Notification - Depredation-Related Take (Government)

[Text for Web Page] OMB Control No. 1018-0095

Expires ##/##/####

EXPERIMENTAL POPULATIONS OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has established “experimental populations” for some listed species as a tool for creating additional populations to protect the species against a catastrophic loss (due to a hurricane for example).

It is important that we have information on any injuries, mortalities (including human-related), recovery of dead specimens, animal husbandry actions necessary to manage the population, and other types of take (including harm or harassment). Therefore, we request that members of the public and Federal, State, and local agencies report information regarding incidents related to take of individuals of experimental populations. Our regulations at Subpart H contain information on each experimental population, including instructions (telephone numbers, etc.) for reporting take. The Office of Management and Budget has given us approval to collect:

• Name, address, and phone number of reporting party.

• Species involved.

• Type of incident.

• Quantity of take (under the ESA “take” includes harm, harass, and other nonlethal activities that may harm the listed species involved).

• Location and time of reported incident.

• Description of the circumstances related to the incident.

We use this information to:

• Document the locations of reintroduced animals.

• Improve management techniques for reintroduction of listed species.

• Determine causes of illness, injury, or mortality.

• Evaluate conflict with human activities so that we can minimize conflicts with people and livestock.

• Assess the effectiveness of control activities to reduce problems where depredation is an issue.

Note: We may refer the reported information to our law enforcement officers or other appropriate authorities for further investigation.

If you have any questions on reporting take of individuals of experimental populations, please call the number listed in Subpart H or 703-358-2171 in the Headquarters Office.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) and the Endangered Species Act on the take of endangered species in order to manage experimental populations and to respond to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. Your response is required to voluntary. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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. OMB has approved this information collection and assigned control number 1018-0095.

Estimated Burden Statement

We estimate the relevant public reporting burden for this collection of information for most individuals I no longer than 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, Division of Policy, Performance, and Management Programs, Fish and Wildlife Service, Mail Stop BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.