0648-0334 Supporting Statement A_BL08

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Alaska License Limitation Program for Groundfish, Crab, and Scallops

OMB Control No. 0648-0334

Abstract

This is a resubmission, with the final rule, of a request by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska Region for revision of this currently approved information collection, which contains requirements for transfer of License Limitation Program (LLP) licenses for the commercial groundfish, crab, and scallop fisheries.

This information collection is necessary to determine whether a transfer is eligible and endorsements meet regulatory requirements for licensing and permits. An essential feature of the LLP is the ability for participants to transfer their LLP license. Without the ability to track the movement of LLP licenses, NMFS would be unable to effectively manage the LLP.

This information collection is revised due to the final rule (RIN 0648-BL08) to implement Amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, which establishes a new limited access privilege program, the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC Program). This rule also affects information collection requirements approved under OMB Control Numbers 0648-0213, -0318, -0515, -0678, and -0711 and adds a new information collection for the PCTC Program under a new OMB control number, 0648-0811. NMFS is submitting separate requests for these collections.

Due to this rule, the application to transfer groundfish and crab LLP licenses was revised to collect information on PCTC Program quota share transfers. This rule increases the number of respondents and responses for this application. Minor editorial changes were also made to the application to improve clarity. Additional minor editorial changes were made from the proposed rule to the final rule to improve clarity and the order in which the information is collected on the application.

Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The information collection is required to manage commercial crab, groundfish, and scallop fishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq., and at 50 CFR parts 679 and 680.

NMFS manages the fisheries in the EEZ off the coast of Alaska under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP), the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP), the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP), and the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska (Scallop FMP). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council prepared, and NMFS approved, the FMPs under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. These FMPs are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR parts 679 and 680.

The LLP originally collected basic information so that NMFS could determine which owners of vessels were issued licenses and which were not. As the application periods and selection process for the LLP have ended, no new licenses will be issued. An LLP license may only be obtained through transfer. This collection of information currently supports transfer of LLP licenses for groundfish, crabs, and scallops. The transfer process for LLP licenses enables a license holder to request a transfer of an LLP license to a person who meets the eligibility requirements.

This information collection is necessary to determine whether a transfer is eligible and endorsements meet regulatory requirements for licensing and permits. An essential feature of the LLP is the ability for participants to transfer their LLP license. Without the ability to track the movement of LLP licenses, NMFS would be unable to effectively manage the LLP.

Background and Requirements of the LLP

In 1999, NMFS implemented the groundfish and crab LLP to limit the number, size, and specific operation of vessels that may be deployed in each fishery (with the exception of sablefish which was managed through the Individual Fishing Quota Program and demersal shelf rockfish east of 140° W. longitude) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The LLP was established by Amendment 39 to the BSAI FMP, Amendment 41 to the GOA FMP, Amendment 5 to the Crab FMP, and to necessarily address concerns that the harvesting fleets expanded beyond the size needed to efficiently harvest the optimum yield (63 FR 52642, October 1, 1998). The groundfish and crab LLP replaced the Vessel Moratorium Program, which imposed a temporary moratorium on the entry of new vessels into the groundfish and crab federal fisheries. The Vessel Moratorium Program expired December 31, 1999. The application period and selection process for groundfish or crab LLP licenses was from September 13, 1999, through December 17, 1999 (64 FR 49104, September 10, 1999).

Under the groundfish and crab LLP, vessels participating in directed fishing for LLP groundfish species in the GOA or BSAI or those fishing in any BSAI LLP crab fisheries must be named on a valid copy of the LLP license that is on board the vessel, with some exceptions. An LLP groundfish or crab license authorizes the license holder to deploy the vessel in fisheries in accordance with the specific area and species endorsements, the vessel and gear designations, the maximum length overall (MLOA) specific on the license, and any exemption from the MLOA specific on the license.

In 2001, NMFS implemented the scallop LLP to limit the number of participants and reduce fishing capacity in the fishery. The scallop LLP was established by Amendment 4 to the Scallop FMP and to necessarily address concerns about excessive fishing capacity and exploitation in the scallop fishery, particularly if latent moratorium permits were activated (65 FR 78110, December 14, 2000). The scallop LLP replaced the federal moratorium program on the entry of new vessels to the scallop fishery, which expired June 30, 2000. The application period process for scallop LLP licenses was from January 16, 2001, to February 12, 2001.

Under the scallop LLP, an LLP license is required for vessels deployed in scallop fisheries in federal waters off Alaska, with the exception of some diving operations. The license authorizes the license holder to catch and retain scallops in compliance with State of Alaska regulations, subject to gear and MLOA restrictions. The scallop license is not vessel specific; however, a copy of a valid LLP license must be onboard the vessel.

