[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27017-27018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12438]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2018-N069; FXRS1263040000-156-FF04R08000; OMB Control Number
1018-0153]
Agency Information Collection Activities; National Wildlife
Refuge Visitor Check-In Permit and Use Report
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 (Service) are proposing to renew an
information collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
August 10, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request
(ICR) by mail to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or by email to Info_Coll@fws.gov. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1018-0153 in the subject line of your
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at Info_Coll@fws.gov, or by
telephone at (703) 358-2503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and
continuing collections of
[[Page 27018]]
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.
We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper
functions of the Service; (2) will this information be processed and
used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4)
how might the Service enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how might the Service minimize the
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use
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 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 National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of
1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), as amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the Refuge Recreation Act of
1962 (16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4) govern the administration and uses of
national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts. The
Administration Act authorizes us to permit public uses, including
hunting and fishing, on lands of the Refuge System when we find that
the activity is compatible and appropriate with the purpose for which
the refuge was established. The Recreation Act allows the use of
refuges for public recreation when the use is not inconsistent or does
not interfere with the primary purpose(s) of the refuge.
We use FWS Form 3-2405 (Self-Clearing Check-In Permit) to collect
user information on hunting and fishing on refuges. This form offers a
self-check-in feature not found on other similar forms, reducing the
number of staffed check-in stations. We found this method increases
game harvest reporting and provides better estimates of total numbers
of game harvested. This form also requests users to report other
species observed, data then used by refuge staff and state agencies for
managing wildlife populations. Not all refuges will use this form and
some refuges may collect the identical information in a nonform format
(meaning there is no designated form associated with the collection of
information). The currently approved form is available online at:
https://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2405.pdf. We collect:
Information on the visitor (name, address, and contact
information). We use this information to identify the visitor or
driver/passengers of a vehicle while on the refuge. Having this
information readily available is critical in a search and rescue
situation. We do not maintain or record this information.
Information on whether or not hunters/anglers were
successful (number and type of harvest/caught).
Purpose of visit (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation,
wildlife photography, auto touring, birding, hiking, boating/canoeing,
visitor center, special event, environmental education class,
volunteering, other recreation).
Species observed.
Date of visit.
The above information is a vital tool in meeting refuge objectives
and maintaining quality visitor experiences. It helps us:
Administer and monitor the quality of visitor programs and
facilities on refuges.
Minimize resource disturbance, manage healthy game
populations, and ensure the protection of fish and wildlife species
through the check-in/out process.
Assist in Statewide wildlife management and enforcement
and develop reliable estimates of the number of key game fish and
wildlife, like the Louisiana black bear (a recently delisted species).
Determine facility and program needs and budgets based on
user demand for resources.
Title of Collection: National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Check-In
Permit and Use Report.
OMB Control Number: 1018-0153.
Form Number: 3-2405.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals who visit national
wildlife refuges.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 650,000.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 650,000.
Estimated Completion Time per Response: 5 minutes.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 54,167.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
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.).
Dated: June 6, 2018.
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12438 Filed 6-8-18; 8:45 am]
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