[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 129 (Monday, July 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40309-40312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14457]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-HQ-ES-2020-N059; FF09E00000 190 FXES11130900000; OMB Control
Number 1018-0094]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Federal Fish and
Wildlife Permit Applications and Reports--Native Endangered and
Threatened Species
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 with revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
September 4, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request by
mail 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 OMB Control Number 1018-0094 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA and its
implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information
collections require approval under the PRA. We may not conduct or
sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies 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.
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. 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 Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
provides a means to conserve the ecosystems upon which endangered and
threatened species depend, to provide a program for the conservation of
these endangered and threatened species, and to take the appropriate
steps that are necessary to bring any endangered or threatened species
to the point where measures provided for under the ESA are no longer
necessary. Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA authorizes us to issue
permits for otherwise prohibited activities in order to enhance the
propagation or survival of the affected species. ESA Section 10(d)
requires that such permits be applied for in good faith and, if
granted, will not operate to the disadvantage of endangered species,
and will be consistent with the purposes of the ESA.
Our regulations implementing the ESA are in chapter I, subchapter B
of title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (50 CFR 13 and 50
CFR 17). The regulations stipulate general and specific requirements
that, when met, allow us to issue permits to authorize activities that
are otherwise prohibited. Upon receipt of a complete application, the
Director may issue a permit authorizing any activity otherwise
prohibited by Sec. 17.21, in accordance with the issuance criteria of
this section, for scientific purposes, for enhancing the propagation or
survival, or for the incidental taking of endangered wildlife. Such
permits may authorize a single transaction, a series of transactions,
or a number of activities over a specific period of time. (See Sec.
17.32 for permits for threatened species.)
We collect information associated with application forms to
determine the eligibility of applicants for permits requested in
accordance with the criteria in section 10 of the ESA. The Service uses
the following permit application forms for activities associated with
native endangered and threatened species:
Form 3-200-54, Enhancement of Survival Permits Associated
with Safe Harbor Agreement & Candidate Conservation Agreement with
Assurances
Form 3-200-55, Scientific Purposes, Enhancement of
Propagation or Survival Permits (i.e., Recovery Permits) and Interstate
Commerce Permits
Form 3-200-56, Incidental Take Permits Associated with a
Habitat Conservation Plan
[[Page 40310]]
Based on which permits are issued, we also require reports to
monitor activities associated with permitted activities in accordance
with their permits issued based on 50 CFR 17. Annual reports associated
with permits are tailored to a specific activity based on the
requirements for specific types of permits. In some cases, we developed
specific information collection forms to facilitate and standardize the
reporting and review, and to facilitate development of electronic forms
and electronic reporting and retrieval of that information.
Annual reporting of the results subsequent to the activity
authorized by the permit is required in most cases (under the authority
of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA and its implementing regulations at
50 CFR 17). These reports allow us to evaluate the success of the
project, formulate further research, and develop and adjust management
and recovery plans for the species. We use the following reports
specific to particular species (and regions, where appropriate):
Form 3-202-55a, Region 2 [Southwest] Bat Reporting Spreadsheet
Form 3-202-55b, Region 3 [Midwest] Bat Reporting Spreadsheet
Form 3-202-55c, Region 4 [Southeast] Bat Reporting Spreadsheet
Form 3-202-55d, Region 5 [Northeast] Bat Reporting Spreadsheet
Form 3-202-55e, Region 6 [Mountain-Prairie] Bat Reporting
Spreadsheet
Form 3-202-55f, Non-Releasable Sea Turtle Annual Report
Form 3-202-55g, Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
Additionally, we require the following notifications be made to the
Service:
Private landowners who have an Enhancement of Survival
Permit (and accompanying Safe Harbor Agreement or Candidate
Conservation Agreement with Assurances) must notify us if their land
management activities incidentally take a listed or candidate species
covered under their permit.
We issue Enhancement of Survival Permits to landowners,
and their name is printed on the permit. If ownership of the land
changes, this permit does not automatically transfer to the new
landowner. Therefore, we ask the permittee to notify us if there is a
change in land ownership so that we may update the permit; and
If a recovery or interstate commerce permit authorizes
activities that include keeping wildlife in captivity, we ask the
permittee to notify us if any of the captive wildlife escape.