For program definitions refer to 50 CFR 679.2, for permit and licensing requirements for scallop refer to 50 CFR 679.4(g), for permit and licensing requirements for groundfish and crab refer to 50 CFR 679.4(k), and for prohibitions refer to 50 CFR 679.7(i). Additional information on the LLP can be found on the NMFS Alaska Region website.¹

Reasons for Revisions Due to the Rule (RIN 0648-BL08)

This information collection is revised due to the final rule (RIN 0648-BL08) to implement Amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, which establishes a new limited access privilege program, the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC Program). The PCTC Program is a limited access privilege program for the harvest of Pacific cod in the BSAI trawl catcher vessel sector. This action is necessary to increase the value of the fishery, minimize bycatch to the extent practicable, provide for the sustained participation of fishery-dependent communities, ensure the sustainability and viability of the resource, and promote safety and stability in the harvesting and processing sectors.

The PCTC Program allocates quota share (QS) to qualifying LLP license holders and processing permit holders based on their qualifying catch and processing history during the BSAI trawl catcher vessel sector A and B season Pacific cod fishery. The rule adds regulations at § 679.130(j) for the transfer of PCTC QS. Under the PCTC Program, LLP license holders that receive QS may transfer PCTC QS concurrently with the transfer of the LLP license or AI endorsement to which it is attached. A person may transfer an LLP license and any PCTC Program QS assigned to that LLP license under the LLP transfer provisions in 50 CFR 679.4(k)(7), provided that the LLP license is not assigned PCTC Program QS in excess of the ownership cap specified in new PCTC Program regulations at § 679.133 at the time of transfer. Any transfer of QS will require approval by NMFS to properly track ownership caps. To transfer an LLP license or an AI endorsement with PCTC Program QS, a QS holder submits to NMFS the Application for Transfer LLP Groundfish/Crab License.

This revision modifies the Application for Transfer LLP Groundfish/Crab License to collect information on PCTC QS transfers.

This rule also affects information collection requirements approved under OMB Control Numbers 0648-0213 (Alaska Region Logbook and Activity Family of Forms); -0318 (North Pacific Observer Program); -0515 (Alaska Interagency Electronic Reporting System); and -0678 (North Pacific Fishery Management Council Cooperative Annual Reports); -0711 (Alaska Cost Recovery and Fee Programs); and adds a new information collection for the PCTC Program under a new OMB control number, 0648-0811. Concurrent with this request to revise 0648-00334, NMFS is submitting separate requests for these collections.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The table below has been updated to show that the application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses may be submitted by fax. This is due to a change request approved by OMB on November 8, 2021, that was associated with a rule that removed the requirement for notary certification on forms, including the application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses (86 FR 70751; December 13, 2021). This requirement was removed because it was unnecessary and administratively burdensome on the fleet and NMFS. It enabled this application to be submitted to NMFS by fax; fax submittal had not been accepted because of the notary requirement.

Respondents, Submission Method, and Frequency of Collection

Requirement	From whom will the information be collected?	Form?1	Submission Method2, 3	How frequently will the information be collected?
Application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses	Transferee and Transferor of an LLP license	Application for Transfer License Limitation Program Groundfish/Crab License	Mail, delivery, fax	As needed by the respondent
Application for the transfer of scallop LLP licenses	Transferee and Transferor of an LLP license	Application for Transfer of Scallop LLP License	Mail, delivery, fax	As needed by the respondent
Transfer appeal	Transfer Applicant	No	Mail, delivery, fax	As needed by the respondent

¹ The forms to transfer a scallop LLP license and a groundfish or crab LLP license are available as fillable pdfs on the NMFS Alaska Region website.

² Transfer applications—Mail: NMFS Alaska Region, Restricted Access Management, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; Delivery: 709 West 9^th Street, Room 713, Juneau, AK, 99801; Fax: (907) 586-7354

³ Transfer appeal—Mail or delivery: National Appeals Office, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Fax: (307) 713-2384.

All of the information collections are submitted to NMFS in accordance with regulations found at 50 CFR 679. The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be subjected to quality control measures and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554 (the Information Quality Act), which requires NMFS to ensure the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information it publicly disseminates. Public dissemination of data collected by this information collection is governed by NOAA's information quality guidelines, which were issued on October 30, 2014.

It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support publicly disseminated information. See Question 16 of this Supporting Statement for results of this information collection that are available to the public. Personally identifiable information and confidential business information submitted in an administrative appeal are not released to the public. Final administrative appeal decisions with redactions are posted on the NMFS National Appeals Office website.

