[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30715-30716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14938]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Request for Restoration Ideas, New Bedford Harbor

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 August 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Jack Terrill, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, 978-281-9136.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act (CERCLA), state and Federal natural resource trustees are 
responsible for the restoration of natural resources injured by 
releases of hazardous substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls 
(PCBs), in the New Bedford Massachusetts Harbor environment. The

[[Page 30716]]

New Bedford Harbor Trustee Council has been established to plan, 
implement, and oversee restoration activities using monies resulting 
from settlement with the parties responsible for the releases. Acting 
on behalf of state and Federal interests and with powers from federal 
and state hazardous waste laws, the Massachusetts Executive Office of 
Environmental Affairs, the U.S. Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service), and the U.S. Department of Commerce (National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Marine Fisheries 
Service) developed a restoration program for the New Bedford Harbor 
environment.
    This information collection establishes a universe of acceptable 
restoration projects and provides an opportunity for the public to 
formally suggest restoration ideas which the Trustee Council could 
undertake. Each restoration idea is evaluated and ranked by applying a 
point score based upon the importance of the particular criteria and 
how well the project meets that criteria. At the conclusion of the 
evaluation process, the scores will be tallied and preferred 
alternatives will be recommended to the Trustee Council. All 
alternatives will be subject to public review through hearings and 
comment periods. Public comment will be considered by the Trustees who 
will make final recommendations. The Trustees final recommendations 
will be forwarded to the U.S. District Court for approval. If approval 
is received, the Trustees will implement individual projects.

II. Method of Collection

    Forms have been designed to assist the respondents in describing 
their restoration idea and how it meets the Trustee Council's 
established criteria. The form and instructions are available upon 
request. Completed forms may be submitted either in writing or 
electronically.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0302.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business and other for- 
profit, not for profit institutions, Federal government, and state, 
local or tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: No capital expenditures 
required.

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: June 1, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-14938 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P