2020-00942. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; FEMA Preparedness Grants: Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP)

AGENCY:

Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

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 to take this opportunity to comment on an extension, with change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the FEMA Preparedness Grants: Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP). The THSGP investment justification allows certain Tribes to apply for Federal funding to support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas to protect the homeland.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before March 23, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

To avoid duplicate submissions to the docket, please use only one of the following means to submit comments:

(1) Online. Submit comments at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID FEMA-2019-0023. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

(2) Mail. Submit written comments to Docket Manager, Office of Chief Counsel, DHS/FEMA, 500 C Street SW, 8NE, Washington, DC 20472-3100.

All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket ID. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov,, and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy Act notice that is available via the link in the footer of www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cornelius Jackson, Program Analyst, DHS FEMA, Grant Programs Directorate, [phone]. You may contact the Information Management Division for copies of the proposed collection of information at email address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The purpose of the THSGP to make grants available to Federally-recognized “directly eligible tribes” to provide Tribes with the ability to develop and deliver core capabilities using the combined efforts of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The THSGP's allowable costs support efforts of Tribes to build and sustain core capabilities across the prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery mission areas. The THSGP also plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving DHS FEMA's National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation. Federally-recognized Tribes are those defined by section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)). “Directly eligible tribes” are defined in Section 2001 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended (Pub. L. 107-296) (6 U.S.C. 601).

Collection of Information

Title: FEMA Preparedness Grants: Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP).

Type of Information Collection: Extension, with change, of a currently approved information collection.

OMB Number: 1660-0113.

FEMA Forms: FEMA Form 089-22, THSGP—Tribal Investment Justification Template.

Abstract: The THSGP provides supplemental funding to directly eligible Tribes to help strengthen the nation against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. This program provides funds to build capabilities at the Tribal governmental level.

Affected Public: Tribal Governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.

Estimated Number of Responses: 50.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,000.

Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost: $624,750.

Estimated Respondents' Operation and Maintenance Costs: $0.

Estimated Respondents' Capital and Start-Up Costs: $0.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Federal Government: $246,141.

Comments

Comments may be submitted as indicated in the ADDRESSES caption above. Comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) evaluate 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; (c) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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.

Maile Arthur,

Deputy Director of Information Management, Mission Support, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.