[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64149-64150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26991]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-NWRS-2018-N132; FXRS1263040000-156-FF04R08000; OMB Control 
Number 1018-0153]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; National 
Wildlife Refuge Visitor Check-In Permit and Use Report

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 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. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to renew an 
information collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
January 14, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior by email at [email protected]; or 
via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments 
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 by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB 
Control Number 1018-0153 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by 
telephone at (703) 358-2503. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

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 new, 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.
    On June 11, 2018, we published a Federal Register notice requesting 
comments on this collection of information (83 FR 27017). In that 
notice, we invited comments for 60 days, ending on August 10, 2018. We 
received one comment that did not address the information collection 
requirements. We made no changes in response to that comment.
    We are again 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 Service; (2) will this information be processed 
and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; 
(4) how might the Service enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Service 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. Before including your address, phone number, email 
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you 
should be aware that your that your entire comment--including your 
personal identifying information--may be 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.
    Abstract: The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 
1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), as amended by the National Wildlife 
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the Refuge Recreation Act of 
1962 (16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4), govern the administration and uses of 
national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts. The 
Administration Act authorizes us to permit public uses, including 
hunting and fishing, on lands of the Refuge System when we find that 
the activity is compatible and appropriate with the purpose for which 
the refuge was established. The Recreation Act allows the use of 
refuges for public recreation when the use is not inconsistent or does 
not interfere with the primary purpose(s) of the refuge.
    We use FWS Form 3-2405 (Self-Clearing Check-In Permit) to collect 
user information on hunting and fishing on refuges. This form offers a 
self-check-in feature not found on other similar forms, reducing the 
number of staffed check-in stations. We found this method increases 
game harvest reporting and provides better estimates of total numbers 
of game harvested. This form also requests users to report other 
species observed, data then used by refuge staff and state agencies for 
managing wildlife populations. Not all refuges will use this form and 
some refuges may collect the identical information in a nonform format 
(meaning there is no designated form associated with the collection of 
information). We collect:
     Information on the visitor (name, address, and contact 
information). We use this information to identify the visitor or 
driver/passengers of a vehicle while on the refuge. Having this 
information readily available is critical in a search and rescue 
situation. We do not maintain or record this information.
     Information on whether or not hunters/anglers were 
successful (number and type of harvest/caught).
     Purpose of visit (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, 
wildlife photography, auto touring, birding, hiking, boating/canoeing, 
visitor center, special event, environmental education class, 
volunteering, other recreation).
     Species observed.
     Date of visit.
    The above information is a vital tool in meeting refuge objectives 
and maintaining quality visitor experiences. It helps us:
     Administer and monitor the quality of visitor programs and 
facilities on refuges.
     Minimize resource disturbance, manage healthy game 
populations, and ensure the protection of fish and wildlife species 
through the check-in/out process.
     Assist in Statewide wildlife management and enforcement 
and develop reliable estimates of the number of key game fish and 
wildlife, like the Louisiana black bear (a recently delisted species).

[[Page 64150]]

     Determine facility and program needs and budgets based on 
user demand for resources.
    Title of Collection: National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Check-In 
Permit and Use Report.
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0153.
    Form Number: 3-2405.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals who visit national 
wildlife refuges.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 650,000.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 650,000.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 54,167.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour 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 authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

    Dated: December 10, 2018.
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26991 Filed 12-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P