[Federal Register: September 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 175)]
[Notices]               
[Page 49160-49161]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10se99-59]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 090399B]

 
Requirements for All Marine Mammal Special Exception Permits To 
Take, Import and Export Marine Mammals; for Maintaining a Captive 
Marine Mammal Inventory

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

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 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 9, 
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 (or via 
Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Ann Hochman, Permits Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (301) 713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Fur Seal Act and the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibit the taking, import, and export of 
marine mammals with certain exceptions. Respondents will be applicants 
for and holders of scientific research and enhancement permits, 
commercial and educational photograph permits, public display permits 
for captures and first-time imports, and General Authorizations for 
Level B scientific research projects. Applicants wanting a permit or 
authorization to take, import or export must provide certain 
information to be used as a basis for determining whether a permit or 
authorization should be issued. Permit holders and authorized 
researchers under the General Authorization are required to report 
periodically on activities conducted, species taken, and to update 
information as necessary on any marine mammals held captive for 
purposes of maintaining the marine mammal inventory as required under 
the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA.

II. Method of Collection

    The collection of information will be in the form of applications, 
annual and final reports, and notifications responding to requirements 
in regulations and instructions; no forms are required.

III. Data

     OMB Number: 0648-0084
     Form Number: N/A
     Type of Review: Regular submission
     Affected public: Non-profit institutions; state, local, or tribal 
government; businesses or other for-profit; and Federal government. The 
majority of the affected public will be from the scientific research 
community, photographic journalists, and public display facilities.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 570
     Estimated Time Per Response: 29 hours for permit applications for 
scientific research (SR), enhancement (EN), public display (PD), 
Letters of Intent under the General Authorization (GA), and major 
amendments to permits; 10 hours for applications for photography 
permits; 3 hours for minor amendments and requests for changes under 
the GA; 2 hours for requests for the retention or transfer of 
nonreleasable rehabilitated marine mammals; 12 hours each for reports 
for SR, EN or projects under the GA; and 2 hours for recordkeeping 
needs. Public display reports and annual recordkeeping are each 
estimated at 2 hours. Photography annual reports and recordkeeping are 
each estimated at 2 hours. Notifications of transports and submission 
of Marine Mammal Data Sheets have been estimated at one hour and one-
half hour, respectively.
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,295
     Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $580

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

[[Page 49161]]

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: August 30, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-23482 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F