Notice2024-12449
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Permits for Incidental Taking of Endangered or Threatened Species
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
June 6, 2024
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, in addition, 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 89 Issue 110 (Thursday, June 6, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 110 (Thursday, June 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48398-48399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12449]
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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; Permits for Incidental Taking of Endangered or Threatened
Species
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, in addition, 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 August 5, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#713f3e30305f212330311f1e10105f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="db95949a9af58b899a9bb5b4babaf5bcb4ad">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0230 in the subject line of your
comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will
generally be posted on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> without change. Do
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
[[Page 48399]]
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Celeste Stout, Fisheries Management Specialist, NMFS, Office of
Protected Resources, (301) 427-8436, and <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1e2c4cdc4d2d5c48ff2d5ced4d5e1cfcec0c08fc6ced7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b9fadcd5dccacddc97eacdd6cccdf9d7d6d8d897ded6cf">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for an extension of a currently approved
information collection. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) imposed prohibitions against the taking of
endangered species. In 1982, Congress revised the ESA to allow permits
authorizing the taking of endangered species incidental to otherwise
lawful activities. The corresponding regulations (50 CFR part 222.222)
established procedures for persons to apply for such a permit. In
addition, the regulations set forth specific reporting requirements for
such permit holders.
The regulations contain three sets of information collections: (l)
applications for incidental take permits, (2) applications for
certificates of inclusion, and (3) reporting requirements for permits
issued. Certificates of inclusion are only required if a general permit
is issued to a representative of a group of potential permit
applicants, rather than requiring each entity to apply for and receive
a permit.
The required information is used to evaluate the impacts of the
proposed activity on endangered species, to make the determinations
required by the ESA prior to issuing a permit, and to establish
appropriate permit conditions.
When a species is listed as threatened, section 4(d) of the ESA
requires the Secretary to issue whatever regulations are deemed
necessary or advisable to provide for conservation of the species. In
many cases those regulations reflect blanket application of the section
9 take prohibition. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) recognizes certain exceptions to that prohibition, including
habitat restoration actions taken in accord with approved state
watershed action plans. While watershed plans are prepared for other
purposes in coordination with or fulfillment of various state programs,
a watershed group wishing to take advantage of the exception for
restoration activities (rather than obtaining a section 10 permit)
would have to submit the plan for NMFS review.
II. Method of Collection
Currently, most information is collected through email, but in some
instances, there are paper applications mailed in.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0230.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently
approved information collection).
Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit, not-for-profit institutions, and state, local, or tribal
government.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 37.
Estimated Time per Response: 80 hours for a permit application
(including Habitat Conservation Plans), 40 minutes for transfer of an
incidental take permit; 8 hours for a permit report, 30 minutes for a
Certificate of Inclusion and 10 hours for a watershed plan.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 424.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0; we now collect
everything digitally.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.
Legal Authority: ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 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. 2024-12449 Filed 6-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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