[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16012-16013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06142]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey
[Docket No. USGS-ECO-2026-0001; OMB Control Number 1028-0116;
GX.25.WB00.COM16.00]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Alaska Beak Deformity
Observations
AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995,
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to renew an information
collection as part of the ongoing research in North American birds.
Members of the public provide observation reports of birds with
deformities from Alaska and other regions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
June 1, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
[ssquf] Internet: https://www.regulations.gov. Search for and
submit comments on Docket No. USGS-ECO-2026-0001.
[ssquf] U.S. Mail: USGS, Information Collections Clearance Officer,
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 20192.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colleen Handel by email at
[email protected], or by telephone at 907-786-7181. 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 PRA of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information
collections require approval under the PRA. An agency may not conduct
or sponsor, nor is an individual 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 the agency might minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
[[Page 16013]]
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 personally identifying information
(PII) in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your PII--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: As part of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area effort to
provide science that is used by managers, policymakers, and others for
decisions that protect, conserve, and enhance healthy fish and wildlife
populations across the United States and beyond, the Alaska Science
Center Landbird Program conducts research on avian populations within
Alaska. Beginning in the late 1990s, an outbreak of beak deformities in
Black-capped Chickadees and other species emerged in southcentral
Alaska. USGS scientists launched a study to understand the scope of
this problem and its effect on wild birds. Since that time, researchers
have gathered important information about the deformities--they have
identified a new virus as the likely cause and the geographical
distribution appears to be expanding. The collection of PII is
requested as part of this ongoing research in North American birds.
Members of the public provide observation reports of birds with
deformities from Alaska and other regions. These reports are very
important in that they allow researchers to determine the geographical
distribution of the beak deformities and species affected. Data
collection over such a large and remote area would not be possible
without the public's assistance. As part of the online reporting
system, an individual's phone number, email address, and mailing
address are requested. This information allows researchers to request
additional details or verify reports if necessary but is not required
for submission. PII is used only for contact purposes, is stored in a
separate table that is encrypted, and is not shared in any way with
other individuals, groups, or organizations.
Title of Collection: Alaska Beak Deformity Observations.
OMB Control Number: 1028-0116.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals/households.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 150.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 175.
Estimated Completion Time per Response: Approximately 5 minutes.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 15 hours.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: One time.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
The authority for this action is the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.).
Brian D. Kimbrell,
USGS Federal Register Liaison, U.S. Department of the Interior [bond]
Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-06142 Filed 3-27-26; 11:15 am]
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