[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51119-51121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24563]
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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity
to comment on proposed revised information collections. In accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)),
this notice seeks comments concerning the application for grants under
the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HGMP)
was created with the passage of the Stafford Act in November 1988. The
Program, authorized by Section 404 of the Act, provides States and
local governments financial assistance to implement measures that will
permanently reduce or eliminate future damages and losses from natural
hazards.
In December 1993 the President signed the Hazard Mitigation and
Relocation Assistance Act that amended Section 404. This amendment
increased the Federal cost share of the HMGP to a maximum 75 percent,
and the amount of funds available to 15 percent of all other disaster
grants. The amendment also imposed new implementing requirements on
acquisition and relocation projects funded under the Program. FEMA
published an interim rule in the Federal Register on May 11, 1994,
amending the original program regulations published in May 1989, to
implement the changes.
The statutory changes combined with the Administration's National
Performance Review initiative provided an opportunity for FEMA to
evaluate the overall program and make improvements. The 1993 increase
in program funding significantly heightened public interest in the
Program and have served to underscore the need to clarify Program
eligibility, simplify program administration, and expedite grant award
and implementation.
The changes are only a first step in the ongoing process to enhance
the program. FEMA is working with its customers to improve training and
guidance to accompany the regulations. Successful implementation of the
changes requires clear guidance for both FEMA staff and State grantees.
Collection of Information
Title: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Application.
Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement of a previously
approved collection.
OMB Number: 3067-0207.
Form Numbers. SF-424--Application for Federal Assistance; FEMA
Forms 20-16, 20-16a, 20-16b, 20-16c & SF-LLL--Summary Sheet for
Assurances and Certifications and Lobbying Disclosure; FEMA Form 20-
10--Financial Status Report; 20-15--Budget Information (Construction
Programs); FEMA Form 20-20--Budget Information (Nonconstruction
Programs); and FEMA Form 20-17--Outlay Report and Request for
Reimbursement for Construction Programs.
Abstract. HMGP Application Package. Section 404 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes FEMA
to provide financial assistance to communities and States to implement
measures that will permanently reduce or eliminate future damages and
losses from natural hazards. Grantees will no longer be asked to create
distinctive application forms for the program in their State. This
change is intended to make HMGP procedures more consistent with OMB
guidance and requirements, particularly OMB Circular A-102 (revised
October 7, 1994).
The application package consists of the SF-424 facesheet; the
budget form; project narrative with detailed descriptions; and
assurances and certifications. Applications with detailed descriptions
include the following:
(1) SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (facesheet). This is
a standard form used by applicants to accompany applications for
Federal assistance. It provides the agency summary information about
applicant organization and the type of assistance requested. Local
governments may use the SF-424 to provide pertinent applicant profile
information with their application. States may submit amendments to
their original application by submitting an additional SF-424 that
requests a revision to the original (block 8).
(2) Budget form. This is a standardized form which applicants
submit with the application detailing the proposed budget for the
grant. For construction projects, applicants complete FEMA Form 20-15.
For nonconstruction projects, applicants complete FEMA Form 20-20. FEMA
will use this information to determine if the requested funding is
reasonable and to perform a benefit-cost analysis on the proposed
project (construction projects only)
(3) Project Narrative. The narrative statement, more commonly
referred to as the project application, identifies the proposed measure
to be funded and provides information supporting the projects
eligibility. The narrative contains the following twelve essential
elements: (a) General Project Information: Indicate the FEMA disaster
declaration number, the date the application was submitted to the
State, and the title of the project. Applicant should note whether the
application provides additional information requested from the State or
FEMA. (b) Name of Subgrantee: Indicate whether the applicant is a town,
county, or city; State agency, eligible private non-profit organization
or institution; or Indian tribe. (c) State and Local contact: Identify
the name, agency, address, and phone number of a contract person. If
there is an alternate contact, include information for that person as
well. (d) Location of the Project: Describe the project location by
street, address, road intersections, geographic landmarks, legal
description, or other methods, if appropriate. Maps or drawings or the
area should be provided indicating the project location. If the project
is located within an identified flood hazard area, the National Flood
Insurance Program map should be attached with the project location
identified. It is also important to note whether the project is located
inside or outside of the disaster area. (e) Description of the Project:
To assist State and local officials in reviewing and prioritizing
project applications, the applicant should include as much detail as
possible. This may include: Description of problem the proposed project
is intended to solve; primary objectives of the project; appropriate
maps and diagrams; description of the damage caused by the current
disaster or previous disasters, and/or the potential for future damage
based on the area's exposure to hazards; how the project is intended to
reduce hazard effects and risks; the number of people and/or the amount
of property that will be protected with the proposed project; and
description of how the proposed
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project meets or exceeds minimum project criteria.
