82_FR_5607 82 FR 5596 - Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Import of Sport-Hunted African Elephant Trophies

82 FR 5596 - Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Import of Sport-Hunted African Elephant Trophies

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 11 (January 18, 2017)

Page Range5596-5597
FR Document2017-00960

We (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. We summarize the ICR below and describe the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost. This information collection is scheduled to expire on January 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. However, under OMB regulations, we may continue to conduct or sponsor this information collection while it is pending at OMB.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5596-5597]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00960]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-IA-2017-N007; FXIA16710900000-167-FF09A30000]


Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Import of Sport-Hunted African Elephant 
Trophies

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an 
Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. We 
summarize the ICR below and describe the nature of the collection and 
the estimated burden and cost. This information collection is scheduled 
to expire on January 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. However, under OMB 
regulations, we may continue to conduct or sponsor this information 
collection while it is pending at OMB.

DATES: You must submit comments on or before February 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments and suggestions on this information 
collection to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior at 
OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-5806 (fax) or [email protected] 
(email). Please provide a copy of your comments to Madonna L. Baucum, 
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 ``1018-0164'' 
in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 
[email protected] (email), or (703) 358-2503 (telephone). You may 
review the ICR online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the 
instructions to review Department of the Interior collections under 
review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    Applications for permits for import of African elephant sport-
hunted trophies from Appendix-I populations under the Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(CITES) are approved under OMB Control Number 1018-0093, which expires 
May 31, 2017. Under newly revised regulations at 50 CFR 17.40(e), 
import permits must now also be obtained for import of African elephant 
sport-hunted trophies from CITES Appendix-II populations. Based on this 
change, we expect to receive an additional 300 applications for permits 
per year. The burden associated with these additional applications is 
the basis of this information collection. If OMB grants regular 
approval, we will include the burden associated with the expected 300 
additional applications in OMB Control Number 1018-0093 when we renew 
the approval in May 2017.

II. Data

    OMB Control Number: 1018-0164.
    Title: Import of Sport-Hunted African Elephant Trophies, 50 CFR 17.
    Service Form Number: 3-200-19, Importing African elephant trophies 
from Appendix-II populations.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Number of Respondents: 300.
    Number of Annual Responses: 300.
    Completion Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 100 hours.
    Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: $30,000, primarily 
associated with application fees. The application fee is $100 per 
application.

III. Comments

    On June 9, 2016, we published in the Federal Register (81 FR 37207) 
a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew approval for this 
information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 
days, ending on August 8, 2016. We received the following substantive 
comments in response to this request.
    Comment 1: The International Fund for Animal Welfare and the 
Natural Resources Defense Council submitted a joint response to the 
notice. They expressed their strong support for the permit requirement 
for import of sport-hunted trophies from all African elephant 
populations (both Appendix-I and Appendix-II populations) and the 
associated collection of information. They said that prospective trophy 
importers should be required to provide information on the specific 
elephant and population, which should be added to section E2 and/or E3 
of FWS Form 3-200-19. Such information should include but not be 
limited to (1) sex and approximate age of the elephant and (2) 
approximate status of the individual within the herd's hierarchy. In 
addition, they stated that section E5 of FWS Form 3-200-19 should be 
rephrased to require trophy hunters to provide information regarding 
``how the funds from license/trophy fees will be spent [and] what 
portion of the hunting fee will support conservation,'' because they 
believe that the current language on the FWS form suggests that hunters 
may provide this information at their own discretion. They also assert 
that in section E5, the Service should include specific subquestions 
and ``require supporting documentation that places an increased burden 
on hunters to prove that their trophy meets the enhancement standard.''
    Response to Comment 1: We believe that Form 3-200-19 requests the

[[Page 5597]]

