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[Federal Register: January 11, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 8)]
[Notices]               
[Page 1440-1441]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ja02-31]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 010702B]

 
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NMFS Alaska 
Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

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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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 
(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via the 
Internet at <A HREF="mailto:MClayton@doc.gov">MClayton@doc.gov</A>).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Patsy A. Bearden, F/AKR2, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668 (telephone 907-586-7008).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    As required in the reasonable and prudent measures in the 
Endangered Species Act, Section 7 biological opinion on the effects of 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska pollock, Atka 
mackerel, and Pacific cod fisheries on the endangered Steller sea 
lions, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has implemented changes 
to information collected from fishery participants. Any vessel that is 
registered for directed fishing for Pacific cod, pollock, and Atka 
mackerel in the exclusive economic zone off Alaska must install a 
vessel monitoring system (VMS) unit and operate the VMS while directed 
fishing for each of the species. The VMS unit automatically transmits 
location information every 20 minutes. NOAA uses the information for 
determining vessel locations and enforcing the closure of areas of 
critical habitat. Participants must also fax NOAA a check-in report 
when a VMS unit has been installed.

II. Method of Collection

    The position reports are electronic and automatic. Check-in reports 
must be faxed.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0445.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 539.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 6 hours to install a VMS, 4 hours per 
year to maintain a VMS, 5 seconds for an automated position report, and 
12 minutes to fax a check-in report.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,044.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $811,000.

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

[[Page 1441]]

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: January 4, 2002.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-782 Filed 1-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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