Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Fisheries Finance Program Requirements

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before December 26, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via the Internet at MClayton@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Charles L. Cooper, Financial Services Division, Office of Constituent Services, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (phone 301-713-2396).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

NOAA operates a direct loan program to assist in financing certain actions relating to commercial fishing vessels, shoreside fishery facilities, aquaculture operations, and individual fishing quotas (IFQ). Application information is required to determine eligibility pursuant to 50 CFR Part 253 and to determine the type and amount of assistance requested by the applicant. An annual financial statement information is collected to monitor the financial status of the loan.

II. Method of Collection

Form submitted in paper format.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0012.

Form Number: NOAA Form 88-1.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,250.

Estimated Time Per Response: 8 hours for a traditional FFP loan application; 4 hours for an IFQ loan application; and 8 hours for an annual financial statement.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,000.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $5,375.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.