82 FR 27718 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS)

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 115 (June 16, 2017)

HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27718-27719]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12571]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5998-N-04]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: HUD 
Environmental Review Online System (HEROS)

AGENCY: Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment 
from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

DATES: Comments Due Date: August 15, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB 
Control Number and should be sent to: Colette Pollard, Reports 
Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 7th Street SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; telephone 
202-402-3400 (this is not a toll-free number) or email at 
[email protected] for a copy of the proposed forms or other 
available information. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may 
access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay 
Service at (800) 877-8339.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Zepeda, Senior Environmental 
Specialist, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20410; email Elizabeth Zepeda at 
[email protected] or telephone 202-402-3988. This is not a 
toll-free number. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access 
this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service 
at (800) 877-8339.
    Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from 
Ms. Pollard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that HUD is 
seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in 
Section A.

A. Overview of Information Collection

    Title of Information Collection: HUD Environmental Review Online 
System (HEROS).
    OMB Approval Number: 2506-0202.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Form Number: None.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: 24 
CFR part 58, ``Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming 
HUD Environmental Responsibilities'' requires units of general local 
government receiving HUD assistance to maintain a written environmental 
review record for all projects receiving HUD funding documenting 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality, related federal 
environmental laws, executive orders, and authorities, and Part 58 
procedure. Various laws that authorize this procedure are listed in 24 
CFR 58.1(b). 24 CFR part 50, ``Protection and Enhancement of 
Environmental Quality,'' implements procedures for HUD to perform 
environmental reviews for projects where Part 58 is not permitted by 
law. Under Part 50, HUD staff complete the environmental review 
records, but they may use any information supplied by an applicant or 
contractor, provided HUD independently evaluates the information and is 
responsible for its accuracy and prepares the environmental finding. 
The HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS) allows users to 
complete, store, and submit their environmental review records and 
documents online. HEROS is currently optional for Responsible Entity 
and other non-HUD users, who may continue to use paper-based 
environmental review formats; however, HUD staff in many offices are 
required to use HEROS to complete their environmental reviews.
    Respondents (i.e. affected public): The respondents are state and 
local governments receiving HUD funding who are required to complete 
environmental reviews.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,932.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1.
    Frequency of Response: 3,932.
    Average Hours per Response: Varies depending on level of review 
(see table below). Reviews that are exempt or categorically excluded 
not subject to the related laws and authorities (CENST) take roughly 45 
minutes to complete. Reviews that are categorically excluded

[[Page 27719]]

subject to the related laws (CEST) or require an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) take an average of 4 hours to complete.
    Total Estimated Burdens: 7,752 hours or $258,391.

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                                             Number of     Frequency of    Responses per    Burden hour   Annual  burden    Hourly cost
         Information collection             respondents      response          annum       per response        hours       per response     Annual cost
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Exempt/CENST reviews....................           2,454               1           2,454              45         1,840.5          $33.33         $6,1344
CEST/EA reviews.........................           1,478               1           1,478               4           5,912           33.33         197,047
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................           3,932               1           3,932  ..............         7,752.5           33.33         258,391
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B. Solicitation of Public Comment

    This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected parties concerning the collection of information described in 
Section A on the following:
    (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
    HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to 
these questions.

    Authority:  Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

    Date: June 12, 2017.
Clifford Taffet,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2017-12571 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P