83 FR 8436 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Permits for Incidental Taking of Endangered or Threatened Species

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 39 (February 27, 2018)

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 83, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8436-8437]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03881]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Permits for 
Incidental Taking of Endangered or Threatened Species

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 April 30, 2018.

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 Celeste Stout, (301) 427-8436 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
imposed prohibitions against the taking of endangered species. In 1982, 
Congress revised the ESA to allow permits authorizing the taking of 
endangered species incidental to otherwise lawful activities. The 
corresponding regulations (50 CFR part 222.222) established procedures 
for persons to apply for such a permit. In addition, the regulations 
set forth specific reporting requirements for such permit holders.
    The regulations contain three sets of information collections: (l) 
Applications for incidental take permits, (2) applications for 
certificates of inclusion, and (3) reporting requirements for permits 
issued. Certificates of inclusion are only required if a general permit 
is issued to a representative of a group of potential permit 
applicants, rather than requiring each entity to apply for and receive 
a permit.
    The required information is used to evaluate the impacts of the 
proposed activity on endangered species, to make the determinations 
required by the ESA prior to issuing a permit, and to establish 
appropriate permit conditions.
    When a species is listed as threatened, section 4(d) of the ESA 
requires the Secretary to issue whatever regulations are deemed 
necessary or advisable to provide for conservation of the species. In 
many cases those regulations reflect blanket application of the section 
9 take prohibition. However, the National

[[Page 8437]]

Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recognizes certain exceptions to that 
prohibition, including habitat restoration actions taken in accord with 
approved state watershed action plans. While watershed plans are 
prepared for other purposes in coordination with or fulfillment of 
various state programs, a watershed group wishing to take advantage of 
the exception for restoration activities (rather than obtaining a 
section 10 permit) would have to submit the plan for NMFS review.

II. Method of Collection

    Currently, most information is collected on paper, but in some 
instances, there is electronic access and capability.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0230.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit; not-for-profit institutions, and state, local, or tribal 
government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 48.
    Estimated Time per Response: 80 hours for a permit application 
(including Habitat Conservation Plans), 40 minutes for transfer of an 
incidental take permit; 8 hours for a permit report, 30 minutes for a 
Certificate of Inclusion and 10 hours for a watershed plan.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 795.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,000 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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: February 21, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-03881 Filed 2-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P