[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