[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 125 (Thursday, June 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39112-39115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13990]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2022-0067; FXIA16710900000/223/FF09A30000; OMB 
Control Number 1018-0093]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Federal Fish and 
Wildlife Permit Applications and Reports--Management Authority

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an 
information collection, with changes.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
August 29, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request 
(ICR) by one of the following methods (please reference OMB Control No. 
1018-0093 in the subject line of your comment):
     Internet (preferred): https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2022-
0067.
     Email: [email protected].
     U.S. mail: Service Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB 
(JAO/3W); Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by 
telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals in the United States who are 
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay 
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay 
services offered within their country to make

[[Page 39113]]

international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations in 
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 5 CFR 1320, all information 
collections require approval under the PRA. We may not conduct or 
sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on 
new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This 
helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements 
and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public 
understand our information collection requirements and provide the 
requested data in the desired format.
    We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection 
of information, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of response.
    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 can 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.
    Abstract: The General Permit Requirements at 50 CFR 13 provide the 
uniform rules, conditions, and procedures for the application for, and 
the issuance, denial, suspension, revocation, and general 
administration of, all permits for all of the laws, treaties, and 
regulations administered by the Service that authorize activities 
requiring permits. The requirements in 50 CFR part 13 are in addition 
to any other permit regulations that may apply to a specific 
circumstance and are outlined in other sections of our regulations.
    The Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA; 16 U.S.C. 4901-4916) and the 
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna 
and Flora (CITES; 27 U.S.T. 1087, March 3, 1973) use a system of 
permits and certificates to help ensure that international trade is 
legal and does not threaten the survival of wildlife or plant species 
in the wild. Permits under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) ensure that activities are consistent with the 
intent and purposes of the ESA and MMPA. Permitted activities under the 
Bald and Golden Eagle Act (BGEPA; 16 U.S.C. 668-668d) must be 
compatible with the preservation of eagles. Permitted activities under 
the Lacey Act (injurious wildlife; 18 U.S.C. 42; 16 U.S.C. 3371-3378) 
regulate the importation into the United States and any shipment 
between the continental United States, the District of Columbia, 
Alaska, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of 
the United States, of animal species determined to be injurious by the 
Secretary of the Interior. Such importation and shipments are 
prohibited, except by permit. Although the Service's Division of 
Management Authority does not administer the Migratory Bird Treaty Act 
(MBTA; 16 U.S.C. 704), we receive authorization from the Migratory Bird 
Program to issue import/export permits under the MBTA.
    Prior to the import or export of species listed under the MBTA, 
MMPA, BGEPA, Lacey Act, WBCA, ESA, and/or CITES, the Management 
Authority and Scientific Authority must make appropriate determinations 
and issue the appropriate documents. Section 8A of the ESA designates 
the Secretary of the Interior as the U.S. Management Authority and U.S. 
Scientific Authority for CITES. The Secretary in turn delegated these 
authorities to the Service.
    Before a country can issue an export permit for CITES Appendix I or 
II specimens, the CITES Scientific Authority of the exporting country 
must determine that the export will not be detrimental to the survival 
of the species, and the Management Authority must be satisfied that the 
specimens were acquired legally. For the export of Appendix III 
specimens, the Management Authority must be satisfied that the 
specimens were acquired legally (CITES does not require findings from 
the Scientific Authority). Prior to the importation of Appendix I 
specimens, both the Scientific Authority and the Management Authority 
of the importing country must make required findings. The Scientific 
Authority must also monitor trade of all species to ensure that the 
level of trade is sustainable.
    Article VIII(3) of the CITES treaty states that participating 
parties should make efforts to ensure that CITES specimens are traded 
with a minimum of delay. Section XIII of Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. 
CoP18) recommends use of simplified procedures for issuing CITES 
documents to expedite trade that will have no impact, or a negligible 
impact, on conservation of the species involved.
    All Service permit applications are in the 3-200 series of forms, 
each tailored to a specific activity based on the requirements for 
specific types of permits. In accordance with Federal regulations at 50 
CFR 13.12, we collect standard identifier information for all permit 
applications, such as:
     Applicant's full name, whether an individual or business, 
and address (street address, city, county, State, and zip code; and 
mailing address, if different from street address); main and alternate 
telephone numbers; and an email address (required if filing 
electronically, optional for a mail-in application), and

