04-2754. Extension of a Currently Approved Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary of Defense.

ACTION:

Notice.

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations and Environment), Office of Economic Adjustment announces the proposed extension of a public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. 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 of the proposed information collection; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Consideration will be given to all comments received by April 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection should be sent to the Director, Office of Economic Adjustment, 400 Army Navy Drive, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22202-4704.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on this proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the proposal, please write to the above address, or call the Director, Office of Economic Adjustment at [phone].

Title and OMB Number: Revitalizing Base Closure Communities, Economic Development Conveyance Annual Financial Statement; OMB Number 0790-0004.

Needs and Uses: The information collection requirement is necessary to verify that Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) recipients of no-cost Economic Development Conveyances (EDCs) are in compliance with the requirement that the LRA reinvest proceeds from the use of EDC property for seven years.

Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments; and Not-for-Profit Institutions.

Annual Burden Hours: 3,160.

Number of Respondents: 79.

Responses Per Respondent: 1.

Average Burden Per Response: 40 hours.

Frequency: Annual.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Summary of Information Collection

Respondents are LRAs that have executed no-cost EDC agreements with a Military Department that transferred property from a closed military installation. As provided by Section 2821(a)(3)(B)(i) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Pub. L. 106-65), such agreements require that the LRA reinvest the proceeds from any sale, lease or equivalent use of EDC property (or any portion thereof) during at least the first seven years after the date of the initial transfer of the property to support the economic redevelopment of, or related to, the installation. The Secretary of Defense may recoup from the LRA such portion of these proceeds not used to support the economic redevelopment of, or related to, the installation. LRA's are subject to this same seven-year reinvestment requirement if their EDC agreement is modified to reduce the debt owed to the Federal Government. Military Departments monitor LRA compliance with this provision by requiring an annual financial statement certified by an independent Certified Public Accountant. No specific form is required.

Dated: February 4, 2004.

L.M. Bynum,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.