60-day FRN

60358

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 143 / Thursday, July 25, 2024 / Notices

have a negligible impact on marine
mammal stocks, will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the affected marine
mammal stock for subsistence uses, and
the mitigation measures provide a
means of affecting the least practicable
adverse impact on the affected stocks
and their habitat.
Dated: July 22, 2024.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–16411 Filed 7–24–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; NOAA Satellite Customer
Questionnaire
National Oceanic &
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection,
request for comment.
AGENCY:

The Department of
Commerce, in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), invites the general public and
other Federal agencies to comment on
proposed, and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the
impact of our information collection
requirements and minimize the public’s
reporting burden. The purpose of this
notice is to allow for 60 days of public
comment preceding submission of the
collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration,
comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received
on or before September 23, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer,
at [email protected]. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648–
0227 in the subject line of your
comments. Do not submit Confidential
Business Information or otherwise
sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection
activities should be directed to Mark
Turner and Toby Hutchings at
[email protected], 301–817–
4446 and [email protected],
240–569–0871, Suitland Federal Center,

ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1

SUMMARY:

VerDate Sep<11>2014

19:41 Jul 24, 2024

Jkt 262001

4231 Suitland Road, Bldg. NSOF,
Suitland, MD 20746.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for the extension of a
current information collection.
The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
operates a minimum of four
meteorological satellite imagery
transmission systems, two from
geostationary operational environmental
(GOES) satellites and two from Joint
Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellites.
In addition, a commercially broadcast
data stream and legacy/backup/standby
polar-orbiting satellites continue to be
operated as their health permits. The
data transmitted are available
worldwide, and any user can establish
a ground receiving station for reception
of the data without the prior consent,
notification, or other approval from
NOAA. With such an open access
policy, it is currently not possible to
have a comprehensive understanding of
the range and numbers of the data users
and application of the data received
and/or used. The purpose of collecting
the information contained in the
‘‘Questionnaire’’ is to satisfy the
following objectives: (1) To comply with
international agreements such as the
Department of Commerce (DOC)/
NOAA’s memorandum of understanding
(MOU) with the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), so that NOAA can
provide environmental satellite data and
processed satellite data products to the
public domain, and (2) To improve
Government efficiencies of data
dissemination using cost-saving
technologies to minimize the
expenditure of personnel and financial
resources. The NOAA Policy on
Partnerships in the Provision of
Environmental Information is also
pertinent to this information collection.
This policy was developed to strengthen
the partnership among government,
academia, and the private sector, which
provides the nation with high quality
environmental information.
The collection of information from a
respondent is initiated when an
individual contacts National
Environmental Satellite, Data, and
Information Service (NESDIS) via letter,
telephone, fax or email, or when they
visit a web page. If the nature of the
contact indicates the individual may
operate a satellite receiving station for
the acquisition of NOAA satellite data
or may use NOAA satellite data or
services, the individual is requested to
complete an on-line electronic
questionnaire, which is found on a
NOAA internet site. The questionnaire

PO 00000

Frm 00010

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

is completed at the respondent’s
discretion. The information received is
used by NOAA for short-term operations
and long-term planning. Collection of
this data assists in complying with the
terms of the MOU with the WMO, MOU
with DOC, and NOAA on areas of
common interest and other international
agreements.
II. Method of Collection
Information will be collected via an
online questionnaire.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648–0227.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission
[extension of a current information
collection].
Affected Public: Federal government,
Not-for-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
30.
Estimated Time per Response: 6
minutes per response.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 30 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Public: $0.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to
permit the Department/Bureau to: (a)
Evaluate whether the proposed
information collection is necessary for
the proper functions of the Department,
including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the
accuracy of our estimate of the time and
cost burden for this proposed collection,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
Evaluate ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (d) Minimize the
reporting burden on those who are to
respond, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or
summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before
including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal
identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you may ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we

E:\FR\FM\25JYN1.SGM

25JYN1

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 143 / Thursday, July 25, 2024 / Notices
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of
the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs,
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024–16306 Filed 7–24–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–HR–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD989]

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to
Specified Activities; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to U.S. Coast
Guard Fast Response Cutter
Homeporting in Seward and Sitka,
Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental
harassment authorizations; request for
comments on proposed authorizations
and possible renewals.
AGENCY:

