Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48637-48638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23182]


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

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, 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 revised information collections. In accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
this notice seeks comments concerning the proposed revision of existing 
information from applicants seeking grant funding through the Hazard 
Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The information collection described 
in this notice is the State Administrative Plan for the Hazard 
Mitigation Grant Program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Program was created with the passing of 
the Stafford Act in November of 1988. The Program, authorized by 
Section 404 of the Act, provides States and local governments financial 
assistance to implement measures that will permanently reduce or 
eliminate future damages and losses from natural hazards.
    In December 1993 the President signed the Hazard Mitigation and 
Relocation Assistance Act that amended Section 404. This amendment 
increased the cost share of the HMGP to a maximum of 75 percent Federal 
and increased the amount of funding available for the Program to 15 
percent of all other disaster grants. The amendment also imposed new 
implementing requirements on acquisition and relocation projects funded 
under the Program. FEMA published an interim rule in the Federal 
Register on May 11, 1994, amending the original program regulations 
published in May 1989, to implement the changes.
    The statutory changes combined with the Administration's National 
Performance Review initiative provided an opportunity for FEMA to 
evaluate the overall program and make improvements. The 1993 increase 
in program funding significantly heightened public interest in the 
Program and has served to underscore the need to clarify HGMP 
eligibility, simplify program administration, and expedite grant award 
and implementation.
    The changes represented here are only a first step in the ongoing 
process to enhance the program. FEMA is working with its customers to 
develop and improve training and guidance to accompany the new 
regulations. Successful implementation of the changes will require 
clear guidance for both FEMA staff and State grantees.

Collection of Information

    Title: State Administrative Plan for the Hazard Mitigation Grant 
Program.
    Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement of a previously 
approved collection.
    OMB Number: 3067-0208.
    Abstract: The State must have an approved State Hazard Mitigation 
Grant Program (HMGP) Administrative Plan to be eligible to receive 
funds under HMGP. This plan outlines the procedures for administration 
of the program and management of program funds. The plan is revised 
after each major disaster declaration to take into account changes in 
the administration of the program or in current program policy. The 
plan should be incorporated as either a separate chapter or annex to 
the state's emergency response or operations plan. The Administrative 
Plan must include: (1) Designation of the state agency that will act as 
grantee; (2) identification of the State Hazard Mitigation Officer 
responsible for all matters related to the program; (3) determination 
of staffing requirements and sources of staff necessary for 
administration of the program, and (4) establish procedures to: (i) 
comply with administrative requirements of 44 CFR parts 13 and 206; 
(ii) identify and notify potential applicants of the availability of 
the program; (iii) ensure that potential applicants are provided 
information on the application process, program eligibility, and key 
deadlines; (iv) provide technical assistance as required to applicants 
and subgrantees; (v) gather environmental data and/or conduct 
environmental reviews; (vi) process requests for advances of funds and 
reimbursement; (vii) monitor and evaluate the progress and completion 
of the funded projects; (viii) provide quarterly performance and 
financial reports to the Regional Director; (ix) process appeals; and 
(x) comply with audit requirements of 44 CFR 14.

[[Page 48638]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      No. of                                       Annual burden
                   FEMA forms                       respondents    Frequency of      Hours per     hours  (A x B
                                                        (A)        response  (B)   response  (C)       x C)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal
 government, and not for profit institutions.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,600.
State Admin. Plan...............................              25          \1\ 46               4           4,600
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................              25              46               4          4,600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Average number of declared disasters per year.

    Estimated Cost. Cost to Federal government for collecting 
information is $10,000.

Comments

    Written comments are solicited to:
    (a) Evaluate whether the proposed data collections and reporting 
requirements are necessary for the proper performance of FEMA's 
functions and program activities, including whether the data have 
practical utility;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed data collections and reporting requirements;
    (c) Determine the estimated cost of the proposed data collections 
and reporting requirements to the respondents;
    (d) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and,
    (e) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are 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 should be received within 60 days of the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, FEMA Information Collections Officer, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 316, Washington, DC 20472. 
Telephone number (202) 646-2625, FAX number (202) 646-3524, or email 
address: muriel.anderson@fema.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Catherine Young, Mitigation 
Directorate at (202) 646-4541 for additional information. Contact Ms. 
Anderson at (202) 646-2625 for copies of the proposed collection of 
information.

    Dated: August 25, 1999.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 99-23182 Filed 9-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P