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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

# AGENCY:

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

# ACTION:

Notice of information collection, request for comment.

# 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                         *NOAA.PRA@noaa.gov.*                         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                         *Robert.Clapp@NOAA.gov.*

# 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                           ( print 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