Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Permit Application and Reports for Permits (fka Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument)

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 June 27, 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 JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Tia Brown, (808) 397-2660 or Tia.Brown@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This request is for revision and extension of a currently approved information collection. There will be minor changes to the forms and instructions.

On June 15, 2006, President Bush established the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument by issuing Presidential Proclamation 8031 (71 FR 36443, June 26, 2006) under the authority of the Antiquities Act (16 U.S.C. 431). The proclamation includes restrictions and prohibitions regarding activities in the monument consistent with the authority provided by the act. Specifically, the proclamation prohibits access to the monument except when passing through without interruption or as allowed under a permit issued by NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Vessels passing through the monument without interruption are required to notify NOAA and FWS upon entering into and leaving the monument. Individuals wishing to access the monument to conduct certain regulated activities must first apply for and be granted a permit issued by NOAA and FWS to certify compliance with vessel monitoring system requirements, monument regulations and best management practices. On August 29, 2006, NOAA and FWS published a final rule codifying the provisions of the proclamation (71 FR 51134).

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: 0648-0548.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of a currently approved information collection).

Affected Public: Individuals, not for profit institutions; Federal, State, local, government, Native Hawaiian organizations; business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 411.

Estimated Time per Response: Research, Conservation and Management and Education (“general” permits), 5 hours; Special Ocean Use permits, 10 hours; Native Hawaiian Practices permits, 8 hours; Recreation permits, 6 hours; modification requests and final reports, 10 hours; annual reports, 5 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,794.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $61,783 in recordkeeping/reporting costs and vessel monitoring system installation and maintenance.

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.