--If the applicant resides or is located outside the United States, an 
address in the United States, and, if the applicant is conducting 
commercial activities, the name and address of the applicant's agent 
inside the United States; and
--If the applicant is a business, corporation, public agency, or 
institution, the tax identification number; description of the business 
type, corporation, agency, or institution; and the name and title of 
the person responsible for the permit (such as president, principal 
officer, or director);

     Location where the requested permitted activity is to 
occur or be conducted;
     Certification containing the following language:


[[Page 39114]]


--I hereby certify that I have read and am familiar with the 
regulations contained in title 50, part 13, of the Code of Federal 
Regulations and the other applicable parts in subchapter B of chapter I 
of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, and I further certify that 
the information submitted in this application for a permit is complete 
and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that 
any false statement herein may subject me to suspension or revocation 
of this permit and to the criminal penalties of 18 U.S.C. 1001.

     Desired effective date of permit (except where issuance 
date is fixed by the part under which the permit is issued);
     Signature date;
     Signature of the applicant;
     Such other information as the Director determines relevant 
to the processing of the application, including but not limited to 
information on the environmental effects of the activity consistent 
with 40 CFR 1506.5 and Departmental procedures at 516 DM 6, appendix 
1.3A; and
     Additional information required on applications for other 
types of permits may be found by referring to table 1 in paragraph (b) 
in 50 CFR 13.12.
    Standardization of general information common to the application 
forms makes the filing of applications easier for the public, as well 
as expediting our review of applications. The information that we 
collect on applications and reports is the minimum necessary for us to 
determine if the applicant meets/continues to meet issuance 
requirements for the particular activity.

