E7-19231. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice; 60-day notice and request for comments; revision of a currently approved collection, OMB No. 1660-0025.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 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 a proposed continuing information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the forms used to collect financial, programmatic and administrative information from States and local governments pertaining to grant and cooperative agreement.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This information is provided in accordance with the requirements in 44 CFR part 13, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Government (subpart B 13.10, subpart C 13.32, 13.33, 13.40, 13.41, and subpart D 13.50). This is FEMA implementation of the Common Rule for grants.

Collection of Information

Title: FEMA Grant Administration Forms.

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

OMB Number: 1660-0025.

Form Numbers: SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, FEMA Form 20-20, Budget Information, FEMA Form 20-15, Budget Information—Construction, FEMA Form 20-16,A,B,C, Summary Sheet for Assurances and Certifications, SFLLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, FEMA Form 76-10A, Obligating Document for Award/Amendment, FEMA Form 20-10, Financial Status Report and Performance Reports, FEMA Form 20-17, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Program, FEMA Form 20-18, Report of Government Property, FEMA Form 20-19, Reconciliation of Grants and Cooperative Agreements, and SF 270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement.

Abstract: This collection of information focuses on the standardization and consistent use of standard and FEMA forms associated with grantees requests for disaster and non-disaster Federal assistance, submission of financial and administrative reporting and record keeping. The use of the forms will minimize burden on the respondent and enable FEMA to continue to improve in its grants administration practices. The forms are used to administer the following FEMA grant programs.

Non-Disaster Programs

National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System—To develop an immediately deployable, national response capability to locate and extricate, and medically stabilize victims of structural collapse during a disaster, while simultaneously enhancing the US&R response capabilities of State and local governments.

Community Assistance Program—State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE)—To ensure that communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are achieving flood loss reduction measures consistent with program direction. The CAP-SSSE is intended to identify, prevent and resolve floodplain management issues in participating communities before they develop into problems requiring enforcement action.

Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP)—To enhance emergency preparedness capabilities of the States and local communities at each of the eight chemical agent stockpile storage facilities. The purpose of the program is to assist States and local communities in efforts to improve their capacity to plan for and respond to accidents associated with the storage and ultimate disposal of chemical warfare materials.

National Dam Safety Program (NDSP)—To encourage the establishment and maintenance of effective State programs intended to ensure dam safety, to protect human life and property, and to improve State dam safety programs.

Interoperable Communications Equipment (ICE)—To provide funding to jurisdictions across the nation for demonstration projects on uses of equipment and technologies to increase communications interoperability among the fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical service communities. These projects will illustrate and encourage the acceptance of new technologies and operating methods to assist communities in achieving interoperability.

Earthquake Consortium (EqC)—To operate a program of grants and assistance to enable States to develop mitigation, preparedness and response plans prepare inventories and conduct seismic safety inspection of critical structures and lifelines, update building and zoning codes and ordinances to enhance seismic safety, increase earthquake awareness and education, and encourage the development of multi-State groups for such purposes.

Disaster Donations Management Program (AIDMATRRIX)—To distribute technology solutions to State and local government and voluntary agencies throughout the country prior, to a major event, through the Aidmatrix Foundation/FEMA partnership. This will allow end-users to incorporate technology solutions into their planning, increasing their capacity to respond quickly and effectively once a disaster occurs.

Alternative Housing Pilot Program (AHPP)—Evaluate the efficacy of non-traditional short and intermediate-term housing alternatives for potential future use in a catastrophic disaster environment. Identify, develop and evaluate alternatives to and alternative forms of FEMA Disaster Housing to assist victims of the 2005 hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.

Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP)—To increase local involvement in, and ownership of, the development and maintenance of flood hazard maps produced for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Map Modernization Management Support (MMMS)—To increase local involvement in, and ownership of, management of the development and maintenance of flood hazard maps produced for the National Flood Insurance.

New Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC)—The Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC) Program was authorized in 2004 under Pub. L. 108-264, funds were not appropriated until FY 2006. The RFC program is authorized under the NFIA to award grants for actions that reduce flood damages to individual properties for which one or more claim payments for losses have been made. FEMA is not required to publish regulations; however, FEMA will provide notice to eligible applicants, post notice on OMB's Grants.gov Web site, and post the RFC program guidance on its Web site at http://www.fema.gov.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)—To assist States and communities in implementing measures to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings, manufactured homes, and other structures insurable under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM)—To provide States and communities with a much needed source of pre-disaster mitigation funding for cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that are part of a comprehensive mitigation program, and that reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property. Competitive grants are part of this program including grants to universities.

Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)—To provide direct assistance, on a competitive basis, to fire departments of a State or tribal nation for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards.

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)—To increase the number of firefighters in local communities and to help them meet industry minimum standards and attain 24/7 staffing for adequate protection against fire and fire-related hazards, and fulfill related roles associated with fire departments.

Disaster Programs

Public Assistance Grants (PA)—To provide supplemental assistance to States, local governments, and political subdivisions to the State, Indian Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages, and certain nonprofit organizations in alleviating suffering and hardship resulting from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President.

Crisis Counseling (SCC)—To provide immediate crisis counseling services, when required, to victims of a major Federally-declared disaster for the purpose of relieving mental health problems caused or aggravated by a major disaster or its aftermath.

Presidential Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households—Other Needs (ONA)—To provide assistance to individuals and households affected by a disaster or emergency declared by the President, and enable them to address necessary expenses and serious needs, which cannot be met through other forms of disaster assistance or through other means such as insurance.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)—To provide States and local governments' financial assistance to implement measures that will permanently reduce or eliminate future damages and losses from natural hazards through safer building practices and improving existing structures and supporting infrastructure.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAGP)—To provide grants to States, Indian tribal government and local governments for the mitigation, management and control of any fire burning on publicly (nonfederal) or privately owned forest or grassland that threatens such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.

Affected Public: State, local, and tribal governments.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:

