[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 3040-3041] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-1274] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 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 collection of information. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning the collection of floodplain data from communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Supplementary Information. Under 44 CFR 59.22(b)(2), FEMA requires that communities participating in the NFIP submit an annual or biennial report describing the progress made during the year in the implementation and enforcement of floodplain management regulations. Currently, FEMA has determined that this data will be collected on a biennial reporting cycle and the data collection is now referred to as the Biennial Report. The NFIP Biennial Report enables FEMA to meet its regulatory [[Page 3041]] requirement under 59.22(b)(2). It also enables FEMA to be more responsive to the on-going changes that occur in each participating community's flood hazard area. These changes include, but are not limited to, new corporate boundaries, changes in flood hazard areas, new floodplain management measures, and changes in rate of floodplain development. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the community's floodplain management activities. The evaluation is accomplished by analyzing information provided by the community, such as the number of variances and floodplain permits granted by each community in relationship to other information contained in the Biennial Report, as well as other data available in FEMA's Community Information System (CIS). Collection of Information Title. National Flood Insurance Program Biennial Report. Type of Information Collection. Extension of a currently approved collection. OMB Number: 3067-0018. Abstract. FEMA requests that communities participating in the NFIP submit a biennial report on progress made in the implementation and enforcement of their floodplain management regulations. The information provided by communities using FEMA Forms 81-28, 81-29, or 81-29A enables FEMA to be more responsive to the ongoing changes which occur in each participating community's flood hazard area, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the community's floodplain management activities. Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments. Estimated Total Biennial Burden Hours. 8,215. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Biennial Number of Frequency of response Hours per burden FEMA forms Form titles respondents (B) response (C) hours (A) (AxBxC) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 81-28............... Biennial Report for 5,011 Biennial.............. .4 2,004 Emergency and Regular Program (Minimally Floodprone). 81-29............... Biennial Report for 11,914 Biennial.............. .5 5,957 Regular Program (With Base Flood Elevations). 81-29A.............. Biennial Report for 1,270 Biennial.............. .2 1,270 Regular Program (No Special Flood Hazard Area. Total........... 18,195 Biennial.............. 8,215 ........... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated Cost. $72,500. 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; (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 on or before March 24, 1997. ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written 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: Contact Robert Shea, Division Director, Program Implementation Division, Mitigation Directorate, 202- 646-4621 for additional program information. Contact Ms. Anderson at (202) 646-2625 for copies of the proposed forms and OMB clearance package. Dated: January 9, 1997. Reginald Trujillo, Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate. [FR Doc. 97-1274 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-01-P