04-5920. Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to determine the number of interments conducted at State veterans' cemeteries.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before May 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Mechelle Powell, National Cemetery Administration (402B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail comments to: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0559” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mechelle Powell at [phone] or FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, NCA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of NCA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of NCA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: State Cemetery Data, VA Form 40-0241.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0559.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 40-0241 is used to provide data regarding number of interments conducted at State veterans' cemeteries each year. The State Cemetery Grants Services use the data collected to project the need for additional burial space and to demonstrate to the States (especially those without State veterans' cemeteries) the viability of the program.

Affected Public: Federal Government, and State, local or tribal government.

Estimated Annual Burden: 65.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 60 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 65.

Dated: March 8, 2004.

By direction of the Secretary.

Loise Russell,

Director, Records Management Service.