The Endangered Species Act (ESA)
prohibits the taking of endangered species. Section 10 of the ESA
allows for certain exceptions to this prohibition, such as taking
that would be incidental to an otherwise lawful activity. NOAA has
issued regulations to provide for application and reporting for
excep- tions related to scientific research or to enhance the
propagatio of threatened or endangered species. The information is
used to evaluate the proposed activity (permits) and on-going
activities (reports) and is necessary for NMFS to ensure the
conservation of the specis under the ESA.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.