[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 158 (Thursday, August 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56010-56011]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17733]


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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; NOAA Diving Program

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 October 16, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-XXXX 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 NOAA Diving Center Executive Officer, NOAA Diving Program, 7600 Sand 
Point Way NE, Building 8, Seattle, WA 98115, 206-526-6460.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This is a request for approval of a collection currently in use 
without OMB approval.
    The NOAA Diving Program (NDP) is administered by the U.S. 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA), and is headquartered at the NOAA Western Regional Center (WRC) 
in Seattle, Washington. The NDP provides the guidelines, policy, and 
training for all NOAA Divers, which includes all NOAA employees who 
dive, as well as contractors and volunteers, among others, who conduct 
diving operations.

[[Page 56011]]

    With more than 300 divers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) has the largest complement of divers of any 
civilian federal agency. NOAA Divers conduct operations in our nation's 
waters and beyond in support of NOAA's scientific research and 
operations. They are called upon to work in various conditions ranging 
from the warm, clear waters of a marine sanctuary, to the cold, murky 
waters of a commercial harbor. The tasks NOAA Divers complete are as 
varied as the waters they dive in, with most divers supporting projects 
and research of the National Ocean Service (NOS), the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the Office of Marine and Aviation 
Operations (OMAO).
    NOAA Divers are required to maintain a high level of proficiency, 
both in practice (in the water) and in theoretical understanding 
(academic learning) in order to continue to dive at NOAA. In addition, 
NOAA Divers must maintain medical fitness to dive and are required to 
send their diving equipment out for maintenance as scheduled. If 
requirements are not met, divers may become unauthorized to dive or 
suspended. In order to become NOAA Divers, candidates must first submit 
a diving physical to the NOAA Diving Medical Officers to determine if 
they are medically fit to dive. After that, divers must complete 
medical documentation annually to maintain authorization to dive. To 
maintain fitness to dive, it is imperative that divers recognize the 
need for a continual and aggressive exercise program that exceeds basic 
health maintenance standards.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected electronically via email.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission [information collection in use 
without OMB approval].
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 483.
    Estimated Time per Response: The time for response varies depending 
on the collection instrument. The response times range from one minute 
to two hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 214.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $35,100. This is an upper 
bound estimate that assumes that respondents providing a Report of 
Medical History--Diver do not have private insurance. If all 
respondents have private insurance, the estimated annual cost would be 
approximately $1,750 which assumes a $35 co-pay.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.
    Legal Authority:

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 Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-17733 Filed 8-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-P