2017-12571. 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS)

AGENCY:

Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), HUD.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

DATES:

Comments Due Date: August 15, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Colette Pollard, Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; telephone [phone] (this is not a toll-free number) or email at [e-mail] for a copy of the proposed forms or other available information. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Elizabeth Zepeda, Senior Environmental Specialist, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20410; email Elizabeth Zepeda at [e-mail] or telephone [phone]. This is not a toll-free number. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at [phone].

Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Pollard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice informs the public that HUD is seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in Section A.

A. Overview of Information Collection

Title of Information Collection: HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS).

OMB Approval Number: 2506-0202.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.

Form Number: None.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: 24 CFR part 58, “Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD Environmental Responsibilities” requires units of general local government receiving HUD assistance to maintain a written environmental review record for all projects receiving HUD funding documenting compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality, related federal environmental laws, executive orders, and authorities, and Part 58 procedure. Various laws that authorize this procedure are listed in 24 CFR 58.1(b). 24 CFR part 50, “Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality,” implements procedures for HUD to perform environmental reviews for projects where Part 58 is not permitted by law. Under Part 50, HUD staff complete the environmental review records, but they may use any information supplied by an applicant or contractor, provided HUD independently evaluates the information and is responsible for its accuracy and prepares the environmental finding. The HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS) allows users to complete, store, and submit their environmental review records and documents online. HEROS is currently optional for Responsible Entity and other non-HUD users, who may continue to use paper-based environmental review formats; however, HUD staff in many offices are required to use HEROS to complete their environmental reviews.

Respondents (i.e. affected public): The respondents are state and local governments receiving HUD funding who are required to complete environmental reviews.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,932.

Estimated Number of Responses: 1.

Frequency of Response: 3,932.

Average Hours per Response: Varies depending on level of review (see table below). Reviews that are exempt or categorically excluded not subject to the related laws and authorities (CENST) take roughly 45 minutes to complete. Reviews that are categorically excluded subject to the related laws (CEST) or require an Environmental Assessment (EA) take an average of 4 hours to complete.

Total Estimated Burdens: 7,752 hours or $258,391.

Information collection	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Responses per annum	Burden hour per response	Annual burden hours	Hourly cost per response	Annual cost
Exempt/CENST reviews	2,454	1	2,454	45	1,840.5	$33.33	$6,1344
CEST/EA reviews	1,478	1	1,478	4	5,912	33.33	197,047
Total	3,932	1	3,932		7,752.5	33.33	258,391

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected parties concerning the collection of information described in Section A on the following:

(1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of the agency'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 those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to these questions.

Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

Date: June 12, 2017.

Clifford Taffet,

General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development.