[Federal Register: December 22, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 245)]
[Notices]               
[Page 70755]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22de98-39]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

 
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

    Title: Scientific Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Activity 
Submissions.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a 
proposal to renew Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance for 
this information collection. OMB clearance is required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 22, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to: William D. Chappell, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13461, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; telephone 301-713-2341.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This is a renewal of an information collection reflecting 
regulatory requirements governing scientific research activity, 
exempted fishing, and exempted educational activities under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (50 CFR 
Secs. 600.512 and 600.745). Eligible and prospective researchers may 
submit a scientific research plan to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS). NMFS will issue a letter of acknowledgment that may 
establish a presumption that the applicant's activity is research and 
exempt from Magnuson-Stevens Act regulations. The information 
collection also includes standard requirements for persons applying for 
exempted fishing permits and exempted educational activities. Reports 
may be required on exempted fishing and exempted educational 
activities. Reports from scientific research activities are voluntary.

II. Method of Collection

    This information is collected by an applicant's submission of 
documentation as specified in the regulations. A researcher desiring to 
obtain a letter of acknowledgment of research for a scientific research 
vessel must submit a request and scientific research plan to the 
appropriate NMFS Regional Administrator. Applicants for an exempted 
fishing permit or exempted educational activity authorization must 
submit applications to the Regional Administrator that contain the 
information specified in the regulations. Reports are submitted to 
NMFS.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0309.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions; Federal Government; and State, Local, or Tribal 
Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 269.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 269.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no capital 
expenditures).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 15, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-33797 Filed 12-21-98; 8:45 am]
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