The Alaska Region is soliciting public comments on three information collections associated with the Crab Rationalization Program (Program) according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
The information collections are: Crab Permits; Crab Economic Data Reports (EDRs); and Crab Arbitration. Comments must be submitted by November 1, 2007, and will be accepted through the Alaska Region's Crab Rationalization website.
The Crab Permits collection includes permit applications, transfer applications, and a form and an online site for payment of Program fees. The EDR collection includes forms and an online site requesting information on the economic impacts of the Program. The Arbitration collection is designed to accommodate the varied interests of the parties involved as well as reflect the historical negotiations between harvesters and processors.
The Region is seeking comments on:
- whether the information collections are necessary and whether the information has practical utility;
- the accuracy of the agency's estimates on the burden of collecting the information;
- ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and
- ways to minimize the burden of collecting the information from respondents.
For more information, contact Patsy A. Bearden at (907) 586-7008, or email patsy.bearden@noaa.gov.
