81 FR 18876 - Renewal of Agency Information Collection for Energy Resource Development Program Grants

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 63 (April 1, 2016)

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs is seeking comments on the renewal of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the collection of information for grants under the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development Office's Energy and Mineral Development Program authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0174. This information collection expires June 30, 2016.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18876-18877]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07441]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[167 A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900]


Renewal of Agency Information Collection for Energy Resource 
Development Program Grants

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs is seeking comments on the renewal 
of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the collection of 
information for grants under the Office of Indian Energy and Economic 
Development Office's Energy and Mineral Development Program authorized 
by OMB Control Number 1076-0174. This information collection expires 
June 30, 2016.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the information collection to 
Rebecca Naragon, U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Indian 
Energy and Economic Development, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., MS-16-
SIB, Washington, DC 20245; email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Naragon, (202) 208-4401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Energy Policy Act of 2005, 25 U.S.C. 3503 authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to provide grants to Indian Tribes as defined 
in 25 U.S.C. 3501(4)(A) and (B). The Office of Indian Energy and 
Economic Development (IEED) administers and manages the energy resource 
development grant program under the Energy and Minerals Development 
Program (EMDP).
    Congress may appropriate funds to EMDP on a year-to-year basis. 
When funding is available, IEED may solicit proposals for energy and 
mineral resource development projects from Indian Tribes for use on 
Indian lands as defined in 25 U.S.C. 3501. The projects

[[Page 18877]]

may be in the areas of exploration, assessment, development, 
feasibility, or market studies. Indian Tribes that would like to apply 
for an EMDP grant must submit an application that includes certain 
information, and must assist IEED by providing information in support 
of any National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses.

II. Request for Comments

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) requests your comments on this 
collection concerning: (a) The necessity of this information collection 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of the burden (hours and cost) of the 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) Ways we could enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways we could 
minimize the burden of the collection of the information on the 
respondents.
    Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and an 
individual need not respond to, a collection of information unless it 
has a valid OMB Control Number.
    It is our policy to make all comments available to the public for 
review at the location listed in the ADDRESSES section. Before 
including your address, phone number, email address or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--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.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 1076-0174.
    Title: Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) Grant 
Solicitation.
    Brief Description of Collection: Indian Tribes that would like to 
apply for an EMDP grant must submit an application that includes 
certain information. A complete application must contain a current, 
signed Tribal resolution that provides sufficient information to 
authorize the project and comply with the terms of the grant; a 
proposal describing the planned activities and deliverable products; 
and a detailed budget estimate. The IEED requires this information to 
ensure that it provides funding only to those projects that meet the 
goals of the EMDP and purposes for which Congress provides the 
appropriation. Upon acceptance of an application, a Tribe must then 
submit one to two page quarterly progress reports summarizing events, 
accomplishments, problems and/or results in executing the project.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved 
collection.
    Respondents: Federally recognized Indian Tribes with Indian land.
    Number of Respondents: 55 applicants per year; approximately 25 
project participants each year.
    Estimated Time per Response: 40 hours per application; 1.5 hours 
per progress report.
    Frequency of Response: Once per year for applications; 4 times per 
year for progress reports.
    Obligation to Respond: Response required to obtain a benefit.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 2,308 hours (2,200 for 
applications and 108 for progress reports).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.

Elizabeth K. Appel,
Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action--Indian 
Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-07441 Filed 3-31-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4337-15-P