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.