[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54117-54118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; West Coast 
Region Permit Family of Forms--Southwest

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 comment on proposed and/or continuing 
information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995.

[[Page 54118]]


DATES: To ensure consideration, written or on-line comments must be 
submitted on or before December 9, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Adrienne Thomas, PRA Officer, 
NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue, Room 159, Asheville, NC 28801 (or at 
[email protected]). All comments received are part of the public 
record. Comments will generally be posted without change. All 
Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Shannon Penna, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 
West Coast Region (WCR) Long Beach Office, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 
4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 980-4238 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
collection. The WCR Southwest Permits Office administers permits 
required for persons participating in Federally-managed fisheries off 
the West Coast under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. There are three types of 
permits: Open access fishery permits, limited entry permits for 
selected fisheries, and exempted fishing permits (EFPs). Open access 
permits are used in all fisheries where there are no specific 
limitations or eligibility criteria for entry to the fishery. Limited 
entry permits are used to prevent overcapitalization or address other 
management goals in the fishery and are issued to applicants for 
fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited under a fisheries 
management plan. Permits also provide an important link between the 
NMFS and fishermen via the permit application process. The permit 
application process also makes it easier for NMFS staff to contact 
fishermen and advise them of changes in the regulations or fishery 
conditions, and give fishermen a direct point of contact in case they 
have questions or issues they want to bring to the attention of NMFS or 
a fishery management council.
    This collection consists of four permits: the General Highly 
Migratory Species permit, limited entry permits for coastal pelagic 
species and drift gillnet, and EFPs.

II. Method of Collection

    Forms are available on the internet; paper applications are also 
available and may be submitted by mail to the Long Beach Permits 
Office. In addition, an online submission option is available for the 
general Highly Migratory Species permit through the National Permits 
System.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0204.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 855.
    Estimated Time per Response: HMS permit (new 20 minutes, renew 10 
minutes); CPS (renew 15 minutes, transfer 30 minutes); DGN (renew 20 
minutes, transfer 30 minutes); EFP, 60 minutes; appeals, 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 246.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $26,515.

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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2019-21994 Filed 10-8-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P