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).
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.)