02-22226. Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB

AGENCY:

Office of Indian Education Programs, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of request for renewal.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice announces that the Bureau of Indian Affairs is submitting an information collection to the Office of Management and Budget for renewal. The collection concerns the enrollment applications for two Bureau operated post secondary schools: Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. We are requesting a renewal of clearance and requesting comments on this information collection.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before September 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

You are requested to send any comments to Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. Please send a copy of your written comments to Kenneth Whitehorn, Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Education Programs, Branch of Planning, MS Room 3512 MIB, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may fax your written comments to [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kenneth Whitehorn, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published in exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs under 25 U.S.C. 2 and 9 and 209 DM 8.

I. Abstract

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is submitting the admission forms for Haskell Indian Nations University and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute for review by OMB. These admission forms are useful in determining program eligibility of American Indian and Alaska Native students for educational services. The forms have been changed to include a Paperwork Reduction Act and Public Burden statements, a Privacy Act statement, and an Effects of Non Disclosure statement.

These forms are utilized pursuant to Blood Quantum Act, Public Law 99-228; the Snyder Act, Chapter 115, Public Law 67-85; and, the Indian Appropriations of the 48th Congress, Chapter 180, page 91, For Support of Schools, July 4, 1884.

II. Request for Comments

A notice announcing the emergency clearance and requesting comments was published on April 23, 2002 (67 FR 19770). There were no comments received regarding that notice, however, the Department of the Interior invites comments on:

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

(b) The accuracy of the agencies' estimate of the burden (including the hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

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

(d) Ways to 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 collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information, to search data sources, to complete and review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection. They also will become a matter of public record.

All written comments will be available for public inspection in Room 3512 of the Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. If you wish to have your name or address withheld from public view, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. We will honor your request to the extent allowed by law.

We will not request nor sponsor a collection of information, and you need not respond to such a request, if there is no valid Office of Management and Budget Control Number.

III. Data

Title: Applications for Admission to Haskell Indian Nations University and to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

OMB approval number: 1076-0114.

Type of Review: Renewal.

Description: These eligibility application forms are mandatory in determining a student's eligibility for educational services. This collection is at no cost to the public.

Total Number of Respondents: 2,281.

Total Number of Annual responses: 3,943.

Total Annual Burden hours: 15 minutes per response × 3,943 annual responses = 986 hours.

Dated: August 23, 2002.

Neal A. McCaleb,

Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.