30-day FRN

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 183 / Friday, September 20, 2024 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XE303]

Marine Mammals; File No. 27543
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
AGENCY:

Notice is hereby given that
Marine Ecology and Telemetry
Research, 2468 Camp McKenzie Trl
NW, Seabeck WA 98380 (Responsible
Party: Greg Schorr), has applied in due
form for a permit to conduct research on
and import specimens of 47 marine
mammal species including the
following endangered species and
Distinct Population Segments (DPSs):
blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus),
bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus),
Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS of
false killer whale (Pseudorca
crassidens), fin whale (Balaenoptera
physalus), Western DPS of gray whale
(Eschrichtius robustus), Western North
Pacific DPS and Central America DPS of
humpback whale (Megaptera
novaeangliae), Southern Resident DPS
of killer whale (Orcinus orca), North
Pacific right whale (Eubalaena
japonica), sei whale (Balaenoptera
borealis), and sperm whale (Physeter
macrocephalus).

SUMMARY:

Written comments must be
received on or before October 21, 2024.
ADDRESSES: The application and related
documents are available for review by
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on
the Applications and Permits for
Protected Species home page, https://
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting
File No. 27543 from the list of available
applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email
to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
Written comments on this application
should be submitted via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
include File No. 27543 in the subject
line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public
hearing should submit a written request
via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@
noaa.gov. The request should set forth
the specific reasons why a hearing on
this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amy Hapeman or Sara Young, (301)
427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permit is requested under the

ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1

DATES:

VerDate Sep<11>2014

16:44 Sep 19, 2024

Jkt 262001

authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the
regulations governing the taking and
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
part 216), the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), the regulations governing the
taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50
CFR parts 222–226), and the Fur Seal
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151
et seq.).
The applicant proposes to assess the
biology and ecology of cetaceans in U.S.
and international waters along the U.S.
west coast south to the Baja California
Peninsula, Hawaii and Alaska. The
main research objectives are to
investigate cetacean (1) distribution,
abundance, stock structure, habitat use
and demographics, (2) behavioral
ecology, (3) population health and
exposure to potential stressors, and (4)
behavioral responses to military sound
sources. Research would be conducted
from vessel and aerial platforms
(manned and unmanned aircraft
systems), for: counts, sample collection
(prey remains, fecal, sloughed skin, skin
and blubber biopsy, breath),
observations, acoustic recordings,
acoustic playbacks, photo-identification,
videography, photogrammetry, tagging,
and tracking. Researchers may attach up
to two tag types (suction-cup, dart/barb,
or deep implant) at a time to some
animals. Researchers may
unintentionally disturb seven pinniped
species, including the endangered
Western DPS of Steller sea lion
(Eumetopias jubatus) and Hawaiian
monk seals (Neomonachus
schauinslandi), during studies.
Biological samples collected in
international waters may be imported
and re-exported. See the application for
take numbers requested. The permit
would be valid for 5 years.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically
excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of
this notice in the Federal Register,
NMFS is forwarding copies of the
application to the Marine Mammal
Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors.

PO 00000

Frm 00029

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

77103

Dated: September 17, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–21524 Filed 9–19–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Deep Seabed Mining
Exploration Licenses
The Department of Commerce will
submit the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and clearance in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, on or after the date of publication
of this notice. We invite the general
public and other Federal agencies to
comment on proposed, and continuing
information collections, which helps us
assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize
the public’s reporting burden. Public
comments were previously requested
via the Federal Register on May 14,
2024 during a 60-day comment period.
This notice allows for an additional 30
days for public comments.
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
Commerce
Title: Deep Seabed Mining
Exploration Licenses.
OMB Control Number: 0648–0145.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular submission
(extension of a currently approved
collection).
Number of Respondents: 1.
Average Hours per Response: Annual
report: 20 hours. For those years in
which an extension request must be
made, the estimated total annual burden
is 270 hours.
Total Annual Burden Hours: With
there being only one license holder/
respondent, the estimated total annual
burden is 20 hours for the preparation
of the annual report. In those years
when a license extension request must
be made, the estimated total burden for
the license holder is 270 hours.
Needs and Uses: This request is for
the extension of the currently approved
information collection. No changes have
been made to the collection
requirements. NOAA’s regulations at 15
CFR 970 govern the issuing and

