[Federal Register: May 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 87)]
[Notices]               
[Page 24011-24012]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06my03-87]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is submitting a 
request for review and approval of a collection of information under 
the emergency processing procedures in Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) regulation 5 CFR 1320.13. FEMA is requesting that this 
information collection be approved by May 12, 2003. The approval will 
authorize FEMA to use the collection through November 30, 2003. FEMA 
plans to follow this emergency request with a request for a 3-year 
approval. The request will be processed under OMB's normal clearance 
procedures in accordance with the provisions of OMB regulation 5 CFR 
1320.10. To help us with the timely processing of the emergency and 
normal clearance submissions to OMB, FEMA invites the general public to 
comment on the proposed collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed collection of information is 
for the administration of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program as 
authorized under Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5133, as amended 
by section 102 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA), Pub. L. 
106-390, 114 Stat. 1552. In accordance with the Act, FY 2003 
Consolidated Appropriation Resolution, Pub. L. 108-7 authorized $150 
million for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program.

Collection of Information

    Title: Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM)/eGrants.
    Type of Information Collection: Existing collection in use without 
an OMB control number.
    Forms: The following forms are used for PDM grant application and 
reporting:
    SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance;
    SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities;
    FEMA Form 20-10, Financial Status Report;
    FEMA Form 20-15, Budget Information--Construction Program;
    FEMA Forms 20-16, Summary Sheet for Assurances and Certifications;
    FEMA Form 20-16A, Assurances--Nonconstruction Programs;
    FEMA Form 20-16B, Assurances--Construction Programs;
    FEMA Form 20-16C, Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, 
Suspension and other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements;
    FEMA Form 20-17, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement;
    FEMA Form 20-18, Report of Government Property;
    FEM Form 20-19, Report of Unobligated Balance of Federal Funds;
    FEMA Form 20-20, Budget Information--Nonconstruction Programs; and,
    FEMA Form 76-10A, Obligating Document for Award.
    Abstract: This collection is necessary to provide Federal grant 
assistance to States, local governments and Federally recognized Indian 
Tribal governments to develop mitigation plans in accordance with 
Section 322 of the DMA of 2000, to implement pre-disaster mitigation 
projects that primarily reduces the risks of natural hazards on life 
and property but may include hazards caused by non-natural forces, and 
to provide information and technical assistance on cost-effective 
mitigation activities. In FY 2003, FEMA will make the Pre-Disaster 
Mitigation Grant application available on-line to States and local 
governments through a web-based eGrants application process.
    Affected Public: State, local and Tribal governments.
    Number of Respondents: 1,176. The number of respondents includes 56 
States and Territories plus 20 local governments (to include Indian 
Tribal governments) per State, or 1,120 local governments, Local 
governments submit their applications to the States to review, 
coordinate and forward PDM grant applications to FEMA for approval.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50,887.
    Estimated Cost: The total annual estimated costs to States, 
Territories, Indian Tribal governments and local governments for the 
information collection associated with the PDM program is $1,215,182. 
This cost is determined by multiplying the respondents estimate hourly 
rate times the estimated total annual burden hours ($23.88 x 50,887 = 
$1,215,182.)
    Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether 
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(d) 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 responses. Submit comments to OMB within 30 days of the 
date of this notice. To ensure that FEMA is fully aware of any comments 
or concerns that you share with OMB, please provide us with a copy of 
your comments. FEMA will continue to accept comments for 60 days from 
the date of this notice.
    OMB Addressee: Interested persons should submit written comments to 
the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (Attention: Desk Officer for the

[[Page 24012]]

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security) 725 17th Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20503.
    FEMA Addressee: Interested persons should submit written comments 
to Muriel B. Anderson, Chief, Records Management Branch, Information 
Resources Management Division, Information Technology Services 
Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency 
Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 
500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the 
proposed collection of information at telephone number (202) 646-2625, 
facsimile number (202) 646-3347, or e-mail address: 
muriel.anderson@fema.gov.
    Dated: April 30, 2003.
Edward W. Kernan,
Director, Information Resources Management Division, Information 
Technology Services Directorate.
[FR Doc. 03-11106 Filed 5-5-03; 8:45 am]

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