In accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703-712, the trapping and marking of wild migratory birds by persons holding Federal permits must be monitored. Formerly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the bird banding program is now the responsibility of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL). The primary role BBL is to support the use of banding and banding data by researchers and managers engaged in science, conservation, and management of birds, and not to play a lead role in original research. The BBL collects information using two forms and one electronic database: (1) the Application for Federal Bird Banding or Marking Permit, and (2) Bird Band Recovery Report and (3) an electronic database (Bandit).
During the past three years, the BBL eliminated the paper banding schedule and replaced it with computerized data management systems (Bandit) that automatically submit the data to the BBL in a standard format. Based on our experience over the past 3 years, we have adjusted our estimates for responses, resulting in a decrease of 8,172 responses and 4,911 burden hours.
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.
FR Notice 1023-0082.pdf
MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT.doc
Recovery Report ( State, Local, Tribal)