[Federal Register: February 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 33)]
[Notices]
[Page 8605-8606]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe06-94]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity
to comment on a proposed extension of a currently approved information
collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
this notice seeks comments concerning a Governor's request for a major
disaster or an emergency declaration by the President.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206, as amended (the Stafford
Act), requires that all requests for a major disaster or an emergency
declaration by the President must be made by the Governor of the
affected State. Section 401 of the Act stipulates specific information
the Governor must submit with a request for any major disaster or
emergency declaration. Section 501(a) of the Act stipulates specific
information the Governor must submit with a request for any emergency
declaration. Section 403(c) of the Act authorizes emergency assistance,
without a Presidential declaration, through the utilization of
Department of Defense personnel and resources.
[[Page 8606]]
Information needed to process the request from the Governor is set
forth in 44 CFR part 206.35 and 206.36.
Collection of Information
Title: The Declaration Process: Requests for Damage Assessment,
Federal Disaster Assistance, Cost Share Adjustment, and Appeals.
Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved
collection.
OMB Number: 1660-0009.
Form Numbers: None.
Abstract: When a disaster occurs in a State, the Governor of the
State or the Acting Governor in his/her absence, may request a major
disaster declaration or an emergency declaration. The Governor should
submit the request to the President through the appropriate Regional
Director to ensure prompt acknowledgement and processing. The
information obtained by joint Federal, State, and local preliminary
damage assessments will be analyzed by FEMA regional senior level
staff. The regional summary and the regional analysis and
recommendation shall include a discussion of State and local resources
and capabilities, and other assistance available to meet the disaster
related needs. The Director of FEMA provides a recommendation to the
President and also provides a copy of the Governor's request. In the
event the information required by law is not contained in the request,
the Governor's request cannot be processed and forwarded to the White
House. In the event the Governor's request for a major disaster
declaration or an emergency declaration is not granted, the Governor
may appeal the decision.
Affected Public: State, local or tribal governments, and other
Federal agencies.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,224.
Annual Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Frequency of Burden hours Annual Total annual
Project/activity (survey, respondents responses per responses burden hours
form(s), focus group, ------------------------------------- respondent \1\) ---------------
worksheet, etc.) ----------------------------
(A) (B) (C) (AxB) (AxBxC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Governor's Request............. 58 Per Request.......... 76 228 13,224
-------------- ---------------
Total...................... 58 ..................... 76 228 13,224
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Based on the number of disaster occurrences.
Estimated Cost: The estimated annualized cost per respondent is $30
per hour for gathering preliminary assessments information x 13,244
total burden hours = $397,320.
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. Comments must be submitted on or before April
18, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Chief,
Records Management Section, Information Resources Management Branch,
Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Magda Ruiz, Acting Branch
Chief, Declarations Unit, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472, telephone number (202) 646-3629, for
additional information. You may contact the Records Management Branch
for copies of the proposed collection of information at facsimile
number (202) 646-3347 or e-mail address:
FEMA-Information-Collections@dhs.gov.
Dated: February 9, 2006.
Darcy Bingham,
Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, Information
Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. E6-2315 Filed 2-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-10-P