[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 211 (Monday, November 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58703-58704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29277]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Intent To Request a Reinstatement, With Change, of a 
Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public 
Law (P.L.) 104-13) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this 
notice announces the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) 
intention to request a reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection, Agriculture and Urban Flood Damage Surveys, for 
which approval has expired.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 15, 1998 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Marcella Graham, Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, NRCS, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013-
2890, (202) 720-5699.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Agriculture and Urban Flood Damage Surveys.
    OMB Number: 0578-0007.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 6, 1997.
    Type of Request: To reinstate, with change, a previously approved 
collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) is to work in partnership with the American 
people to conserve and sustain our natural resources. NRCS provides 
technical and financial assistance to flood damaged communities to 
control flooding. NRCS personnel collect specific data about flood 
damages in order to assess the cost of floods to individuals, farms, 
communities, governments, and others who own or control property 
affected by floods. The data collected is used to determine benefits 
associated with Federal expenditures to provide relief in a particular 
flood prone area. The data also help to ensure that flood control 
structures recommended to treat flooding are economically feasible to 
build.
    The Agriculture and Urban Flood Damage Surveys forms are used to 
collect the data about the damages incurred as a result of the 
flooding. Information is collected directly from the landowner on a 
voluntary basis. If the landowner is unavailable or unwilling to 
provide the information, we make visual estimates and use secondary 
data. Agriculture and Urban Flood Damage Surveys comprise a series of 
survey forms suited for various types of flooded areas. NRCS-ECN-001 
documents flood damage to agriculture, including crops, pasture, 
property, and land. NRCS-ECN-002 is used to assess residential flood 
damage. NRCS-ECN-003 documents flood damage to commercial or industrial 
buildings. NRCS-ECN-004 documents flood damage associated with 
transportation or utilities. NRCS-ECN-005 is strictly an irrigation 
questionnaire. NRCS-ECN-006 is a drainage questionnaire.
    Circumstances making collection of information necessary stem from 
the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (P.L. 83-566). It 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical and 
financial help to local organizations in planning and carrying out 
watershed improvements. Section 3 of the law directs the Secretary to 
determine whether benefits anticipated from the improvements will 
exceed costs. NRCS has been delegated the responsibility to carry out 
the intent of the law. Analytical procedures use the information 
collected to evaluate agricultural flood damage, reduction of crop and 
other agricultural damages, sediment and erosion damage reduction, 
irrigation and drainage intensification benefits, urban damage 
reduction, and residential and commercial damages. The procedures are 
outlined in Chapters I and II of the Economic and Environmental 
Principles and

[[Page 58704]]

Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies 
in accordance with Section 103 of the Water Resources Planning Act, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 1962a-2) and approved by the President on February 
3, 1983, in accordance with Executive Order 11744 (38 FR 30993, 
November 7, 1973). The Agriculture and Urban Flood Damage Surveys 
provide the necessary information as dictated by these Principles and 
Guidelines. NRCS will ask for 3-year OMB approval within 60 days of 
submitting the request.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting hour burden and total annual 
record keeping for this collection of information is estimated to 
average 1.28 hours per response.
    Respondents (flood victims in rural and urban areas): 768.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 768.
    Estimated Total Annual Hours Requested: 936.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Marcella Graham, the Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5699.
    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 will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 
those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be 
sent to Marcella Graham, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, NRCS, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013-2890.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval.
    All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C. on October 17, 1998.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Chief.
[FR Doc. 98-29277 Filed 10-30-98; 8:45 am]
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