E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM

20SEN1

ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1

77104

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 183 / Friday, September 20, 2024 / Notices

monitoring of exploration licenses
under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral
Resources Act. The NOAA Office for
Coastal Management is responsible for
approving and administering licenses.
Any persons seeking a license must
submit certain information that allows
NOAA to ensure the applicant meets the
standards of the Act. Licensees are
required to conduct monitoring and
make reports, and they may request
revisions, transfers, or extensions of
licenses. Information required for the
issuance and extension of licenses is
provided to fulfill statutory
requirements to ensure that license
applicants have identified areas of
interest for deep seabed hard mineral
exploration and production; developed
plans for those activities; have the
financial resources available to conduct
proposed activity; and have considered
the effects of the activity on the natural
and human environment. This
information is used to determine
whether licenses should be granted or
extended.
Exploration licenses and commercial
recovery permits under the Deep Seabed
Hard Mineral Resources Act are only for
activities by U.S. citizens in
international waters. No license or
permit applications have been received
since the early 1980s, and none are
expected during this collection period.
U.S. deep seabed exploration licenses
and commercial recovery permits are
not recognized by the International
Seabed Authority, which may raise
security of tenure concerns
internationally due to the lack of U.S.
accession to the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea
Treaty. Two exploration licenses issued
in the early 1980s are held by Lockheed
Martin Corporation. The licenses are
subject to annual reporting requirements
and extension requests every five years.
No at-sea exploration is authorized
under the licenses without further
authorization from NOAA. Such
activities are not expected during the
reporting period for the same reason as
above.
Affected Public: Large businesses.
Frequency: Report on activities
pursuant to the exploration licenses due
annually. Extension requests must be
submitted every five years.
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
maintain licenses.
Legal Authority: Deep Seabed Hard
Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) (30
U.S.C. 1401–1473); 15 CFR part 970.
This information collection request
may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov.
Follow the instructions to view the
Department of Commerce collections
currently under review by OMB.

VerDate Sep<11>2014

16:44 Sep 19, 2024

Jkt 262001

Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be
submitted within 30 days of the
publication of this notice on the
following website www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain. Find this
particular information collection by
selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day
Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or
by using the search function and
entering either the title of the collection
or the OMB Control Number 0648–0145.
Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Clearance Officer, Office
of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs,
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024–21602 Filed 9–19–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–08–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Survey to Collect Economic
Data from Recreational Anglers along
the Atlantic Coast
The Department of Commerce will
submit the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and clearance in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, on or after the date of publication
of this notice. We invite the general
public and other Federal agencies to
comment on proposed, and continuing
information collections, which helps us
assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize
the public’s reporting burden. Public
comments were previously requested
via the Federal Register on March 21,
2022 during a 60-day comment period.
This notice allows for an additional 30
days for public comments.
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
Commerce.
Title: Survey to Collect Economic
Data from Recreational Anglers along
the Atlantic Coast.
OMB Control Number: 0648–0783.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular submission
[extension and revision of a current
information collection].
Number of Respondents: 957.
Average Hours per Response: 8
minutes to complete NARFS III and 12
minutes to complete NARFS IV.

PO 00000

Frm 00030

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

Total Annual Burden Hours: 157
hours.
Needs and Uses: This request is for a
revision and extension to a currently
approved information collection. The
first data collection effort in 2019 under
OMB Control Number 0648–0783 was to
assess how changes in saltwater
recreational fishing regulations affect
angler effort, angler welfare, fishing
mortality, and future stock levels. That
data collection effort focused on anglers
who fished for Atlantic cod and
haddock off the Atlantic coast from
Maine to Massachusetts (North Atlantic
Recreational Fishing Survey I). In 2020,
the collection was revised to remove the
cod and haddock survey and add a
survey focused on anglers who fish for
summer flounder, black sea bass, and
scup along the Atlantic coast from
Massachusetts to North Carolina (North
Atlantic Recreational Fishing Survey II).
In 2022, the collection was revised again
to re-add the original cod and haddock
survey back to this control number
(North Atlantic Recreational Fishing
Survey III). This revision will re-add the
survey focused on summer flounder,
black sea bass, and scup (North Atlantic
Recreational Fishing Survey IV) that
was inadvertently removed in the last
revision.
The objective of these surveys will
remain exactly the same as the previous
surveys conducted under this control
number. That is, to statistically assess
how anglers respond to changes in
management options and fishing
regulations (e.g., bag limits, size limits,
dates of open seasons, etc.). The survey
data will provide the information
fisheries managers need to conduct
updated analysis of the socio-economic
effects to recreational anglers and to
coastal communities of proposed
changes in fishing regulations. The
recreational fishing community and
regional fisheries management councils
now rely on species-specific socioeconomic studies of recreational fishing
for analyses of fisheries policies. These
surveys will address the stated need for
more species-specific studies.
Affected Public: Individuals or
households.
Frequency: On Occasion.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
This information collection request
may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov.
Follow the instructions to view the
Department of Commerce collections
currently under review by OMB.
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be

E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM

20SEN1