Data collections activity/instruments	Number of respondents (A)	Frequency of responses (B)	Hour burden per response (C)	Annual responses (D) = (A × B)	Total annual burden hours (C × D)
Disaster Programs
PA
SF 424	56	1	45 minutes	56	42 hours
FF 20-20	56	1	9.7 hours	56	543 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	56	1	1.7 hours	56	95 hours.
FF 20-10	56	4	1 hour	224	224 hours.
SF-LLL	56	1	10 minutes	56	9 hours.
Sub-Total	56		13.3 hours	392	57 Disaster Declarations × 913 hours = 52,041.
SCC
SF 424	17	1	45 minutes	17	13 hours.
SF 20-20	17	1	9.7 hours	17	165 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	17	1	1.7 hours	17	29 hours.
FF 20-10 (SF 269)	17	4	1 hour	68	68 hours.
SF-LLL	17	1	10 minutes	17	3 hours.
Sub-Total	17		13.3 hours	119	57 Disaster Declarations × 278 hours = 15,846.
ONA
SF 424	40	1	45 minutes	40	30 hours.
FF 20-20	40	1	9.7 hours	40	388 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	40	1	1.7 hours	40	68 hours.
FF 20-10	40	4	1 hour	160	160 hours.
SF-LLL	40	1	10 minutes	40	7 hours.
Sub-Total	40		13.3 hours	320	57 Disaster Declarations × 653 hours = 37,221.
HMGP
SF 424	52	1	45 minutes	52	39 hours.
FF 20-20	52	15	9.7 hours	780	7,566 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	52	1	1.7 hours	52	88 hours.
FF 20-10	52	4	1 hour	208	208 hours.
FF 20-17	52	15	17.2 hours	780	13,416 hours.
FF 20-18	52	6	4.2 hours	312	1,310 hours.
FF 20-19	52	6	5 minutes	312	25 hours.
SF-LLL	52	1	10 minutes	52	9 hours.
Sub-Total	52		35 hours	2,548	57 Disaster Declarations × 22,661 hours = 1,291,677.
FMAGP
SF 424	12	4	45 minutes	48	36 hours.
FF 20-20	36	4	9.7 hours	144	1,397 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	36	4	1.7 hours	144	245 hours.
FF 20-15	36	4	17.2 hours	144	2,477 hours.
FF 20-10	12	4	1 hour	48	48 hours.
FF 20-18	36	4	4.2 hours	144	605 hours.
FF 20-19	36	4	5 minutes	144	12 hours.
SF-LLL	36	4	10 minutes	144	24 hours.
Sub-Total	36		35 hours	960	94 Disasters Declarations × 4,844 hours = 455,336.
Disaster Grants Total	56		110 hours	3,800	1,852,121 hours.
Non-Disaster Programs
US&R
SF 424	28	1	45 minutes	28	21 hours.
FF 20-20	28	1	9.7 hours	28	272 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	28	1	1.7 hours	28	48 hours.
FF 76-10A	28	1	1.2 hours	28	34 hours.
FF 20-10	28	2	1 hour	56	56 hours.
SF 270	28	1	1 hour	28	28 hours.
SF-LLL	28	1	10 minutes	28	5 hours.
Sub-total	28		16 hours	224	498 hours.
CAP-SSSE
SF 424	56	1	45 minutes	56	42 hours.
FF 20-20	56	1	9.7 hours	56	543 hours.
FF 20-15	56	1	17.2 hours	56	963 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	56	1	1.7 hours	56	95 hours.
FF 76-10A	56	1	1.2 hours	56	67 hours.
FF 20-10	56	2	1 hour	112	112 hours.
FF 20-18	56	1	4.2 hours	56	235 hours.
FF 20-19	56	1	5 minutes	56	4 hours.
SF-LLL	56	1	10 minutes	56	9 hours.
Sub-total	56		36 hours	560	2,070 hours.
CSEPP
SF 424	10	1	45 minutes	10	8.0 hours.
FF 20-20	10	1	9.7 hours	10	97.0 hours.
FF 20-10	10	4	1 hour	40	40.0 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	10	1	1.7 hours	10	17.0 hours.
FF 76-10A	10	1	1.2 hours	10	12.0 hours.
FF 20-18	10	1	4.2 hours	10	42.0 hours.
FF 20-19	10	1	5 minutes	10	1.0 hours.
SF-LLL	10	1	10 minutes	10	2.0 hours.
Sub-total	10		19 hours	120	219 hours.
NDSP
SF 424	51	1	45 minutes	51	38.0 hours.
FF 20-20	51	1	9.7 hours	51	495.0 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	51	1	1.7 hours	51	87.0 hours.
FF 76-10A	51	1	1.2 hours	51	61.0 hours.
FF 20-10	51	4	1 hour	204	204.0 hours.
SF 270	51	1	1 hour	51	51.0 hours.
SF-LLL	51	1	10 minutes	51	8.0 hours.
Sub-total	51		16 hours	510	944 hours.
ICE
FF 20-10	17	4	1 hour	68	68.0 hours.
Sub-total	17		1 hour	17	68 hours.
EqC
FF 20-10	3	2	1 hour	6	6 hours.
Sub-Total	3		1 hour	6	6 hours.
AIDMATRIX
SF 424	1	1	45 minutes	1	.75 minutes
FF 20-20	1	1	9.7 hours	1	9.7 hours.
FF 20-10	1	4	1 hour	4	4.0 hours.
FF 20-16 A,B,C	1	1	1.7 hours	1	1.7 hours.
SF-LLL	1	1	10 minutes	1	.16 minutes
Sub-Total	1		13 hours	8	16 hours.
AHPP
SF 424	4	1	45 minutes	4	3.0 hours.
FF 20-20	4	1	9.7 hours	4	39.0 hours.
FF 20-10	4	4	1 hour	16	16.0 hours.
FF 20-16-A,B,C	4	1	1.7 hours	4	6.8 hours.
SF-LLL	4	1	10 minutes	4	.66 hours.
Sub-Total	4		13 hours	32	65 hours.
CTP
