Notice2026-08641
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Green Sturgeon 4(d) Rule Take Exceptions and Exemptions
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
May 4, 2026
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 91 Issue 85 (Monday, May 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 85 (Monday, May 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23969-23970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08641]
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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; Green Sturgeon 4(d) Rule Take Exceptions and Exemptions
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
[[Page 23970]]
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 July 6, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#347a7b75751a646675745a5b55551a535b42"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="296766686807797b686947464848074e465f">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0613 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
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Susan Wang, Fishery Biologist, NMFS West Coast Region, 501 West
Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 980-4199,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5b082e283a35750c3a353c1b35343a3a753c342d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="14476167757a3a43757a73547a7b75753a737b62">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This is a request for renewal of an approved information
collection. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), West Coast
Region, is the sponsor of this information collection which is
authorized under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to evaluate
activities involving threatened green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris).
On April 7, 2006, NMFS listed the Southern Distinct Population
Segment (DPS) of North American green sturgeon as threatened under the
ESA (71 FR 17757). On June 2, 2010, NMFS established protective
regulations for the Southern DPS under section 4(d) of the ESA (ESA
4(d) rule) (75 FR 30714; 50 CFR 223.210). To comply with the ESA and
the protective regulations, entities must obtain take authorization
prior to engaging in activities involving take of Southern DPS fish
unless the activity is covered by an exception or exemption. The ESA
defines ``take'' as to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill,
trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.
Certain activities described in the ``exceptions'' provision of 50 CFR
223.210(b) are not subject to the take prohibitions if they adhere to
specific criteria and reporting requirements. Under the ``exemption''
provision of 50 CFR 223.210(c), the take prohibitions do not apply to
scientific research, scientific monitoring, and fisheries activities
conducted under an approved 4(d) program or plan. Similarly, take
prohibitions do not apply to tribal resource management activities
conducted under a Tribal Plan for which the requisite determinations
described in 50 CFR 223.210(c)(3) have been made.
To ensure that activities qualify under exceptions to or exemptions
from the take prohibitions, local, state, and federal agencies, non-
governmental organizations, academic researchers, and private
organizations are asked to submit detailed information regarding their
activity on a schedule to be determined by NMFS staff. This information
is used by NMFS to (1) track the number of Southern DPS fish taken as a
result of each action; (2) understand and evaluate the cumulative
effects of each action on the Southern DPS; and (3) determine whether
additional protections are needed for the species, or whether
additional exceptions may be warranted. NMFS designed the criteria to
ensure that actions meeting the criteria would adequately limit effects
on threatened Southern DPS fish, such that additional protections in
the form of a federal take prohibition would not be necessary and
advisable.
II. Method of Collection
Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms.
Methods of submittal include email of electronic forms, and mail and
facsimile transmission of paper forms.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0613.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently
approved collection).
Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; State, local, or
Tribal government; Federal government; business or other for-profit
organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 58.
Estimated Time per Response: Written notification describing
research, monitoring, or habitat restoration activities, 40 hours;
Development of Fisheries Management and Evaluation plans or state 4(d)
research programs, 40 hours; Reports, 5 hours; Development of a Tribal
Fishery Management Plan, 20 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,760 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $200.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.
Legal Authority: Endangered Species 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 information collection request. 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,
Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2026-08641 Filed 5-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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