Application and Reports for Scientific Research and Enhancement Permits Under the Endangered Species Act

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Permit Applications Form and Instruction	Modified
0648-0402 30-day 90 FR 21755 2025-0521.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-05-21
0648-0402 Supporting Statement A.docx Supporting Statement A	2025-05-02
SORN - COMMERCE-NOAA-12.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-05-02
0648-0402 60-Day 89 FR 102867 2024-1218.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-04-22
Section 515 of Public Law 106-554.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-04-22
Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; MMPA).pdf Supplementary Document	2025-04-22
Endangered Species Act (ESA).pdf Supplementary Document	2025-04-22
Privacy Impact Assessment NOAA 4500.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-04-22
50 CFR Ch. II Vol.17 Sec. 222.308.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-04-22
50 CFR Part 402.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-04-22

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
4457	Permit Applications Form and Instruction	Modified
187915	Annual Reports	Modified
187914	Modification Requests from Permit Holders	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0402	ICR Reference No: 202504-0648-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202107-0648-012
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Application and Reports for Scientific Research and Enhancement Permits Under the Endangered Species Act
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 05/21/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2025
Responses	175	175
Time Burden (Hours)	810	810
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

---

Abstract: This is a request for an extension of a currently approved information collection. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible for conserving and recovering marine and anadromous species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). With some exception, the ESA prohibits “take” of listed species. Take is defined by the ESA as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct." Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA allows NMFS to issue permits that authorize take of listed species for scientific purposes or to enhance their propagation or survival. The regulations implementing the authority to issue permits for scientific research or enhancement are found at 50 CFR §222.308. The information collection discussed here relates to the issuance and continued exercise of scientific research permits under the ESA. The collection has not changed materially since 2021: we have always required prospective permittees to fill out applications and always required permit holders to annually report on their activities. The current collection effort is essentially the same as it was four years ago.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1531 Name of Law: Endangered Species Act of 1973
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

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

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 102867	12/18/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 21755	05/21/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

---

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Annual Reports
Modification Requests from Permit Holders
Permit Applications	N/A	Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species (APPS)

---

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	175	175	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	810	810	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $216,750

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

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.     Yes

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.     Yes

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

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

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: 05/21/2025

---