Notice2023-20567
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions To Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions With North Atlantic Right Whales
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 22, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 183 (Friday, September 22, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65367-65368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20567]
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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; Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions To Reduce the
Threat of Ship Collisions With North Atlantic Right Whales
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 November 21, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f51505e5e314f4d5e5f71707e7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eda3a2acacc3bdbfacad83828c8cc38a829b">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0580 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 Meghan Gahm, NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, 1315
East-West Highway, 13th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 427-8494;
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#107d757778717e3e7771787d507e7f71713e777f66"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="771a12101f16195910161f1a371918161659101801">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is requesting renewal
of a currently approved collection of information. On October 10, 2008,
NMFS published a final rule with regulations (0648-AS36) implementing
seasonal speed restrictions along the east coast of the U.S. to reduce
the incidence and severity of vessel collisions with endangered North
Atlantic right whales (73 FR 60173). The final rule contained a
mandatory collection-of-information requirement subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). Specifically, 50 CFR 224.105(c) requires
a logbook entry to document that a deviation from the speed limit was
necessary for safe maneuverability under certain conditions. On
November 18, 2021, the information collection was revised to include a
voluntary survey of vessel operators to evaluate their ability and
willingness to: (1) comply with North Atlantic right whale mandatory
speed restrictions, and (2) cooperate with voluntary speed reduction
efforts to protect North Atlantic right whales, which are promoted
through NMFS outreach efforts. NOAA collects information from two types
of vessels (pleasure yachts and large ocean-going vessels) in two
different areas of the North Atlantic right whales' range using
voluntary online surveys and small focus groups. The surveys collect
information about vessel operators' time spent on the water, experience
and knowledge about large whales, knowledge of North Atlantic vessel
strike reduction efforts, opinions about these whales and conservation
efforts, and their preferred means of receiving information. Results
from this information collection will be used to develop effective
outreach to these vessel communities, with the long-term goal of
improving the communities' compliance with mandatory measures and
cooperation with voluntary measures that support North Atlantic right
whale vessel strike reduction conservation efforts.
II. Method of Collection
Vessel logbook entries are required from vessel operators if an
exception to the vessel speed restriction is invoked, and the speed
limit exceeded. Typically, paper logbooks are not routinely
[[Page 65368]]
submitted to a federal agency and remain entirely on individual
vessels. However, logbooks may be requested by federal authorities if
questions arise regarding the circumstances under which the deviation
was invoked. Voluntary survey effort information is collected in three
ways: (1) electronically; (2) in-person focus groups; or (3) virtual
focus groups.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0580.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission [extension of an approved
information collection].
Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,624.
Estimated Time per Response: Five minutes for safety deviation
logbook entry; one hour for electronic survey; two hours and 30 minutes
for focus groups.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 674.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0.
Respondent's Obligation: Logbook entries are required to lawfully
deviate from the speed regulations; survey is voluntary.
Legal Authority: Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.;
and Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.
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. 2023-20567 Filed 9-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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