[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62881-62882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26461]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. Geological Survey

[GX18.WB12.C25A1; OMB Control Number 1028-0116]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Alaska Beak Deformity 
Observations

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing to renew an information 
collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
February 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to the U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collections 
Clearance Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 
20192; or by email to [email protected]. Please reference 
OMB Control Number 1028-0116 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Colleen Handel by email at [email protected], 
or by telephone at 907-786-7181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing 
collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our 
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting 
burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection 
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
    We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described 
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of the USGS; (2) will this information be processed and used 
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how 
might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use 
of information technology.
    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 ICR. 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 may 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.
    Abstract: As part of the USGS Ecosystems mission to assess the 
status and trends of the Nation's biological resources, the Alaska 
Science Center Landbird Program conducts research on avian populations 
within Alaska. Beginning in the late 1990s, an outbreak of beak 
deformities in Black-capped Chickadees emerged in southcentral Alaska. 
USGS scientists launched a study to understand the scope of this 
problem and its effect on wild birds. Since that time, researchers have 
gathered important information about the deformities and have 
identified a new virus as the potential cause. The collection of PII is 
requested as part of this ongoing research in resident Alaskan birds. 
Members of the public provide observation reports of birds with 
deformities from around Alaska and other regions of North America. 
These reports are very important in that they allow researchers to 
determine the geographical distribution and species affected. Data 
collection over such a large and remote area would not be possible 
without the public's assistance. As part of the online reporting 
system, an individual's phone number, email address, and mailing 
address are requested. This information allows researchers to request 
additional details or verify reports if necessary but is not required 
for submission. PII is used only for contact purposes, is stored in a 
separate table that is encrypted, and is not shared in any way with 
other individuals, groups, or organizations.

[[Page 62882]]

    Title of Collection: Alaska Beak Deformity Observations.
    OMB Control Number: 1028-0116.
    Form Number: NA.
    Type of Review: ``Extension of a currently approved collection''.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals/households.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 150.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 175.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: Approximately 5 minutes.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 15 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Frequency of Collection: One time.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: None.
    An agency 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.
    The authorities for this action are the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.).

 Christian Zimmerman,
 Center Director Supervisory Biologist.
[FR Doc. 2018-26461 Filed 12-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4338-11-P