The taking by harassment, injury, or
mortality of marine mammals is prohibited by the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA) unless exempted or authorized by permit. The
small-take program authorized the taking of marine mammals
incidental to maritime activities (oil industry, shipping). It is
the responsibility of the activity to determine if it might have a
"taking" and, if it does, to apply for an authorization.
Applications are necessary for NMFS to know that an authorization
is needed and to determine whether authorization can be made under
the MMPA. Reporting requirements are mandated by the MMPA and are
necessary to ensure that determinations made in regard to the
impact on marine mammals are valid.
US Code:
16
USC 1361 Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act
We based our burden estimates
on discussions with current Authorization holders from four
different sectors (e.g., oil and gas, state agency, offshore
energy, and non-profit) and an accounting of the number and
different types of actions that we have processed during the past
three years (2010 – 2013). The total number of respondents has
increased (95 compared to 71) and the total annual burden hours
have decreased (13,486 compared to 26,410); however, the makeup of
our applicant pool and the nature and complexity of their requested
activities may vary from one information collection request cycle
to the next. This inter-cycle variability will contribute to
fluctuations in estimations. Based on our review of the 2010-2013
data, we observed an increase of non-federal respondents requesting
Incidental Harassment Authorizations (45 in 2007-2010; 59 in
2010-2013). Based on the 2013 survey results, we estimated an
approximately 900-hour decrease in the estimated length of time
response related to Incidental Harassment Authorization requests
compared to our 2010 estimates. This resulted in an estimated
decrease of 7,514 total burden hours (15,070 hours in 2010; 7,556
hours in 2013). Conversely, we observed a decrease in the number of
respondents requesting regulations based on our review of the
2010-2013 data. NMFS has adjusted the total annual cost to the
respondents from the previous estimate of $361,575 to $100,700
(approximately $1,060 per respondent). The previous capital cost of
$358,000 is no longer applicable, based on surveying
representatives from the oil and gas industry.
$385,700
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Jeannine Cody 301
713-2289
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:
(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.