The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a draft
policy on the criteria the Services will use to evaluate
conservation efforts by states and other non-Federal entities. The
Services take these efforts into account when making decisions on
whether to list a species as threatened or endangered under the
Endangered Species Act. Efforts usually involve the development of
a conservation plan or agreement, procedures for monitoring the
effectiveness of the plan or agreement, and an annual
report.
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.