Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North Atlantic Right Whales

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Focus Group Form and Instruction	New
Electronic Survey Form and Instruction	New
0648-0580 30day 86 FR 52445_20210921.pdf Supplementary Document	2021-09-21
0648-0580 60day 86 FR 15202_20210322.pdf Supplementary Document	2021-08-13
0648-0580 Supporting Statement B.docx Supporting Statement B	2021-08-13
0648-0580 Supporting Statement A.docx Supporting Statement A	2021-08-13

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
248871	Focus Group Form and Instruction	New
248870	Electronic Survey Form and Instruction	New
185834	Safety Deviation Logbook Entry	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0580	ICR Reference No: 202108-0648-004
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201912-0648-011
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North Atlantic Right Whales
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/21/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	02/29/2024	02/29/2024
Responses	3,624	3,263
Time Burden (Hours)	674	272
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: This request is for a revision to a current information collection. Collisions with vessels continue to be a source of serious injury and mortality for the endangered North Atlantic right whale and are a threat to the species’ recovery. On October 10, 2008, NMFS published a final rule (0648-AS36) implementing seasonal speed restrictions along the east coast of the U.S. to reduce the incidence and severity of vessel collisions with North Atlantic right whales (73 FR 60173). The final rule contained a mandatory collection-of-information requirement subject to the Paperwork Reduction act (PRA), which collects information about safety deviations from the rule in alignment with 50 CFR 224.105(c). This revision to the current information collection includes a voluntary survey effort of individuals in the vessel community to evaluate the ability and willingness of vessel operators to: (1) Comply with the rule’s mandatory speed restrictions, and (2) cooperate with voluntary speed reduction efforts to protect North Atlantic right whales, which are promoted through NMFS outreach efforts. We will collect information from two size types of vessels in two different areas of the North Atlantic right whales’ range using voluntary online surveys and small focus groups. Results from this information collection will support NMFS’ ability to develop effective outreach for vessel communities, with the long-term goal of improving the communities’ compliance and cooperation with North Atlantic right whale vessel strike reduction conservation efforts.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1531-1543 Name of Law: Endangered Species Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 15202	03/22/2021
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 52445	09/21/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Electronic Survey	NA	North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule Human Dimension Study
Focus Group	NA	North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule Human Dimension Study
Safety Deviation Logbook Entry

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	3,624	3,263	0	361	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	674	272	0	402	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Increase in burden due to the requested addition of a one-time, voluntary electronic survey and focus group.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $143,304

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 09/21/2021

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