information we need from applicants. Hunters often apply for import 
permits before leaving on safari and therefore are not in a position to 
provide information on the specific elephant and population. In 
addition, hunters are not necessarily in a position to know what 
portion of their hunting fees will support conservation. This is 
information that we acquire from the countries of origin, not from 
permit applicants.
    Comment 2: With regard to the cost burden, the International Fund 
for Animal Welfare and the Natural Resources Defense Council claim that 
the permit application fee is too small and that it should be increased 
to fully compensate FWS for costs associated with performing 
individualized (as opposed to country-wide) enhancement findings. They 
note that the 2015 market rate for an African elephant hunting package 
was between $25,000 and $60,000, and add that the $100 permit 
application fee ``imposes trivial additional costs on the importer.''
    Response to Comment 2: We are currently reevaluating our permit 
fees and may, in the future, publish a proposed rule to revise our fee 
structure.
    Comment 3: The Humane Society of the United States and Humane 
Society International jointly submitted comments in support of the 
request for extension of approval for information collection through 
FWS Form 3-200-19 from all importers of African elephant sport-hunted 
trophies. They stated their belief that it is critically important that 
this information is collected from applicants for import permits under 
the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), because the 
information ``is essential for FWS to comply with its statutory duties 
to protect African elephants from threats that jeopardize the species' 
continued existence.'' They also believe that FWS Form 3-200-19 
requests the ``bare minimum information needed'' from an applicant.
    These joint commenters also stated that the current ``paltry'' 
applicant fee of $100 for an African elephant sport-hunted trophy 
import permit is too low and should be increased. They assert that the 
$100 application fee for import of trophies ``cannot possibly reimburse 
the agency for all of its costs associated with ensuring that 
applicants are eligible for permits,'' and they ``urge OMB to formally 
request that FWS amend this fee structure.''
    Response to Comment 3: See our response to Comment 2.
    Comment 4: Conservation Force submitted comments in opposition to 
the information collection, stating that ``it is unnecessary and over 
burdensome for both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . . . and permit 
applicants/tourist safari hunters, and it will not provide any useful 
information.'' They contend that it is ``a burden without a benefit'' 
and that the burden cannot be reduced unless the permit requirement is 
removed. Conservation Force also asserts that the burden estimate is 
inaccurate, because the Service has not considered its current backlog 
of applications in assessing its ability to process another 300 
permits, the additional costs and demands for seizures and law 
enforcement actions, and the permit renewal fee.
    Response to Comment 4: Our newly revised regulations require that 
we issue an ESA import permit for import of all African elephant sport-
hunted trophies. We are seeking authorization to collect the 
information necessary for us to issue these permits. The burden 
estimates are developed in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. 
In estimating the burden to the Service, we consider the time required 
to process an application, the cost of processing an application, 
including the salaries of the people doing the work, and the estimated 
number of applications. In estimating the burden to the applicant, we 
consider the time it takes to complete an application, including 
gathering the necessary information, an estimate of the salary of the 
person completing the form, and the permit fee. Based on our 
experience, we believe our burden estimates are accurate.
    We again 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. 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 OMB in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it 
will be done.

    Dated: January 11, 2017.
Tina A. Campbell,
Chief, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-00960 Filed 1-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

