NOAA has regulations to implement a
Tortugas Ecological Reserve and to regulate activities within that
Reserve. The rule prohibits fishing, taking of organisms,
anchoring, or discharging pollutants by vessels, and by controlling
access to the Reserve through an access permit. A limited number of
mooring buoys will be provided to allow access without anchoring.
The overall objective is to protect the deepwater coral reef
community from being degraded by human activities. The permits will
help to enforce access and no-take restrictions. Persons with
permits will have to provide notification prior to entering the
reserve
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.