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OMB Control No: 0648-0084	ICR Reference No: 202606-0648-002
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202310-0648-001
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Basic Requirements for Special Exemption Permits and Authorizations to Take, Import, and Export Marine Mammals, Threatened and Endangered Species, and for Maintaining a Captive
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 07/21/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2026
Responses	656	993
Time Burden (Hours)	6,923	6,568
Cost Burden (Dollars)	82	80

Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division proposes revisions to the currently approved information collection OMB Control Number 0648-0084. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is revising permit application instructions for the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to align with new regulations and streamline processes. Key changes include removing the 5-year limit on MMPA permit durations, creating specific instructions for endangered corals, and updating guidance for Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) operations to improve take reporting. Additionally, the agency is redesigning its online application system (APPS) and splitting public display instructions into separate capture and importation categories to better meet statutory requirements. This information collection is under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; MMPA), the Fur Seal Act (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.; FSA), and the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; ESA). The MMPA, FSA, and ESA prohibit “take” (e.g., to harass or kill), import, and export of marine mammals and endangered and threatened species, with limited exceptions. Pursuant to Section 104 of the MMPA and Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA, persons or institutions may apply for special exception permits to take, import, or export marine mammals or endangered or threatened species for scientific research or enhancement purposes. Section 104 of the MMPA also allows for Letters of Confirmation under a General Authorization for scientific research, permits for commercial and educational photography of marine mammals, and permits for capture or import of marine mammals for public display. Issuance of permits is a federal action subject to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Persons or institutions seeking to take, import, or export protected species are required to apply for a permit or authorization and demonstrate that the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements are met. The information required in this collection is used by NMFS to make the determinations under the MMPA, FSA, ESA, NEPA, and their implementing regulations prior to issuing a permit or authorization; to evaluate the impacts on protected species; to establish appropriate permit conditions for the activity proposed; and, to ensure compliance with the Acts. Information required includes the name, affiliation, contact information and qualifications; the purpose of the request; the species, age, sex, and number of animals proposed to be taken, imported, or exported; location; a description of the impacts to the species and environment; the proposed methods and mitigation to minimize impacts to the species; and the requested duration of the permit. Permit and authorization holders must submit reports on the activities they conduct. Also, the MMPA mandates NMFS maintain an inventory of marine mammals in public display facilities and for those facilities to report certain information about the marine mammals to NMFS (via the National Inventory of Marine Mammals [NIMM]).

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1151 et seq. Name of Law: Fur Seal Act
   US Code: 16 USC 1531 et seq. Name of Law: Endangered Species Act
   US Code: 42 USC 55 Name of Law: National Environmental Policy Act
   US Code: 16 USC 31 Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972

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:
	91 FR 11289	03/09/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 45793	07/21/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	656	993	-337
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	6,923	6,568	355
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	82	80	2

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The number of respondents and responses decreased overall as these numbers were being double-counted by separating out the recordkeeping requirements from the reporting requirements. The time burden increased as a result of an increase to the Photography application burden hours based on a stakeholder comment.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,190,446

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. No

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. No

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: Amy Hapeman 999 999-9999

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