03-9788. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NOAA Coastal Ocean Program Grants Proposal Application Package

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, 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 and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before June 20, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Leslie McDonald, 301-713-3338, ext. 155, or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Ocean Program (COP) provides direct financial assistance through grants and cooperative agreements for research supporting the management of coastal ecosystems. In addition to standard government application requirements, applicants for financial assistance are required to submit a summary proposal budget form and a project summary form. Applicants are also requested to submit 20 copies of applications to expedite the review process. Recipients are required to file annual progress reports and a project final report using COP formats. All of these requirements are needed for better evaluation of proposals and monitoring of awards.

II. Method of Collection

Paper forms and documents are submitted to the COP. The option of electronic submission is being explored. NOAA COP will participate in the government-wide E-Grants electronic application process once it has been completed. NOAA COP is also participating in the NOAA-wide Grants Online effort, which will allow COP staff the ability to accept electronic proposals, conduct the peer-review process electronically, and process awards for recipients. However, both of these electronic options are not yet available. It is anticipated that the E-grants electronic option to receive proposals will be made available throughout NOAA in late 2004.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0384.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions (universities, colleges, junior colleges, technical schools, laboratories); State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.

Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for a budget form; 30 minutes for a project summary; 5 hours for an annual report; 10 hours for a final report; and 10 minutes to provide the extra copies required.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,100.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: April 14, 2003.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.