Proposed Revisions
The Service is proposing to revise this collection to request OMB
approval of the following seven new forms:
Form 3-2523, Freshwater Mussel Reporting Form
Form 3-2526, Bumble Bee Reporting Form
Form 3-2530, California/Nevada Recovery Permit Annual Summary
Report Form
Form 3-2531, General Recovery Permit Reporting Form
Form 3-2532, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Geographic Area:
Alaska Bat Reporting Form
Form 3-2533, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Geographic Area:
Northwestern Bat Reporting Form
Form 3-2534, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Geographic Area:
Western Bat Reporting Form
Annual reporting of the results subsequent to the activity
authorized by the permit is required in most cases (under the authority
of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA and its implementing regulations at
50 CFR 17). The Service designed the forms to facilitate the electronic
reporting specifically for each species. The Service will use the
reported data to evaluate the success of the permitted project,
formulate further research, and develop and adjust management and
recovery plans for the species. The data will also inform 5-year
reviews and Species Status Assessments conducted under the ESA.
The Service is proposing to separate the existing approved FWS Form
3-200-55 into the following two separate forms:
Form 3-200-59, Recovery Permit Application Form
Form 3-200-60, Interstate Commerce Application Form
In the existing Form 3-200-55, the applicant may have difficulty
distinguishing which fields should be completed, and which are relevant
to the other permit type. Modifying this form will enable permittees
applying for these separate permit types to more efficiently complete
the forms, reducing confusion by eliminating text and fields that are
not relevant to the type of permit the applicant is seeking. The forms
also have been slightly updated and revised to better incorporate and
explain the fields necessary to each permit category. Completion of the
information on the forms regarding the activity(ies) to be authorized
by the permit is required in most cases (under the authority of section
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR 17).
The Service is proposing to revise and rename the following five
forms associated with bat surveys:
Form 3-202-55a, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Geographic
Area: Southwestern Bat Reporting Form
Form 3-202-55b, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Geographic
Area: Midwestern Bat Reporting Form
Form 3-202-55c, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Geographic
Area: Southeastern Bat Reporting Form
Form 3-202-55d, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Geographic
Area: Northeastern Bat Reporting Form
Form 3-202-55e, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Geographic
Area: Plains/Rockies Bat Reporting Form
The Service is proposing changes to these forms to address comments
received from the respondents. These changes include adding columns to
increase flexibility for user data entry, to increase accuracy of
Global Positioning System data, and to add three fields specifically
requested by State natural resource agencies in order to unify their
State databases with that of the Service. These additions eliminate the
need for filing a separate reporting form with the State and reduce the
overall reporting burden on the respondents. Completion of the
information on the forms regarding the activity(ies) to be authorized
by the permit is required in most cases (under the authority of section
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR 17).
The Service is proposing to revise and renew the following two
forms associated with Habitat Conservation Plans, Safe Harbor
Agreements, and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances:
Form 3-200-54, Enhancement of Survival Permits Associated with
Safe Harbor Agreements and Candidate Conservation Agreements with
Assurances
Form 3-200-56, Incidental Take Permits Associated with a
Habitat Conservation Plan
The Service is proposing to remove program contact information
currently in these application forms, and instead link to a permanent
website. This website will be frequently maintained and will provide
the public with the most accurate contact information.
ePermits Initiative
The Service's new ePermits initiative is an automated permit
application system that will allow the agency to move towards a
streamlined permitting process to reduce public burden. Public burden
reduction is a priority for the Service; the Assistant Secretary for
Fish,
[[Page 40311]]
Wildlife, and Parks; and senior leadership at the Department of the
Interior. The intent of the ePermits initiative is to fully automate
the permitting process to improve the customer experience and to reduce
time burden on respondents. This new system will enhance the user
experience by allowing users to enter data from any device that has
internet access, including personal computers (PCs), tablets, and
smartphones. It will also link the permit applicant to the Pay.gov
system for payment of associated permit application fees, where
applicable.
Upon completion of the new e-permitting system, applicants applying
for Recovery, Interstate Commerce, Habitat Conservation Plan Incidental
Take Permits, Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances, and
Safe Harbor Agreements Enhancement of Survival Permits will have the
opportunity to apply directly online through a secure, web-based
platform.
Title of Collection: Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Applications
and Reports--Native Endangered and Threatened Species; 50 CFR 10, 13,
and 17.
OMB Control Number: 1018-0094.
Form Number: FWS Forms 3-200-54, 3-200-56, 3-200-59 (new), 3-200-60
(new), 3-202-55a through 3-202-55g, 3-202-55i, 3-2523 (new), 3-2526
(new), and 3-2530 through 3-2534 (new).
