[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57875-57876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15627]


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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; Management and Oversight of the National Estuarine Research 
Reserve System

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 September 16, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0121 in the subject line of your 
comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will 
generally be posted on https://www.regulations.gov without change. 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 Elizabeth Mountz, Stewardship Division Operations Manager, NOAA's 
Office for Coastal Management, N/OCM6, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 240-
533-0819, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a current information collection. 
The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, 16 U.S.C. 1451-1465, provides 
for the designation of estuarine research reserves representative of 
various regions and estuarine types in the United States to provide 
opportunities for long-term research, education and interpretation. 
During the site selection and designation process, information is 
collected from states in order to prepare a management plan and 
environmental impact statement. Designated reserves apply annually for 
operations funds by submitting a work plan; subsequently progress 
reports are required every six months for the duration of the award. 
Each reserve compiles an ecological characterization or site profile to 
describe the biological and physical environment of the reserve, 
research to date and research gaps. Reserves revise their management 
plans every five years. A competitive fellowship program supports 
opportunities for graduate students to conduct research at each 
reserve. This information is required to ensure that reserves are 
adhering to regulations and that the reserves are in keeping with the 
purpose for which they were designated.

II. Method of Collection

    All information is collected electronically.

[[Page 57876]]

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0121.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Non-profit institutions; State, local, or Tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.
    Estimated Time per Response: Management Plan revisions: 1,600 
hours/response; Site Profile: 1,800 hours/response; Reserve 
Designation: 2,500 hours/response; Cooperative Agreement progress 
reporting (including performance measures)--comprehensive: 10 hours/
response: Cooperative Agreement reporting--final, non-comprehensive 2 
hours/response; Performance Measures associated with Cooperative 
Agreement progress reporting: 3 hours/response; Cooperative Agreement 
application: 24 hours/response; NEPA and State Historic Preservation 
Office review: 2 hours/response.
    Please note that not all collection instruments listed above apply 
to all respondents. Also, some of the actions/collection instruments 
listed above (Management Plan revisions, Site Profile, and Reserve 
Designations) take place over a multiyear period; NOAA has listed the 
total estimated response time for these actions rather than the 
estimated annual response time.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,632.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Funding.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1461. Regulations implementing the 
National Estuarine Research Reserve System are at 15 CFR part 921.

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. 2024-15627 Filed 7-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P