00-27000. Request for Public Comments on Proposed Information Collection To Be Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act

The proposal for the collection of information described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of the proposed collection of information and related forms may be obtained by contacting the Bureau's clearance officer at the phone number listed below. Comments and suggestions on the proposal should be made within 60 days directly to the Bureau clearance officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia, 20192, telephone [phone].

Specific public comments are requested as to:

1. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions on the bureaus, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. The accuracy of the bureau's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used:

3. The quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4. How 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 forms of information technology.

Title: National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Cooperative Agreements Program (CAP).

OMB approval number: New collection.

Abstract: Respondents submit proposals for receiving assistance in implementing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) including metadata, clearinghouse, and framework. The technological and institutional development of NSDI supports the ease of discovery, access and utilization of geographic information on the Internet. This information will be used as the basis for selection and award of projects meeting program objectives. Annual or final reports are required on the performances of each selected.

Bureau form number: None.

Frequency: Annual proposals and final reports.

Description of respondents: State, local, and Federal government, academic institutions, private business, and non-profit organizations.

Annual responses: 120.

Annual burden hours: 6,640 hours.

Bureau clearance officer: John Cordyack, 703-648-7313.

Dated: October 11, 2000.

Barbara J. Ryan,

Associate Director for Geography.