SF 424	20	1	45 minutes	20	15.0 hours.
FF 20-20	20	1	9.7 hours	20	194.0 hours.
FF 20-15	20	1	17.2 hours	20	344.0 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	20	1	1.7 hours	20	34.0 hours.
FF 20-10	20	4	1 hour	80	80.0 hours.
SF-LLL	20	1	10 minutes	20	3.3 hours.
Sub-total	20		31 hours	180	670.3 hours.
MMMS
SF 424	20	1	45 minutes	20	15.0 hours.
FF 20-20	20	1	9.7 hours	20	194.0 hours.
FF 20-15	20	1	17.2 hours	20	344.0 hours.
FF 20-16, A,B,C	20	1	1.7 hours	20	34.0 hours.
FF 20-10	20	2	1 hour	40	40.0 hours.
SF-LLL	20	1	10 minutes	20	3.0 hours.
Sub-total	20		31 hours	120	630 hours.
RFC
SF 424	56	1	45 minutes	56	42.0 hours.
FF 20-20	56	1	9.7 hours	56	543.0 hours.
FF 76-10A	56	1	1.2 hours	56	67.0 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	56	1	1.7 hours	56	95.0 hours.
FF 20-10	56	4	1 hour	224	224.0 hours.
FF 20-18	56	1	4.2 hours	56	235.0 hours.
FF-20-19	56	1	5 minutes	56	5.0 hours.
SF-LLL	56	1	10 minutes	56	9.0 hours.
Sub-total	56		19 hours	616	1,220 hours.
FMA
SF 424	56	3	45 minutes	168	126.0 hours.
FF 20-20	56	3	9.7 hours	168	1630.0 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	56	1	1.7 hours	56	95.0 hours.
FF 76-10A	56	3	1.2 hours	168	202.0 hours.
FF 20-10	56	4	1 hour	224	224.0 hours.
FF 20-18	56	1	4.2 hours	56	235.0 hours.
FF 20-19	56	1	5 minutes	56	4.0 hours.
SF-LLL	56	1	10 minutes	56	9.0 hours.
Sub-Total	56		19 hours	952	2,525 hours.
PDM
SF 424	56	2	45 minutes	112	84 hours.
FF 20-15	56	1	17.2 hours	56	963.2 hours.
FF 20-20	56	2	9.7 hours	112	1,086.4 hours.
FF 76-10A	56	2	1.2 hours	112	134.4 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	56	2	1.7 hours	112	190.4 hours.
FF 20-10	56	8	1 hour	448	448 hours.
FF 20-17	56	20	17.2 hours	1,120	19,264 hours.
FF 20-18	56	2	4.2 hours	112	470.4 hours.
FF 20-19	56	2	5 minutes	112	9.3 hours.
SF-LLL	56	2	10 minutes	112	18.6 hours.
Sub-total	56		53 hours	2,408	22,668.7 hours.
AFG*
SF 424	4,246	1	45 minutes	4,246	3,185.0 hours.
FF 20-20	4,246	2	9.7 hours	8,492	82,372.0 hours.
FF 76-10A	4246	2	1.2 hours	8,492	10,190.0 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	4,246	1	1.7 hours	4,246	7,218.0 hours.
FF 20-10	4,246	2	1 hour	8,492	8,492.0 hours.
FF 20-17	4,246	1	17.2 hour	4,246	73,031.0 hours.
FF 20-18	4,246	1	4.2 hours	4,246	17,833.0 hours.
FF 20-19	4,246	1	5 minutes	4,246	340.0 hours.
SF-LLL	4,246	1	10 minutes	4,246	705.0 hours.
Sub-total	4,246		36 hours	50,952	203,366 hours.
SAFER
SF 424	243	1	45 minutes	243	182.0 hours.
FF 20-20	243	2	9.7 hours	486	4,714.0 hours.
FF 76-10A	243	2	1.2 hours	486	583.0 hours.
FF 20-16, A, B, C	243	1	1.7 hours	243	413.1 hours.
FF 20-10	243	4	1 hour	972	972 hours.
FF 20-17	243	1	17.2 hours	243	4,179.6 hours.
FF 20-18	243	1	4.2 hours	243	1,020.6 hours.
FF 20-19	243	1	5 minutes	243	20.2 hours.
SF-LLL	243	1	10 minutes	243	40.5 hours.
Sub-total	243		36 hours	3,402	12,125.7 hours.
Non-Disaster Grants Total			359	55,378	247,091.7
Grand Total			469	59,178	2,099,212.7
* AFG and SAFER grants are awarded directly to individual fire departments.

Estimated Cost: The annualized hour burden cost to respondents is estimated to be $53,588,308. This estimate is based on the hourly wage rate for State Representative and Fire Department Chiefs completing and submitting the FEMA Grant Administration forms to FEMA for review and approval.

Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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 must be submitted on or before November 27, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons should submit written comments to Director, Records Management and Privacy, Office of Management Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Room 609, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Cecelia Rosenberg, Section Chief, Mitigation Directorate, [phone] for additional information. You may contact the Records Management Branch for copies of the proposed collection of information at facsimile number [phone] or e-mail address: [e-mail].

Dated: September 25, 2007.

John A. Sharetts-Sullivan,

Director, Records Management and Privacy, Office of Management Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency. Department of Homeland Security.