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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 102867-102868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29864]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Applications and Reports for Scientific Research and 
Enhancement Permits Under the Endangered Species Act

AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before February 18, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0402 in the subject line of your 
comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will 
generally be posted on https://www.regulations.gov without change. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Rob Clapp, Section 7 Coordinator, NOAA Fisheries, 1201 NE Lloyd 
Blvd. Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232, (503) 231-2314 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This is a request for renewal of an approved information 
collection. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) imposes prohibitions against the taking of threatened and 
endangered species. Section 10 of the ESA allows permits authorizing 
the taking of such species for research and enhancement purposes. The 
corresponding regulations established procedures for persons to apply 
for such permits. In addition, the regulations set forth specific 
reporting requirements for such permit holders. The regulations thus 
require two sets of information collections: (1) Applications for 
research/enhancement permits, and (2) prescribed reports for such 
permits once they are issued.
    The required information is used to evaluate the impacts that 
research and enhancement activities have on endangered species, to make 
the determinations required by the ESA before issuing any such permit, 
and to establish appropriate permit conditions. To issue permits under 
ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
must determine that (1) such exceptions were applied for in good faith, 
(2) if granted and exercised, will not operate to the disadvantage of 
such endangered species, and (3) will be consistent with the purposes 
and policy set forth in Section 2 of the ESA. This collection is not 
being revised in any way.

II. Method of Collection

    Information may be collected through the internet, email, or paper 
format.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0402.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission--extension of a current 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Federal government; State, local, or tribal 
governments; academic institutions; non-profit organizations; 
businesses or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 176.
    Estimated Time per Response: Permit applications, 12 hours; permit 
modification requests, 6 hours; annual reports, 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 850.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $500 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits.
    Legal Authority: The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this information collection request. 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

[[Page 102868]]

you may 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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-29864 Filed 12-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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