[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 30715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14937]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Statement of Financial Interests (for Use by Members and 
Executive Directors of Regional Fishery Management Councils)

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 August 4, 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 Richard Surdi, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 
14618, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, 301-713-2337.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
authorizes the establishment of Regional Fishery Management Councils to 
exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of fishery resources through 
the preparation, monitoring, and revision of such plans under 
circumstances (a) which will enable the States, the fishing industry, 
consumer and environmental organizations, and other interested persons 
to participate in, and advise on, the establishment and administration 
of such plans, and (b) which take into account the social and economic 
needs of the States. Section 302(j) of the Act, requires that Council 
members and Executive Directors disclose their financial interests in 
any harvesting, processing, or marketing activity that is being, or 
will be, undertaken within any fishery over which the Council concerned 
has jurisdiction.
    A member required to disclose a financial interest shall not vote 
on a Council decision which would have a significant and predictable 
effect on such financial interest. A Council decision shall be 
considered to have a significant and predictable effect on a financial 
interest if there is a close causal link between the Council decision 
and an expected and substantially disproportionate benefit to the 
financial interest of the affected individual relative to the financial 
interest of other participants in the same gear type or sector of the 
fishery. An affected individual who may not vote may participate in 
Council deliberations relating to the decision after notifying the 
Council of the voting recusal and identifying the financial interest 
that would be affected.

II. Method of Collection

    The disclosure of financial interest and recusal of a nominee by 
the Governor of a State shall be made before appointment by the 
Secretary. Members appointed by the Secretary must make disclosure 
within 45 days of taking office. Members must update his/her disclosure 
form at any time any such financial interest is acquired or 
substantially changed.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0192.
    Form Number: NOAA Form 88-195.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 196.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 35 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 114.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: No capital expenditures 
required.

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: June 1, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-14937 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P