82 FR 3350 - Proposed Information Collection; Incidental Take of Marine Mammals During Specified Oil and Gas Industry Activities
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 7 (January 11, 2017)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 7 (January 11, 2017)
| Page Range | 3350-3352 | |
| FR Document | 2017-00462 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 3350-3352] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-00462] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FW-R7-MM-2017-N002]; [FXES111607MRG00-178-FF07CAMM00] Proposed Information Collection; Incidental Take of Marine Mammals During Specified Oil and Gas Industry Activities AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent [[Page 3351]] burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC. This IC is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2017. We 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. DATES: To ensure that we are able to consider your comments on this IC, we must receive them by March 13, 2017. ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the IC to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or [email protected] (email). Please include ``1018-0070'' in the subject line of your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this IC, contact Tina Campbell at [email protected] (email) or 703-358-2676 (telephone). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This information collection includes requirements associated with specified oil and gas industry activities and their incidental taking of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), imposed, with certain exceptions, a moratorium on the taking of marine mammals. Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA directs the Secretary of the Interior to allow, upon request by citizens of the United States, the taking of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to specified activities (other than commercial fishing) if the Secretary makes certain findings and prescribes specific regulations that, among other things, establish permissible methods of taking. Applicants seeking to conduct activities must request a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the specific activity and submit monitoring reports of polar bear and Pacific walrus observations and a final summary report of the monitoring and the impacts of the activity upon polar bears and Pacific walruses to the Secretary. This is a nonform collection. Regulations at 50 CFR 18.27 outline the procedures and requirements for submitting a request. Specific regulations governing authorized activities in the Beaufort Sea are in 50 CFR 18, subpart J. Regulations governing authorized activities in the Chukchi Sea are in 50 CFR 18, subpart I. These regulations provide the applicant with a detailed description of information that we need to evaluate the proposed activity and determine whether or not to issue specific regulations and, subsequently, LOAs. We use the information to verify the findings required to issue incidental take regulations, to decide if we should issue an LOA, and, if issued, what conditions should be in the LOA. In addition, we analyze the information to determine impacts to polar bears and Pacific walruses and the availability of those marine mammals for subsistence purposes of Alaska Natives. Holders of an LOA seeking to carry out onshore activities in known or suspected polar bear denning habitat during the denning season, must make efforts to locate occupied polar bear dens within and near proposed areas of operation. They may use any appropriate tool, such as, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery and/or polar bear scent- trained dogs in concert with denning habitat maps along the Alaskan coast. In accordance with 50 CFR 18.118(a)(6)(ii)(A) and 18.128(a)(2)(ii), LOA holders must report all observed or suspected polar bear dens to us prior to the initiation of activities. We use this information to determine the appropriate terms and conditions to be used in an individual LOA in order to minimize potential impacts and disturbance to polar bears. II. Data OMB Control Number: 1018-0070. Title: Incidental Take of Marine Mammals during Specified Oil and Gas Industry Activities, 50 CFR 18.27 and 50 CFR 18, Subparts I and J. Service Form Number: None. Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved collection. Description of Respondents: Oil and gas industry companies. Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit (incidental take regulations and/or a Letter of Authorization (LOA)). Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Estimated Number of Respondents: 25. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Completion Number of time per Total annual Activity responses response burden hours (hours) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Application for procedural regulations........................... 2 150 300 LOA requests..................................................... 25 24 600 Onsite monitoring and observation reports........................ 300 1.5 450 Final monitoring report.......................................... 25 10 250 Polar bear den detection survey and report....................... 4 50 200 ---------------------------------------------- Totals....................................................... 356 ............. 1,800 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Comments We invite comments concerning this information collection on:Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. 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 IC. 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. [[Page 3352]] Dated: January 6, 2017. Tina A. Campbell, Chief, Division of Policy, Performance, and Management Programs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2017-00462 Filed 1-10-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![3350 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 11, 2017 / Notices
The Final EA and FONSI were rights to CNMI, and the Service and House of Representatives Committee on
developed in compliance with the NOAA would continue to coordinate Natural Resources and the Senate
National Environmental Policy Act management of the submerged lands Committee on Energy and Natural
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. and associated waters, including Resources, dated June 17, 2016. The CR
4321 et seq.); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR fishery-related activities, in consultation period was completed on November 14,
parts 1500–1508); other Federal laws with the CNMI Government. 2016, thereafter we moved forward with
and regulations; and our policies and We selected Alternative 2 for completing the conveyance.