Proposed Revisions

    In 2020, the Service implemented a new electronic permit 
application called ePermits. The ePermits system allowed the Service to 
move towards a streamlined permitting process to reduce the information 
collection burden on the public, particularly small businesses. Public 
burden reduction is a priority for the Service, the Assistant Secretary 
for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, and senior leadership at the 
Department of the Interior. The intent of the ePermits system is to 
fully modernize the permitting process to improve the customer 
experience and to reduce time burden on respondents. This system 
enhances the user experience by allowing users to enter data from any 
device that has internet access, including personal computers, tablets, 
and smartphones. It also links the permit applicant to the Pay.gov 
system for payment of the associated permit application fee.
    Users of the ePermits system register for and use an account which 
will then automatically populate the forms they complete with the 
required identification information. The system eliminates the need for 
applicants to enter their information multiple times when they apply 
for separate permits and therefore reduces the burden on the applicant. 
The account registration process will also provide private sector users 
an opportunity to self-identify as a small business, which will enable 
the Service to more accurately report burden associated with 
information collection requirements placed on them.
    At this time, the ePermits system is unable to fully digitize 
Section E of the permit application process. Section E of each permit 
application is customized based on the permit type. We anticipate being 
able to begin digitizing Section E on our application forms in calendar 
year 2022. As a result of challenges with the development of forms 
within the ePermits system, we do not have a timeline for full 
digitization of Section E. We anticipate beginning the digitization of 
the report forms contained in this collection by 2023, and believe the 
digitization of Section E on application forms should be finalized by 
fiscal year 2024, as funding and resources become available.
    We anticipate changes to 12 application forms outlined below; 
however, we do not anticipate significant changes to the questions 
within Section E of the other application forms. We have identified 
questions that could be simplified into plain English. Our proposed 
changes to the application forms are described below:
     Changes to trophy applications (FWS Forms 3-200-19, 
``Import of Sport-Hunted Trophies of Southern African Leopard and 
Namibian Southern White Rhinoceros''; 3-200-20, ``Import of Sport-
Hunted Trophies (Appendix I of CITES and/or ESA)''; 3-200-21, ``Import 
of Sport-Hunted Trophies of Argali''; and 3-200-22, ``Import of Sport-
Hunted Bontebok Trophies from South Africa''), to include specific 
questions on the sex and approximate age of the trophy, and copies of 
the specific forms provided by each country to the hunter as part of 
their application.
     Updating FWS Form 3-200-31, ``Introduction from the Sea 
(CITES),'' to add information requirements necessary to identify ports 
of entry to ensure proper inspection/clearance of specimens imported 
under the introduction from the sea.
     Updating FWS Form 3-200-32, ``Export/Re-Export of Plants 
(CITES),'' to ensure that each section of the application requests 
receipts documenting the legal acquisition of the species requested.
     Updating FWS Form 3-200-37d, ``Interstate or Foreign 
commerce of Live Animals/Samples/or Products (ESA),'' to add a question 
on the description of and justification for the requested activity. We 
will outline the information needed for each of the following purposes: 
scientific research, conservation education and/or zoological display, 
and captive propagation for the conservation and survival of the 
species.
     Based on requirements outlined in Resolution Conf. 11.20 
(Rev CoP18), we will be updating FWS Form 3-200-37f, ``Import of Live 
African Elephant from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and 
Southern White Rhino from Eswatini and South Africa,'' to request 
additional information required in order to make the finding of 
appropriate and acceptable destinations for the import of live African 
elephants and rhinoceros.
     Updates to FWS Form 3-200-41, ``Captive-Bred Wildlife 
Registration (U.S. Endangered Species Act,'' will be updated to include 
all new applicants completing sections 1, 2, and 4, as appropriate, and 
section 3 for renewing a captive-bred wildlife registration.
     Splitting FWS Form 3-200-43, ``Take/Import/Export of 
Marine Mammals for Public Display, Scientific Research, Enhancement, or 
Rescue/Rehabilitation/Release Activities or Renewal/Amendment of 
Existing Permit (MMPA and/or ESA),'' into smaller parts to ensure the 
applicant can easily identify and submit the correct type of 
application for activities being requested under the MMPA.
     Clarification of information needed on FWS Form 3-200-46, 
``Import/Export/Re-Export of Personal Pets under the Conservation on 
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and/or the U.S. 
Endangered Species Act (ESA),'' will include the requirement of the 
address of an applicant when they will be relocating with their pet.
     Updates to FWS Form 3-200-73, ``Re-Export of Wildlife 
(CITES),'' will be updated to align with our FWS Form 3-200-24, 
``Export of Live Captive-Born Animals and/or Part/Products from Non-
Native Species under the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species (CITES),'' for information collected on live animals 
to include the sex and birth/hatch date of the live wildlife to be re-
exported.

[[Page 39115]]

    We do not plan to make changes to the annual report forms contained 
in this collection. We do make note that some permits are issued with 
specific reporting requirements at the termination of the permitted 
activity. The information varies based on the permitted activities. The 
report is submitted at the time a permit renewal is requested or at the 
termination of the permitted activity.
    The public may request copies of any form or document contained in 
this information collection by sending a request to the Service 
Information Collection Clearance Officer (see ADDRESSES, above).
    Title of Collection: Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Applications 
and Reports--Management Authority; 50 CFR 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23.
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0093.
    Form Numbers: FWS Forms 3-200-19 through 3-200-37, 3-200-39 through 
3-200-43, 3-200-46 through 3-200-53, 3-200-58, 3-200-61, 3-200-64 
through 3-200-66, 3-200-69, 3-200-70, 3-200-73 through 3-200-76, 3-200-
80, and 3-200-85 through 3-200-88.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Description of Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals (including 
hunters); private sector (including biomedical companies, circuses, 
zoological parks, botanical gardens, nurseries, museums, universities, 
antique dealers, exotic pet industry, taxidermists, commercial 
importers/exporters of wildlife and plants, freight forwarders/
brokers); and State, local, Tribal, and Federal governments.
    Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 6,659.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 8,912.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 15 minutes to 
43.5 hours, depending on activity.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 7,961.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion or annually, depending on 
activity.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $629,400 for costs 
associated with application processing fees, which range from $0 to 
$250. There is no fee for reports. State, local, Tribal, and Federal 
government agencies and those acting on their behalf are exempt from 
processing fees.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-13990 Filed 6-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P