2017-02166. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; FEMA Preparedness Grants: Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)

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 information collection activities required to administer the FEMA Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG).

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before April 3, 2017.

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-2017-0006. 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:

Angel McLaurine-Qualls, Program Specialist, DHS FEMA, Grant Programs Directorate, 202-786-9532. You may contact the Records Management Division for copies of the proposed collection of information at email address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Emergency Management Performance Grants Program (EMPG) helps facilitate a national and regional all-hazards approach to emergency response, including the development of a comprehensive program of planning, training, and exercises that provides a foundation for effective and consistent response to any threatened or actual disaster or emergency, regardless of the cause. Section 662 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 762), as amended, empowers the FEMA Administrator to continue implementation of an Emergency Management Performance Grants Program to make grants to States to assist State, local, and tribal governments in preparing for all hazards, as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).

Collection of Information

Title: FEMA Preparedness Grants: Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG).

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

OMB Number: 1660-0126.

FEMA Forms: None.

Abstract: The Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) Program assists State and local governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities. The EMPG Work Plan narrative must demonstrate how proposed projects address gaps, deficiencies, and capabilities in current programs and the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by FEMA. FEMA uses the information to provide details, timelines, and milestones on proposed projects.

Affected Public: State, Local, Territorial, or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 58.

Number of Responses: 58.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 174 hours.

Estimated Cost: The estimated annual cost to respondents for the hour burden is $9,008.26. There are no annual costs to respondents operations and maintenance costs for technical services. There is no annual start-up or capital costs. The cost to the Federal Government is $415,206.

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: January 23, 2017.

Richard W. Mattison,

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