0269 ss rev 050707

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
WESTERN ALASKA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA PROGRAM
OMB CONTROL NO.: 0648-0269

INTRODUCTION
The Community Development Quota (CDQ) program is implemented under the Magnuson
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) as amended in 2006, the Fishery
Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, and
regulations at 50 CFR part 679. The purpose of the CDQ Program is the allocation of the quotas
for groundfish, halibut, crab, and prohibited species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI) to Western Alaska communities so that these communities can start
and support regionally based, commercial seafood or other fisheries-related businesses. The
groundfish, halibut, and crab allocations are known as CDQ allocations and the allocations of
prohibited species (salmon, Pacific halibut, and crab incidental catch in the groundfish fisheries)
are known as prohibited species quota (PSQ) allocations. Under the CDQ program, 65 eligible
Western Alaska communities have organized into six separate CDQ groups.
This collection-of-information is revised by removing two forms, the CDQ delivery report and
the CDQ catch report. Implementing regulations may be found at 50 CFR part 679.
A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
The Amendment 80 Quota Share Program (Program) would incorporate statutory mandates in
the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended by Section 416 of the Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Act of 2006 (Public Law No. 109-241; July 11, 2006), and the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (Public Law No. 109-479, January
12, 2007). These provisions modify the percentage of total allowable catch (TAC) for directed
fisheries that are allocated to the CDQ Program, and the percentage of halibut, crab, and salmon
Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) allocated to the CDQ Program as PSQ.
2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be
used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support
information that will be disseminated to the public, then explain how the collection
complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) would respond to the mandates by removing
reporting requirements at § 679.5(n)(1) and (2) for the submission of the CDQ delivery report
and the CDQ catch report. The CDQ delivery report was the primary source of information that
the CDQ groups used to monitor the harvest of CDQ and PSQ allocations by catcher vessels and
to prepare their CDQ catch report. NMFS used the CDQ delivery report to verify that each CDQ
group was reporting catch accurately. The manager of a shoreside processor or stationary
floating processor (SFP) taking deliveries of groundfish CDQ and accounting for PSQ species
from catcher vessels submitted a CDQ delivery report to NMFS and to the appropriate CDQ
group within 24 hours of completion of each catcher vessel delivery of groundfish CDQ or PSQ.

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The CDQ representative submitted to NMFS a CDQ catch report for all groundfish catch landed
by vessels groundfish CDQ fishing or for any groundfish harvested by vessels greater than or
equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA while halibut CDQ fishing. The CDQ catch report was submitted
within 7 days of the date CDQ catch was delivered by a catcher vessel to a shoreside processor,
SFP, or mothership or within 7 days of the date gear used to catch CDQ was retrieved by a
catcher/processor.
The information that was collected since 1998 through the CDQ delivery report and the CDQ
catch report is now available through observer data, weekly production reports, and especially
the Interagency Electronic Reporting System (IERS); therefore NMFS does not need separate
reports from the CDQ groups acknowledging catch that will accrue against their allocations. The
IERS, and its data entry component eLandings, is described in Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) Control No.: 0648-0515.
a. CDQ delivery report [Removed]
b. CDQ catch report [Removed]
It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to
support publicly disseminated information. As explained in the preceding paragraphs, the
information gathered has utility. NMFS will retain control over the information and safeguard it
from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic
information. See response #10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on
confidentiality and privacy. The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all
applicable information quality guidelines. Prior to dissemination, the information will be
subjected to quality control measures and a pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515 of
Public Law 106-554.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of
information technology.
All CDQ forms with instructions are available in a fillable format on the Alaska Regional Office
or on the NMFS website at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov. The public may download copies from
this Internet web site, as well as aggregated CDQ catch information and lists of eligible vessels.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
None of the information collected as part of this information collection duplicates other
collections. This information collection is part of a specialized and technical program that is not
like any other.
5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
The collection-of-information does not impose a significant impact on small entities. This action
reduces the reporting burden on the CDQ groups, processors, and vessel owners.

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6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
Removal of the requirement to submit CDQ delivery reports and CDQ catch reports and to
instead use IERS to submit these data reduces the reporting burden of participants and increases
accuracy of the data and efficiency of the process. Not removing the forms and continuing with
the current method of reporting would not meet the objectives of the Program.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
No inconsistencies occur in this collection.
8. Provide a copy of the PRA Federal Register notice that solicited public comments on the
information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public comments received
in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by the agency in response to those
comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their
views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and
recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be
recorded, disclosed, or reported.
The NMFS Alaska Region will submit a proposed rule, RIN 0648-AU68, coincident with this
submission, requesting comments from the public.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payment or gift will be provided under this program.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
The information collected is confidential under section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It
is also confidential under NOAA Administrative Order 216.100, which sets forth procedures to
protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.
All information collected is part of a system of records: NOAA #17, notice published March 3,
2005.
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private.
Information collected for the CDQ Program does not include information of a private or sensitive
nature.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
Estimated total unique respondents: 93 (6 CDQ groups, 4 shoreside processors, and 83 observed
vessels). Estimated total responses: 4,868, a reduction of 4,782. Estimated total burden: 2,233,
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a reduction of 1,237 hr. Estimated total personnel cost: $208,025, a reduction of $ 30,925,
based on the average wage equivalent to a GS-9 employee in Alaska, including Cost-of-Living
Adjustment (COLA), $25 per hour.
13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in #12
above).
Estimated total miscellaneous costs: $585, a reduction of $162.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
Estimated total responses: 138, a reduction of 4,786. Estimated total burden: 569, a reduction
of 1,578 hr. Estimated total personnel cost: $14,225, a reduction of $39,450, based on the
average wage equivalent to a GS-9 employee in Alaska, including COLA, $25 per hour.
Estimated total miscellaneous cost: $0.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or
14 of the OMB 83-I.
This is a program change. Two forms, CDQ delivery report (55 hours and $27) and the CDQ
catch report (1,182 hours and $135), are removed.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
The information collected will be summarized in CDQ catch reports available in aggregated
form to the public on the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov; a list of
eligible vessels for each CDQ group will also be publicly available.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.
In accordance with OMB requirements, the control number and the expiration date of OMB
approval will be shown on all information collection instruments.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the
OMB 83-I.
No exceptions to the certification statement are proposed.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
This collection does not employ statistical methods.

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