80 FR 55869 - Proposed Renewal of Information Collection: The Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 180 (September 17, 2015)

Page Range		55869-55870
FR Document		2015-23393

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior is announcing its intention to request renewal for the collection of information for Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing. This collection request has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection request describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden and cost.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 180 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55869-55870]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23393]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

[156D0102DM DS61100000 DLSN00000.000000 DX61101]; [OMB Control Number
1094-0001]

Proposed Renewal of Information Collection: The Alternatives
Process in Hydropower Licensing

AGENCY: Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, Office of the
Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior is
announcing its intention to request renewal for the collection of
information for Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing. This
collection request has been forwarded to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection
request describes the nature of the information collection and the
expected burden and cost.

DATES: OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information
collection request, but may respond after 30 days; therefore, public
comments should be submitted to OMB by October 19, 2015, in order to be
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for
the Department of Interior (1094-0001), by telefax at (202) 395-5806 or
via email to OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov. Also, please send a copy of
your comments to Shawn Alam, Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance, U.S. Department of the Interior, MS 2462-MIB, 1849 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240, or send an email to
Shawn_Alam@ios.doi.gov. Additionally, you may telefax them to him at
(202) 208-6970. Individuals providing comments should reference
Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To receive a copy of the information
collection request, contact Dr. Shawn Alam at (202) 208-5465. You may
also contact Dr. Shawn Alam electronically at Shawn_Alam@ios.doi.gov.
To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The OMB regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, which implement the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., require that
interested members of the public and affected agencies have an
opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping
activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8 (d)).
On March 31, 2015, the Departments of Agriculture, the Interior,
and Commerce published revised interim final rule they originally
published in November 2005 at 7 CFR part 1, 43 CFR part 45, and 50 CFR
part 221, to implement section 241 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EP
Act), Public Law 109-58, which the President signed into law on August
8, 2005. Section 241 of the EP Act added a new section 33 to the
Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. 823d, that allowed the license
applicant or any other party to the license proceeding to propose an
alternative to a condition or prescription that one or more of the
Departments develop for inclusion in a hydropower license issued by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the FPA. This
provision required that the Department of Agriculture, the Department
of the Interior, and the Department of Commerce collect the information
covered by 1094-0001.
Under FPA section 33, the Secretary of the Department involved must
accept the proposed alternative if the Secretary determines, based on
substantial evidence provided by a party to the license proceeding or
otherwise available to the Secretary, (a) that the alternative
condition provides for the adequate protection and utilization of the
reservation, or that the alternative prescription will be no less
protective than the fishway initially proposed by the Secretary, and
(b) that the alternative will either cost significantly less to
implement or result in improved operation of the project works for
electricity production.
In order to make this determination, the regulations require that
all of the following information be collected: (1) A description of the
alternative, in an equivalent level of detail to the Department's
preliminary condition or prescription; (2) an explanation of how the
alternative: (i) If a condition, will provide for the adequate
protection and utilization of the reservation; or (ii) if a
prescription, will be no less protective than the fishway prescribed by
the bureau; (3) an explanation of how the alternative, as compared to
the preliminary condition or prescription, will: (i) Cost significantly
less to implement; or (ii) result in improved operation of the project
works for electricity production; (4) an explanation of how the
alternative or revised alternative will affect: (i) Energy supply,
distribution, cost, and use; (ii) flood control; (iii) navigation; (iv)
water supply; (v) air quality; and (vi) other aspects of environmental
quality; and (5) specific citations to any scientific studies,
literature, and other documented information relied on to support the
proposal.
This notice of proposed renewal of an existing information
collection is being published by the Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance, Department of the Interior, on behalf of all three
Departments, and the data provided below covers anticipated responses
(alternative conditions/prescriptions and associated information) for
all three Departments.

II. Data

(1) Title: 7 CFR part 1; 43 CFR part 45; 50 CFR part 221; the
Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing.
OMB Control Number: 1094-0001.
Current Expiration Date: November 30, 2015.
Type of Review: Information Collection Renewal.
Affected Entities: Business or for-profit entities.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 5.
Frequency of responses: Once per alternative proposed.
(2) Annual reporting and recordkeeping burden:
Total annual reporting per response: 500 hours.

[[Page 55870]]

Total number of estimated responses: 5.
Total annual reporting: 2,500 hours.
(3) Description of the need and use of the information: The purpose
of this information collection is to provide an opportunity for license
parties to propose an alternative condition or prescription to that
proposed by the Federal Government for inclusion in the hydropower
licensing process.
As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), a Federal Register notice
soliciting comments on the collection of information was published on
May 7, 2015 (88 FR 26290). No comments were received. This notice
provides the public with an additional 30 days in which to comment on
the proposed information collection activity.

III. Request for Comments

The Departments invite comments on:
(a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the agencies, including whether
the information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the agencies' estimate of the burden of the
collection of the collection of information and the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology.
``Burden'' means the total time, effort, and financial resources
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide
information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed
to review instructions; to develop, acquire, install, and use
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and
verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and
disclosing and providing information; to train personnel and to be able
to respond to a collection of information, to search data sources, and
to complete and review the collection of information; and to transmit
or otherwise disclose the information.
It is our policy to make all comments available to the public for
review. Before including Personally Identifiable Information (PII),
such as your address, phone number, email address, or other personal
information in your comment(s), you should be aware that your entire
comment (including PII) may be made available to the public at any
time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold PII from public
view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
If you wish to view any comments received, you may do so by
scheduling an appointment with the Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance by calling (202) 208-3891. A valid picture identification is
required for entry into the Department of the Interior.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number.

