2023-10771. Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers

AGENCY:

U.S. Geological Survey, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to renew an information collection.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Please provide a copy of your comments by mail to U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collections Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; or by email to [e-mail]. Please reference OMB Control Number 1028–0096 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Doug Beard, Chief of the USGS National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center, by email at [e-mail] or by telephone at 571–265–4623.

Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States. You may also view the information collection request (ICR) at http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.

A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on January 25, 2023 (88 FR 4843). No comments were received.

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following:

(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) How the agency might 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 response.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifiable information (PII) in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your PII—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your PII from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) manages nine Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs). Each CASC is established through a cooperative agreement with a host institution. The host institution agreements are periodically re-competed, requiring collection of information from potential host institutions. In addition, this information collection addresses quarterly and annual reporting required of host institutions.

Title of Collection: Department of the Interior Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers.

OMB Control Number: 1028–0096.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: Institutions that may propose to serve as CASC host or partner institutions include state, local government, and tribal entities, including academic institutions. Existing host institutions are state academic institutions.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: The USGS expects to request proposals for a maximum of three CASCs in any year, and to receive an average of five proposals per CASC-request, for a total of fifteen proposals in any single year. The USGS expects to enter into hosting agreements with a minimum of nine CASC host institutions.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 124 responses.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: Each proposal for CASC hosting is expected to take 200 hours to complete. The time required to complete quarterly and annual reports for any specific host cooperative agreement or research project agreement is expected to total 2.5–5 hours per report.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 3,295 hours.

Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.

Frequency of Collection: Information will be collected one time every five years (approximately) for each CASC, to enable re-competition of CASC hosting agreements. In addition, host institutions are required to fill four quarterly financial statements and one annual progress report.

Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: There are no “non-hour cost” burdens associated with this collection of information.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, nor is a person required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The authority for this action is the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Olivia E. LeDee,

Deputy Regional Administrator, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey.