[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51119-51121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24563]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, 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 revised information collections. In accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
this notice seeks comments concerning the application for grants under 
the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HGMP) 
was created with the passage of the Stafford Act in November 1988. The 
Program, authorized by Section 404 of the Act, provides States and 
local governments financial assistance to implement measures that will 
permanently reduce or eliminate future damages and losses from natural 
hazards.
    In December 1993 the President signed the Hazard Mitigation and 
Relocation Assistance Act that amended Section 404. This amendment 
increased the Federal cost share of the HMGP to a maximum 75 percent, 
and the amount of funds available to 15 percent of all other disaster 
grants. The amendment also imposed new implementing requirements on 
acquisition and relocation projects funded under the Program. FEMA 
published an interim rule in the Federal Register on May 11, 1994, 
amending the original program regulations published in May 1989, to 
implement the changes.
    The statutory changes combined with the Administration's National 
Performance Review initiative provided an opportunity for FEMA to 
evaluate the overall program and make improvements. The 1993 increase 
in program funding significantly heightened public interest in the 
Program and have served to underscore the need to clarify Program 
eligibility, simplify program administration, and expedite grant award 
and implementation.
    The changes are only a first step in the ongoing process to enhance 
the program. FEMA is working with its customers to improve training and 
guidance to accompany the regulations. Successful implementation of the 
changes requires clear guidance for both FEMA staff and State grantees.

Collection of Information

    Title: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Application.
    Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement of a previously 
approved collection.
    OMB Number: 3067-0207.
    Form Numbers. SF-424--Application for Federal Assistance; FEMA 
Forms 20-16, 20-16a, 20-16b, 20-16c & SF-LLL--Summary Sheet for 
Assurances and Certifications and Lobbying Disclosure; FEMA Form 20-
10--Financial Status Report; 20-15--Budget Information (Construction 
Programs); FEMA Form 20-20--Budget Information (Nonconstruction 
Programs); and FEMA Form 20-17--Outlay Report and Request for 
Reimbursement for Construction Programs.
    Abstract. HMGP Application Package. Section 404 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes FEMA 
to provide financial assistance to communities and States to implement 
measures that will permanently reduce or eliminate future damages and 
losses from natural hazards. Grantees will no longer be asked to create 
distinctive application forms for the program in their State. This 
change is intended to make HMGP procedures more consistent with OMB 
guidance and requirements, particularly OMB Circular A-102 (revised 
October 7, 1994).
    The application package consists of the SF-424 facesheet; the 
budget form; project narrative with detailed descriptions; and 
assurances and certifications. Applications with detailed descriptions 
include the following:
    (1) SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (facesheet). This is 
a standard form used by applicants to accompany applications for 
Federal assistance. It provides the agency summary information about 
applicant organization and the type of assistance requested. Local 
governments may use the SF-424 to provide pertinent applicant profile 
information with their application. States may submit amendments to 
their original application by submitting an additional SF-424 that 
requests a revision to the original (block 8).
    (2) Budget form. This is a standardized form which applicants 
submit with the application detailing the proposed budget for the 
grant. For construction projects, applicants complete FEMA Form 20-15. 
For nonconstruction projects, applicants complete FEMA Form 20-20. FEMA 
will use this information to determine if the requested funding is 
reasonable and to perform a benefit-cost analysis on the proposed 
project (construction projects only)
    (3) Project Narrative. The narrative statement, more commonly 
referred to as the project application, identifies the proposed measure 
to be funded and provides information supporting the projects 
eligibility. The narrative contains the following twelve essential 
elements: (a) General Project Information: Indicate the FEMA disaster 
declaration number, the date the application was submitted to the 
State, and the title of the project. Applicant should note whether the 
application provides additional information requested from the State or 
FEMA. (b) Name of Subgrantee: Indicate whether the applicant is a town, 
county, or city; State agency, eligible private non-profit organization 
or institution; or Indian tribe. (c) State and Local contact: Identify 
the name, agency, address, and phone number of a contract person. If 
there is an alternate contact, include information for that person as 
well. (d) Location of the Project: Describe the project location by 
street, address, road intersections, geographic landmarks, legal 
description, or other methods, if appropriate. Maps or drawings or the 
area should be provided indicating the project location. If the project 
is located within an identified flood hazard area, the National Flood 
Insurance Program map should be attached with the project location 
identified. It is also important to note whether the project is located 
inside or outside of the disaster area. (e) Description of the Project: 
To assist State and local officials in reviewing and prioritizing 
project applications, the applicant should include as much detail as 
possible. This may include: Description of problem the proposed project 
is intended to solve; primary objectives of the project; appropriate 
maps and diagrams; description of the damage caused by the current 
disaster or previous disasters, and/or the potential for future damage 
based on the area's exposure to hazards; how the project is intended to 
reduce hazard effects and risks; the number of people and/or the amount 
of property that will be protected with the proposed project; and 
description of how the proposed

