Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

Abstract. The FERC-505, ``Application for License for Water projects 5MW or Less Capacity'' (OMB No. 1902-0115) consists of the filing requirements as defined in 18 CFR Sections 4.61, 4.71, 4.93, 4.107-108, 4.201-.202, 292.203 and 292.208. The information collected under the requirements of FERC-505 is used by the Commission to implement the statutory provisions of part 1 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. Sections 791a et seq. and 3301-3432, and Section 408 of the Energy Security Act. (P.L. 96-294, June 30, 1980), as amended by the Electric Consumers Protection Act (ECPA) (P.L. 99-495, 100 Stat. 1243 (1986). The FPA as amended by ECPA provides the Commission with responsibility of issuing licenses for nonfederal hydropower plants, plus requiring the Commission in its licensing activities to give equal consideration to preserving environmental quality. ECPA also amended sections 10(a) and 10(j) of the FPA to specify the conditions on which hydropower licenses are issued, to direct that the project be adopted in accordance with a comprehensive plan that improves waterways for interstate/foreign commerce and for the protection, enhancement and mitigation of damages to fish and wildlife. Submission of the information is necessary to fulfill the requirements of Sections 9 and 10(a) of the Act in order for the Commission to make the required finding that the proposal is economically, technically, and environmentally sound, and is best adapted to the comprehensive plan of development of the water resources of the region. Under Section 405(c) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, the Commission may in its discretion (by rule or order) grant an exemption in whole or in part from the requirements of Part I of the FPA to small hydropower projects having a proposed installed capacity of 5,000 kilowatts or less. The information collected in the form of a written application for a license and used by Commission staff to determine the broad impact of a hydropower license application. Action: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the current expiration date, with no changes to the existing collection of data.

Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated as:

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Average burden Number of Annual responses hours per Total annual respondents per respondent response burden hours (1) (2) (3) (1) x (2) x (3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 1 226 2,712 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimated cost burden to respondents is $143,278; (i.e., 2,712 hours divided by 2,080 hours per full time employee per year multiplied by $109,889 per year equals $143,278). The cost per respondent is $11,940. The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2) developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing, maintaining, disclosing and providing information; (3) adjusting the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; (4) training personnel to respond to a collection of information; (5) searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing the collection of information; and (7) transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the information. The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to providing this information, such as administrative costs and the cost for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs apply to activities which benefit the whole organization rather than any one particular function or activity. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, 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, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 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. Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-29800 Filed 11-15-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M