5596 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Notices provides recommendations and advice information unless it displays a Service Form Number: 3–200–19, to the TMC on: (1) The effectiveness of currently valid OMB control number. Importing African elephant trophies management actions in achieving However, under OMB regulations, we from Appendix-II populations. restoration goals and alternative may continue to conduct or sponsor this Type of Request: Extension of a hypotheses (methods and strategies) for information collection while it is currently approved collection. study, (2) the priority for restoration pending at OMB. Description of Respondents: projects, (3) funding priorities, and (4) Individuals. DATES: You must submit comments on Respondent’s Obligation: Required to other components of the Trinity River or before February 17, 2017. Restoration Program. obtain or retain a benefit. We have filed a copy of the Working ADDRESSES: Send your comments and Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Group’s charter with the Committee suggestions on this information Number of Respondents: 300. Management Secretariat, General collection to the Desk Officer for the Number of Annual Responses: 300. Services Administration; the Committee Department of the Interior at OMB– Completion Time per Response: 20 on Environment and Public Works, OIRA at (202) 395–5806 (fax) or OIRA_ minutes. United States Senate; the Committee on Submission@omb.eop.gov (email). Total Annual Burden Hours: 100 Natural Resources, United States House Please provide a copy of your comments hours. of Representatives; and the Library of to Madonna L. Baucum, Information Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Congress. Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish Cost: $30,000, primarily associated with and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 application fees. The application fee is Certification $100 per application. Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041– I hereby certify that the Trinity River 3803 (mail); or madonna_baucum@ III. Comments Adaptive Management Working Group fws.gov (email). Please include ‘‘1018– is necessary and in the public interest On June 9, 2016, we published in the 0164’’ in the subject line of your in connection with the performance of Federal Register (81 FR 37207) a notice comments. duties imposed on the Department of of our intent to request that OMB renew the Interior by Public Laws 84–386 and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To approval for this information collection. 96–335 (Trinity River Stream request additional information about In that notice, we solicited comments Rectification Act), 98–541 and 104–143 this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, for 60 days, ending on August 8, 2016. (Trinity River Basin Fish and Wildlife Information Collection Clearance We received the following substantive Management Act of 1984), and 102–575 Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service comments in response to this request. (Central Valley Project Improvement at madonna_baucum@fws.gov (email), Comment 1: The International Fund Act). The Working Group will assist the or (703) 358–2503 (telephone). You may for Animal Welfare and the Natural Department of the Interior by providing review the ICR online at http:// Resources Defense Council submitted a advice and recommendations on all www.reginfo.gov. Follow the joint response to the notice. They aspects of implementation of the Trinity instructions to review Department of the expressed their strong support for the River Restoration Program. Interior collections under review by permit requirement for import of sport- OMB. hunted trophies from all African Dated: December 13, 2016. elephant populations (both Appendix-I Sally Jewell, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and Appendix-II populations) and the Secretary of the Interior. I. Abstract associated collection of information. [FR Doc. 2017–00983 Filed 1–17–17; 8:45 am] They said that prospective trophy BILLING CODE 4333–15–P Applications for permits for import of importers should be required to provide African elephant sport-hunted trophies information on the specific elephant from Appendix-I populations under the and population, which should be added DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Convention on International Trade in to section E2 and/or E3 of FWS Form 3– Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 200–19. Such information should Fish and Wildlife Service Flora (CITES) are approved under OMB include but not be limited to (1) sex and [FWS–HQ–IA–2017–N007; Control Number 1018–0093, which approximate age of the elephant and (2) FXIA16710900000–167–FF09A30000] expires May 31, 2017. Under newly approximate status of the individual revised regulations at 50 CFR 17.40(e), within the herd’s hierarchy. In addition, Information Collection Request Sent to import permits must now also be they stated that section E5 of FWS Form the Office of Management and Budget obtained for import of African elephant 3–200–19 should be rephrased to (OMB) for Approval; Import of Sport- sport-hunted trophies from CITES require trophy hunters to provide Hunted African Elephant Trophies Appendix-II populations. Based on this information regarding ‘‘how the funds change, we expect to receive an from license/trophy fees will be spent AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, additional 300 applications for permits [and] what portion of the hunting fee Interior. per year. The burden associated with will support conservation,’’ because ACTION: Notice; request for comments. these additional applications is the basis they believe that the current language SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Fish and of this information collection. If OMB on the FWS form suggests that hunters Wildlife Service) have sent an grants regular approval, we will include may provide this information at their Information Collection Request (ICR) to the burden associated with the expected own discretion. They also assert that in OMB for review and approval. We 300 additional applications in OMB section E5, the Service should include mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES summarize the ICR below and describe Control Number 1018–0093 when we specific subquestions and ‘‘require the nature of the collection and the renew the approval in May 2017. supporting documentation that places estimated burden and cost. This II. Data an increased burden on hunters to prove information collection is scheduled to that their trophy meets the enhancement expire on January 31, 2017. We may not OMB Control Number: 1018–0164. standard.’’ conduct or sponsor and a person is not Title: Import of Sport-Hunted African Response to Comment 1: We believe required to respond to a collection of Elephant Trophies, 50 CFR 17. that Form 3–200–19 requests the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Jan 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18JAN1.SGM 18JAN1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2017 / Notices 5597 information we need from applicants. for both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Dated: January 11, 2017. Hunters often apply for import permits Service . . . and permit applicants/ Tina A. Campbell, before leaving on safari and therefore tourist safari hunters, and it will not Chief, Division of Policy and Directives are not in a position to provide provide any useful information.’’ They Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. information on the specific elephant contend that it is ‘‘a burden without a [FR Doc. 2017–00960 Filed 1–17–17; 8:45 am] and population. In addition, hunters are benefit’’ and that the burden cannot be BILLING CODE 4333–15–P not necessarily in a position to know reduced unless the permit requirement what portion of their hunting fees will is removed. Conservation Force also support conservation. This is asserts that the burden estimate is DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR information that we acquire from the inaccurate, because the Service has not countries of origin, not from permit considered its current backlog of Fish and Wildlife Service applicants. applications in assessing its ability to [FWS–R6–R–2016–N221]; Comment 2: With regard to the cost process another 300 permits, the [FXRS12610600000–178–FF06R00000] burden, the International Fund for additional costs and demands for Animal Welfare and the Natural seizures and law enforcement actions, Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resources Defense Council claim that and the permit renewal fee. Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the permit application fee is too small Response to Comment 4: Our newly the National Bison Range, Moiese, and that it should be increased to fully revised regulations require that we issue Montana compensate FWS for costs associated an ESA import permit for import of all with performing individualized (as AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, African elephant sport-hunted trophies. opposed to country-wide) enhancement Interior. We are seeking authorization to collect findings. They note that the 2015 market the information necessary for us to issue ACTION: Notice of intent; request for rate for an African elephant hunting these permits. The burden estimates are comments. package was between $25,000 and developed in accordance with the $60,000, and add that the $100 permit SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Paperwork Reduction Act. In estimating Wildlife Service (Service), intend to application fee ‘‘imposes trivial the burden to the Service, we consider additional costs on the importer.’’ gather information necessary to prepare the time required to process an a draft Comprehensive Conservation Response to Comment 2: We are application, the cost of processing an currently reevaluating our permit fees Plan (CCP) for the National Bison Range application, including the salaries of the (NBR), a unit of the National Wildlife and may, in the future, publish a people doing the work, and the Refuge System. We are furnishing this proposed rule to revise our fee structure. estimated number of applications. In notice in compliance with Service Comment 3: The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society estimating the burden to the applicant, Refuge Planning policy to advise other International jointly submitted we consider the time it takes to agencies and the public of our comments in support of the request for complete an application, including intentions, and to obtain suggestions extension of approval for information gathering the necessary information, an and information on the scope of issues collection through FWS Form 3–200–19 estimate of the salary of the person to be considered in the planning from all importers of African elephant completing the form, and the permit fee. process. Participation in the planning sport-hunted trophies. They stated their Based on our experience, we believe our process will be encouraged and belief that it is critically important that burden estimates are accurate. facilitated by various means, including this information is collected from We again invite comments concerning news releases and public meetings. applicants for import permits under the this information collection on: Notification of all such meetings will be Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. • Whether or not the collection of announced in the local press and on the 1531 et seq.), because the information information is necessary, including NBR Web site. ‘‘is essential for FWS to comply with its whether or not the information will DATES: To ensure consideration, written statutory duties to protect African have practical utility; comments must be received or elephants from threats that jeopardize • The accuracy of our estimate of the postmarked on or before February 17, the species’ continued existence.’’ They burden for this collection of 2017. also believe that FWS Form 3–200–19 information; requests the ‘‘bare minimum • Ways to enhance the quality, utility, ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment on and clarity of the information to be the scope of the CCP/EIS, you may information needed’’ from an applicant. These joint commenters also stated collected; and submit your comments by the following that the current ‘‘paltry’’ applicant fee of • Ways to minimize the burden of the method: You may mail or hand-deliver $100 for an African elephant sport- collection of information on comments to Toni Griffin, Refuge hunted trophy import permit is too low respondents. Planner, NBR CCP, 134 Union and should be increased. They assert Comments that you submit in Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80228. that the $100 application fee for import response to this notice are a matter of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni of trophies ‘‘cannot possibly reimburse public record. Before including your Griffin, Refuge Planner, NBR CCP, 134 the agency for all of its costs associated address, phone number, email address, Union Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80228, with ensuring that applicants are or other personal identifying or by telephone (303) 236–4378. eligible for permits,’’ and they ‘‘urge information in your comment, you SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: should be aware that your entire mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES OMB to formally request that FWS comment, including your personal Introduction amend this fee structure.’’ Response to Comment 3: See our identifying information, may be made With this notice, we initiate our response to Comment 2. publicly available at any time. While process for developing a CCP for the Comment 4: Conservation Force you can ask OMB in your comment to National Bison Range, with submitted comments in opposition to withhold your personal identifying headquarters in Moiese, MT. The notice the information collection, stating that information from public review, we complies with our CCP policy to (1) ‘‘it is unnecessary and over burdensome cannot guarantee that it will be done. advise other Federal and State agencies, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Jan 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18JAN1.SGM 18JAN1


Document Created: 2018-02-01 15:18:53
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 15:18:53
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; request for comments.
DatesYou must submit comments on or before February 17, 2017.
ContactTo request additional information about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at [email protected] (email), or (703) 358-2503 (telephone). You may review the ICR online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the Interior collections under review by OMB.
FR Citation82 FR 5596 
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