National Permits System
The National Permits System (NPS) Project is a high profile NMFS project aimed at harmonizing the different permit systems across
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the agency. From this system all regional permit offices will standardize the collection of fees, automate the issuance of commercial fishing permits, and share readily available data from a single national source. In addition, constituents will benefit from a uniform agency permitting process, automated and streamlined online access, and improved customer service. The project effort has a multi-phased approach.
Benefits
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Self-sustained Program
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Serves our constituents with an improved, harmonized, and self-sustained national fisheries permit program
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Employs the most effective means to retain revenue within NOAA Fisheries
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Standardized Fee Structures and Cost Accounting
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Identifies common mechanisms across regions for charging and recovering administrative costs for issuing permits
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Provides analysis of the differences in fee collection policies across issuing authorities
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Aligns policies and regulations
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Analysis for creating a uniform fee collection process
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Management of communication and outreach issues, and interagency coordination issues
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Supports systems enhancements
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Links current and historical data residing on regional databases
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Standardizes permit applications and renewal