[Federal Register: September 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 175)]
[Notices]               
[Page 49161]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10se99-60]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

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

 
Requirements for Taking Endangered or Threatened Species for 
Research/Enhancement Purposes

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 Karen Salvini, Office of Protected Resources, 
Room 13603, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226, (301) 713-1401 (x130).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq.) 
imposed prohibitions against the taking of endangered species. Section 
10 of the ESA allows permits authorizing the taking of endangered 
species for research/enhancement purposes. The corresponding 
regulations established procedures for persons to apply for such 
permits. In addition, the regulations set forth specific reporting 
requirements for such permit holders.
    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. In order to issue permits as under ESA 
section 10(a)(1)(A), NMFS must determine that(1) such exceptions were 
applied for in good faith, (2) if granted and exercised will not 
operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species, and (3) will be 
consistent with the purposes and policy set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

II. Method of Collection

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

III. Data

     OMB Number: None
     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.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 140
     Estimated Time Per Response: 40 hours for permit applications, 10 
hours for permit modification requests, 10 hours for annual reports, 
and 20 hours for final reports.
     Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,000
     Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $290

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: August 30, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-23483 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F