05-17628. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

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 information collections. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning information required by FEMA to revise National Flood Insurance Program Maps.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

With the passage of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, an owner of a structure, with a federally backed mortgage, located in the 1-percent annual chance floodplain, was required to purchase federal flood insurance. This was in response to the escalating damage caused by flooding and the unavailability of flood insurance from commercial insurance companies. As part of this effort, FEMA mapped the 1-percent annual chance floodplain in communities. However, the 1-percent annual chance floodplain may change due to changes within the floodplain, or may be more accurately depicted through the use of more up-to-date methods and data. FEMA will issue a Letter of Map Revision to officially revise the 1-percent annual chance floodplain.

Collection of Information

Title: Consultation with Local Officials to Assure Compliance—Sec. 110 and 206.

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

OMB Number: 1660-0016.

Form Numbers. FEMA forms 81-89, 81-89A, 81-89B, 81-89C, 81-89D, 81-89E

Abstract. The certification forms (referred to as MT-2 series forms) are designed to assist requesters in gathering information that FEMA needs to revise a National Flood Insurance Program map.

FEMA Form 81-89, Overview and Concurrence Form, describes the location of the request, what is being requested, and what data are required to support the request. In addition, NFIP regulations 44 CFR 65.5(a)(4) require that a community official certify that the request complies with minimum floodplain management criteria specified in 44 CFR 60.3. This form ensures that this requirement is fulfilled prior to the submittal of the request to FEMA. FEMA Form 81-89A, Riverine Hydrology and Hydraulics Form, allows FEMA to efficiently review assumptions made, parameters used, and the results of hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in support of a revision request. It also addresses more common regulatory issues; FEMA Form 81-89B, Riverine Structures Form, allows FEMA to efficiently review assumptions made, parameters used, and the results of revision requests involving new or modified structures in riverine flood hazard areas; FEMA Form 81-89C, Coastal Analysis Form, allows FEMA to efficiently review assumptions made, parameters used, and the results of coastal analyses performed in support of a revision request. It also addresses more common regulatory issues; FEMA Form 81-89D, Coastal Structures Form, allows FEMA to efficiently review assumptions made, parameters used, and the results of revision requests involving new or modified structures in coastal flood hazard areas; FEMA Form 81-89E, Alluvial Fan Flooding Form, allows FEMA to efficiently review assumptions made, parameters used, and the results of alluvial fan flooding analyses performed in support of a revision request.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours

FEMA forms	Number of respondents (A)	Frequency of response (B)	Hours per response (C)	Annual burden hours (A × B × C)
81-89	1,400	Annual	1.0	1,400
81-89A	1,400	Annual	3.5	4,320
81-89B	1,400	Annual	7.0	10,080
81-89C	1,400	Annual	1.0	1,400
81-89D	1,400	Annual	1.0	1,400
81-89E	1,400	Annual	1.0	1,400
Total	1,400		14.5	20,880,000

Estimated Cost. Cost to respondents is estimated to be $1,044,000 annually, while the cost to the Federal Government is estimated to be $100,220 annually.

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 should be received within 60 days of the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons should submit written comments to Chief, Records Management Section, Information Resources Management Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Ms. Cecelia Lynch, FEMA Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration at [phone] for additional information. You may contact the Records Management Section for copies of the proposed collection of information at facsimile number [phone] or e-mail address: [e-mail].

Dated: August 26, 2005.

Deborah A. Moradi,

Acting Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, Information Technology Services Division.