Justification for change

JUSTIFICATION OF CHANGE

SOUTHEAST REGION PERMIT FAMILY OF FORMS

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0205

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to modify OMB Control Number 0648-0205 by adding a form for Southeast Region permit holders: a postcard that would be mailed to owners of valid Southeast Region permits in NMFS' database (6,837) and to non-permit holders made up of non-governmental organizations, congressional and other "interested parties" (2,000). The non-permit holders would be added as new respondents in this change request.

The postcard is necessary to identify which permit holders would like to receive Fishery Bulletins in the mail or electronically, or both. Fishery Bulletins contain information regarding changes to Southeast fishery regulations. If permit holders would like to receive the Fishery Bulletins in the mail and would like them to be sent to the same mailing address, they would check a box and mail the postcard. If they would like the bulletin sent to a new or different address, they would provide the new address and phone number on the postcard and mail the postcard. If they would like to receive an electronic version of the Fishery Bulletin, they would sign up for "Constant Contact" through the postcard and mail the postcard.

NMFS estimates the burden time to complete and mail the postcard would require 2 minutes per response. Providing permit holders the option of receiving Fishery Bulletins electronically versus by mail could significantly decrease the cost to the government for printing out and mailing thousands of Fishery Bulletins each year. Currently, NMFS mails fishery bulletins to all Southeast Region permit holders (6,837) and a group of non-permit holders (2,000) approximately 70 times each year.

The additional responses, burden and cost estimates for this new form are 2,000 respondents, 8,837 responses, 295 hours (2 minute x 8,837 responses), and $0 (the postcard is self-addressed and stamped, so there would be no additional cost to the public).

Thus, the revised total responses, burden and cost estimates for OMB Control Number 0648-0205 are 11,606 respondents, 21,807 responses, 3,891 hours, and $688,899.

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