Nomination Process for National Marine Sanctuaries.

OMB Control No: 0648-0682	ICR Reference No: 202410-0648-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202008-0648-003
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Nomination Process for National Marine Sanctuaries.
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 10/10/2024

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	11/30/2024
Responses	9	7
Time Burden (Hours)	607	591
Cost Burden (Dollars)	168	120

---

Abstract: This is a request for revision and extension of an existing information collection. There are no changes to the sanctuary nomination process. However, NOAA added an additional information collection to cover the burden imposed by requesting additional information from submitting parties. This added two additional responses, 16 hours, and $48 in miscellaneous costs. National marine sanctuary regulations provide that the public can submit areas of the marine and Great Lakes environments for consideration by NOAA as a national marine sanctuary through the sanctuary nomination process (15 CFR part 922). Persons wanting to submit nominations for consideration should submit information on the qualifying criteria and management considerations for the site to be nominated. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries reviews the submissions, which could result in the nomination being added to an inventory of areas that NOAA may consider for sanctuary designation at some point in the future. Sanctuary designation is a separate public process that would be conducted pursuant to the requirements of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and all other applicable laws. This proposed information collection is for national marine sanctuary nominations received pursuant to NOAA regulations that provide that the public may nominate special places of the marine environment through the sanctuary nomination process (15 CFR part 922).

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1431 et seq. Name of Law: National Marine Sanctuaries Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 34215	04/30/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 82229	10/10/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title Form No. Form Name Additional Information Requests National Marine Sanctuary Nominations

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	9	7	0	2	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	607	591	0	16	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	168	120	0	48	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: There are no changes to the sanctuary nomination process. However, NOAA added an additional information collection to cover the burden imposed by requesting additional information from submitting parties. This added two additional responses, 16 hours, and $48 in miscellaneous costs.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $120,957

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Meredith Walz 301 713-7288 [email protected]

---

Common Form ICR:  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:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(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;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date: 10/10/2024

---