[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