, 
25.61, and 36.41).
     Guiding for fishing, hunting, wildlife education, and 
interpretation (50 CFR 25.41 and 36.41).
     Commercial filming (43 CFR 5, 50 CFR 27.71) and other 
commercial activities (50 CFR 29.1 and 36.41).
     Building and using cabins to support subsistence or 
commercial activities (in Alaska) (50 CFR 26.35 and 36.41).
     Research, inventory and monitoring, and other 
noncommercial activities (50 CFR 26.36 and 36.41).
    We use three forms to collect applicant information:
     FWS Form 3-1383-G (General Activities Special Use 
Application).
     FWS Form 3-1383-C (Commercial Activities Special Use 
Application).
     FWS Form 3-1383-R (Research and Monitoring Special Use 
Application).
    The information we collect helps ensure that: (1) Applicants are 
aware of the types of information that may be needed for permit 
issuance; (2) requested activities are appropriate and compatible with 
the purpose(s) for which the refuge was established and the System's 
mission; and (3) the applicant is eligible or is the most qualified 
applicant to receive the special use permit.
    We may collect the necessary information in a nonform format 
(through discussions in person or over the phone, over the Internet, by 
email, or by letter). In some instances, respondents will be able to 
provide information verbally. Often, a simple email or letter 
describing the activity will suffice. For activities (e.g., commercial 
visitor services, research, etc.) that might have a large impact on 
refuge resources, we may require applicants to provide more detail on 
operations, techniques, and locations. Because of the span of 
activities covered by special use permits and the different management 
needs and resources at each refuge, respondents may not be required to 
answer all questions. Depending on the requested activity, refuge 
managers have the discretion to ask for less information than appears 
on the forms. However, refuge managers cannot ask for more or different 
information.
    We issue permits for a specific period as determined by the type 
and location of the use or service provided. We use these permits to 
ensure that the applicant is aware of the requirements of the permit 
and his/her legal rights. Refuge-specific special conditions may be 
required for the permit. We identify conditions as an addendum to the 
permit. Most of the special conditions pertain to how a permitted 
activity may be conducted and do not require the collection of 
information. However, some special conditions, such as activity 
reports, before and after site photographs, or data sharing, would 
qualify as an information collection, and we have included the 
associated burden in the table below.

II. Data

    OMB Control Number: 1018-0102.
    Title: National Wildlife Refuge Special Use Permit Applications and 
Reports, 50 CFR 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 36.
    Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved collection.
    Service Form Number(s): FWS Forms 3-1383-G, 3-1383-C, and 3-1383-R.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals and households; businesses 
and other for-profit organizations; nonprofit organizations; farms; and 
State, local, or tribal governments.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

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                                         Number of       Number of       Completion  time per      Total annual
              Activity                  respondents      responses         response (hours)        burden hours
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Form 3-1383-G.......................           1,846           1,846  .5........................             923
Form 3-1383-C.......................           1,351           1,351  4.........................           5,404
Form 1383-R.........................             770             770  5.........................           3,850
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    Totals:.........................           3,967           3,967  ..........................          10,177
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    Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $135,100 for fees associated 
with applications for commercial use activities ($100.00 x an estimated 
1,351 applications).

III. Comments

    We invite comments concerning this information collection on:
     Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, 
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
     The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this 
collection of information;
     Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this IC. Before including your address, phone number, 
email address, or other personal identifying information in your 
comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your 
personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any 
time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so.


[[Page 11603]]


    Dated: February 17, 2017.
Tina A. Campbell,
Chief, Division of Policy, Performance, and Management Programs, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03584 Filed 2-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P