procedures for compliance with those implementation in our Finding of No Interior Secretary Sally Jewell
laws and regulations. Significant Impact, signed by the executed a Patent conveying the
The subject of our Final EA and Service’s Regional Director for the submerged lands from the United States
FONSI is the submerged lands adjacent Pacific Region on September 15, 2016. to the CNMI Government on November
to the islands of Farallon de Pajaros Under this alternative (the Northern 29, 2016. Governor Ralph Torres (CNMI)
(Uracas), Maug, and Asuncion Islands Submerged Lands Conveyance accepted and signed the patent on
permanently covered by tidal waters up Alternative), the parties would sign the December 21, 2016. The Patent reserves
to the mean low water line and MOA, and DOI would convey the an easement to ensure that the
extending three miles seaward from the submerged lands, including mineral submerged lands and associated
mean high tide line. The submerged rights, to the CNMI Government through resources conveyed to the CNMI
lands are among some of the most the Patent with a reserved conservation Government are managed and
biologically diverse in the Western easement. maintained for the protection of the
Pacific Ocean, with relatively pristine Memorandum of Agreement Monument or other federal conservation
coral reef ecosystems that have been status, unless such conservation status
The MOA was signed by the CNMI is withdrawn by an Act of Congress. A
proclaimed objects of scientific interest
Government, DOI, and the Department copy of the Patent is available in an
and reserved for their protection as part
of Commerce (DOC), on September 22, appendix in the Final EA.
of the Islands Unit of the Monument by
2016. The MOA identifies the roles and
Presidential Proclamation (PP) 8335 of Public Availability of Documents
responsibilities of the CNMI
January 6, 2009.
Government, DOI, and DOC, for A copy of the Final EA/FONSI, which
The submerged lands were excepted
ensuring the protection of and includes copies of the MOA and Patent,
from transfer by operation of law
coordinating the management of the are available at the following libraries
(TSLA) to the CNMI Government by PP
conveyed submerged lands and and through sources identified under
9077 of January 15, 2014. PP 9077 also
associated waters. Under the MOA, the ADDRESSES.
stated that it did not affect the authority
of the Secretary of the Interior under the
Service and NOAA are managing the • Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Insåtto
conveyed submerged lands for the Street, Susupe, Sa’ipan, MP, 96950–
TSLA to convey the excepted
benefit of the CNMI people and in 1092.
submerged lands to CNMI after an
agreement has been entered for
consultation with the CNMI • Tini’an Municipal Public Library,
Government. Riverside Drive, Tinian, MP 96952.
coordination of management that The MOA provides for the CNMI • Antonio Camacho Atalig Memorial
ensures the protection of the Monument Government to assume primary Library, Rota Northern Marianas
within the excepted area. We developed responsibility for managing the Campus, Tatachog Village, Rota, MP.
the agreement (Memorandum of submerged lands and associated waters,
Agreement or MOA) in cooperation with consistent with the purposes and Robyn Thorson,
the CNMI Government, DOI, and the requirements of PP 8335 and PP 9077, Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland,
Department of Commerce (DOC) as part by notifying DOI and DOC of its desire Oregon.
of our conveyance process and Draft and to do so. CNMI’s management would [FR Doc. 2017–00404 Filed 1–10–17; 8:45 am]
Final EA. include the benthic and living marine BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
Submerged Lands Conveyance Process resources of the associated water
column, and subterranean of the
Draft and Final EA DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
submerged lands and the associated
We released our Draft EA to the mineral rights within. The MOA became Fish and Wildlife Service
public for a 30-day comment period effective upon conveyance of the
announced in the Federal Register (81 submerged lands, consistent with the [FW–R7–MM–2017–N002];
FR 26825) on May 4, 2016. We requirements of PP 9077. A copy of the [FXES111607MRG00–178–FF07CAMM00]
identified two alternatives in the Draft MOA is available in the Final EA.
EA and conducted a thorough analysis Proposed Information Collection;
of their impacts on the human Congressional Review and Patent Incidental Take of Marine Mammals
environment. We received comments Completing the Draft EA and public During Specified Oil and Gas Industry
during the May–June 2016 public comment period, and the Final EA, Activities
comment period; substantive comments FONSI, MOA, and Patent, were AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
and our responses are provided in the milestone accomplishments in our Interior.
Final EA. Comments concerning conveyance process. After the public ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
technical or minor edits were comment period ended for the Draft EA,
we initiated the Congressional Review SUMMARY: We (U.S. Fish and Wildlife
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
incorporated where relevant into the
Final EA. (CR) period for the proposed Service) will ask the Office of
conveyance, in accordance with the Management and Budget (OMB) to
Alternatives/Selected Alternative process required by subsection 1(c) of approve the information collection (IC)
Alternative 1 was the Current Land the TSLA. The CR period was 60 described below. As required by the
Status Alternative (No Action); under it, legislative days, which was initiated by Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
DOI would not convey the submerged the Secretary of the Interior by as part of our continuing efforts to
lands, including associated mineral describing our proposal in letters to the reduce paperwork and respondent
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![3352 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 11, 2017 / Notices
Dated: January 6, 2017. II. Data DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Tina A. Campbell,
OMB Control Number: 1028—NEW.