NMFS and the National Appeals Office will retain control over the information and safeguard it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy.

The following sections provide additional information on transfer applications and appeals.

Application for the transfer of LLP licenses [REVISED]

Revision: The rule adds regulations at § 679.130(j) for the transfer of PCTC QS. Under the PCTC Program, LLP license holders that receive QS may transfer PCTC QS concurrently with the transfer of the LLP license or AI endorsement to which it is attached. To transfer PCTC QS or a transferrable Aleutian Islands endorsement with PCTC QS, the LLP license holder must complete and submit the Application for Transfer LLP Groundfish/Crab License. Transfer of QS requires approval by NMFS to properly track ownership caps. This application is revised to collect the following information on PCTC QS transfers: the LLP license number on which the PCTC QS is currently assigned, the license number(s) to which it is being transferred, and the amount and price of the PCTC QS to be transferred. During the proposed rule stage, editorial changes were made to the form to improve clarity. A sentence was added to the beginning of the form to explain what this form is used for. Block B was renamed because the previous heading was inaccurate. In Block B, the words “endorsement only” were added to the Aleutian Islands checkbox to clarify that this is for transfer of the Aleutian Islands endorsement and not the license; the instructions for Block B were revised to explain this. From the proposed rule to the final rule, more editorial changes were made. Block B was reorganized to make it clearer what type of transfer the applicant is requesting and text added to show what blocks need to be completed. Block B was also reorganized so that the LLP license number is now entered next to the checkbox for the transfer type. Blocks C through H were reordered so that the blocks to be completed for specific programs are last. No change was made to the burden for the changes due to the rule because the estimate allows for differences in the time needed to complete and submit the form. See the section “Reasons for Revisions Due to the Rule (RIN 0648-BL08)” under Question #1 above for more information on adding this requirement.

LLP license holders use the transfer applications to request transfer of an LLP license to an eligible receiver. Each transfer request must include a completed transfer application and a copy of the sale or transfer agreement. The information collected on the groundfish and crab transfer application includes the type of license to be transferred (crab license, groundfish license, Aleutian Islands less than 60-ft trawl endorsement); LLP number; identification of rockfish quota share, if applicable; identification of transferor and transferee (name, business contact information); vessel identification; ownership documentation; method and mode of payment, including financing; and certification of transferor and transferee. The information collected on the scallop transfer application includes license identification; identification of transferor and transferee (name, business contact information, NMFS Person ID); and certification of transferor and transferee.

The information collected is necessary for NMFS to determine the eligibility of the transfer to occur and transfer the license to the transferee. From the copy of the transfer contract or Bill of Sale for LLP licenses, NMFS can look up much of the same financial information if needed. The financial information requested on the applications is primarily used for research and program evaluation.

NMFS will approve transfer of a groundfish LLP license, an Aleutian Islands area endorsement, or crab LLP license if the transfer meets the provisions of 50 CFR 679.4(k)(7). NMFS will approve the transfer of a scallop LLP license if the transfer meets the provisions of 50 CFR 679.4(g)(5).

Transfer Appeal

If the Regional Administrator evaluates a transfer application and determines the application is incomplete or deficient, the application will be returned to the applicant. Any applicant who fails to submit the information specified in the application will be provided a reasonable opportunity to submit the information or a revised application. If the application is not revised appropriately, the Regional Administrator will prepare and send an Initial Administrative Decision (IAD) to the applicant. A person who receives an IAD may appeal pursuant to 50 CFR 679.43. To apply for a transfer appeal, the applicant must provide a written statement in support of the appeal and show why the IAD should be reversed. The information submitted in the transfer appeal is used by NMFS to assess information provided by the appellee in relation to an application denial.

Administrative appeals must be submitted to the National Appeals Office (NAO), which is a division of NMFS Office of Management and Budget within NOAA and operates out of NMFS headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. The NAO adjudicates appeals by providing due process and consistency to NMFS administrative decisions. The procedure for appealing an IAD through the NAO is at 15 CFR part 906.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also, describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

The transfer applications may be accessed on the NMFS Alaska Region website, completed electronically, then downloaded, printed, and submitted.² The transfer applications may be submitted by fax. NMFS is working toward a method whereby all of the information will be entered online and submitted directly and automatically into a database.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Question 2.

