[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]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P