2011-26616. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coral Reef Conservation Program Administration

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, 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 and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before December 13, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Jenny Waddell at [phone], extension 150, or Jenny.Waddell@noaagov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (Act) was enacted to provide a framework for conserving coral reefs. The Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, under the Act, provides funds to broad-based applicants with experience in coral reef conservation to conduct activities to protect and conserve coral reef ecosystems. The information submitted is used to determine: (1) Whether the applicant qualifies for a waiver of matching funds, and (2) if a proposed project is consistent with the coral reef conservation priorities of authorities with jurisdiction over the area where the project will be carried out.

II. Method of Collection

The information may be submitted via e-mail, mail or fax.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0648-0448.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved collection).

Affected Public: Non-profit institutions; federal government, state, local, or tribal government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.

Estimated Time per Response: Matching funds waiver request, 30 minutes; proposal comment, 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 106.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $250 in recordkeeping/reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: October 11, 2011.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.