None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other collections. In general, Alaska Region information collections are prepared and reviewed by staff familiar with all of the information collection requirements for the region. Staff work together to develop information collection requirements for new programs. In addition, NMFS staff work closely with the staff of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the International Pacific Halibut Commission to reduce duplication in information collection requirements to the extent possible given overlapping jurisdictions and complex fisheries. Senior staff at the Alaska Region, NMFS headquarters, and the Department of Commerce General Counsel review all new and revised information collection requirements that are associated with rulemakings. This process minimizes the potential for duplication of information collection requirements for participants in the Federal fisheries off Alaska.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This information collection impacts some small entities. NMFS attempts to minimize the burden of this information collection on all respondents by collecting only information necessary to manage the LLP.

In 2021, NMFS reduced the burden by removing the requirement to obtain and submit a notary certification for the Application for Transfer License Limitation Program Groundfish/Crab License (86 FR 70751; December 13, 2021). This decreased the cost of submitting this application to NMFS by removing the fee for a notary’s service and allowed this application to be submitted by fax. Now all of the transfer applications in this collection may be submitted by fax.

The transfer applications are available online as fillable pdfs. A toll-free phone number is available for participants to contact Restricted Access Management staff for help or information.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

This information collection is required to manage commercial crab, groundfish, and scallop fishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq., and under 50 CFR parts 679 and 680. The information collected is required to manage commercial fishing efforts under 50 CFR part 679 and under section 402(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.).

An essential feature of the LLP is the ability for participants to transfer their LLP license. License transfers are not mandated nor do they contain a cycle of completion. Transfers are done when the participants deem it necessary. Without the ability to track the movement of LLP licenses, NMFS would be unable to effectively manage the LLP.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

This collection will be conducted in a manner consistent with OMB guidelines.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publications in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

A proposed rule (88 FR 8592) soliciting public comments published on February 9, 2023. The comment period ended on March 13, 2023. No comments were received on this information collection

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

No payment or gift will be provided under this program.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. If the collection requires a systems of records notice (SORN) or privacy impact assessment (PIA), those should be cited and described here.

All information collections by NMFS, Alaska Region, are protected under confidentiality provisions of section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006 (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.) and under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.

Disclosure of this information is permitted under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. Section 552a), to be shared within NMFS offices, in order to coordinate monitoring and management of sustainability of fisheries and protected resources, as well as with the applicable State or Regional Marine Fisheries Commissions and International Organizations. The System of Records Notice (SORN) that covers this information collection is COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for United States Federally Regulated Fisheries. A notice was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2015 (80 FR 47457), and became effective September 15, 2015 (80 FR 55327).

The Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) that covers this information collection is NOAA NMFS Alaska Region Local Area Network (NOAA4700).

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

This information collection does not involve information of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

The application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses is revised to collect information necessary for the transfer of PCTC Program QS. NMFS estimates the new PCTC Program will add 5 transfers (responses) annually. As the transfer application is completed by both the transferor and the transferee, this adds 10 respondents to this collection, which increases the annual number of respondents from 102 to 112. No changes were made to the burden due to the rule because the burden estimate allows for differences in the time needed to complete and submit the form..

The hourly wage rate has been updated to use the most current rate available (May 2022) from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The hourly wage rate estimate of $22.52 is the Alaska mean hourly wage for Occupation Code 45-0000 (Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations; https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm).

Information Collection	Type of Respondent (e.g., Occupational Title)	# of Respondents/year	Annual # of Responses / Respondent	Total # of Annual Responses	Burden Hrs / Response	Total Annual Burden Hrs	Hourly Wage Rate (for Type of Respondent)	Total Annual Wage Burden Costs
Application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses	License holder	1121	1	56	1 hour	56	22.52	1,261
Application for the transfer of scallop LLP licenses	License holder	21	1	1	1 hour	1	22.52	23
Transfer appeal	License holder	12	1	1	4 hours	4	22.52	90
Totals				58		61		$1,374

¹ The number of respondents is calculated by using the average number of LLP license transfers over a 3-year period, then multiplying that by 2 because the application is completed by the transferor and transferee. For groundfish and crab, there were 45 in 2017, 55 in 2018, and 53 in 2019 for an average of 51 transfer applications submitted annually, which equals 102 respondents per year. For scallop, there was one transfer from 2017 through 2019. For purposes of this analysis, NMFS is assuming it may receive one scallop transfer application annually, which equals 2 respondents per year.

² To date, no appeals have been filed. For purposes of this analysis, 1 response is used.

13. Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet).

Operating costs account for the typical inclusive general office services packages that include expenses for email, fax, copying, mailing, printing, and internet.

