[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 149 (Thursday, August 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37796-37797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16502]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Quota 
Cost Recovery Programs

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 October 1, 2018.

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 Kurt Iverson (907) 586-7228 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is an extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation Act both authorizes 
and requires the collection of cost recovery fees for Limited Access 
Privilege (LAP) programs and Western Alaska Community Development Quota 
(CDQ) programs. The cost recovery fees may not exceed three percent of 
the ex-vessel value, and must recover costs associated with the 
management, data collection, and enforcement of these programs that are 
directly incurred by government agencies tasked with overseeing these 
fisheries.
    In addition, NMFS collects observer coverage fees to support the 
funding and deployment of observers on vessels and in plants in the 
partial observer coverage category. The observer coverage fee must be 
paid by permit holders in the partial observer coverage category, i.e., 
small catcher/processors, catcher vessels, shoreside processors, and 
stationary floating processors named on a Federal Fisheries Permit, or 
a person named on a Registered Buyer permit.
    Processors that receive and purchase landings of IFQ halibut or 
sablefish, rockfish, groundfish, and crab subject to observer and/or 
cost recovery fees must submit an Ex-vessel Value and Volume report 
under 50 CFR 679.5 or 50 CFR 680.5 that provides information on the 
pounds purchased and value paid. NMFS uses this information to 
establish the total ex-vessel value of the fishery, to calculate 
standard prices, and to establish annual fee percentages in each 
fishery.
    In 2016, due to an associated rule, revisions to the payment 
collection methods were approved under OMB control number 0648-0727. 
The extension of the current collection, OMB control number 0648-0711, 
will incorporate these 2016 revisions, and 0648-0727 will be 
discontinued.

II. Method of Collection

    Payment must be submitted online through eFISH at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login for the following:
     Observer coverage fee; and
     cost recovery fees for the Western Alaska Community 
Development Quota

[[Page 37797]]

Groundfish and Halibut, American Fisheries Act Bering Sea Pollock, 
Aleutian Islands Pollock, Amendment 80, and Rockfish Programs.
    Payment for the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program cost 
recovery fee is submitted online through eFISH, or by mail or courier 
if paying with a check. Payment for the Crab Rationalization (CR) 
Program cost recovery fee is submitted online through eFISH, or by mail 
or courier if paying with a check. After December 2019, NMFS will no 
longer accept paper checks for cost recovery program fees. All payments 
will have to be made online.
    The IFQ Registered Buyer Ex-Vessel Volume and Value Report is 
submitted online through eFISH, or by mail or fax. The Rockfish Ex-
Vessel, CR Registered Crab Receiver Ex-Vessel, Pacific Cod Ex-Vessel, 
and First Wholesale Volume and Value Reports must be submitted online 
through eFISH. Appeals may be submitted by mail or fax.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0711.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,182.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 minute for cost recovery fee, 
observer coverage fee, and Value and Volume Report; 4 hours for Appeals 
for any person who receives an IAD for incomplete payment of a fee 
liability.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 43 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $416 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: July 26, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-16502 Filed 8-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P