Willie R. Taylor,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2015-23393 Filed 9-16-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 180 / Thursday, September 17, 2015 / Notices 55869

male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus Department of Interior (1094–0001), by adequate protection and utilization of
pygargus) culled from a captive herd telefax at (202) 395–5806 or via email to the reservation, or that the alternative
maintained under the management OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov. Also, prescription will be no less protective
program of the Republic of South Africa, please send a copy of your comments to than the fishway initially proposed by
for the purpose of enhancement of the Shawn Alam, Office of Environmental the Secretary, and (b) that the
survival of the species. Policy and Compliance, U.S. alternative will either cost significantly
Department of the Interior, MS 2462– less to implement or result in improved
Applicant: David Florance, Carlisle, PA;
MIB, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, operation of the project works for
PRT–74205B
DC 20240, or send an email to Shawn_ electricity production.
The applicant requests a permit to Alam@ios.doi.gov. Additionally, you In order to make this determination,
import sport-hunted trophies of two may telefax them to him at (202) 208– the regulations require that all of the
male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus 6970. Individuals providing comments following information be collected: (1)
pygargus) culled from a captive herd should reference Alternatives Process in A description of the alternative, in an
maintained under the management Hydropower Licensing. equivalent level of detail to the
program of the Republic of South Africa, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To Department’s preliminary condition or
for the purpose of enhancement of the receive a copy of the information prescription; (2) an explanation of how
survival of the species. collection request, contact Dr. Shawn the alternative: (i) If a condition, will
Brenda Tapia, Alam at (202) 208–5465. You may also provide for the adequate protection and
contact Dr. Shawn Alam electronically utilization of the reservation; or (ii) if a
Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch
of Permits, Division of Management at Shawn_Alam@ios.doi.gov. To see a prescription, will be no less protective
Authority. copy of the entire ICR submitted to than the fishway prescribed by the
[FR Doc. 2015–23306 Filed 9–16–15; 8:45 am] OMB, go to: http://www.reginfo.gov/ bureau; (3) an explanation of how the
public/do/PRAMain. alternative, as compared to the
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: preliminary condition or prescription,
will: (i) Cost significantly less to
I. Abstract implement; or (ii) result in improved
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The OMB regulations at 5 CFR part operation of the project works for
Office of the Secretary 1320, which implement the Paperwork electricity production; (4) an
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 explanation of how the alternative or
[156D0102DM DS61100000 revised alternative will affect: (i) Energy
DLSN00000.000000 DX61101]; [OMB Control et seq., require that interested members
Number 1094–0001] of the public and affected agencies have supply, distribution, cost, and use; (ii)
an opportunity to comment on flood control; (iii) navigation; (iv) water
Proposed Renewal of Information information collection and supply; (v) air quality; and (vi) other
Collection: The Alternatives Process in recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR aspects of environmental quality; and
Hydropower Licensing 1320.8 (d)). (5) specific citations to any scientific
On March 31, 2015, the Departments studies, literature, and other
AGENCY: Office of Environmental Policy of Agriculture, the Interior, and documented information relied on to
and Compliance, Office of the Secretary, Commerce published revised interim support the proposal.
Interior. final rule they originally published in This notice of proposed renewal of an
ACTION: Notice and request for November 2005 at 7 CFR part 1, 43 CFR existing information collection is being
comments. part 45, and 50 CFR part 221, to published by the Office of
implement section 241 of the Energy Environmental Policy and Compliance,
SUMMARY: In compliance with section Policy Act of 2005 (EP Act), Public Law Department of the Interior, on behalf of
3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork 109–58, which the President signed into all three Departments, and the data
Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of law on August 8, 2005. Section 241 of provided below covers anticipated
Environmental Policy and Compliance, the EP Act added a new section 33 to responses (alternative conditions/
Office of the Secretary, Department of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. prescriptions and associated
the Interior is announcing its intention 823d, that allowed the license applicant information) for all three Departments.
to request renewal for the collection of or any other party to the license
information for Alternatives Process in II. Data
proceeding to propose an alternative to
Hydropower Licensing. This collection a condition or prescription that one or (1) Title: 7 CFR part 1; 43 CFR part 45;
request has been forwarded to the Office more of the Departments develop for 50 CFR part 221; the Alternatives
of Management and Budget (OMB) for inclusion in a hydropower license Process in Hydropower Licensing.
review and approval. The information issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory OMB Control Number: 1094–0001.
collection request describes the nature Commission (FERC) under the FPA. Current Expiration Date: November
of the information collection and the This provision required that the 30, 2015.
expected burden and cost. Department of Agriculture, the Type of Review: Information
DATES: OMB has up to 60 days to Department of the Interior, and the Collection Renewal.
approve or disapprove the information Department of Commerce collect the Affected Entities: Business or for-
collection request, but may respond information covered by 1094–0001. profit entities.
after 30 days; therefore, public Under FPA section 33, the Secretary Estimated annual number of
comments should be submitted to OMB
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

of the Department involved must accept respondents: 5.
by October 19, 2015, in order to be the proposed alternative if the Secretary Frequency of responses: Once per
assured of consideration. determines, based on substantial alternative proposed.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the evidence provided by a party to the (2) Annual reporting and
Office of Information and Regulatory license proceeding or otherwise recordkeeping burden:
Affairs, Office of Management and available to the Secretary, (a) that the Total annual reporting per response:
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the alternative condition provides for the 500 hours.

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:34:03
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:34:03

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice and request for comments.
Dates		OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection request, but may respond after 30 days; therefore, public comments should be submitted to OMB by October 19, 2015, in order to be assured of consideration.
Contact		To receive a copy of the information collection request, contact Dr. Shawn Alam at (202) 208-5465. You may also contact Dr. Shawn Alam electronically at [email protected] To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to: http:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
FR Citation		80 FR 55869

80 FR 55869 - Proposed Renewal of Information Collection: The Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOROffice of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 180 (September 17, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary