Agency information collection activities: Submission for OMB review; comment request,

[Federal Register: October 13, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 197)]

[Notices]

[Page 54725]

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

[DOCID:fr13oc98-101]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Information Collection Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval Under the Paperwork Reduction Act

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The information collection requirements to issue a user permit by the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for access to units of the National Wildlife Refuge System outside Alaska have been submitted to OMB for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Service 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. Copies of specific information collection requirements, related forms and explanatory material may be obtained by contacting the Service Information Collection Clearance officer at the address and/or phone numbers listed below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments and suggestions on specific requirements should be sent directly to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of the Interior Desk Officer, 725-17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503; and a copy to the Service's Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, [MS 222 ARLSQ], 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240, or electronically at: mullenr@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie A. Marler, Management Analyst, Division of Refuges, 703/358-2397.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service submitted the following proposed information collection clearance requirement to OMB for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and, (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The issuance of a Permit by the Fish and Wildlife Service for access to units of the National Wildlife Refuge System outside of Alaska is authorized by: the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd--668ee) as amended; and the Refuge Recreation Act, (16 U.S.C. 460K); and, as implemented by regulations in 50 CFR 25, subpart D.

The information requested prior to issuing the Permit is required to obtain a benefit, and will assist the Service in administering System programs in accordance with the above statutory authorities. The Improvement Act requires that a wildlife dependent recreational use or any other uses of a refuge that, in the sound professional judgment of the Director, will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the mission of the System or the purposes for which the refuge was established. The information is needed by the Service to make this determination before a permit can be issued.

The permit is required for any person entering a national wildlife refuge, unless otherwise provided under the provisions of 50 CFR, subchapter C. The permittee must abide by all the terms and conditions set forth in the permit.

Information collected in submitting an application for a permit, prior to issuing a permit, may be used to evaluate and conclude the eligibility of, or merely document, permit applicants. The Service will require the use of permits as a condition in new and revised regulations pursuant to the Refuge Improvement Act.

The Service will provide Special Use Permit forms as requested by interested citizens. Responses to information collection is required to obtain a Refuge Special Use Permit. The required written forms and/or verbal application information will be used by the Service to ensure that the applicant is eligible to receive a Permit.

Title: United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Special Use Permit.

Bureau form number: 3-1383.

Frequency of collection: Several each day.

Description of respondents: Individuals or households; State, local, or Tribal governments; businesses or other for profit and not- for-profit institutions.

Number of respondents: 10,000.

Estimated completion time: The reporting burden for FWS Form 3-1383 (Special Use Permit) is estimated to be 30 minutes.

Burden estimate: 5,000 hours.

Dated: August 12, 1998. Cathy Short, Acting Assistant Director for Refuges and Wildlife.

[FR Doc. 98-27342Filed10-9-98; 8:45 am]

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