Notice2026-19086
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Analysis of and Review of Ocean Exploration Video Products
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 17, 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 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58851-58852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19086]
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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; Analysis of and Review of Ocean Exploration Video Products
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 16, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e00010f0f601e1c0f0e20212f2f60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c32333d3d522c2e3d3c12131d1d521b130a">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0748 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 Liz Hoadley. NOAA Ocean Exploration, NOAA Disaster Response Center,
7344 Zeigler Blvd., Mobile, AL, 36608. (240) 429-8706;
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ddb1b4a7f3b5b2bcb9b1b8a49db3b2bcbcf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0dcd9ca9ed8dfd1d4dcd5c9f0dedfd1d19ed7dfc6">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for a revision and extension to an approved
information collection.
NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (NOAA Ocean
Exploration) is the only federal organization dedicated to ocean
exploration. By using unique capabilities in terms of personnel,
technology, infrastructure, and exploration missions, NOAA Ocean
Exploration is reducing unknowns in deep-ocean areas and providing
high-value environmental intelligence needed by NOAA and the nation to
address both current and emerging science and management needs. Our
expertise, work products, and services generally fall into the areas
outlined at <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/">https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/</a>; however, none of
these areas operate independently and it is only through leveraging
resources internally and externally that we can truly achieve our
mission. Since the inception of NOAA's exploration program in 2001,
data management has been guided by the 2000 President's Panel Report
recommendations which prioritized rapid and unrestricted data sharing
as one of five critical exploration program components. More recently,
Public Law 111-11 [Section XII Ocean Exploration] reinforced and
expanded ocean exploration data management objectives, continuing to
stress the importance of sharing unique exploration data and
information to improve public understanding of the oceans, and for
research and management purposes.
Telepresence satellite communication from the ship to shore brings
the unknown ocean to the screens of both scientists and the general
public in their homes, schools or offices in near real time. With
technology constantly evolving it is important to address the needs of
the shore-based scientists and public to maintain a high level of
participation. We use voluntary surveys to identify the needs of users
of data, best approaches to leverage expertise of shore-based
participants for meaningful public engagement focused on ocean
exploration. The four forms used to collect information are as follows:
(1) Sailing Contact Information. This form is sent to the few
scientists that directly sail on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. The ship's
operations and medical officers needs certain information such as: if a
sailing individual has securely submitted their proper medical
documents to NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations; if the
person is up to date with required security
[[Page 58852]]
documents, such as a passport, if the ship is traveling to a foreign
port; any dietary restrictions so that the person will be served food
that is safe. Modifications to this form are largely to bring it into
compliance with new NOAA policies (remove COVID-19 language, updated
medical policies, image and likeness releases, etc.) and small content
edits to reflect office changes in partnership status and ship sailing
logistics. (2) Okeanos Explorer Participation Assessment. This
voluntary form is sent to the scientists that sailed on any Okeanos
Explorer cruise funded by NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and
Research to record any feedback they wish to provide to the office
about their experience. The office uses their feedback in assessments
for improving the utility and experience of these scientific guests
sailing on the Okeanos Explorer. Minimal edits to this form are made to
bring the form into compliance with current policy. (3) EX
Collaboration Tools Account Request Form. This voluntary form is sent
to members of the marine scientific community at the beginning of a
fiscal year to ask if members would like to participate in any of the
upcoming cruises and to what degree, such as simply asking to be
included in emailed updates or if they want to be on a direct line to
the ship for remotely operated vehicle dive operations. Modifications
to this form are adding clarifying information based on user feedback,
making office updates (new engineering partner) and updating
information for the current field season. (4) Science Lead Interest
Solicitation. This voluntary form will be used to solicit interest from
the scientific community to serve as a Science Lead on one of NOAA
Ocean Exploration's expeditions. No edits have been made to this form
since the last submission. The Citizen Scientist Form was previously
part of this information collection. It is no longer utilized by the
office and can be removed for the renewal of this information
collection.
II. Method of Collection
Information is collected via online form.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0748.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission [revision and extension of a
current information collection].
Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations; not-for-profit institutions; Federal government.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 668 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping or
reporting costs.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary or required to obtain services
or benefits.
Legal Authority: Public law 111-11, Section XII Ocean Exploration.
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. 2026-19086 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KD-P
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