[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 146 (Friday, July 31, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48403-48404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15447]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey
[Docket No. USGS-2026-0232; OMB Control Number 1028-0136;
GX26MR00UTCWD00]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Nonindigenous Aquatic
Species eDNA Data Submission Forms
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 of 1995 (PRA),
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to renew an information
collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
August 31, 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-2026-0232.
[ssquf] U.S. Mail: USGS, Information Collections Clearance Officer,
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 20192.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this ICR, contact Matthew Neilson by email at [email protected],
or by telephone at +1 352-517-4091. Individuals in the United States
who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability
may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or Tele Braille) 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. You may also view the ICR
at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the public and other
Federal agencies with an opportunity 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.
A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on
May 19, 2026 (91 FR 29153) No comments were received.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other
Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are
especially interested in public comments 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 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 using 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. Before including your address, phone number, email
address, or other personally identifiable 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 PII from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Abstract: America is under siege by many harmful non-native species
of plants, animals, and microorganisms. More than 6,500 nonindigenous
species are now established in the United States, posing risks to
native species, valued ecosystems, and human and wildlife health. These
invaders extract a huge cost, an estimated $120 billion per year, to
mitigate their harmful impacts. The current annual environmental,
economic, and health-related costs of invasive species exceed those of
all other natural disasters combined.
Through its Invasive Species Program (http://www.usgs.gov/ecosystems/invasive_species/), the USGS plays an important role in
federal efforts to combat invasive species in natural and semi-natural
areas through early detection and assessment of newly established
invaders; monitoring of invading populations; and improving
understanding of the ecology of invaders and factors in the resistance
of habitats to invasion. The USGS provides the tools, technology, and
information supporting efforts to prevent, contain, control, and manage
invasive species nationwide. To meet user needs, the USGS also develops
methods for compiling and synthesizing accurate and reliable data and
information on invasive species for inclusion in a distributed and
integrated web-based information system.
As part of the USGS Invasive Species Program, the Nonindigenous
Aquatic Species (NAS) database (http://nas.er.usgs.gov/) functions as a
repository and clearinghouse for occurrence information on
[[Page 48404]]
nonindigenous aquatic species from across the United States. It
contains locality information on approximately 1,480 species of
vertebrates, invertebrates, and vascular plants introduced since 1850.
Taxa include foreign species as well as those native to North America
that have been transported outside of their natural range. The NAS
website provides immediate access to new occurrence records through a
real-time interface with the NAS database. Visitors to the website can
use a set of predefined queries to obtain lists of species according to
state or hydrologic basin of interest. Fact sheets, distribution maps,
and information on new occurrences are continually posted and updated.
Dynamically generated species distribution maps show the spatial
accuracy of the locations reported, population status, and links to
more information about each report.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) comprises genetic material that has been
sloughed, excreted, or otherwise released into the environment and can
be detected in water, soil, and air. For aquatic organisms, this
includes skin, excrement, mucus, saliva, blood, and gametes. Collection
of environmental samples can be screened for the presence of eDNA,
allowing for the detection of low-density organisms before
detectability by traditional sampling methods. The combination of
traditional specimen sightings and eDNA detections can provide more
complete species distribution records and significantly improve the
ability to respond quickly to new invasions as part of an early
detection rapid response (EDRR) system. Working with interagency eDNA
experts, the NAS database has used a consensus method to identify and
develop community data standards for integrating eDNA detection data.
Title of Collection: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species eDNA Data and
Metadata Submission Forms.
OMB Control Number: 1028-0136.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Renewal of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Federal, State, and local government
employees, and university personnel.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: We estimate
approximately 25 total respondents annually.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: We estimate a total of
35 responses annually.
Estimated Completion Time per Response: We estimate up to 90
minutes (1.5 hours) per response.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: We estimate a total
of 53 annual burden hours.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
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.).
Lynn Copeland,
Center Director.
[FR Doc. 2026-15447 Filed 7-30-26; 8:45 am]
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