[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 63140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31067]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Information Collection Submitted for Review and Request for 
Comments (FERC-515)

November 21, 1997.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of submission for review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) has 
submitted the energy information collection listed in this notice to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under provisions 
of Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
13). Any interested person may file comments on the collection of 
information directly with OMB and should address a copy of those 
comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission received 
no comments in response to an earlier Federal Register notice of August 
21, 1997 (62 FR 44463) and has made this notation in its submission to 
OMB.

DATES: Comments regarding this collection of information are best 
assured of having their full effect if received on or before December 
26, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Address comments to Office of Management and Budget, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, Desk Officer, 726 Jackson Place, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20503. A copy of the comments should also be sent to 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Division of Information Services, 
Attention: Mr. Michael Miller, 888 First Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 
20426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael P. Miller may be reached by 
telephone at (202) 208-1415, by fax at (202) 273-0873, and by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description

    The energy information collection submitted to OMB for review 
contains:
    1. Collection of Information: FERC-515 ``Hydropower License-
Declaration of Intention.''
    2. Sponsor: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
    3. Control No.: OMB No. 1902-0079. The Commission is now requesting 
that OMB approve a three-year extension of the current expiration date, 
with no changes to the existing collection. There is an increase in the 
reporting burden due to an increase in the number of applicants who 
intend to undertake hydroelectric projects. These are mandatory 
collection requirements.
    4. Necessity of Collection of Information: Submission of the 
information is necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its 
responsibilities in implementing the provisions of the Federal Power 
Act (FPA). The information reported under commission identifier FERC-
515 is filed in accordance with Sections 23(b) of the FPA. Section 
23(b) of the FPA authorizes the Commission to make a determination as 
to whether it has jurisdiction over a proposed hydroelectric project. 
Section 23(b) also requires that any person intending to construct 
project works on a navigable commerce clause water must file a 
declaration of their intention to do so with the Commission. If the 
Commission finds the proposed project will have an impact on 
``interstate or foreign commerce'', then the person intending to 
construct the project must obtain a Commission license or exemption 
before starting constructions. Such sites are generally on streams 
defined as U.S. navigation waters, and over which the Commission has 
jurisdiction under its authority to regulate foreign and interstate 
commerce. The information is collected in the form of a written 
application, declaring the applicant's intent and used by Commission 
staff to research the jurisdictional aspects of the project. This 
research includes examining maps and land ownership records to 
established whether or not there is Federal jurisdiction over the lands 
and waters affected by the project. A finding of non-jurisdiction by 
the Commission eliminates a substantial paperwork burden for an 
applicant who might otherwise have to file a license or exemption 
application.
    5. Respondent Description: The respondent universe currently 
comprises on average, 10 applicants for a declaration of intention 
(``DI'').
    6. Estimated Burden: 800 total burden hours, 10 respondents, 1 
response annually, 80 hours per response (average).
    7. Estimated Cost Burden to Respondents: 800 hours  2,087 
hours per year  x  $110,000 per year = $42,166, average cost per 
respondent = $4,216.

    Statutory Authority: Sections 23(b), of the Federal Power Act 
(FPA), 16 U.S.C. 617.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-31067 Filed 11-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M