2016-24621. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; FEMA Preparedness Grants: Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP)

AGENCY:

Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

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 an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the information collection activities required to administer the FEMA Preparedness Grants: Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) that focuses on transportation infrastructure protection activities.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before December 12, 2016.

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-2016-0029. 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:

Paul Belkin, Branch Chief, FEMA, Grant Programs Directorate, 202-786-9771. You may contact the Records Management Division for copies of the proposed collection of information at email address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) is a FEMA grant program that focuses on transportation infrastructure protection activities. The collection of information for TSGP is mandated by Section 1406, Title XIV of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, 6 U.S.C. 1135, which directs the Secretary to establish a program for making grants to eligible public transportation agencies for security improvements. Additionally, information is collected in accordance with Section 1406(c) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, 6 U.S.C. 1135(c), which authorizes the Secretary to determine the requirements for grant recipients, including application requirements. The program provides funds to owners and operators of transit systems (which include intra-city bus, commuter bus, and all forms of passenger rail) to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

Collection of Information

Title: FEMA Preparedness Grants: Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP).

Type of Information Collection: Extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection.

OMB Number: 1660-0112.

FEMA Forms: FEMA Form 089-4, TSGP Investment Justification Template.

Abstract: The TSGP is an important component of the Department of Homeland Security's effort to enhance the security of the Nation's critical infrastructure. The program provides funds to owners and operators of transit systems to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 123.

Number of Responses: 246.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,043 hours.

Estimated Cost: The estimated annual cost to respondents for the hour burden is $208,981.92. There are no annual costs to respondents' operations and maintenance costs for technical services. There are no annual start-up or capital costs. The cost to the Federal Government is $774,018.00.

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.

Dated: October 5, 2016.

Richard W. Mattison,

Records Management Program Chief, Mission Support, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.