NMFS has received a request
from the United States Coast Guard
(USCG) for authorization to take marine
mammals incidental to fast response
cutter (FRC) homeporting in Seward and
Sitka, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS
is requesting comments on its proposal
to issue two incidental harassment
authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally
take marine mammals during the
specified activities. NMFS is also
requesting comments on possible onetime, 1-year renewals that could be
issued under certain circumstances and
if all requirements are met, as described
in Request for Public Comments at the
end of this notice. NMFS will consider
public comments prior to making any
final decision on the issuance of the
requested MMPA authorizations and
agency responses will be summarized in
the final notice of our decision.
DATES: Comments and information must
be received no later than August 26,
2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be
addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief,
Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service and should be
submitted via email to ITP.clevenstine@
noaa.gov. Electronic copies of the
application and supporting documents,
as well as a list of the references cited
in this document, may be obtained

ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1

SUMMARY:

VerDate Sep<11>2014

19:41 Jul 24, 2024

Jkt 262001

online at: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/
marine-mammal-protection/incidentaltake-authorizations-constructionactivities. In case of problems accessing
these documents, please call the contact
listed below.
Instructions: NMFS is not responsible
for comments sent by any other method,
to any other address or individual, or
received after the end of the comment
period. Comments, including all
attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted online at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/
incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act without
change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address)
voluntarily submitted by the commenter
may be publicly accessible. Do not
submit confidential business
information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alyssa Clevenstine, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The MMPA prohibits the ‘‘take’’ of
marine mammals, with certain
exceptions. Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and
(D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et
seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce
(as delegated to NMFS) to allow, upon
request, the incidental, but not
intentional, taking of small numbers of
marine mammals by U.S. citizens who
engage in a specified activity (other than
commercial fishing) within a specified
geographical region if certain findings
are made and either regulations are
proposed or, if the taking is limited to
harassment, a notice of a proposed IHA
is provided to the public for review.
Authorization for incidental takings
shall be granted if NMFS finds that the
taking will have a negligible impact on
the species or stock(s) and will not have
an unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for
taking for subsistence uses (where
relevant). Further, NMFS must prescribe
the permissible methods of taking and
other ‘‘means of effecting the least
practicable adverse impact’’ on the
affected species or stocks and their
habitat, paying particular attention to
rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of
similar significance, and on the
availability of the species or stocks for
taking for certain subsistence uses
(referred to in shorthand as
‘‘mitigation’’); and requirements
pertaining to the monitoring and

PO 00000

Frm 00011

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

60359

reporting of the takings. The definitions
of all applicable MMPA statutory terms
cited above are included in the relevant
sections below.
National Environmental Policy Act
To comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and
NOAA Administrative Order (NAO)
216–6A, NMFS must review our
proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an
IHA) with respect to potential impacts
on the human environment.
This action is consistent with
categories of activities identified in
Categorical Exclusion B4 (IHAs with no
anticipated serious injury or mortality)
of the Companion Manual for NAO 216–
6A, which do not individually or
cumulatively have the potential for
significant impacts on the quality of the
human environment and for which we
have not identified any extraordinary
circumstances that would preclude this
categorical exclusion. Accordingly,
NMFS has preliminarily determined
that the issuance of the proposed IHAs
qualify to be categorically excluded
from further NEPA review.
We will review all comments
submitted in response to this notice
prior to concluding our NEPA process
or making a final decision on the IHA
requests.
Summary of Request
On January 19, 2024, NMFS received
a request from the USCG for two IHAs
to take marine mammals incidental to
pile driving (installation and removal)
associated with construction of two FRC
homeporting docks in Seward and Sitka,
Alaska. Following NMFS’ review of the
application, the USCG submitted
revised versions on April 3, 2024, June
6, 2024, and June 11, 2024. The
application was deemed adequate and
complete on June 11, 2024. The USCG’s
request is for take of 11 species (18
stocks) of marine mammals by Level B
harassment and, for a subset of five
these species, Level A harassment.
Neither the USCG nor NMFS expect
serious injury or mortality to result from
this activity and, therefore, IHAs are
appropriate.
Description of Proposed Activity
Overview
The USCG proposes to construct
shore-side facilities and associated
infrastructure at Moorings Seward to
homeport one FRC located in the
Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC)
boat basin, and demolishing and
constructing shore side facilities at
Moorings Sitka in Sitka Harbor to

E:\FR\FM\25JYN1.SGM

25JYN1