[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48637-48638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23182]
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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 proposed revision of existing
information from applicants seeking grant funding through the Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The information collection described
in this notice is the State Administrative Plan for the Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Program was created with the passing of
the Stafford Act in November of 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 cost share of the HMGP to a maximum of 75 percent Federal
and increased the amount of funding available for the Program 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 has served to underscore the need to clarify HGMP
eligibility, simplify program administration, and expedite grant award
and implementation.
The changes represented here are only a first step in the ongoing
process to enhance the program. FEMA is working with its customers to
develop and improve training and guidance to accompany the new
regulations. Successful implementation of the changes will require
clear guidance for both FEMA staff and State grantees.
Collection of Information
Title: State Administrative Plan for the Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program.
Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement of a previously
approved collection.
OMB Number: 3067-0208.
Abstract: The State must have an approved State Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program (HMGP) Administrative Plan to be eligible to receive
funds under HMGP. This plan outlines the procedures for administration
of the program and management of program funds. The plan is revised
after each major disaster declaration to take into account changes in
the administration of the program or in current program policy. The
plan should be incorporated as either a separate chapter or annex to
the state's emergency response or operations plan. The Administrative
Plan must include: (1) Designation of the state agency that will act as
grantee; (2) identification of the State Hazard Mitigation Officer
responsible for all matters related to the program; (3) determination
of staffing requirements and sources of staff necessary for
administration of the program, and (4) establish procedures to: (i)
comply with administrative requirements of 44 CFR parts 13 and 206;
(ii) identify and notify potential applicants of the availability of
the program; (iii) ensure that potential applicants are provided
information on the application process, program eligibility, and key
deadlines; (iv) provide technical assistance as required to applicants
and subgrantees; (v) gather environmental data and/or conduct
environmental reviews; (vi) process requests for advances of funds and
reimbursement; (vii) monitor and evaluate the progress and completion
of the funded projects; (viii) provide quarterly performance and
financial reports to the Regional Director; (ix) process appeals; and
(x) comply with audit requirements of 44 CFR 14.
[[Page 48638]]
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No. of Annual burden
FEMA forms respondents Frequency of Hours per hours (A x B
(A) response (B) response (C) x C)
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Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal
government, and not for profit institutions.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,600.
State Admin. Plan............................... 25 \1\ 46 4 4,600
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Total....................................... 25 46 4 4,600
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\1\ Average number of declared disasters per year.
Estimated Cost. Cost to Federal government for collecting
information is $10,000.
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;
(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. 99-23182 Filed 9-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P
