Notices. Notice

788 words·~4 min read·/register/2012/08/08/2012-19401

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Interagency Electronic Reporting System

(IERS)AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. 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 October 9, 2012. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at *JJessup@doc.gov* ). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Patsy A. Bearden, 907-586-7008 or *patsy.bearden@noaa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This request is for an extension of a current information collection. eLandings and seaLandings are data entry components of the Alaska Interagency Electronic Reporting System

(IERS)which is a collaborative program run by National Marine Fisheries Service

(NMFS)Alaska Regional Office, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), and the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). eLandings and seaLandings provide the Alaska fishing industry with a consolidated electronic means of reporting production and landings of commercial fish and shellfish to multiple management agencies with a single reporting system. NMFS collects groundfish harvest and production data for Fishery Management Plan species in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). ADF&G collects harvest data for groundfish species taken in the State of Alaska waters, and has responsibility for some fisheries in the EEZ, such as lingcod and black rockfish. ADF&G and NMFS cooperatively manage the Crab Rationalization Program

(CR)fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. NMFS and IPHC cooperatively manage Individual Fishing Quota

(IFQ)for Pacific halibut and sablefish in both State waters and in the EEZ. Using the eLandings Web-based application, shoreside processors report groundfish, crab, Pacific halibut, and sablefish production and landings data ( *http://www.elandings.alaska.gov* ). Processors with no Web access, such as the at-sea fleet, use eLandings client desktop software named seaLandings, provided by NMFS, and submit landing reports as email attachments. Once data are entered and submitted, the User daily must print onsite through eLandings each landing report, production report, and if an IFQ delivery, each IFQ receipt. The parties to the information must acknowledge the accuracy of the printed reports by signing them and entering date signed. In addition, the User must make the printed copies available upon request of NMFS observers and authorized officers. Some of the benefits of IERS include: improved data quality, automated processing of data, improved process for correcting or updating information, availability of more timely data for fishery managers, and reduction of duplicative reporting of similar information to multiple agencies. II. Method of Collection Methods of submittal include online and email. Clients with no Web access, such as the at-sea fleet, use seaLandings client desktop software and submit landing reports as email attachments. The vessels use satellite communications which may or may not include telephone, Internet, text messaging, email, and email attachment capabilities. III. Data *OMB Control Number:* 0648-0515. *Form Number:* None. *Type of Review:* Regular submission (extension of a current information collection). *Affected Public:* Individuals or households; business or other for-profit organizations. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 272. *Estimated Time per Response:* 15 minutes for eLandings processor registration; 35 minutes for eLandings landing report; 35 minutes for backup manual eLandings report; 35 minutes for eLandings production report; 15 minutes for electronic logbook

(eLog)registration; and 41 minutes for active response and 5 minutes for inactive response for longline or pot gear catcher/processor eLog. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 23,610. *Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public:* $11,212. 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. Dated: August 3, 2012. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2012-19401 Filed 8-7-12; 8:45 am]