NOAA Divers Spend 232 Hours a Year on Program Forms
Published Date: 10/26/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is updating and extending its paperwork for the Diving Program, which affects about 483 divers including employees, contractors, and volunteers. They’ve made forms simpler and clearer, cutting out some personal questions to make things easier. This update keeps the program running smoothly without adding extra costs or time burdens, with a total of 232 hours spent annually on these forms.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
NOAA divers must complete updated forms
If you are a NOAA diver (employee, contractor, or volunteer), you are part of a 483-person respondent group required to complete NOAA Diving Program forms. Responses take between 1 minute and 2 hours each, totaling 232 burden hours annually, and the forms are required to obtain or retain diving authorization.
Forms simplified and demographic questions removed
NOAA revised the Diving Program forms to remove some demographic questions, clarify instructions, and simplify terminology. These edits are intended to make the forms easier to fill out.
Medical fitness paperwork required annually
To become and remain a NOAA Diver you must submit an initial diving physical to NOAA Diving Medical Officers and complete medical documentation annually to maintain authorization to dive.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2025-06746, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service want to remove the current definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act because it includes habitat changes that don’t match the law’s true meaning. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered species and could shift how rules are enforced. You have until May 19, 2025, to share your thoughts, and this update aims to clarify the law without adding new costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21759, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; High-Frequency Surveys Program/Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS)
The Census Bureau wants your thoughts on updating the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS), which helps track how families are doing. This update keeps the survey fresh and useful without adding extra hassle. If you have ideas or concerns, speak up by December 28, 2026, so they can keep the survey running smoothly and on budget.
Next: 2026-21762, Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Unaccompanied Alien Child Health Forms
The Office of Refugee Resettlement is updating health forms for unaccompanied children in their care to make them clearer and easier to use. These changes will improve how health info is shared, including with Homeland Security when needed, and help kids get the care they deserve. Public comments are open until November 25, 2026, with no extra costs expected.