Search Results for agency_names:"Agency Information Collection Activities

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce, is inviting public comments on a new information collection related to U.S. commercial fisheries. The goal is to gather economic data to better manage marine resources and support laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. They aim to collect information about costs, earnings, and other economic factors from various fisheries, focusing on a different set each year to reduce the burden on respondents. This data will help NOAA and other agencies make informed decisions regarding the fishing industry.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking public comments on the renewal of an information collection related to the "first inventor to file" system. Initially, comments were collected in October 2024, allowing a 60-day period, and now an additional 30 days are provided for further comments. This collection, necessary for certain patent applications filed after March 16, 2013, helps determine if the applications comply with specific patent laws changed by the America Invents Act. The review addresses the burden on the public, and public input can be submitted through the website reginfo.gov.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking to renew its information collection process for the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp contests without any changes. These programs, which began in the 1930s and 1990s respectively, help preserve habitats and promote conservation education through art contests that allow participants to submit duck-themed artwork. The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is open to adults, while the Junior Duck Stamp Contest is for students in kindergarten to grade 12, and both programs have contributed significantly to wildlife habitat conservation efforts. The Service is requesting public comments on the collection process to ensure it minimizes burdens and serves its intended purpose.

The Department of Education, specifically the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, announced a proposal for a new information collection request (ICR) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection is part of the National Evaluation for the Pathways to Partnerships Program, which supports improving employment outcomes for children and youth with disabilities through collaboration among various state and local agencies. Interested persons are invited to provide feedback by February 13, 2025. The initiative involves surveys, interviews, and collecting data to assess the effectiveness of these programs.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Commerce Department, is seeking public comments on revisions to information collection practices for licensing private remote-sensing space systems, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The changes include a new online platform, the Commerce Licensing and Compliance System for Space (CLCSS), to simplify how licensees submit applications, modifications, and notifications. The goal is to reduce paperwork and improve efficiency, while ensuring these activities align with U.S. national security and international responsibilities. Public comments can help evaluate the necessity, accuracy, and burden of this information collection.

The Department of Commerce is inviting the public and other federal agencies to comment on the Chinook Salmon Economic Data Report (EDR) Program managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This program collects data to help assess how well measures to reduce bycatch of Chinook salmon in the Bering Sea pollock fishery are working. They are renewing the information collection process which includes three forms: the Compensated Transfer Report, Vessel Fuel Survey, and Vessel Master Survey. Public comments are open for 60 days, and the information gathered will aid in enhancing the quality and utility of the data collected while minimizing reporting burdens.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking public comments on its plan to continue collecting data for the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) COVID-19 Testing Program. This program helps monitor the use of $225 million in federal funds provided to support COVID-19 testing in rural areas. Funded clinics report on their testing activities, the number of patients tested, and positive results. Comments and suggestions about the data collection process are invited to ensure the information gathering is efficient and useful.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request for approval to extend an existing information collection under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Surface Coating of Metal Coil. This request involves collecting data from facilities that apply coatings to metal coils to ensure they comply with regulations limiting hazardous air pollutants. The EPA is seeking public comments on this extension until March 31, 2025, and the estimated cost of compliance for these facilities totals $2,220,000 per year. The overall estimated burden has decreased by 638 hours compared to previous estimates due to changes in the assumptions regarding required testing and system adjustments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on a proposed extension for collecting information related to pesticide use, as required by specific sections of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This process involves collecting information from various entities like states and federal agencies about emergency exemptions for unregistered pesticide use and special local needs for additional pesticide uses. The current approval for this information collection expires on February 28, 2021, and the EPA is offering an additional 30-day period for public feedback. The estimated annual burden for respondents, which include state and federal government agencies and agricultural chemical manufacturers, is 25,753 hours, costing a total of $1,829,103.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent an information request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the data collection required by the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for natural gas transmission and storage. This request, already approved until February 28, 2025, affects facilities that handle natural gas before it reaches consumers. The public has an extra 30 days to comment on the proposal. The estimated costs are $586,000 per year, with a total burden of 4,650 hours annually for 91 respondents.