E8-17425. The United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution; Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request: See List of Evaluation Related ICRs in Section A

AGENCY:

Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation, U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and supporting regulations, this document announces that the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution (the U.S. Institute), part of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seven Information Collection Requests (ICRs). Six of the seven ICRs are for revisions to currently approved collections due to expire 09/30/2008 (OMB control numbers 3320-0003, 3320-0004, 3320-2005, 3320-0006, 3320-0007 and 3320-0009). One ICR pertains to a new collection request. The seven ICRs are being consolidated under a single filing to provide a more coherent picture of information collection activities designed primarily to measure performance. The proposed collections are necessary to support program evaluation activities. The collection is expected neither to have a significant economic impact on respondents, nor to affect a substantial number of small entities. Approval is being sought for each ICR separately, and information collection will begin for each program area once OMB has approved the respective ICR. The U.S. Institute published a Federal Register notice on March 20, 2008, 73 FR, pages 15007-15009, to solicit public comments for a 60-day period. The U.S. Institute received one comment. The comment and the U.S. Institute's response are included in the ICRs. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments regarding these ICRs.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before August 29, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Direct comments to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Heidi King, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Desk Officer for The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation, U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Copies of the evaluation instruments and supporting documents for the proposed paperwork collections can be downloaded from the Institute's Web site http://ecr.gov/​Resources/​EvaluationProgram.aspx.

For further information or for paper copies of the ICRs, contact: Patricia Orr, Program Manager for Evaluation, U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, 130 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701, Fax: [phone], Phone: [phone], E-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

To comply with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) (Pub. L. 103-62), the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, as part of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, is required to produce, each year, an Annual Performance Budget and an Annual Performance and Accountability Report, linked directly to the goals and objectives outlined in the Institute's five-year Strategic Plan. The U.S. Institute's evaluation system is key to evaluating progress towards achieving its performance commitments. The U.S. Institute is committed to evaluating all of its projects, programs and services not only to measure and report on performance but also to use this information to learn from and improve its services. The refined evaluation system has been carefully designed to support efficient and economical generation, analysis and use of this much-needed information, with an emphasis on performance measurement, learning and improvement.

As part of the program evaluation system, the U.S. Institute intends to collect specific information from participants in, and users of, several of its programs and services. Specifically, seven programs and services are the subject of this Federal Notice: (1) Conflict assessment services; (2) ECR and collaborative problem solving mediation services; (3) ECR and collaborative problem solving facilitation services; (4) training services; (5) facilitated meeting services; (6) roster program services; and (7) program support services. Evaluations will mainly involve administering questionnaires to process participants and professionals, as well as members and users of the National Roster. Responses by members of the public to the Institute's request for information (i.e., questionnaires) will be voluntary.

In 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center (CPRC) was granted the approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to act as a named administrator of the U.S. Institute's currently approved information collections for evaluation. The CPRC and the U.S. Institute seek approval as part of this proposed collection to continue this evaluation partnership. The U.S. Institute will also request similar status for the Department of Interior, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution (CADR). Given that other agencies have approached the U.S. Institute seeking (a) evaluation services and (b) assistance in establishing their own internal evaluation systems, the U.S. Institute will also request OMB approval to continue to administer the evaluation questionnaires on behalf of other agencies. The burden estimates in the ICRs take into consideration the multi-agency usage of the evaluation instruments.

Key Issues

The U.S. Institute would appreciate receiving comments that can be used to:

i. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the U.S. Institute, including whether the information will have practical utility;

ii. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

iii. Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who are to respond, including suggestions concerning use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., allowing electronic submission of responses).

Section A. Information on Individual ICRs

1. Conflict Assessment Services

Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for Conflict Assessment Services.

OMB Number: 3320-0003.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: One time.

Annual Number of Respondents: 455.

Total Annual Responses: 455.

Average Burden per Response: 6 minutes.

Total Annual Hours: 45.50.

Total Burden Cost: $2,047.50.

2. ECR and Collaborative Problem Solving Mediation Services

Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for ECR and Collaborative Problem Solving Mediation Services.

OMB Number: 3320-0004.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: One time.

Annual Number of Respondents: 2,250.

Total Annual Responses: 2,250.

Average Burden per Response: 20 minutes.

Total Annual Hours: 761.50.

Total Burden Cost: $34,267.50.

3. ECR and Collaborative Problem Solving Facilitation Services

Type of Information Collection: New Collection.

Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for ECR and Collaborative Problem Solving Facilitation Services.

OMB Number: Proposed New Collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: One time.

Annual Number of Respondents: 2,250.

Total Annual Responses: 2,250.

Average Burden per Response: 20 minutes.

Total Annual Hours: 761.50.

Total Burden Cost: $34,267.50.

4. Training Services

Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for Training Services.

OMB Number: 3320-0006.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: One time.

Annual Number of Respondents: 1,950.

Total Annual Responses: 1,950.

Average Burden per Response: 6 minutes.

Total Annual Hours: 195.

Total Burden Cost: $8,775.

5. Facilitated Meeting Services

Type of Information Collection: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.

Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for Facilitated Meeting Services.

OMB Number: 3320-0007.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: One time.

Annual Number of Respondents: 3,150.

Total Annual Responses: 3,150.

Average Burden per Response: 6 minutes.

Total Annual Hours: 315.

Total Burden Cost: $14,175.

6. Roster Program Services

Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for Roster Program Services.

OMB Number: 3320-0005.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: One time.

Annual Number of Respondents: 600.

Total Annual Responses: 600.

Average Burden per Response: 5 minutes.

Total Annual Hours: 50.

Total Burden Cost: $2,250.

7. Program Support Services

Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for Program Support Services.

OMB Number: 3320-0009.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Frequency: One time.

Annual Number of Respondents: 60.

Total Annual Responses: 60.

Average Burden per Response: 6.

Total Annual Hours: 6.

Total Burden Cost: $270.

Authority: 20 U.S.C. 5601-5609.

Dated: July 24, 2008.

Ellen Wheeler,

Executive Director, Morris K. Udall Foundation.