View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 1018-0202	ICR Reference No: 202307-1018-002
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOI/FWS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service CITES Master’s Course
Type of Information Collection: Existing collection in use without an OMB Control Number	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 11/19/2024
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/26/2023
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2027	36 Months From Approved
Responses	63	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	43	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Abstract: Wildlife trafficking ranks as the second greatest threat to species survival after habitat destruction. The United States (U.S.) recognizes wildlife trafficking as a serious transnational crime that threatens thousands of plant and animal species and undermines U.S. priorities, including national security, human health, and economic growth. The Service employs a science-based approach to counter wildlife trafficking, including through the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES is the sole global treaty dedicated to preventing the unsustainable trade in plants and animals and is an essential component to counter illegal wildlife trade as it provides mechanisms and incentives to effectively manage natural resources. The U.S. has been a Party to the Convention since 1973. Under the Endangered Species Act, the Service has been designated to carry out the provision of CITES for the U.S. To help develop the technical expertise necessary to effectively implement CITES, the International University of Andalucía (UNIA) has offered a unique master’s degree program entitled “The Management and Conservation of Species in Trade: The International Framework” (also known as the “CITES Master’s Course”). The program, which was established in 1997, provides high-quality training focusing on the scientific foundations, techniques and mechanisms of CITES implementation. Approximately 400 students have graduated from the program, many becoming leaders in CITES and global policy. Recognizing the important potential offered through UNIA’s CITES Master’s Course, the Service provides scholarships to support wildlife professionals interested in furthering their CITES expertise by partaking in the CITES Master’s Course, with a focus on countries most vulnerable to illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade. The competitive scholarships cover costs for tuition, lodging, and supplies, provide an opportunity for the scholars to participate in the CITES Conference of the Parties, and offer technical and financial research support.

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1531 et seq. Name of Law: Endangered Species Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	88 FR 9533	02/14/2023
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	88 FR 65745	09/25/2023
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion
Annual Number of Responses	63	63
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	43	43
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a request for a new OMB control number.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $294,880

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Madonna Baucum 202 354-1916 madonna_baucum@nps.gov

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion