[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8866-8869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03313]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-HQ-LE-2021-N214; FF09L00000/FX/LE18110900000/212; OMB Control
Number 1018-0092]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget; Federal Fish and Wildlife Applications
and Reports--Law Enforcement
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
[[Page 8867]]
(Service), are proposing to renew an information collection with
revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
March 18, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request
(ICR) within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by
selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by
using the search function. Please provide a copy of your comments to
the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church,
VA 22041-3803 (mail); or by email to Info_Coll@fws.gov. Please
reference Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1018-
0092 in the subject line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at Info_Coll@fws.gov, or by
telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals who are hearing or speech
impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY
assistance. You may also view the information collection request (ICR)
at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we
provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an
opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing
collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting
burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
On September 27, 2021, we published in the Federal Register (86 FR
53337) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this
information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60
days, ending on November 26, 2021. In an effort to increase public
awareness of, and participation in, our public commenting processes
associated with information collection requests, the Service also
published the Federal Register notice on Regulations.gov (Docket FWS-
HQ-LE-2021-0109) to provide the public with an additional method to
submit comments (in addition to the typical Info_Coll@fws.gov email and
U.S. mail submission methods). We received the following comments in
response to that notice:
Comment 1: Comment received electronically via Regulations.gov
(Comment ID: FWS-HQ-LE-2021-0109-0002) from Jean Publieee on September
26, 2021: The commenter suggested public scrutiny as part of the
process to allow a person to trade in wildlife, and alleged that
criminals were taking advantage of the wildlife and profiting from the
process. The commentor referenced a 2017 case of illegal export.
Agency Response to Comment 1: The commenter did not address the
information collections, but rather addresses important aspects of the
enforcement process. The public scrutiny of applications recommendation
is not a feasible element of the permitting regulations process. This
request is specific to the application process for permits to allow a
person to trade in wildlife, while there is a separate process by the
Office of Law Enforcement to document violations.
Comment 2: Comment received electronically via Regulations.gov
(Comment ID: FWS-HQ-LE-2021-0109-0003) from Jean Publieee on September
26, 2021: Commenter did not support moving to a complete computer
(automated) process, given the vulnerabilities of automated systems and
the fact that not everyone has (access to) a computer.
Agency Response to Comment 2: We note the comment and would like to
advise the public that paper applications will still be available for
manual, mail-in submissions. However, our efforts respond to the
Service's need to move to a more efficient electronic process and
reduce the burden on the public.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other
Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are
especially interested in public comment addressing the following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. 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 can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so.
Abstract: The Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
makes it unlawful to import or export wildlife or wildlife products for
commercial purposes without first obtaining an import/export license
(see 16 U.S.C. 1538(d)). The ESA also requires that fish or wildlife be
imported into or exported from the United States only at a designated
port, or at a nondesignated port under certain limited circumstances
(see 16 U.S.C. 1538(f)). This information collection includes the
following permit/license application forms:
FWS Form 3-200-2, ``Designated Port Exception Permit''
Under 50 CFR 14.11, it is unlawful to import or export wildlife or
wildlife products at ports other than those designated in 50 CFR 14.12,
unless you qualify for an exception. The following exceptions allow
qualified individuals, businesses, or scientific organizations to
import or export wildlife or wildlife products at a nondesignated port:
(a) To export the wildlife or wildlife products for scientific
purposes;
(b) To minimize deterioration or loss; or
(c) To relieve economic hardship.
To request authorization to import or export wildlife or wildlife
products at nondesignated ports, applicants must complete FWS Form 3-
200-2. Designated port exception permits can be valid for up to 2
years. We may require a permittee to file a report on activities
conducted under authority of the permit.
[[Page 8868]]
FWS Form 3-200-3a, ``Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application Form:
Import/Export License--U.S. Entities,'' and 3-200-3b, ``Federal Fish
and Wildlife Permit Application Form: Import/Export License--Foreign
Entities''
It is unlawful to import or export wildlife or wildlife products
for commercial purposes without first obtaining an import/export
license (50 CFR 14.91). Applicants located in the United States must
complete FWS Form 3-200-3a to request this license. Foreign applicants
that reside or are located outside the United States must complete FWS
Form 3-200-3b to request this license.
We use the information collected on FWS Forms 3-200-3a and 3-200-3b
as an enforcement tool and management aid to (a) monitor the
international wildlife market and (b) detect trends and changes in the
commercial trade of wildlife and wildlife products. Import/export
licenses are valid for up to 1 year. We may require a licensee to file
a report on activities conducted under authority of the import/export
license.
Proposed Revisions
Automation in eLicense System
With this submission, we also seek OMB approval to automate FWS
Forms 3-200-2, ``Designated Port Exception Permit'' (50 CFR parts 13
and 14); Form 3-200-3a, ``Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application
Form: Import/Export License-U.S. Entities'' (50 CFR parts 13 and 14);
and Form 3-200-3b, ``Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application Form:
Import/Export License-Foreign Entities'' (50 CFR parts 13 and 14) in a
new eLicense system. This automation is expected to reduce the burden
on the public. The eLicense system will also simplify the application
process and give the applicant the ability to pay online through
Pay.gov via credit card or direct bank payment. This will reduce the
number of applicants requesting multiple licenses for the same business
and will reduce the number of incorrect addresses and bounced checks
that we receive. In addition, we removed the requirement to provide the
dates of birth for U.S. agents on Forms 3-200-2 and 3-200-3b.
