Change request justification for 0204

CHANGE REQUEST JUSTIFICATION
SOUTHWEST REGION PERMIT FAMILY OF FORMS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0204
This is a request to implement permit fees under the Fishery Management Plan for United States
(U.S.) West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species under the OMB Control No. 06480204, Southwest Region Permit Family of Forms.
The National Marine Fishery Service’s (NMFS) Southwest Region Sustainable Fisheries
Division has composed a final rule, RIN 0648-AW50, “Fisheries off West Coast States; Highly
Migratory Species Fisheries,” that will amend regulations implemented under the U.S. West
Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species, Fishery Management Plan (HMS, FMP) to
establish a framework for the collection of permit fees. The purpose is to comply with NMFS
National Policy Directive 30-120 pertaining to NMFS Permit Fees. Historically, only some
fishery management plans have authorized the collection of permit fees. This resulted in a set of
inconsistent permit fee policies around the country. NMFS issued Policy Directive 30-120 to
establish a more consistent agency permit program that recovers the expense of permit
processing and issuance for all permits issued by NMFS to the extent of the law allowed. After
consultation with the Pacific Council, NMFS Southwest Region is finalizing rulemaking for this
action pursuant to procedures established at 50 CFR 660.717(d) of the implementing regulations
for the HMS FMP.
The final rule will specify that an application for an HMS permit, including the renewal of an
existing permit, will include a fee payable by the vessel owner. In accordance with the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Finance Handbook guidelines for costrecovery permits, the initial fee has been calculated at $30 for the Pacific HMS Permit, which is
valid for two years. The Assistant Administrator may change the fee amount required at any time
if a different fee is determined appropriate in accordance with the NOAA Finance Handbook and
specified by the Administrator, Southwest Region, on the application form.
A total of 669 permit applications (602 renewals and 67 new applications) are expected per year.
At $30 per permit fee, this will add $20,070 to the current recordkeeping/reporting costs 0f $533,
bringing the new total to $20,603.
The final rule is at the Department of Commerce as of 6-3-09; review of this submission is
requested as soon as possible.