[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51181-51182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19794]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GX21MR00G74E400; OMB Control Number 1028-NEW]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Nonindigenous Aquatic 
Species eDNA Data Submission Forms

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing a new information 
collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
November 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collections 
Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; or by 
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2146520c484f474e7e424e4d4d444255484e4f5261545246520f464e57"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a2d396723242c2515292526262f293e232524390a3f392d39642d253c">[email protected]</span></a>. Please reference OMB Control 
Number 1028-NEW in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Matthew Neilson by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ae7e4efe3e6f9e5e4cafff9edf9a4ede5fc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4825262d21243b2726083d3b2f3b662f273e">[email protected]</span></a>, 
or by telephone at (352) 264-3519. Individuals who are hearing or 
speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 
for TTY assistance

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 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.
    We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described 
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of the USGS; (2) will this information be processed and used 
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how 
might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use 
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 ICR. 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: America is under siege by many harmful non-native species 
of plants, animals, and microorganisms. More than 6,500 nonindigenous 
species are now established in the United States, posing risks to 
native species, valued ecosystems, and human and wildlife health. These 
invaders extract a huge cost, an estimated $120 billion per year, to 
mitigate their harmful impacts. The current annual environmental, 
economic, and health-related costs of invasive species exceed those of 
all other natural disasters combined.
    Through its Invasive Species Program (http://www.usgs.gov/ecosystems/invasive_species/), the USGS plays an important role in 
federal efforts to combat invasive species in natural and semi-natural 
areas through early detection and assessment of newly established 
invaders; monitoring of invading populations; and improving 
understanding of the ecology of invaders and factors in the resistance 
of habitats to invasion. The USGS provides the tools, technology, and 
information supporting efforts to prevent, contain, control, and manage 
invasive species nationwide. To meet user needs, the USGS also develops 
methods for compiling and synthesizing accurate and reliable data and 
information on invasive species for inclusion in a distributed and 
integrated web-based information system.
    As part of the USGS Invasive Species Program, the Nonindigenous 
Aquatic

[[Page 51182]]

Species (NAS) database (http://nas.er.usgs.gov/) functions as a 
repository and clearinghouse for occurrence information on 
nonindigenous aquatic species from across the United States. It 
contains locality information on approximately 1,300 species of 
vertebrates, invertebrates, and vascular plants introduced since 1850. 
Taxa include foreign species as well as those native to North America 
that have been transported outside of their natural range. The NAS 
website provides immediate access to new occurrence records through a 
real-time interface with the NAS database. Visitors to the website can 
use a set of predefined queries to obtain lists of species according to 
state or hydrologic basin of interest. Fact sheets, distribution maps, 
and information on new occurrences are continually posted and updated. 
Dynamically generated species distribution maps show the spatial 
accuracy of the locations reported, population status, and links to 
more information about each report.
    Environmental DNA (eDNA) comprises genetic material that has been 
sloughed, excreted, or otherwise released into the environment and can 
be detected in water, soil, and air. For aquatic organisms, this 
includes skin, excrement, mucus, saliva, blood, and gametes. Collection 
of environmental samples can be screened for the presence of eDNA, 
allowing for the detection of low-density organisms before 
detectability by traditional sampling methods. The combination of 
traditional specimen sightings and eDNA detections can provide more 
complete species distribution records and significantly improve the 
ability to respond quickly to new invasions as part of an early 
detection rapid response (EDRR) system. Working with interagency eDNA 
experts, the NAS database has used a consensus method to identify and 
develop community data standards for integrating eDNA detection data.
    Title of Collection: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species eDNA Data and 
Metadata Submission Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 1028-NEW.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: New.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Federal, state, and local government 
employees; university research personnel.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: We estimate 
approximately 25 total respondents per year.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: We estimate a total of 
35 responses per year.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: We estimate a total of 90 
minutes (1.5 hours) per response.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: We estimate a total 
of 52.5 annual hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    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.).

Dionne Duncan-Hughes,
USGS Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-19794 Filed 9-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4338-11-P


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