Alaska Beak Deformity Observations, comments due June 1

Content

ACTION:

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to renew an information
collection as part of the ongoing research in North American birds. Members of the public provide observation reports of birds
with deformities from Alaska and other regions.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 1, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by one of the following methods:

Internet: https://www.regulations.gov. Search for and submit comments on Docket No. USGS-ECO-2026-0001.

U.S. Mail: USGS, Information Collections Clearance Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 20192.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Colleen Handel by email at cmhandel@usgs.gov, or by telephone at 907-786-7181. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the
United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information collections require approval under the PRA. An agency may not conduct or sponsor,
nor is an individual required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies
to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.

We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following:

(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology
and assumptions used;

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) How the agency might minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through
the use of appropriate automated, electronic,

  mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, *e.g.,* permitting electronic submission of response.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment
in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personally
identifying information (PII) in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your PII—may be made
publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract: As part of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area effort to provide science that is used by managers, policymakers, and others for
decisions that protect, conserve, and enhance healthy fish and wildlife populations across the United States and beyond, the
Alaska Science Center Landbird Program conducts research on avian populations within Alaska. Beginning in the late 1990s,
an outbreak of beak deformities in Black-capped Chickadees and other species emerged in southcentral Alaska. USGS scientists
launched a study to understand the scope of this problem and its effect on wild birds. Since that time, researchers have gathered
important information about the deformities—they have identified a new virus as the likely cause and the geographical distribution
appears to be expanding. The collection of PII is requested as part of this ongoing research in North American birds. Members
of the public provide observation reports of birds with deformities from Alaska and other regions. These reports are very
important in that they allow researchers to determine the geographical distribution of the beak deformities and species affected.
Data collection over such a large and remote area would not be possible without the public's assistance. As part of the online
reporting system, an individual's phone number, email address, and mailing address are requested. This information allows
researchers to request additional details or verify reports if necessary but is not required for submission. PII is used only
for contact purposes, is stored in a separate table that is encrypted, and is not shared in any way with other individuals,
groups, or organizations.

Title of Collection: Alaska Beak Deformity Observations.

OMB Control Number: 1028-0116.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals/households.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 150.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 175.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: Approximately 5 minutes.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 15 hours.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Frequency of Collection: One time.

Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

The authority for this action is the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Brian D. Kimbrell, USGS Federal Register Liaison, U.S. Department of the Interior | Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2026-06142 Filed 3-27-26; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4338-11-P

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