[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 21, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20661-20662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08268]


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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; Application and Reports for Scientific Research and 
Enhancement Permits Under the Endangered Species Act

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 June 21, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to

[[Page 20662]]

Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0402 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 Gary Rule, NOAA Fisheries, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd. Suite 1100, Portland, 
OR 97232, (503) 230-5424 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
imposed prohibitions against the taking of endangered species. Section 
10 of the ESA allows permits authorizing the taking of endangered 
species for research/enhancement purposes. The corresponding 
regulations established procedures for persons to apply for such 
permits. In addition, the regulations set forth specific reporting 
requirements for such permit holders. The regulations contain two sets 
of information collections: (1) Applications for research/enhancement 
permits, and (2) reporting requirements for permits issued.
    The required information is used to evaluate the impacts of the 
proposed activity on endangered species, to make the determinations 
required by the ESA prior to issuing a permit, and to establish 
appropriate permit conditions. To issue permits under ESA Section 
10(a)(1)(A), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must 
determine that (1) such exceptions were applied for in good faith, (2) 
if granted and exercised, will not operate to the disadvantage of such 
endangered species, and (3) will be consistent with the purposes and 
policy set forth in Section 2 of the ESA.

II. Method of Collection

    Information may be collected through the internet, email, of paper 
format.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0402.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Federal government; State, local, or tribal 
government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 160.
    Estimated Time per Response: Permit applications, 12 hours; permit 
modification requests 6 hours; annual or final reports, 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 835.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $500 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.
    Legal Authority: The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
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. 2021-08268 Filed 4-20-21; 8:45 am]
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