[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 18 (Friday, January 29, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 7540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-01955]



[[Page 7540]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Shipboard Observation Form for Floating Marine Debris

AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before March 30, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0644 in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to MaryLee Haughwout, Deputy Director, NOAA Marine Debris Program, 1305 
East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This is a request for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    This data collection project will be coordinated by the NOAA Marine 
Debris Program, under the authority of Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 
1951 et seq.) to identify, determine sources of, assess, prevent, 
reduce, and remove marine debris and address the adverse impacts of 
marine debris on the economy of the United States, marine environment, 
and navigation safety. Information is collected from recreational and 
commercial vessels, shipboard observers, and non-government 
organizations (NGOs) who are on the ocean regularly, as well as 
numerous experts on marine debris observations at sea. The Shipboard 
Observation Form for Floating Marine Debris was created based on 
methods used in studies of floating marine debris by established 
researchers, previous shipboard observational studies conducted at sea 
by NOAA, and the experience and input of recreational sailors. The goal 
of this form is to be able to report the amount and types of visible, 
floating marine debris within an area of a water body of a known size. 
Additionally, this form will help collect data on floating marine 
debris that could result from future severe marine debris generating 
events in order to model the movement of the debris as well as prepare 
(as needed) for debris arrival. This form can be used to collect data 
on floating marine debris in any water body.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal include email of electronic forms, and mail and 
facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0644.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; not-for profit 
institutions; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5.
    Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms 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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2021-01955 Filed 1-28-21; 8:45 am]
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