[[Page 51120]]

project meets or exceeds minimum project criteria.
    The emphasis of the description will vary depending on whether the 
applicant is seeking a grant for construction or nonconstruction 
projects. Because the criteria for HMGP grants are very specific, the 
narrative for construction grants will be more extensive than those for 
nonconstruction. For example, narratives for a construction project 
will not only describe the proposed approach, but also other approaches 
considered to meet the objective. Also, construction projects are more 
likely to have a potential effect on the environment, so the narrative 
for project construction grants will include a detailed description of 
the surrounding environment. FEMA will use the environmental 
information to meet its requirements under the National Environmental 
Policy Act.
    (f) Cost-estimate for the Project: Applicant should be accurate as 
possible in computing project costs. Total estimate project costs 
should be indicated. A breakdown should also be provided that includes 
the following categories: Federal share (HGMP funds); other Federal 
funding (Community Development Block Grant); State share; Applicant 
share; and other non-Federal share. If appropriate, costs for the 
following services should also be included: project management; 
comprehensive study; engineering and design; site acquisition; 
construction; labor; equipment; staffing; transportation; and 
materials/supplies. (g) Analysis of cost-effectiveness and substantial 
risk reduction: applicant should explain how the cost of the project 
compares with the anticipated value of future damage reduction. This 
will help document that the benefits are greater than the costs. Other 
factors that should be addressed in analyzing the cost-effectiveness of 
a project include: the cost and useful life of the project; frequency 
of the disaster event; an estimate of the dollar amount of damage that 
would be prevented as a direct result of the proposed project; and an 
estimate of the subsequent negative impacts to the area if the measure 
were not implemented. The cost-effective analysis should include a 
narrative statement, describing the costs and expected damages, and a 
numerical analysis, justifying the findings. (h) Work Schedule: A work 
schedule should be provided that details, at a minimum, the start date, 
completion date, and project milestones, including dates for submittal 
or quarterly progress reports. If the project is detailed, it may be 
helpful to separate the activities into phases and perhaps tasks within 
those phases. If deliverables are required, deadlines for submission 
should be included. A maintenance schedule should also be submitted 
indicating the maintenance activities that will need to be performed by 
the applicant for the life of the project. (i) Justification for 
Selection: Applicant should discuss why the project is required and how 
the project will solve the problem. This may involve a discussion of 
the other alternatives examined and the reason this specific approach 
was chosen. If the project is a recommendation from a post-disaster 
team report or state hazard mitigation plan, it may be appropriate to 
include supporting data from either the report or the plan. (j) 
Alternatives Considered: A discussion of the alternatives examined in 
selecting this project should be included. The narrative should address 
the reason(s) why they were determined not to be the most appropriate 
option. Issues such as effectiveness, cost, and affect on the 
environment should be examined. (k) Environmental Information: HGMP 
projects must comply with appropriate environmental requirements. FEMA 
is ultimately responsible for preparing an environmental document 
describing the potential environmental impacts on all potential 
projects, although FEMA and the state may rely on the applicant to 
provide much of this information. The applicant is responsible for 
meeting all State and local environmental requirements and initiating 
the application process for environmental permits or approvals, as 
necessary. (l) Project Compliance Assurances: These are standardized 
forms that are completed by the State. FEMA Form 20-16 summarizes all 
assurances and certifications that the State must sign in order to 
receive grant assistance. FEMA Form 20-16a is a list of assurances that 
the State must provide in order to receive assistance for 
nonconstruction programs. FEMA Form 20-16b is a list of assurances that 
the State must provide in order to receive assistance for construction 
programs. FEMA Form 20-16c lists three certifications that the State 
must make in order to receive Federal assistance: Lobbying; debarment, 
suspension, and other responsibility matters; and drug free workplace 
requirements. The SF-LLL is a standard form disclosing lobbying 
activity on the part of grant recipients. These assurances are an 
integral element of the grant agreement between FEMA and the State, 
ensuring compliance with all applicable Federal statutes, executive 
orders, and regulations.
    Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal government, and not for 
profit institutions.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,263.

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                                                      No. of       Frequency of      Hours per     Annual burden
                   FEMA forms                       respondents      response        response          hours
                                                             (A)             (B)             (C)     (A  x  B  x
                                                                                                              C)
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SF-424..........................................              25          \1\ 46             .75          862.50
Narrative.......................................              25              46              15          17,250
Assurances and Certifications...................              25              46             2.2           2,530
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    Total.......................................              25              46          \2\ 18     \2\ 20,643
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\1\ Average based on number of declared disasters per yr.
\2\ Rounded.

    Estimated Cost. Estimated cost of the collection of information to 
the Federal government is $200,000.

Comments

    Written comments are solicited to:
    (a) Evaluate whether the proposed data collections and reporting 
requirements are necessary for the proper performance of FEMA's 
functions and program activities, including whether the data have 
practical utility;
    (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed data collections and reporting requirements;
    (c) determine the estimated cost of the proposed data collections 
and reporting requirements to the respondents;

[[Page 51121]]

    (d) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and,
    (e) 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 within 60 days of 
the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, FEMA Information Collections Officer, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 316, Washington, DC 20472. 
Telephone number (202) 646-2625, FAX number (202) 646-3524, or email 
address: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Catherine Young, Mitigation 
Directorate at (202) 646-4541 for additional information. Contact Ms. 
Anderson at (202) 646-2625 for copies of the proposed collection of 
information.

    Dated: August 25, 1999.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 99-24563 Filed 9-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P