Paperwork for Oopsie Dolphin Disturbances Renewed
Published Date: 3/31/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking for public feedback on the paperwork needed for permits that let people accidentally affect marine mammals during certain activities (not fishing). This helps keep the rules clear and the paperwork manageable. Comments are open until May 30, 2025, and this process doesn’t change fees but ensures marine life stays protected while activities continue.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory MMPA Incidental-Take Applications
If your business, nonprofit, or government agency plans an activity (other than commercial fishing) that might incidentally take marine mammals, you must submit a mandatory application and monitoring/reporting under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This renewal of the information collection (OMB Control Number 0648-0151) requires respondents to provide application materials per 50 CFR 216.104 and meet monitoring and reporting requirements before NMFS may issue an incidental take authorization.
Estimated Time and Dollar Burden
NOAA estimates 582 respondents with a total annual burden of 77,056 hours and total annual recordkeeping/reporting costs of $629,724. Individual responses are estimated at many hours each—for example, an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) application is estimated at 281 hours, an IHA draft annual report 140 hours, an initial application for new incidental take regulations and Letter of Authorization (LOA) 1,200 hours, and an LOA draft comprehensive report 640 hours.
Possible Increase in Future Respondents
NOAA states it does not propose changes to the information collection itself but expects a possible increase in the number of respondents and responses due to more requests for authorizations. That could raise total future reporting burden and related costs for the affected groups.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-05486, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Capital Construction Fund Agreement, Certificate Family of Forms and Deposit/Withdrawal Report
NOAA is asking for public feedback on renewing forms that help fishermen save money tax-free to build or fix their fishing boats. This renewal won’t cost anyone extra but keeps the program running smoothly. If you’re involved in fishing or manage these funds, your input by May 30, 2025, is super important!
Next: 2025-05488, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Using Quick Response Surveys To Understand Public Perception and Response
NOAA wants to keep using quick surveys to learn how people understand and react to weather warnings. They’re asking for public feedback by May 30, 2025, to make sure these surveys work well and don’t cause extra hassle. This helps NOAA improve safety messages without costing extra money or time for most folks.