Information Collection	# of Respondents/year (a)	Annual # of Responses / Respondent (b)	Total # of Annual Responses (c) = (a) x (b)	Cost Burden / Respondent (h)	Total Annual Cost Burden (i) = (a) x (h)
Application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses	112	1	56	Operating costs – $5	560
Application for the transfer of scallop LLP licenses	2	1	1	Operating costs – $5	10
Transfer appeal	1	1	1	Operating costs – $5 Attorney* – $500	505
TOTALS	115		58		$1,075

*Attorney cost is included to reflect the assumption that most people would hire an attorney to prepare an appeal ($125/hour x 4 hours).

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

Federal government costs are based on one permit assistant and an appeals attorney. The fully loaded salary cost includes 52 percent of the salary to account for benefits and other overhead costs. Notes below the table provide the salary and calculations for each cost. The grade and step are from the Department of Commerce Alternative Personnel System (CAPS) pay tables (https://www.commerce.gov/hr/practitioners/caps/pay-administration). The general schedule grade equivalent for CAPS is included in parentheses.

Cost Descriptions	Grade/Step	Loaded Salary / Cost	% of Effort	Fringe (if Applicable)	Total Cost to Government
Federal Oversight
Permit Assistant	ZS-4 step 4 (GS 7-8)	$118,645	1%		$1,186
Appeals Attorney	GS 14	$261,554	0.2%		$523
Contractor Cost
Travel
Other Costs:
TOTAL					$1,703

GS 7-8 2023 salary (capped out ZS-4, step 4 in Juneau, AK) = $78,056. For loaded salary, add 52% for benefits and other overhead costs ($78,056 * 1.52 = $118,645).    

GS 14 step 10 2023 salary for Silver Spring = $172,075. For loaded salary, add 52% for benefits and other overhead costs. ($174,075 * 1.52 = $261,554).

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in ROCIS.

Due to the final rule (0648-BL08), the application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses has been revised to collect information for the transfer of PCTC QS under the new PCTC Program that is implemented by this rule. This added 10 respondents and 5 responses for this application. No change was made to the estimated burden because the estimate allows for differences in the time needed to complete and submit the form.

Information Collection	Respondents			Responses		Burden Hours		Reason for change or adjustment
	Current Renewal / Revision		Previous Renewal / Revision	Current Renewal / Revision	Previous Renewal / Revision	Current Renewal / Revision	Previous Renewal / Revision
Application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses	112	102		56	51	56	51	Program Change: The new PCTC Program implemented by this rule is expected to increase the respondents and responses for this application, which increases the total annual burden hours.
Application for the transfer of scallop LLP licenses	2	2		1	1	1	1	No change
Transfer appeal	1	1		1	1	4	4	No change
Total for Collection	115	105		58	53	61	56
Difference	10 (program change)			5 (program change)		5 (program change)

Information Collection	Labor Costs		Miscellaneous Costs		Reason for change or adjustment
	Current	Previous	Current	Previous
Application for the transfer of groundfish and crab LLP licenses	1,261	1,197	560	510	Labor costs (adjustment): The hourly wage rate was updated to use the most current BLS rate available, which is lower than the previous rate. Misc. Costs (Program Change): The PCTC Program adds respondents for this application, which increases the total annual misc. costs.
Application for the transfer of scallop LLP licenses	23	23	10	10	Labor costs (Adjustment): The hourly wage rate was updated to use the most current BLS rate available, which is lower than the previous rate.
Transfer appeal	90	94	505	505	Labor costs (Adjustment): The hourly wage rate was updated to use the most current BLS rate available, which is lower than the previous rate.
Total for Collection	$1,374	$1,314	$1,075	$1,025
Difference	$60 adjustment		$50 program change

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

NMFS Alaska Region posts LLP license information on its website at Permits and Licenses Issued in Alaska.³ Spreadsheets in .csv format are posted annually for crab LLP licenses, groundfish LLP licenses, and for scallop LLP licenses. Additionally a subset of LLP licenses with Pacific cod endorsements are posted.

Final administrative appeal decisions with redactions are posted on the NMFS National Appeals Office website.⁴ Personally identifiable information and confidential business information submitted in an administrative appeal are not released to the public.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

The agency plans to display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection on all instruments.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.

The agency certifies compliance with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

1 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/license-limitation-program-alaska

2 The application to transfer a scallop LLP license is posted at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/alaska-scallop-license-limitation-program-application-forms. The application to transfer a groundfish or crab LLP license is posted at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/alaska-license-limitation-program-applications-groundfish-and-crab.

3 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/permits-and-licenses-issued-alaska#license-limitation-program-(llp)

4 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/rules-and-regulations/appeals

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