[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16928-16929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06193]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Marine Mammal Health
and Stranding Response Program
The Department of Commerce will submit the following information
collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), on or after the date of publication of
this notice. The public is invited to submit comments on this request.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the
publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by
selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments''
or by using the search function and entering either the title of the
collection or the OMB Control Number 0648-0178.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of this submission may be
obtained from Adrienne Thomas, PRA Officer, NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue,
Room 159, Asheville, NC 28801, (828) 257-3148 or viewing the entire
information collection request at www.reginfo.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (2) if the information will be processed and
used in a timely manner; (3) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of
the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (4) ways to enhance
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5)
ways to
[[Page 16929]]
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, Level A
Stranding Report, Rehabilitation Disposition Data Sheet, and Human
Interaction Form.
OMB Control Number: 0648-0178.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular submission (extension of an existing
collection).
Number of Respondents: 400.
Average Hours per Response: 30 minutes for Stranding Reports and
Rehabilitation Disposition Forms; 45 minutes for the Human Interaction
Data Sheet.
Burden Hours: 14,600.
Needs and Uses: This request is for revision of this previously
approved data collection. All three of the currently approved forms in
this collection (the Stranding Report form, Human Interaction Form, and
Rehabilitation Disposition Form) have been slightly modified.
The marine mammal stranding report provides information on
strandings so that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) can
compile and analyze, by region, the species, numbers, conditions, and
causes of illnesses and deaths in stranded marine mammals. NMFS
requires this information to fulfill its management responsibilities
under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1421a). Section
402(b) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1421a) requires the Secretary to collect
and update information on strandings. It further provides that the
Secretary shall compile and analyze, by region, the species, numbers,
conditions, and causes of illnesses and deaths in stranded marine
mammals. Section 404 (a) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1421c) mandates that
the Secretary respond to unusual marine mammal mortality events.
Without a historical baseline provided by marine mammal information
collected from strandings, detection of such events could be difficult,
and the investigation could be impeded. Section 401(b) of the MMPA (16
U.S.C. 1421) requires NMFS to facilitate the collection and
dissemination of reference data on the health of marine mammal
populations in the wild and to correlate health with physical,
chemical, and biological environmental parameters. In order to perform
this function, NMFS must standardize data collection protocols for
health and correlations. Data and samples collected from stranded
animals are a critical part of the implementation of this mandate of
the MMPA. Minor edits to the current version of the form are proposed,
including beginning to collect live, entangled large whale data in this
data collection, streamlining the confidence codes, collecting data on
marine debris and entanglement interactions, and minor textual edits to
field names to better match the other two forms.
NMFS is also responsible for the welfare of marine mammals while in
rehabilitation status. Under MMPA section 104(c)(10) [16 U.S.C.
1374(c)(10)], NMFS is required to maintain an inventory of live marine
mammals held under permits for rehabilitation or captive display. The
data in the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Disposition report are
required to monitor and track animals during rehabilitation and during
transfer to permanent-permitted status. This information is submitted
primarily by members of the marine mammal stranding networks which are
authorized by NMFS. Minor changes are proposed for this form, including
the collection of all pinniped pups born in rehab (previously was only
for pups that survived the first 48 hours). Additionally, minor edits
to field names were made to better match the other two forms.
The Human Interaction Data Sheet provides NMFS with consistent and
detailed information on signs of human interaction in stranded marine
mammals. This information will assist the Agency in tracking resource
conflicts and will provide a solid scientific foundation for
conservation and management of marine mammals. With a better
understanding of interactions, appropriate measures can be taken to
resolve conflicts and, stranding data are the best source of
information regarding the occurrence of different types of human
interaction. Minor changes to field names are proposed for this form,
to better match the other two forms.
Affected Public: State governments; not-for-profit institutions;
business or other for-profits organizations.
Frequency: Annual and periodic. On occasion.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1421a).
Dated: March 19, 2020.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-06193 Filed 3-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P