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###### Department of the Interior

###### Fish and Wildlife Service

          - [FWS-HQ-MB-2020-N152; FXMB123109WEBB0-201-FF09M26000; OMB Control Number 1018-0019]

# AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

# ACTION:

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

# SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an information collection.

# DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before January 19, 2021.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to                         *www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.*                         Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Please provide a copy of your comments to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or by email to                         *Info_Coll@fws.gov.*                         Please reference OMB Control Number 1018-0019 in the subject line of your comments.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at                         *Info_Coll@fws.gov,*                         or by telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance. You may also view the information collection request (ICR) at                         *http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501*et seq.*) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.                

                    On August 3, 2020, we published in the                     **Federal Register**                     (85 FR 46692) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on October 2, 2020. We received the following comments in response to that notice:                

*Comment 1:*                     The Atlantic Flyway Council expressed its support for continuation of the survey. Continuation of the survey is critical for the responsible management of American woodcock, an important migratory game bird in the Atlantic Flyway and North America. The SURVEY provides the only long-term, range-wide monitoring program for American woodcock. The results of the SURVEY form the basis of the American woodcock harvest strategy used to set the annual hunting regulations for American woodcock in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. The data collection and reporting estimates provided by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are reasonable and accurate.                

*Agency Response to Comment 1:*                     No action was taken, since the support was positive and there were no recommendations for improvement.                

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following:

(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

                    (4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology,                     *e.g.,*                     permitting electronic submission of response.                

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

*Abstract:*                     The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712) designates the Department of the Interior as the primary agency responsible for managing migratory bird populations frequenting the United States and setting hunting regulations that allow for the well-being of migratory bird populations. These responsibilities dictate that we gather accurate data on various characteristics of migratory bird populations.                

The North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey is an essential part of the migratory bird management program. Federal, State, Provincial, Tribal, and local conservation agencies conduct the survey annually to provide the data necessary to determine the population status of the American woodcock. In addition, the information is vital in assessing the relative changes in the geographic distribution of the species. We use the information primarily to develop recommendations for hunting regulations. Without information on the population's status, we might promulgate hunting regulations that:
    - Are not sufficiently restrictive, which could cause harm to the woodcock population, or
    - Are too restrictive, which would unduly restrict recreational opportunities afforded by woodcock hunting.

The Service, State, and Provincial conservation agencies, university associates, and other interested parties use the data for various research and management projects.

*Title of Collection:*                     North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     1018-0019.                

*Form Number:*                     FWS Form 3-156.                

*Type of Review:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection.                

*Respondents/Affected Public:*                     State, Provincial, local, and Tribal employees.                

*Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents:*                     808.                

*Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses:*                     808.                

*Estimated Completion Time per Response:*                     Varies from 1.75 hours to 1.88 hours, depending on activity.                

*Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours:*                     1,515.                          ( print page 82505)    

*Respondent's Obligation:*                     Voluntary.                

*Frequency of Collection:*                     Annually.                

*Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost:*                     None.                

An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

                    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501*et seq.*).                

Madonna Baucum,

Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 2020-27889 Filed 12-17-20; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4333-15-P