The Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits the taking of endangered species. Section 10 of the ESA allows for certain exceptions to this prohibition, such as a taking for scientific research purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued regulations to provide for application and reporting for exceptions related to scientific research or to enhance the propagation of threatened or endangered species. The information used to evaluate the proposed activity (permits) and on-going activities (reports) and is necessary for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to ensure the conservation of the species under the ESA.
US Code:
16 USC 1531
Name of Law: Endangered Species Act of 1973
Adjustments:
The number of new permit applications has increased by about 30% over the last few years (40, up from 30). New species listings, species recovery planning efforts, and research for the Federal Columbia River Hydropower System and several other ESA consultations have led to an increase in scientific research permit requests as well as related annual reports, for a total annual increase of 25 responses (155, up from 130). However, the number of final reports has been adjusted downward by 15*, so the net increase in responses is 10.
Based on feedback from respondents: the times per response for applications, annual reports and final reports are lower: 12 instead of 20, 2 instead of 5, and 2 instead of 10, respectively, while the time for a modification increased from 5 to 6 hours.
Therefore, if the number of each response type had remained the same, there would have been a net decrease in hours of 680 (-700 total for applications and reports + 20 for modifications).
With the change in response numbers, the estimated increase in hours compared to previous numbers at new response times, is 120 (150 for applications and annual reports, -30 for final reports) The total net decrease in hours is 560 (-680 + 120).
Recordkeeping/reporting costs have decreased from $105 to $83, due to universal use of APPS other than faxing or mailing application signature pages.
*We have recently found that many of the scientific research projects are multi-year ongoing projects. Researchers are requesting to renew permits and final reports are seldom available after the first permit cycle.
$158,780
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Gary Rule 5032305424
No
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.
Application for Scientific Research and Enhancement Permits Under the Endangered Species Act
0402 SS Renewal 051112 rev.doc
Application for Scientific Research and Enhancement Permits Under the Endangered Species Act