FR 2021-02442

The document from the Federal Register involves a notice by the Department of Commerce, specifically through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), regarding an information collection process for the National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the NOAA is revisiting the methods by which it collects information to nominate members for advisory councils that play a role in managing national marine sanctuaries. The public is invited to provide feedback on whether these information gathering techniques are necessary and effective while also considering ways to reduce the burden of reporting on the public. Comments are open until April 6, 2021.

General Summary of the Document

The notice seeks public participation in reevaluating the procedures used to collect information for the membership of advisory councils associated with the National Marine Sanctuaries. These councils are responsible for providing insights and advice on managing marine sanctuaries throughout the country. The document’s main intent is to engage stakeholders and the general public in assessing the utility, necessity, and potential burdens of this information collection. Additionally, it considers how this process might evolve to better serve the advisory needs of marine sanctuaries while respecting public resources and time.

Significant Issues or Concerns

A significant concern arises from the use of technical language and references to specific legislation such as “OMB Control Number 0648-0397” and “16 U.S.C. 1445a,” which may not be familiar to those without a legal or administrative background. This could hinder public understanding and reduce active participation due to perceived complexity.

Further, there is mention of entities such as the “Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Council” and the “Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve” without detailed explanations. This lack of context for readers unfamiliar with these institutions might create confusion and dilute the effectiveness of the notice.

Another area of concern is the transparency regarding public comments. While the notice indicates that personal information might be made publicly available, it does not clearly guarantee confidentiality, which could discourage people from participating due to privacy concerns.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, the document offers an important opportunity for public involvement in environmental governance, allowing community members to voice their opinions on how marine sanctuaries are managed. This engagement is crucial as it can influence how public agencies gather and use personal information, helping refine processes and reduce unnecessary burdens.

On a negative note, without clear explanations and reassurances regarding data handling and privacy, engagement levels might suffer, potentially leading to skewed feedback and an underrepresentation of citizen concerns.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For individuals and organizations engaged with marine conservation, this document represents a valuable chance to shape the advisory process that informs the management of marine sanctuaries. These stakeholders might be able to leverage their expertise to propose efficient and less burdensome ways of collecting and utilizing data.

Organizations, particularly those with limited resources, may find this process burdensome if the concerns about complexity and transparency are not addressed, potentially preventing them from fully participating in the feedback process.

Overall, while the document highlights an initiative towards increased public involvement, adjustments towards clearer communication, reassurances of confidentiality, and context provision could amplify its effectiveness and impact.

The Federal Register document under discussion outlines a specific financial reference related to the information collection activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The estimated total annual cost to the public for this information collection effort is mentioned as $1,188.00.

This financial figure represents the anticipated public burden in terms of costs associated with submitting applications for membership on a National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. These costs might include time spent by the applicants in filling out forms and possibly any direct costs related to the submission methods, such as printing, mailing, or the use of facsimile transmission.

Financial Reference Analysis

The specified amount, $1,188.00, indicates the estimated cost to the general public, which appears relatively modest given the nature of the process. This aligns with the document's broader goal of minimizing the reporting burden on the public. The mention of keeping costs low may be seen as a measure to encourage broader participation by ensuring that financial considerations do not act as a barrier to potential applicants.

Relevance to Identified Issues

For the issues identified in the document, this financial reference has both direct and indirect implications:

1. Transparency and Public Participation: While the document acknowledges potential transparency issues regarding personal information disclosure, it assures that the actual financial burden of participation is relatively low. Keeping costs minimal might encourage more individuals to apply, including those from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

2. Technical Jargon: The straightforward presentation of the financial impact in monetary terms is easily understood by a broad audience, helping to offset the potentially confusing technical language used elsewhere in the document.

3. Public Reporting Burden: The document stresses efforts to minimize the reporting burden, with the financial outline playing a critical role in this endeavor. By specifying the financial impact, NOAA demonstrates its commitment to assessing and controlling the burdens on the public in alignment with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Overall, the financial reference serves an essential function in reassuring the public that participating in this advisory council application process is financially accessible, despite potential concerns about procedural transparency and technical complexity.