Basic Requirements for Special Exemption Permits and Authorizations to Take, Import, and Export Marine Mammals, Threatened and Endangered Species, and for Maintaining a Captive
ICR 200908-0648-007
OMB: 0648-0084
Federal Form Document
⚠️ Notice: This information collection may be outdated. More recent filings for OMB 0648-0084 can be found here:
Basic Requirements for
Special Exemption Permits and Authorizations to Take, Import, and
Export Marine Mammals, Threatened and Endangered Species, and for
Maintaining a Captive
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for 3
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/2013
36 Months From Approved
06/30/2010
939
0
993
7,716
0
6,728
2,000
0
2,000
The information in this collection
will be used to determine whether a proposed activity is consistent
with the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Fur Seal
Act, and Endangered Species Act for issuance of permits and
authorizations for research, enhancement, photography, and public
display. Reports on activities are also required. Respondents will
be researchers, photographers, other members of the general public,
and holders of marine mammals in public display
facilities.
US Code:
16 USC
31 Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
Summary of Changes in 2009:
There was a net decrease of 4 respondents and 54 responses, and a
net increase of 988 hours due to adjustments. SR/EN Permits
Decrease from 40 to 35 scientific research and enhancement permit
applications per year: this resulted from averaging the number of
permit applications received over the past three years. We do not
anticipate large increases in the number of applications received
each year, as permits are valid for a 5-year period. The number of
permits expiring and the number of new applications received are
usually similar in number each year. Average increase from 32 hours
to 50 hours to complete a scientific research and enhancement
permit application: this is considered an average processing times
for both non-ESA listed marine mammal permits issued under the
MMPA, and threatened and endangered species permits issued under
the ESA and MMPA. The processing time for non-ESA listed species is
considerably lower than for ESA species. For the latter, NMFS is
required to complete increasingly detailed environmental analyses
when permits involve threatened and endangered species or their
critical habitats; and therefore, additional information is often
required from the applicant to obtain the appropriate information
needed for NEPA and ESA section 7 consultations. This increase
takes into account these analyses as well as feedback we have
received from our permit applicants. Increase from 20 to 35 hours
to complete a major amendment request: increased requirements under
the ESA and NEPA, as discussed above. In general, major amendment
requests are similar to but less involved than a permit application
request, and thus require less time to complete. Major amendment
requests will require some, but not all, of the same information to
be submitted as for a new permit application, and are subject to
the same level of NEPA and ESA analysis when threatened or
endangered species are involved. Public Display Permits Decrease
from 4 to 3 permits per year and increase from 20 to 30 hours to
complete an application: The number of public display permits is
estimated based on the number received annually over the past three
years. The increase from 20 to 30 hours is based on the increased
requirements under NEPA. This also takes into consideration time
factored in during the application process when substantial public
comments are received, which often occurs with public display
permits. Photography Permits Decrease from 10 to 3 photography
permits received annually and decrease from 25 to 10 reports
received annually: This is based on the average number of
photography permits received over the past three years, and there
are fewer holders of photography permits requiring reports. Many
photography permits have expired and generally, photography permits
are for discrete projects and are not renewed after expiration.
General Authorization (GA) Decrease from 50 to 35 reports and
record keeping: there are fewer holders of Letters of Confirmation
under the GA requiring reports because many Letters of Confirmation
have expired. There has not been an increase in the number of
Letters of Intent under the GA over the past three years.
Holders/Marine Mammals Increase from 194 to 213 Holders and PD
inventories: there was an increase in the number of facilities
holding marine mammals for public display purposes. Costs increased
from $1,800 to $2,000 due to postage increases. This change is not
reflected in ROCIS, as it was previously rounded up to $2,000 in
the system.
$372,505
No
No
No
Uncollected
No
Uncollected
Amy Sloan 3017132289 ext.
136
No
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.