Notice2023-21845
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms
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
October 3, 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 190 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68110-68111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21845]
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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; Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms
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 December 4, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0e40414f4f205e5c4f4e60616f6f20696178"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f7b9b8b6b6d9a7a5b6b799989696d9909881">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0206 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 Gabrielle Aberle, National Marine Fisheries Service, P.O. Box 21668,
Juneau, AK, 99802-1668. Telephone 907-586-7356.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Alaska Region, is
requesting extension of a currently approved information collection for
the applications for the Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP), the Federal
Processor Permit (FPP), and the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP).
NMFS requires an FFP for U.S. vessels that are used to fish for
groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska or Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. An
FFP is also required for vessels used to fish for any non-groundfish
species and that are required to retain any bycatch of groundfish under
50 CFR 679.4(b). An FPP is required for stationary floating processors
(processing vessels that operate solely within Alaska State waters) and
is required for shoreside processors that receive and/or process
groundfish harvested from Federal waters or from any federally
permitted vessels. NMFS issues an EFP to allow groundfish fishing
activities that would otherwise be prohibited under regulations for
groundfish fishing. EFPs are issued to support projects that could
benefit the groundfish fisheries and the environment and result in
gathering information not otherwise available through research or
commercial fishing operations. Regulations governing these permits are
at 50 CFR 600.745, 679.4, and 679.6.
Section 303(b)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act specifically recognizes the need for permit issuance.
Requiring a permit for marine resource users--mandated by 50 CFR
679.4(b), 679.4(f); 679.6; and 600.745(b)--is one of the regulatory
steps taken to carry out conservation and management objectives. Permit
issuance is essential in fishery resources management for
identification of the participants and expected activity levels and for
regulatory compliance. The information requested on the FFP, FPP, and
EFP applications is used for fisheries management and regulatory
compliance by NMFS Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS Restricted
Access Management Program, NMFS Observer Program, NOAA Office of Law
Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the North Pacific Fisheries
Management Council.
The type of information collected on the FFP application includes
permit holder identification information, vessel information, permit
information, and species endorsements. Information collected on the FPP
application includes processor identification information, stationary
floating processor or community quota entity vessel information, and
vessel ownership information. An EFP application includes information
on the applicant and a description of the project design including how
it will vary from current fishing regulations, the species affected and
targeted, when and where the fishing will take place, the vessel that
will be used, and a provision for public release of all obtained
information.
II. Method of Collection
The FFP and FPP application forms are available as fillable pdfs on
the NMFS Alaska Region website and are
[[Page 68111]]
submitted by mail, delivery, or fax. An FPP may be renewed online
through eFISH on the NMFS Alaska Region website. There is no form to
apply for an EFP. Applicants submit the required information by mail,
delivery, email, or fax.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0206.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current
information collection).
Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 484.
Estimated Time per Response: Application for Federal Fisheries
Permit: 21 minutes; Application for Federal Processor Permit: 25
minutes; Exempted Fisheries Permit application: 100 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 474 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,420 in recordkeeping and
reporting costs.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits,
mandatory.
Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act.
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. 2023-21845 Filed 10-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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