[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13193-13194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7235]



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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 new, revised, or continuing 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 extension to a currently approved information collection, 
which is assigned OMB Control Number 3067-0077. The current approval 
expires May 31, 1996.

Background

    The National Flood Insurance Program regulations require the 
elevation or floodproofing of newly constructed structures in 
designated special flood hazard areas. As part of the agreement for 
making flood insurance available in a community, the NFIP requires the 
community to adopt a floodplain management ordinance containing certain 
minimum requirements intended to reduce future flood losses. One such 
requirement is that the community obtain the elevation of the lowest 
flood (including basement) of all new and substantially improved 
structures, and maintain a record of all such information. These data 
may be generated and retained as part of the communities permit 
issuance and building inspection processes. The Elevation Certificate 
is one convenient way for a community to comply with this requirement. 
The Floodproofing Certificate may similarly be used to establish the 
required record in those instances when floodproofing for non-
residential structures is a permitted practice.

Collection of Information

    Title. Post Construction Elevation Certificate/Floodproofing 
Certificate.
    Type of Review. Extension.
    Form Numbers. FEMA Form 81-31, Elevation Certificate, FEMA Form 81-
65, Floodproofing Certificate for Non-Residential Structures.
    Abstract. The Elevation Certificate and Floodproofing Certificate 
are adjuncts to the application for flood insurance. The certificates 
are required for proper rating of post-Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) 
structures, which are buildings constructed after publication of the 
FIRM, for flood insurance in Special Flood Hazard Areas. In addition, 
the Elevation Certificate is also needed for pre-FIRM structures being 
rated under post-FIRM flood insurance rules. The certificates provide 
community officials and others standardized documents to readily record 
needed information.
    The certificates are supplied to insurance agents, community 
officials, surveyors, engineers, architects, and NFIP policyholders/
applicants. The community officials or other professionals provide the 
elevation data required to document conformance with floodplain 
management regulations and for the applicants so that actuarial 
insurance rates can be charged. The elevation data is transmitted to 
the NFIP by the insurance applicant or agent with the appropriate NFIP 
policy forms.
    The data is also used to assist FEMA in measuring the effectiveness 
of the NFIP regulations in eliminating or decreasing damage caused by 
flooding and the appropriateness of the NFIP premium charges for 
insuring property against the flood hazard.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households, Businesses or other 
for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions, Farms, and State, local or 
tribal governments.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Hours per      Annual burden 
   FEMA forms      No. of respondents      response           hours     
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81-31...........          14,800               2.25            33,300   
81-65...........             240               3.25               780   
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    Based on comments from respondents, the burden estimates for

[[Page 13194]]
each of the FEMA forms have been reestimated.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours. 34,080.
    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: Direct all comments to Muriel B. Anderson, FEMA Information 
Collections Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, 
SW, Room 311, Washington, DC 20472. Telephone number (202) 646-2625. 
FAX number (202) 646-3524.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection can be obtained by contacting the 
person listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

    Dated: March 15, 1996.
Thomas Behm,
Acting Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support 
Directorate.
[FR Doc. 96-7235 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P