[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 55 (Friday, March 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 16083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05855]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Statement of
Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils
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 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), on or after the date of publication of
this notice. The public is invited to submit comments on this request.
ADDRESSES: 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 0694-0192.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of this submission may be
obtained from Adrienne Thomas, PRA Officer, NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue,
Room 159, Asheville, NC 28801 or viewing the entire information
collection request at www.reginfo.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (2) if the information will be processed and
used in a timely manner; (3) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of
the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (4) ways to enhance
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5)
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Statement of Financial Interests, Regional Fishery
Management Councils.
OMB Control Number: 0648-0192.
Form Number(s): NOAA 88-195.
Type of Request: Regular (revision and extension of a currently
approved information collection).
Number of Respondents: 330.
Average Hours per Response: 45 minutes.
Burden Hours: 248 hours.
Needs and Uses: This request is for revision and extension of a
current information collection. The Magnuson Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Stevens Act) authorizes the
establishment of Regional Fishery Management Councils to exercise sound
judgment in the stewardship of fishery resources through the
preparation, monitoring, and revision of such fishery management plans
under circumstances (a) which will enable the States, the fishing
industry, consumers, environmental organizations, and other interested
persons to participate in the development of such plans, and (b) which
take into account the social and economic needs of fishermen and
dependent communities. Section 302(j) of the Magnuson Stevens Act
requires that Council members appointed by the Secretary, Scientific
and Statistical Committee (SSC) members appointed by a Council under
Section 302(g)(1), or individuals nominated by the Governor of a State
for possible appointment as a Council member, disclose their financial
interest in any Council fishery. These interests include any
harvesting, processing, lobbying, advocacy, or marketing activity that
is being, or will be, undertaken within any fishery over which the
Council concerned has jurisdiction, or with respect to an individual or
organization with a financial interest in such activity. The authority
to require this information and reporting and filing requirements has
not changed. The Secretary is required to submit an annual report to
Congress on action taken by the Secretary and the Councils to implement
the disclosure of financial interest and recusal requirements,
including identification of any conflict of interest problems with
respect to the Councils and SSCs and recommendations for addressing any
such problems.
The Act further provides that a member shall not vote on a Council
decision that would have a significant and predictable effect on a
financial interest if there is a close causal link between the Council
decision and an expected and substantially disproportionate benefit to
the financial interest of the affected individual relative to the
financial interest of other participants in the same gear type or
sector of the fishery. However, an affected individual who is declared
ineligible to vote on a Council action may participate in Council
deliberations relating to the decision after notifying the Council of
his/her recusal and identifying the financial interest that would be
affected. The form has been revised to increase clarity for the
respondents; NOAA Fisheries is making minor revisions to the form by
adding clearer instructions and clarifying some of the questions asked
to ensure the questions are consistent with the regulatory
requirements. Revisions will also include a specific check box to
indicate that a Council nominee, and not a member, is completing the
form. No new information is being requested.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Frequency: Annually or updated as needed.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Section 302(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Dated: March 17, 2020.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-05855 Filed 3-19-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P