Automation in ePermits System
With this submission, we propose a revision to the collection to
obtain OMB approval to automate Form 3-200-44, ``Permit Application
Form: Registration of an Agent/Tannery under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA),'' and Form 3-200-44a, ``Registered Agent/Tannery
Bi-Annual Inventory Report,'' in the Service's ``ePermits'' system. The
ePermits system is an automated permit application system that
streamlines the permitting process to reduce public burden. Public
burden reduction is a priority for the Service; the Assistant Secretary
for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; and senior leadership at the Department
of the Interior. The ePermits system fully automates the permitting
process to improve the customer experience and to reduce time burden on
respondents. This system also enhances the user experience by allowing
users to enter data from any device that has internet access, including
PCs, tablets, and smartphones. Furthermore, the system links the permit
applicant to the Pay.gov system for payment of any associated permit
application fees.
Until we have actual usage data from the eLicense and ePermits
systems, we are splitting the previously approved public burden equally
between hard copy and electronic submissions (see burden table below).
After the forms are operational in the two systems for at least 12-18
months, the Service will have more reliable burden data to submit to
OMB in conjunction with the next renewal of this collection.
Title of Collection: Federal Fish and Wildlife Applications and
Reports-Law Enforcement; 50 CFR parts 13 and 14.
OMB Control Number: 1018-0092.
Form Number: FWS Forms 3-200-2, 3-200-3a, 3-200-3b, 3-200-44, and
3-200-44a.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals, private sector, and
State/local/Tribal entities.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion for Forms 3-200-2, 3-200-3a,
3-200-3b, 3-200-44, and reporting requirements and biannually for Form
3-200-44a.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $1,188,700. There is a
$100 fee associated with applications (Forms 3-200-2, 3-200-3a and 3-
200-3b) and a $150 fee associated with application (Form 3-200-44)
received from individuals and the private sector. There is no fee for
applications from government agencies or for processing reports.
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Estimated Estimated Total Completion
number of number of estimated time per Estimated
Activity/requirement annual annual annual response total annual
respondents responses responses (hours) burden hours *
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FWS Form 3-200-2, ``Designated Port Exception Permit'' (50 CFR parts 13 and 14) (Hardcopy)
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Individuals..................... 289 1 289 1.25 361
Private Sector.................. 361 1 361 1.25 451
Government...................... 7 1 7 1.25 9
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FWS Form 3-200-2, ``Designated Port Exception Permit'' (50 CFR parts 13 and 14) (eLicense)
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Individuals..................... 289 1 289 1 289
Private Sector.................. 361 1 361 1 361
Government...................... 7 1 7 1 7
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FWS Form 3-200-3a, ``Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application Form: Import/Export License-U.S. Entities''
(50 CFR parts 13 and 14) (Hardcopy)
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Private Sector.................. 5,099 1 5,099 1.25 6,374
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FWS Form 3-200-3a, ``Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application Form: Import/Export License-U.S. Entities''
(50 CFR parts 13 and 14) (eLicense)
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Private Sector.................. 5,099 1 5,099 1 5,099
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[[Page 8869]]
FWS Form 3-200-3b, ``Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application Form: Import/Export License-Foreign Entities''
(50 CFR parts 13 and 14) (Hardcopy)
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Private Sector.................. 190 1 190 1.25 238
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FWS Form 3-200-3b, ``Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application Form: Import/Export License-Foreign Entities''
(50 CFR parts 13 and 14) (eLicense)
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Private Sector.................. 190 1 190 1 190
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Designated Port Exception Permit Report (50 CFR parts 13 and 14)
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Private Sector.................. 5 1 5 1 5
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Import/Export License Report (50 CFR parts 13 and 14)
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Private Sector.................. 10 1 10 1 10
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FWS Forms 3-200-44, ``Permit Application Form: Registration of an Agent/Tannery under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA)'' (Hardcopy)
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Private Sector.................. 3 1 3 .3 1
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FWS Forms 3-200-44, ``Permit Application Form: Registration of an Agent/Tannery under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA)'' (ePermits)
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Private Sector.................. 3 1 3 .25 1
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FWS Form 3-200-44a, ``Registered Agent/Tannery Bi-Annual Inventory Report'' (Hardcopy)
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Private Sector.................. 10 2 20 1 20
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FWS Form 3-200-44a, ``Registered Agent/Tannery Bi-Annual Inventory Report'' (ePermits)
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Private Sector.................. 10 2 20 .75 15
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Total:...................... 11,933 .............. 11,953 .............. 13,431
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* Rounded to Match ROCIS.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03313 Filed 2-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P