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals; private sector; and
State/local/Tribal governments.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion, annually, one time.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $59,750 for fees
associated with permit applications and amendments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual number Completion
Requirement of Total annual time per Total annual
respondents responses response burden hours *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAFE HARBOR AGREEMENTS/CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS WITH ASSURANCES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application (Form 3-200-54):
Individuals................................. 5 5 3 15
Private Sector.............................. 21 21 3 63
Government.................................. 7 7 3 21
Annual Report:
Individuals................................. 10 10 8 80
Private Sector.............................. 40 40 8 320
Government.................................. 14 14 8 112
Notifications (Incidental Take):
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 1
Notifications (Change in Land Owner):
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HABITAT CONSERVATION PLANS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application (Form 3-200-56):
Individuals................................. 30 30 3 90
Private Sector.............................. 40 40 3 120
Government.................................. 5 5 3 15
Annual Report:
Individuals................................. 360 360 10 3,600
Private Sector.............................. 380 380 10 3,800
Government.................................. 25 25 10 250
Plan:
Individuals................................. 10 10 2,080 20,800
Private Sector.............................. 20 20 2,080 41,600
Government.................................. 16 16 2,080 33,280
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOVERY/INTERSTATE COMMERCE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recovery Permit Application (Form 3-200-59) NEW:
Individuals................................. 225 225 3 675
Private Sector.............................. 225 225 3 675
Government.................................. 110 110 3 330
Interstate Commerce Application (Form 3-200-60)
NEW:
Individuals................................. 45 45 3 135
Private Sector.............................. 10 10 3 30
Government.................................. 10 10 3 30
Annual Report:
Individuals................................. 200 200 3 600
Private Sector.............................. 225 225 3 675
Government.................................. 310 310 3 930
Request to Revise List of Authorized
Individuals:
Private Sector.............................. 30 30 0.5 15
Notification (Escape of Wildlife):
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 1
Annual Report--Form 3-202-55a (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Geographic Area: Southwestern
Bat Reporting Form):
Individuals................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Private Sector.............................. 5 5 2.5 13
Government.................................. 5 5 2.5 13
[[Page 40312]]
Annual Report--Form 3-202-55b (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Geographic Area: Midwestern
Bat Reporting Form):
Individuals................................. 15 15 2.5 38
Private Sector.............................. 15 15 2.5 38
Government.................................. 12 12 2.5 30
Annual Report--Form 3-202-55c (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Geographic Area: Southeastern
Bat Reporting Form):
Individuals................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Private Sector.............................. 5 5 2.5 13
Government.................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Annual Report--Form 3-202-55d (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Geographic Area: Northeastern
Bat Reporting Form):
Individuals................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Private Sector.............................. 5 5 2.5 13
Government.................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Annual Report--Form 3-202-55e (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Geographic Area: Plains/
Rockies Bat Reporting Form):
Individuals................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Private Sector.............................. 5 5 2.5 13
Government.................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Annual Report--Form 3-202-55f Non-Releasable Sea
Turtle Annual Report:
Private Sector.............................. 2 2 0.5 1
Government.................................. 5 5 0.5 3
Quarterly Report--Form 3-202-55g Sea Turtle
Rehabilitation:
Private Sector.............................. 20 20 0.5 10
Annual Report--Form 3-2523 (Freshwater Mussel
Reporting Form) NEW:
Individuals................................. 15 15 2 30
Private Sector.............................. 70 70 2 140
Government.................................. 15 15 2 30
Annual Report--Form 3-2526 (Bumble Bee Reporting
Form) NEW:
Individuals................................. 45 45 2 90
Private Sector.............................. 15 15 2 30
Government.................................. 15 15 2 30
Annual Report--Form 3-2530 (California/Nevada
Annual Reporting Form) NEW:
Individuals................................. 291 291 3 873
Private Sector.............................. 291 291 3 873
Government.................................. 173 173 3 519
Annual Report--Form 3-2531 (General Annual
Reporting Form) NEW
Individuals................................. 200 200 3 600
Private Sector.............................. 225 225 3 675
Government.................................. 310 310 3 930
Annual Report--Form 3-2532 (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Geographic Area: Alaska Bat
Reporting Form) NEW
Individuals................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Private Sector.............................. 5 5 2.5 13
Government.................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Annual Report--Form 3-2533 (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Geographic Area: Northwestern
Bat Reporting Form) NEW:
Individuals................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Private Sector.............................. 5 5 2.5 13
Government.................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Annual Report--Form 3-2534 (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Geographic Area: Western Bat
Reporting Form) NEW:
Individuals................................. 5 5 2.5 13
Private Sector.............................. 5 5 2.5 13
Government.................................. 5 5 2.5 13
---------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.................................. 4,215 4,215 .............. 113,465
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Rounded.
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 30, 2020.
Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14457 Filed 7-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P