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[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 27051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12957]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Alaska Region Gear Identification; Proposed Collection

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 14, 1998.

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.

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/AK01, NOAA/NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 
(907-586-7228).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Participants in the groundfish fishery in the Alaska Region are 
required to identify all longline marker buoys carried onboard or used 
by any vessel. This requirement is currently cleared under OMB Control 
Number 0648-0305, which dealt with all NOAA gear-marking requirements, 
but those requirements will now be submitted on a regional basis.

II. Method of Collection

    The vessel's name, Federal fisheries permit number, or the vessel's 
registration number shall be in characters at least 4 inches (10.16 cm) 
in height and 0.5 in. (1.27 cm) in width in a contrasting color visible 
above the water line and shall be maintained so the markings are 
clearly visible.

III. Data

    OMB Number: New Number to be Assigned.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals, Business and other for-profit 
(commercial fishermen).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,916.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 0.25 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,450 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: The cost to fishermen is 
minimal. Materials needed are paint and paint brush, or permanent ink 
applicator, and possibly a stencil. Labor costs probably range between 
$10 and $15 per hour with the average estimated time varying from 1 to 
5 minutes to paint/mark each buoy. Total estimated cost per vessel 
varies greatly with the type and amount of gear being used. Given the 
adverse weather conditions and salt water, we expect each number will 
need to be repainted, repaired, or replaced annually.

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: May 12, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-12957 Filed 5-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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