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 of the 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 three
forms and one electronic database: (1) the Application for Federal
Bird Banding or Marking Permit, (2) Bird Band Recovery Report, (3)
permit renewal form, and (4) an electronic database
(Bandit).
US Code:
16
USC 703-712 Name of Law: Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Bandit Adjustments: We expect
to receive 4,000 BANDIT responses annually. This is an increase of
175 responses. The previously approved estimate was 3,825
responses. Although we anticipate an overall burden hour decrease
for BANDIT use, because of the additional responses, we are
reporting an additional 477 burden hours as an adjustment. Program
Changes: Software functionality was added to accommodate uploading
bulk information allowing entries to be completed faster. The
previously approved time per response was 6 hours, now it is 4.5
hours. The 1.5 hours difference was multiplied by the number of
expected respondents to determine the overall program change
reduction of 6000 burden hours resulting from the new software
functionality. Net change: The previously approved estimate for
BANDIT was 23,523 burden hours. We are now requesting 18,000 hours
or an overall decrease of 5,203 hours. Program Applications
Adjustments: None Program Changes: We expect to receive
approximately 100 program applications annually, totaling 50 burden
hours. This is a reduction of 450 responses and 225 burden hours.
The previously approved estimate was 550 applications and 275
burden hours. The main cause of this reduction is due to the
creation of the separate renewal form. Previously, renewal requests
were processed on the same application form. Recovery Reports
Adjustments: We expect to receive approximately 90,000 recovery
reports annually. This is an increase of 4,997 responses and an
adjustment of an additional 250 burden hours. The previously
approved estimate was 85,003 responses. Program Changes: Although
we are anticipating an increased number of responses, we are
reporting fewer burden hours because the recovery report was
streamlined and now takes less time to complete. The completion
time is reduced from three minutes to two minutes. The one minute
difference was multiplied by the number of expected respondents to
determine the overall program change reduction of 1501 burden hours
resulting from the streamlined form. Net change: The previously
approved burden hour estimate for recovery reports was 4,250 hours.
We are now requesting 2,999 hours -- a decrease of 1,251 hours.
Renewal Forms Since 2009, the BBL created the electronic permit
renewal form to replace the use of paper application forms for the
renewal process. This change was made to improve the efficiency of
the renewal process and reduce the paperwork burden on the bird
banders. The paper application process previously used for renewals
took approximately 30 minutes. This process is now completed within
1-2 minutes using the electronic renewal form. This electronic
renewal form has also greatly reduced the time spent by BBL staff
processing this information. Adjustments: None Program Changes: The
separate electronic renewal form was created and added as an
information collection for this submission. The burden for this
existed previously within the application information collection.
We are now reporting it separately and as a program change. This
added an additional 600 responses and 19 burden hours. Total
Program Changes: 150 responses; -7,707 burden hours Total
Adjustments: +5,172 responses; 727 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.
Renewal Form (State/Local/Tribal Govt.)
1028-0082 30 Day FRN.pdf
MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT.doc
Renewal Form (State/Local/Tribal Govt.)