E9-23520. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice; 60-day notice and request for comments; new information collection; OMB No. 1660-NEW; FEMA Form 089-8, IBSGP Investment Justification Template.

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 a proposed new information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this Notice seeks comments concerning the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP).

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before November 30, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

To avoid duplicate submissions to the docket, please use only one of the following means to submit comments:

(1) Online. Submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov under docket ID FEMA-2009-0001. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

(2) Mail. Submit written comments to Office of Chief Counsel, Regulation and Policy Team, DHS/FEMA, 500 C Street, SW., Room 835, Wash, DC 20472-3100.

(3) Facsimile. Submit comments to [phone].

(4) E-mail. Submit comments to [e-mail]. Include docket ID FEMA-2009-0001 in the subject line.

All submissions received must include the agency name and docket ID. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov,, and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy Act notice that is available on the Privacy and Use Notice link on the Administration Navigation Bar of www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Alexander Mrazik, Program Analyst, Grant Programs Directorate, 202-786-9732 for additional information. You may contact the Records Management Branch for copies of the proposed collection of information at facsimile number [phone] or e0mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) is a DHS grant program that focuses on infrastructure protection activities. IBSGP is one tool among a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration to help strengthen the nation's critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. Section 1532, Title XV of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1182), mandates the Secretary to establish a grant program for eligible private operators providing transportation by an over-the-road bus for security improvements and that the Secretary shall determine the requirements for grant recipients, including application requirements.

Collection of Information

Title: FEMA FY 2009 Preparedness Grants: Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP).

Type of Information Collection: New information collection.

OMB Number: 1660-NEW.

Form Titles and Numbers: FEMA Form 089-8, IBSGP Investment Justification Template.

Abstract: The IBSGP Investment Justification Template is submitted with the application which provides narrative details on proposed investments. These Investment Justifications must demonstrate how proposed projects address gaps and deficiencies in current programs and capabilities and the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by FEMA. The data from the IBSGP Investment Justification Template is collected to assist decision-making at all levels, although it is primarily used by individual application reviewers.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 280 hours.

Table A.12—Estimated Annualized Burden Hours and Costs

Type of respondent	Form name/form number	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Total number of responses	Avg. burden per response (in hours)	Total annual burden (in hours)	Avg. hourly wage rate*	Total annual respondent cost
Business or other for-profit	IBSGP Investment Justification Template, FEMA Form 089-8	56	1	56	5	280	$25.97	$7,271.60
Total		56				280		$7,271.60

Estimated Cost: There is no annual reporting recordkeeping cost associated with this collection.

Comments

Comments may be submitted as indicated in the ADDRESSES caption above. 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.

Larry Gray,

Director, Records Management Division, Office of Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.