[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 19124-19125] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-10025] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Information Collection Request Submitted for Reinstatement Approval AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has submitted a proposal for the collection of information described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for reinstatement approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Copies of the information collection requirement, related forms, and explanatory material may be obtained by containing the Service's Information Collection Clearance Officer at the phone number listed below. The Service is soliciting comments and suggestions on the requirements as described below. DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before May 19, 1997. [[Page 19125]] ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; Office of Management and Budget; Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior; Washington, DC 20240; and a copy of the comments should be sent to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (MS 224 ARL SQ), 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis H. Cook, Information Collection Clearance Officer, 703/358- 1943; 703/358-2269 (fax). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 26, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register (61 FR 2470), a proposed rule which amended the test protocol for nontoxic shot approval procedures for shot and shot coatings. The principal purpose of this proposed rule making is to update and amend the current nontoxic shot approval procedures by establishing a 3-tiered approval process. Shot approval will be considered at each tier with the testing procedures becoming more demanding. An environmentally benign shot could be granted approval at the first tier. This process is designed to include both candidate shot and shot coating. Comments were not solicited on the information collection requirements contained in the proposed rule cited above. The Service is now soliciting comments on the proposed information collection requirements prior to the issuance of the final rule amending the nontoxic shot approval procedures. The public is invited to comment on: (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and, (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents on the requirements as outlined below. Title: Text Protocol for Nontoxic Approval Procedures for Shot and Shot Coatings. OMB Approval Number: 1018-0067. Description and Use: As of January 1991, lead shot was banned for hunting waterfowl and coots in the United States. Steel shot was the only nontoxic alternative available. Since then, the Service has encouraged manufacturers to develop other alternatives that the hunting public may use. In approving a candidate material as nontoxic for hunting waterfowl and coots, the Service must first ensure that the secondary exposure (ingestion of spent shot or its components) are not a hazard to migratory birds and the environment. In order to make this decision, the Service requires that applicant to submit information collected about the toxicity of their candidate material to migratory birds and the environment. This data provides the bulk of the application. The information from scientific literature, risk assessment analysis, and toxicity studies, will be gathered and packaged by the applicant (company producing and/or marketing the shot or shot coating). The Service will utilize the information about the candidate material to approve or deny a designation as nontoxic for hunting waterfowl and coots. Frequency of collection: On occasion. Description of respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for- profit institutions. Estimated completion time: The Service estimates it will take 3,200 hours for an applicant to submit the requested information. Annual responses: 1. Annual burden hours: 3,200. Dated: March 21, 1997. Carolyn A. Bohan, Assistant Director, Refuges and Wildlife. [FR Doc. 97-10025 Filed 4-17-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M