[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53902-53904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17077]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-0003; FXMB123109WEBB0-234-FF09M26000; OMB 
Control Number 1018-0019]


Agency Information Collection Activities; North American Woodcock 
Singing Ground Survey

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; comment period reopening.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, on February 
28, 2023, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, published a notice 
announcing that we are proposing to renew an existing information 
collection (IC) without change. The notice opened a public comment 
period, which closed on May 1, 2023. We subsequently identified 
proposed changes to the IC that were not included in the original 
notice; therefore, we are now republishing the notice in full, 
including the proposed changes, and reopening the comment period.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
October 10, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request 
(ICR) by one of the following methods (reference Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1018-0019 in the subject line of your 
comment):
     Internet (preferred): https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2023-
0003.
     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 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 at 5 
CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 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.
    On February 28, 2023, we published a notice announcing that we are 
proposing to renew an existing information collection (88 FR 12695). 
The notice opened a public comment period, which closed on May 1, 2023. 
We subsequently identified proposed changes which were not included in 
the original notice; therefore, we are now republishing the notice in 
full, including the proposed changes, and reopening the comment period. 
Our final determination will take into consideration all written 
comments and information we receive during both comment periods.
    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 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712) 
designates the Department of the Interior as the primary agency 
responsible for managing migratory bird populations frequenting the 
United States and setting hunting regulations that allow for the well-
being of migratory bird populations. These responsibilities dictate 
that we gather accurate data on various characteristics of migratory 
bird populations.
    The North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey is an essential 
part of the migratory bird management program. Federal, State, 
Provincial, Tribal, and local conservation agencies conduct the survey 
annually to provide the data necessary to determine the population 
status of the American woodcock. In addition, the information is vital 
in assessing the relative changes in the geographic distribution of the 
species. We use the information primarily to develop recommendations 
for hunting regulations. Without information on the population's 
status, we might promulgate hunting regulations that:
     Are not sufficiently restrictive, which could cause harm 
to the woodcock population, or
     Are too restrictive, which would unduly restrict 
recreational opportunities afforded by woodcock hunting.
    State, local, Tribal, Provincial, and Federal conservation 
agencies, as well as other participants, use Form 3-156 to conduct 
annual field surveys. Instructions for completing the survey and 
reporting data are on the reverse of the form. Observers can scan/
email, scan/upload via link, mail, or fax Form 3-156 to the Division of 
Migratory Bird Management, or enter the information electronically 
through the internet at https://migbirdapps.fws.gov/woodcock.
    We collect observer information (name, telephone, email address, 
and mailing address) so that we can contact the observer if questions 
or concerns arise. Observers provide information on:
     Sky condition, temperature, wind, and precipitation.
     Stop number.
     Odometer reading.
     Time at each stop.
     Number of American Woodcock males heard peenting 
(calling).
     Disturbance level.

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     Comments concerning the survey.
    We use the information that we collect to analyze the survey data 
and prepare reports. Assessment of the population's status serves to 
guide the Service, the States, and the Canadian Government in the 
annual promulgation of hunting regulations.

Proposed Revisions

    We propose to revise our American Woodcock Singing-ground Survey 
data collection and data entry process over the 2023-2024 period. We 
will be eliminating the web browser data entry method and developing a 
data collection application that can be used on a portable electronic 
device while conducting field surveys. While we still plan to 
administer the paper-based survey form to every observer, the observer 
is not required to submit the paper-based results unless the observer 
does not utilize the data collection application in the field. Instead, 
data entry will occur through the application via a computer after the 
survey is complete. Utilizing this new application, observers will also 
be able to provide spatial information (e.g., GPS coordinates) for each 
stop location along the route. This additional piece of information 
will help maintain a verified spatial reference for the survey.
    Initially, we expect the burden time to be higher as respondents 
adjust to the new method to collect and enter data, and for reviewing 
the updated instructions and completing the training. However, once 
observers are trained in using the application, the estimated burden 
will decrease in subsequent years.
    Additionally, since most communication and survey material 
distribution between observers, state and province coordinators, and 
the national coordinator is primarily conducted by email, we no longer 
will be requiring the observer's mailing address and phone number.
    The public may request a copy of Form 3-156 contained in this 
information collection by sending a request to the Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer (see ADDRESSES).
    Title of Collection: North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0019.
    Form Number: Form 3-156.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: State, Provincial, local, and Tribal 
Governments.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Frequency of Collection: Annually.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

                                      Table 1--Burden Estimates: First Year
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                                                                                      Average
                                  Average number  Average number  Average number    completion       Estimated
           Requirement               of annual     of responses      of annual       time per      annual burden
                                    respondents        each          responses       response        hours \*\
                                                                                      (hours)
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                             Survey--US (In the Field App Collection and Submission)
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Government......................             291               1             291            3.58           1,042
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                            Survey--CAN (In the Field App Collection and Submission)
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Foreign Gov.....................             101               1             101            3.58             362
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                                           Survey--US (App Submission)
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Government......................             290               1             290            3.72           1,079
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                                          Survey--CAN (App Submission)
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Foreign Gov.....................             100               1             100            3.72             372
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                                                   Survey--US
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Government......................               2               1               2            1.92               4
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                                                   Survey--CAN
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Foreign Gov.....................              36               1              36            1.92              69
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    Totals......................             820  ..............             820  ..............           2,928
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\*\ Rounded.


                                   Table 2--Burden Estimates: Subsequent Years
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                                                                                      Average
                                  Average number  Average number  Average number    completion       Estimated
           Requirement               of annual     of responses      of annual       time per      annual burden
                                    respondents        each          responses       response        hours \*\
                                                                                      (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Survey--US (In the Field App Collection and Submission)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government......................             291               1             291            1.92             559
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[[Page 53904]]

 
                            Survey--CAN (In the Field App Collection and Submission)
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Foreign Gov.....................             101               1             101            1.92             194
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                                           Survey--US (App Submission)
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Government......................             290               1             290            2.05             595
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                                          Survey--CAN (App Submission)
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Foreign Gov.....................             100               1             100            2.05             205
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                                                   Survey--US
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government......................               2               1               2            1.92               4
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                                                   Survey--CAN
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Foreign Gov.....................              36               1              36            1.92              69
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    Totals......................             820  ..............             820  ..............           1,626
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\*\ Rounded.

    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. 2023-17077 Filed 8-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P