E8-9197. Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of a new information collection.

SUMMARY:

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we will submit to OMB a new information collection request (ICR) for approval of the paperwork requirements for the National Land Remote Sensing Education, Outreach and Research Program (NLRSEORP). To submit a proposal for the NLRSEORP three standard OMB forms and project narrative must be completed and submitted via Grants.gov. This notice provides the public an opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these forms. The forms are available at http://www07.grants.gov/​agencies/​approved_​standard_​forms.jsp.

DATES:

Submit written comments by June 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments on this information collection to the Department of the Interior, USGS, via:

• E-mail [e-mail]. Use Information Collection Number 1028-NEW, NLRSEORP in the subject line.
• FAX: [phone]. Use Information Collection Number 1028-NEW, NLRSEORP in the subject line.
• Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; USGS Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, Reston, VA 20192. Please reference Information Collection 1028-NEW, NLRSEORP in your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas Cecere at 703-648-5551. Copies of the forms can be obtained at no cost at http://www.reginfo.gov, or by contacting the USGS clearance officer at the phone number listed below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: National Land Remote Sensing Education, Outreach and Research Program (NLRSEORP).

OMB Control Number: 1028-NEW NLRSEORP

Form Number: Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A Budget Information Non-Construction Programs, and Standard Form 424B Assurances, Non-Construction Programs, and Project narrative guidance posted on Grants.gov.

Abstract: Respondents are submitting proposals to acquire funding for a National (U.S.) program to promote the uses of space-based land remote sensing data and technologies through education and outreach at the State and local level and through university based and collaborative research projects. Technologies of interest include multispectral and hyper-spectral electro-optical, thermal, and radar. Although most activities are anticipated to occur at the State and local levels, a national coordination effort is necessary to ensure a standardized approach and to ensure a consistent quality of information.

We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR 250.197, “Data and information to be made available to the public or for limited inspection.” Responses are voluntary. No questions of a “sensitive” nature are asked. We intend to release the project abstracts and primary investigators for awarded/funded projects only.

Frequency: Annually.

Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 10 proposals are submitted by individuals involved in the area of geospatial science.

Estimated Number of Responses: 10.

Annual burden hours: 240.

Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden: We estimate the public reporting burden averages 16 to 24 hours per response. This includes the time for reviewing instructions, developing the proposal, and completing and reviewing the information.

Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-Hour Cost” Burden: We have not identified any “non-hour cost” burdens associated with this collection of information.

Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond.

Comments: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) requires each agency “* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

To comply with the public consultation process, we publish this Federal Register notice announcing that we will submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day public comment period.

USGS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Alfred Travnicek, 703-648-7231.

Dated: April 21, 2008.

Bruce Quirk,

Program Coordinator, Land Remote Sensing Program, U.S. Geological Survey.