Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: February 6, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 25)]

[Notices]

[Page 6146-6147]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr06fe98-33]

Notices Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section.

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 97-124-1]

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection in support of the Animal Welfare Act.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 7, 1998 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 97-124-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket 97-124-1. Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690- 2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the Animal Welfare Act, contact Dr. Barbara Kohn, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234, (301) 734-7833. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl Groves, Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Animal Welfare.

OMB Number: 0579-0115.

Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1998.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: Regulations and standards have been promulgated to promote and ensure the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of regulated animals under the Animal Welfare Act (the Act) (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.). Title 9, part 3, subpart E, of the Code of Federal Regulations (the regulations) addresses specific standards for marine mammals.

With respect to the transportation of marine mammals, the regulations require that intermediate handlers and carriers only accept shipping enclosures that meet the minimum requirements set forth in the regulations (Sec. 3.113) or that are accompanied by documentation signed by the cosigner verifying that the shipping enclosures comply with the regulations. If marine mammals are to be transported in cargo space that falls below 45 deg.F (7.2 deg.C), regulations specify that the animals must be accompanied by a certificate of acclimation that has been signed by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited veterinarian.

In addition, all shipping enclosures must be marked with the words ``Live Animals'' and have arrows indicating the correct upright position of the container. Intermediate handlers and carriers are required to attempt to contact the consignee at least once every 6 hours upon the arrival of any marine mammal. Documentation of these attempts must be recorded by the intermediate handlers and carriers and maintained for inspection by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel.

These reporting and recordkeeping requirements do not mandate the use of any official government form.

The regulations also require that all facilities holding marine mammals submit a contingency plan regarding emergency sources of water and electric power in the event of failure of the primary sources.

The regulations also require facilities to maintain water quality records to verify compliance with Sec. 3.106, including information on coliform levels, salinity (if applicable), pH, and any chemical additives. To comply with Sec. 3.110(d) and Sec. 3.111(g)(6), complete necropsies must be conducted on any marine mammals that die at the facility and the records must be maintained at the facility.

APHIS needs the reports and records required by the regulations to enforce the regulations for marine mammals and ensure the humane treatment of these animals.

On January 23, 1995, we published a proposal (APHIS Docket No. 93- 076-2, ``Animal Welfare; Marine Mammals,'' 60 FR 4383-4389) that would establish standards and recordkeeping requirements for facilities that operate a ``swim-with-the-dolphin'' (SWTD) program.

The reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in APHIS Docket No. 93-076-2 were given preliminary approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 0579-0115. Although these requirements may change (a final rule has not yet been published), we are seeking a continuation of the preliminary approval.

The recordkeeping requirements proposed in Docket No. 93-076-2 would require that each facility operating an SWTD program submit written copies of the rules and instructions used in the introductory (classroom) session (proposed Sec. 3.111(e)(4)), the procedures for terminating a session (proposed Sec. 3.111(e)(7)), a description of the SWTD program (proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(1)), and semiannual reports regarding participation in the program (proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(5)).

Under the proposal, each facility would be required to maintain veterinary, feeding, and behavioral records for SWTD animals in order to comply with proposed Secs. 3.111(f)(3) and (f)(4). Proposed Secs. 3.111(g)(3) through (g)(5) would require that each facility maintain profile (animal identification) information, nutritional and reproductive status information, and a monthly written assessment by the

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attending veterinarian. Proposed Sec. 3.111(f)(6) would require that injuries sustained by dolphins or participants be reported to APHIS within 24 hours, with a written report required within 7 days.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. We need this outside input to help us:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .17666 hours per response.

Respondents: USDA licensed/registered marine mammal facility representatives.

Estimated number of respondents: 810.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 48.94.

Estimated annual number of responses: 39,641.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7,003 hours. (Due to rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the average reporting burden per response.)

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of February 1998. Craig A. Reed, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 98-3046Filed2-5-98; 8:45 am]

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