Chief, Division of Policy, Performance, and National Indian Gaming Commission
Title: Ecosystems Program
Management Programs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey. Protocol for Categorical Exclusions
Type of Request: New information Supplementing the Council on
[FR Doc. 2017–00462 Filed 1–10–17; 8:45 am]
collection. Environmental Quality Regulations
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
Affected Public: USGS partners at Implementing the Procedural
other DOI bureaus, Federal and State Provisions of the National
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR agencies, Tribes and Non-governmental Environmental Policy Act for Certain
Organizations. National Indian Gaming Commission
U.S. Geological Survey Respondent’s Obligation: None, Actions and Activities
participation is voluntary.
[GX170A030AD0100] The National Indian Gaming
Frequency of Collection: Information AGENCY:
Agency Information Collection will be collected once at the end of each Commission, Department of the Interior.
Activities: Request for Comments fiscal year. ACTION: Notice of proposed action and
Estimated Annual Number of request for comments.
AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Respondents: 150
Interior. Estimated Total Number of Annual SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming
ACTION: Notice of a new information Responses: 120 Commission (NIGC or ‘‘the
collection, Ecosystems Program Estimated Time per Response: 10 Commission’’) is amending its protocol
Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey. minutes or less to complete the survey. for categorical exclusions under the
Estimated Reporting and National Environmental Policy Act of
SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Geological Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’
Survey) will ask the Office of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, Executive
Burden: None. Order 11514, as amended, and Council
Management and Budget (OMB) to
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
approve the information collection (IC)
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an regulations for implementing the
described below. As required by the
agency may not conduct or sponsor and procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
you are not required to respond to a parts 1500–1508) for certain NIGC
1995, and as part of our continuing
collection of information unless it actions.
efforts to reduce paperwork and
displays a currently valid OMB control
respondent burden, we invite the DATES: Comments and related material
number and current expiration date.
general public and other Federal must be post marked no later than 60
agencies to take this opportunity to III. Request for Comments days after publication of this notice.
comment on this IC. We are soliciting comments as to: (a) ADDRESSES: Please submit your
DATES: To ensure that your comments Whether the proposed collection of comments by only one of the following
are considered, we must receive them information is necessary for the agency means: (1) By mail to: NIGC Attn:
on or before March 13, 2017. to perform its duties, including whether Andrew Mendoza, Staff Attorney, C/O
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments the information is useful; (b) the Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street
on this information collection to the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the NW., Mailstop #1621, Washington, DC
Information Collection Clearance burden of the proposed collection of 20240; (2) by facsimile to: (202) 632–
Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 information; (c) ways to enhance the 7066; (3) by email to: andrew_
Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 807, Reston, quality, usefulness, and clarity of the mendoza@nigc.gov.
VA 20192 (mail); (703) 648–7197 (fax); information to be collected; and (d) how
or gs-info_collections@usgs.gov (email). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
to minimize the burden on the Andrew Mendoza, Staff Attorney at the
Please reference ‘Information Collection respondents, including the use of
1028—NEW, Ecosystems Program National Indian Gaming Commission:
automated collection techniques or 202–632–7003 (not a toll-free number).
Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey’ in all other forms of information technology.
correspondence. Please note that the comments SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linn submitted in response to this notice are I. Comments Invited
Kwan, Senior Program Officer, Tel. a matter of public record. Before
703.648.4494 or Email-lkwan@usgs.gov. including your personal mailing The NIGC encourages interested
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: address, phone number, email address, persons to submit written comments.
or other personally identifiable Persons submitting information
I. Abstract information in your comment, you concerning the Protocol should include
The survey will be sent to USGS should be aware that your entire their name, address, and other
Ecosystems Mission Area stakeholders/ comment, including your personally appropriate contact information. You
partners to provide respondents the identifiable information, may be made may submit your information by one of
opportunity to share their comments, publicly available at any time. While the means listed under ADDRESSES. If
insights and satisfaction of USGS you can ask us in your comment to you submit information by mail or hand
Ecosystems research products, training, withhold your personally identifiable delivery, submit them in an unbound
format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
and technical assistance. The survey information from public view, we
results will be compiled and reported in cannot guarantee that we will be able to suitable for copying and electronic
three new performance measures that do so. filing. If you submit information by mail
are being proposed for FY2018–2022. and would like to know it was received,
The survey is voluntary and John Thompson, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed
anonymous. The respondents’ identities Deputy Chief, CRU. postcard or envelope. The NIGC will
will only be known if they chose to [FR Doc. 2017–00444 Filed 1–10–17; 8:45 am] consider all comments received during
share that information in the response. BILLING CODE 4338–11–P the comment period.
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Document Created: 2018-02-01 14:59:44
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 14:59:44
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; request for comments. | |
| Dates | To ensure that we are able to consider your comments on this IC, we must receive them by March 13, 2017. | |
| Contact | To request additional information about this IC, contact Tina Campbell at [email protected] (email) or 703-358-2676 (telephone). | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 3350 |
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