[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53403-53404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25536]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment
Request
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.) the Department of the Interior is seeking extension of an
Information Collection Request (ICR) for grantees participating in the
Pub. L. 102-477 program, OMB# 1076-0135. The Department invites public
comments on the subject proposal described below.
DATES: Submit written comments regarding this proposal on or before
November 30, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instructions should be directed to
Lynn Forcia, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 1849
C Street, NW, MS 4640-MIB, Washington, DC 20240, and 202-219-5270 (This
is not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract: The information collection is
needed to document satisfactory compliance with statutory requirements
of the various integrated programs. Pub. L. 102-477 authorizes tribal
governments to integrate federally funded employment, training and
related services programs into a single, coordinated, comprehensive
service delivery plan. Funding agencies include the Department of the
Interior, Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human
Services. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is statutorily required to serve
as the lead agency. Section 11 of this Act requires that the Secretary
of the Interior make available a single universal report format which
shall be used by a tribal government to report on integrated activities
and expenditures undertaken. The Bureau of Indian Affairs shares the
information collected from these reports with the Department of Labor
and Department of Health and Human Services.
II. Method of Collection: Pub. L. 102-477 grantees are required to
complete annually two single page, one-sided report forms and one
narrative report, using five pages of instructions. These replace 166
pages of instructions and applications representing three different
agencies and twelve different funded but related programs. We estimate
a 95 percent reduction in reporting which is consistent with the
Paperwork Reduction Act and goals of the National Performance Review.
The statistical report and narrative report will be used to
demonstrate how well a plan was executed in comparison to its proposed
goals. This one page, universal report plus narrative satisfies the
Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, and the
Department of the Interior.
The financial status report will be used to track cash flow, and
will allow an analysis of activities versus expenditures and
expenditures to approved budget. It is a slightly modified SF-269-A
(short form).
These two report forms and the narrative are extremely limited but
[[Page 53404]]
satisfy requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services,
Department of Labor, and the Department of the Interior. The revised
forms reduce the burden on tribal governments by consolidating data
collection for employment, training, education, child care and related
service programs. The reports are due annually. These forms, developed
within a partnership between participating tribes and representatives
of all three Federal agencies, standardize terms and definitions,
eliminate duplication and reduce frequency of collection.
Respondents: Tribes participating in Pub. L. 102-477 will report
annually. As of October 1, 1999 we anticipate that there will be 32
grantees participating in the program.
Burden: We estimate that completion of the reporting requirements
will require 10 hours per year to complete for each grantee. The total
hour burden will be 320 hours.
Request for Comments
Comments may include:
(a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the bureau, including whether
the information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the bureau's estimate of the burden of the
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology
and assumptions used;
(c) The quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and
(d) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated
electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology.
Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB Control
Number and should be sent to Lynn Forcia, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, MS-4640-MIB, Washington,
DC 20240.
All written comments, names and addresses of commentators will be
available for public inspection in Room 4644 of the Main Interior
Building, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. If you want us to
withhold your name and address you must state that prominently at the
beginning of your comment. We will honor your request to the extent
allowable by law. Please note that an agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information
collection request that does not have a valid expiration date.
Dated: September 21, 1999.
Kevin Gover,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 99-25536 Filed 9-30-99 8:45 pm]
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