With few exceptions, businesses or
individuals must file FWS Form 3-177 with the Fish and Wildlife
Service prior to importing into or exporting from the United States
any fish, wildlife, or wildlife products. The information on this
form helps us fulfill the statutory requirements of the Endangered
Species Act and our obligations under the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species.
We are requesting an increase
of 7,168 hours in the annual burden. For this renewal, we estimate
that respondents will file an average of 170,000 forms each year,
with respondents filing 60 percent electronically. Despite the
estimated 42-percent increase in the number of forms submitted
(from 120,000 to 170,000), the burden hours will only increase 27
percent (26,832 to 34,000 hours), largely due to more use of
electronic capability.
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.