81 FR 57889 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Green Sturgeon ESA 4(d) Rule Take Exceptions and Exemptions

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 164 (August 24, 2016)

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.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 57889]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20252]



[[Page 57889]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Green Sturgeon 
ESA 4(d) Rule Take Exceptions and Exemptions

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

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 24, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Melissa Neuman, NMFS West Coast Region Protected 
Resources Division, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, 
CA 90802, (562) 980-4115, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension, without change, of a currently 
approved information collection.
    The Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American green 
sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris; hereafter, ``Southern DPS'') was 
listed as a threatened species in April 2006. Protective regulations 
under section 4(d) of the ESA were promulgated for the species on June 
2, 2010 (75 FR 30714) (the final ESA 4(d) Rule). To comply with the ESA 
and the protective regulations, entities must obtain take authorization 
prior to engaging in activities involving take of Southern DPS fish 
unless the activity is covered by an exception or exemption. Certain 
activities described in the ``exceptions'' provision of 50 CFR 
223.210(b) are not subject to the take prohibitions if they adhere to 
specific criteria and reporting requirements. Under the ``exemption'' 
provision of 50 CFR 223.210(c), the take prohibitions do not apply to 
scientific research, scientific monitoring, and fisheries activities 
conducted under an approved 4(d) program or plan; similarly, take 
prohibitions do not apply to tribal resource management activities 
conducted under a Tribal Plan for which the requisite determinations 
described in 50 CFR 223.102(c)(3) have been made.
    To ensure that activities qualify under exceptions to or exemptions 
from the take prohibitions, local, state, and federal agencies, non-
governmental organizations, academic researchers, and private 
organizations are asked to voluntarily submit detailed information 
regarding their activity on a schedule to be determined by National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) staff. This information is used by NMFS 
to (1) track the number of Southern DPS fish taken as a result of each 
action; (2) understand and evaluate the cumulative effects of each 
action on the Southern DPS; and (3) determine whether additional 
protections are needed for the species, or whether additional 
exceptions may be warranted. NMFS designed the criteria to ensure that 
plans meeting the criteria would adequately limit impacts on threatened 
Southern DPS fish, such that additional protections in the form of a 
federal take prohibition would not be necessary and advisable.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. 
Methods of submittal include email of electronic forms, and mail and 
facsimile transmission of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0613.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or 
Tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 58.
    Estimated Time per Response: Written notification describing 
research, monitoring or habitat restoration activities, 40 hours; 
development of fisheries management and evaluation plans or state 4(d) 
research programs, 40 hours; reports, 5 hours; development of a tribal 
fishery management plan, 20 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,760.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $200.

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: August 19, 2016.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-20252 Filed 8-23-16; 8:45 am]
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