The emphasis of the description will vary depending on whether the
applicant is seeking a grant for construction or nonconstruction
projects. Because the criteria for HMGP grants are very specific, the
narrative for construction grants will be more extensive than those for
nonconstruction. For example, narratives for a construction project
will not only describe the proposed approach, but also other approaches
considered to meet the objective. Also, construction projects are more
likely to have a potential effect on the environment, so the narrative
for project construction grants will include a detailed description of
the surrounding environment. FEMA will use the environmental
information to meet its requirements under the National Environmental
Policy Act.
(f) Cost-estimate for the Project: Applicant should be accurate as
possible in computing project costs. Total estimate project costs
should be indicated. A breakdown should also be provided that includes
the following categories: Federal share (HGMP funds); other Federal
funding (Community Development Block Grant); State share; Applicant
share; and other non-Federal share. If appropriate, costs for the
following services should also be included: project management;
comprehensive study; engineering and design; site acquisition;
construction; labor; equipment; staffing; transportation; and
materials/supplies. (g) Analysis of cost-effectiveness and substantial
risk reduction: applicant should explain how the cost of the project
compares with the anticipated value of future damage reduction. This
will help document that the benefits are greater than the costs. Other
factors that should be addressed in analyzing the cost-effectiveness of
a project include: the cost and useful life of the project; frequency
of the disaster event; an estimate of the dollar amount of damage that
would be prevented as a direct result of the proposed project; and an
estimate of the subsequent negative impacts to the area if the measure
were not implemented. The cost-effective analysis should include a
narrative statement, describing the costs and expected damages, and a
numerical analysis, justifying the findings. (h) Work Schedule: A work
schedule should be provided that details, at a minimum, the start date,
completion date, and project milestones, including dates for submittal
or quarterly progress reports. If the project is detailed, it may be
helpful to separate the activities into phases and perhaps tasks within
those phases. If deliverables are required, deadlines for submission
should be included. A maintenance schedule should also be submitted
indicating the maintenance activities that will need to be performed by
the applicant for the life of the project. (i) Justification for
Selection: Applicant should discuss why the project is required and how
the project will solve the problem. This may involve a discussion of
the other alternatives examined and the reason this specific approach
was chosen. If the project is a recommendation from a post-disaster
team report or state hazard mitigation plan, it may be appropriate to
include supporting data from either the report or the plan. (j)
Alternatives Considered: A discussion of the alternatives examined in
selecting this project should be included. The narrative should address
the reason(s) why they were determined not to be the most appropriate
option. Issues such as effectiveness, cost, and affect on the
environment should be examined. (k) Environmental Information: HGMP
projects must comply with appropriate environmental requirements. FEMA
is ultimately responsible for preparing an environmental document
describing the potential environmental impacts on all potential
projects, although FEMA and the state may rely on the applicant to
provide much of this information. The applicant is responsible for
meeting all State and local environmental requirements and initiating
the application process for environmental permits or approvals, as
necessary. (l) Project Compliance Assurances: These are standardized
forms that are completed by the State. FEMA Form 20-16 summarizes all
assurances and certifications that the State must sign in order to
receive grant assistance. FEMA Form 20-16a is a list of assurances that
the State must provide in order to receive assistance for
nonconstruction programs. FEMA Form 20-16b is a list of assurances that
the State must provide in order to receive assistance for construction
programs. FEMA Form 20-16c lists three certifications that the State
must make in order to receive Federal assistance: Lobbying; debarment,
suspension, and other responsibility matters; and drug free workplace
requirements. The SF-LLL is a standard form disclosing lobbying
activity on the part of grant recipients. These assurances are an
integral element of the grant agreement between FEMA and the State,
ensuring compliance with all applicable Federal statutes, executive
orders, and regulations.
Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal government, and not for
profit institutions.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,263.
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No. of Frequency of Hours per Annual burden
FEMA forms respondents response response hours
(A) (B) (C) (A x B x
C)
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SF-424.......................................... 25 \1\ 46 .75 862.50
Narrative....................................... 25 46 15 17,250
Assurances and Certifications................... 25 46 2.2 2,530
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Total....................................... 25 46 \2\ 18 \2\ 20,643
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\1\ Average based on number of declared disasters per yr.
\2\ Rounded.
Estimated Cost. Estimated cost of the collection of information to
the Federal government is $200,000.
Comments
Written comments are solicited to:
(a) Evaluate whether the proposed data collections and reporting
requirements are necessary for the proper performance of FEMA's
functions and program activities, including whether the data have
practical utility;
(b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of
the proposed data collections and reporting requirements;
(c) determine the estimated cost of the proposed data collections
and reporting requirements to the respondents;
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(d) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and,
(e) 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 responses. Comments should be received within 60 days of
the date of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel
B. Anderson, FEMA Information Collections Officer, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.
Telephone number (202) 646-2625, FAX number (202) 646-3524, or email
address: muriel.anderson@fema.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Catherine Young, Mitigation
Directorate at (202) 646-4541 for additional information. Contact Ms.
Anderson at (202) 646-2625 for copies of the proposed collection of
information.
Dated: August 25, 1999.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 99-24563 Filed 9-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P
