02-31558. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Public Telecommunications Facilities Program Grant Monitoring

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before February 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Clifton Beck, NTIA, Room H-4888, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The purpose of the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program is to assist, through matching funds, in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities in order to achieve the following objectives:

• Extend delivery of public telecommunications services to as many citizens in the United States as possible by the most efficient and economical means, including the use of broadcast and non-broadcast technologies;
• Increase public telecommunications services and facilities available to, operated by, and owned by minorities and women; and
• Strengthen the capability of existing public radio and television stations to provide public telecommunications services to the public.

II. Method of Collection

Paper form and the Internet.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0660-0001.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions, state or local government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,950.

Estimated Time Per Response: 3 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,268.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: 0.

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

Dated: December 10, 2002.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.