[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 3638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00969]


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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; Fishermen's Contingency Fund

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 19, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0082 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 Moni Banerjee, Chief, Financial Services Division, NOAA National 
Marine Fisheries Service, (301) 427-8716 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    United States (U.S.) commercial fishermen may file claims for 
compensation for losses of, or damage to, fishing gear or vessels, plus 
50 percent of resulting economic losses, attributable to oil and gas 
activities on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. To obtain compensation, 
applicants must comply with requirements set forth in 50 CFR part 296.
    The requirements include a ``report'' within 15 days of the date 
the vessel first returns to port after the casualty incident to gain a 
presumption of eligible causation, and an ``application'' within 90 
days of when the applicant first became aware of the loss and/or 
damage.
    The report is NOAA Form 88-166 and it requests identifying 
information such as: Respondent's name; address; social security 
number; and casualty location. The information in the report is usually 
completed by NOAA during a telephone call with the respondent.
    The application is NOAA Form 88-164 and it requires the respondent 
to provide information on the property and economic losses and/or 
damages including type of damage; purchase date and price of lost/
damaged gear; and income from recent fishing trips. It also includes an 
affidavit by which the applicant attests to the truthfulness of the 
claim.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents may telephone NOAA and provide the information for the 
report verbally or submit a paper or electronic report. Respondents 
have a choice of either electronic or paper forms for the application.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0082.
    Form Number: NOAA Forms 88-164, 88-166.
    Type of Review: Extension of a current information collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes for a report and 7 hours, 
45 minutes for an application.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 160.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: $500 in recordkeeping 
and filing costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.
    Legal Authority: Title IV of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
Amendments of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1841) authorizes the Fishermen's 
Contingency Fund (Fund or FCF) program to compensate U.S. commercial 
fishermen for losses of, or damages to, fishing gear or vessels, plus 
50% of resulting gross economic loss, attributable to oil and gas 
activities on the OCS. Program requirements are set forth in 50 CFR 
part 296.

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. 2024-00969 Filed 1-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P