SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.

A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on March 2, 2021, 86 FR, 12202. No comments were received.

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following:

(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility.

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected under this request; and

(4) How the agency might minimize the burden of the collection of this information on those being asked 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 that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information (PII) in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your PII—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your PII from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract: We will collect narrative information regarding knowledge and observations of permafrost dynamics in communities in the Yukon River Basin in Alaska. Narrative information will be collected via semi-structured interviews with active land users in specific communities as well as relevant city, tribal council, and village corporation staff. Questions will focus on observations of landscape change and infrastructure damage indicative of permafrost thaw. This information will allow for a greater understanding of permafrost dynamics in the region as well as the impacts that thaw has on communities. This information will be used to inform future permafrost monitoring efforts in the region, and it will be provided to communities for adaptation planning.

Title of Collection: Local and Indigenous Knowledge of Permafrost Dynamics across the Yukon River Basin.

OMB Control Number: 1028-NEW.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: New.

Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 180.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 180.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: 45 minutes.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 135.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Frequency of Collection: One time.

Total Estimated Annual Non Hour Burden Cost: None.

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 OMB control number.

The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

87 FR 19115