Billing Code 3510-08
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Management and Oversight
of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed,
and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is
to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection
must be received on or before [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION
IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas,
NOAA PRA Officer, at NOAA.PRA@noaa.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 06480121 in the subject line of your comments. All comments received are part of the public record
and will generally be posted on https://www.regulations.gov without change. Do not submit
Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Elizabeth Mountz,
Stewardship Division Operations Manager, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, N/OCM6,
Silver Spring, MD 20910, 240-533-0819, Elizabeth.Mountz@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I.

Abstract
This request is for extension of a current information collection. The Coastal Zone

Management Act of 1972, 16 U.S.C. 1451–1465, provides for the designation of estuarine
research reserves representative of various regions and estuarine types in the United States to
provide opportunities for long-term research, education and interpretation. During the site
selection and designation process, information is collected from states in order to prepare a
management plan and environmental impact statement. Designated reserves apply annually for
operations funds by submitting a work plan; subsequently progress reports are required every six
months for the duration of the award. Each reserve compiles an ecological characterization or
site profile to describe the biological and physical environment of the reserve, research to date
and research gaps. Reserves revise their management plans every five years. A competitive
fellowship program supports opportunities for graduate students to conduct research at each
reserve. This information is required to ensure that reserves are adhering to regulations and that
the reserves are in keeping with the purpose for which they were designated.
II.

Method of Collection
All information is collected electronically.

III.

Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0121.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a current information collection).
Affected Public: Non-profit institutions; State, local, or Tribal governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.
Estimated Time Per Response: Management Plan revisions: 1600 hours/response; Site

Profile: 1800 hours/response; Reserve Designation: 2500 hours/response; Cooperative
Agreement progress reporting (including performance measures) – comprehensive: 10
hours/response: Cooperative Agreement reporting – final, non-comprehensive 2 hours/response;

Performance Measures associated with Cooperative Agreement progress reporting: 3
hours/response; Cooperative Agreement application: 24 hours/response; NEPA and State
Historic Preservation Office review: 2 hours/response.
Please note that not all collection instruments listed above apply to all respondents. Also,
some of the actions/collection instruments listed above (Management Plan revisions, Site Profile,
and Reserve Designations) take place over a multiyear period; NOAA has listed the total
estimated response time for these actions rather than the estimated annual response time.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9632.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Funding.
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1461. Regulations implementing the National Estuarine
Research Reserve System are at 15 CFR part 921.
IV.

Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate

whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the
Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the
accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on
those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We
will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before
including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal
identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in

your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer,
Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs,
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-15627 Filed: 7/15/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 7/16/2024]