83 FR 22962 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NOAA Restoration Center Performance Progress Report

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 96 (May 17, 2018)

The Department of Commerce, 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 proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Project Performance Report and Administration Report Forms and Example Report Form Instructions can be reviewed under the Progress Reporting heading at https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/habitat-conservation/resources-noaa- restoration-center-applicants#progress-reporting .

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 96 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22962-22963]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10479]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NOAA 
Restoration Center Performance Progress Report

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, 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 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Project Performance Report and 
Administration Report Forms and Example Report Form Instructions can be 
reviewed under the Progress Reporting heading at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/habitat-conservation/resources-noaa-restoration-center-applicants#progress-reporting .

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 16, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Janine Harris, Office of Habitat Conservation, 
Restoration Center, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 
(301) 427-8635, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    The NOAA Restoration Center (NOAA RC) provides technical and 
financial assistance to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate 
community-driven habitat restoration projects. Awards are made as 
grants or cooperative agreements under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 
1891a and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661, as 
amended by the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970.
    The NOAA RC requires specific information on habitat restoration 
projects that we fund, as part of routine progress reporting. 
Recipients of NOAA RC funds submit information such as project 
location, restoration techniques used, species benefited, acres 
restored, stream miles opened to access for diadromous fish, volunteer 
participation, and other parameters.
    The required information enables NOAA to track, evaluate and report 
on coastal and marine habitat restoration and demonstrate 
accountability for federal funds. This information is used to populate 
a database of NOAA RC-funded habitat restoration. The database, with 
its robust querying capabilities, is instrumental to provide accurate 
and timely responses to NOAA, Department of Commerce, Congressional and 
constituent inquiries. It also facilitates reporting by NOAA on the 
Government Performance and Results Act ``acres restored'' performance 
measure. Grant recipients are required by the NOAA Grants Management 
Division to submit periodic performance reports and a final report for 
each award; this collection stipulates the information to be provided 
in these reports.
    There are two progress report forms for simplicity. The Performance 
Report Form focuses on tracking project implementation, milestones, 
performance measures, monitoring, and expenditures. The Administrative 
Form only applies to recipients with an award that will implement 
multiple projects. It collects information on the administration of the 
award, the number of projects supported by the award, and award 
expenditures.

II. Method of Collection

    NOAA's preferred method of collection is submission of electronic 
fillable forms attached to an award file in Grants Online, NOAA's award 
management system. If the recipient does not have electronic access to 
submit the form, mailed paper forms will be accepted.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0472.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of currently approved 
information collection).
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; state, local, or 
tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 130.
    Estimated Time per Response: Performance Interim reports, 4 hours, 
30 minutes; final reports, 7 hours, 45 minutes and Administrative 
Interim reports, 4 hours; final reports, 7 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,475.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(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 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.


[[Page 22963]]


    Dated: May 11, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-10479 Filed 5-16-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P