[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71138-71139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32854]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency is submitting a
request for review and approval of an expired information collection.
The information collection concerns the certification of basements as
floodproofed by licensed engineers of architects. This certification is
normally performed during or immediately following construction of a
house.
The request is submitted under the emergency processing procedures
in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulation 5 CFR 1320.13. FEMA
is requesting that this information collection be approved by December
17, 1999. The approval will authorize FEMA to use the collection
through June 30, 2000.
FEMA plans to follow this emergency request with a request for a 3-
year approval. The request will be processed under OMB's normal
clearance procedures in accordance with the provisions of OMB
regulation 5 CFR 1320.10. To help us with the timely processing of the
emergency and normal clearance submissions to OMB, FEMA invites the
general public to comment on the proposed collection of information.
This notice and request for comments is in accordance with the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the floodplain management regulations
of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at 44 CFR 60.3,
communities that participate in the NFIP must ensure that all new
construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) has the lowest floor
elevation to or above the 100-year flood elevation, or Base Flood
Elevation (BFE). This requirement is to ensure that the risks to new
buildings in SFHAs is sufficiently small that frequent flood losses are
reduced and flood insurance can be made available at reasonable rates.
However at 44 CFR 60.6 (c), regulations allow communities to apply for
an exception to permit the construction of floodproofed residential
basements in SFHAs. If the community meets the criteria for an
exception as described in 44 CFR 60.6 (d) (2) (i)-(iii), the community
requests and receives an exception from FEMA that will allow
floodproofed basements to be built in SFHAs in the community.
Construction
[[Page 71139]]
of a floodproofed basement requires specific design attention to
materials, flood loads, and openings where floodwaters may enter a
basement. When a community is granted an exception to allow
floodproofed basements it agrees that an engineer and architect will
properly certify that these basements are in fact floodproofed. In
addition, this certificate is also presented to the flood insurance
agent by the homeowner so that the homeowner receives the
``discounted'' rate applicable to floodproofed basements. The
homeowner, community official and the insurance agent normally retain a
copy of this form for recordkeeping only. Collection of Information
Title: Residential Basement Floodproofing Certificate.
Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement of a previously
approved collection of information.
OMB Number: 3067-0235.
Form Number: FEMA Form 81-78, Residential Basement Floodproofing
Certificate.
Abstract. The certificate provides licensed design professionals a
standard means of certifying the construction of floodproofed basements
below the Base Flood Elevation. This certificate is only used in
communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program who
have been granted a ``basement'' exception. The homeowner must pay for
the cost of the certification.
Affected Public: This affects individuals who are in communities
with ``basement'' exceptions and who build houses with basements in
Special Flood Hazard Areas. Communities who have been granted these
``basement'' exceptions also keep copies of the certificate to ensure
compliance with local floodplain management ordinances.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours. 163 hours (50 respondents x
3.25 hours per response. The respondents are engineers or architects
who complete the form as a professional service to a homeowner. There
are three inspections during the construction of a flood proof
basement. Each inspection is estimated to be 45 minutes, plus one hour
for the review of basement design documentation and recordkeeping by
insurance agents and community officials.)
Estimated Cost to Respondents. $16,250.00 (The estimated cost of a
professional engineering service is $100. That cost multiplied by
3.25--the hour burden per respondent--equals $325 per homeowner to
obtain professional engineering services.)
Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d) 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. Submit comments to OMB within 30 days of the
date of this notice. To ensure that FEMA is fully aware of any comments
or concerns that you share with OMB, please provide us with a copy of
your comments. FEMA will continue to accept comments for 60 days from
the date of this notice.
OMB Addressee: Interested persons should submit written comments to
the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503.
FEMA Addressee: 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 e:mail
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Paul Tertell, Civil Engineer,
Program Policy and Assessment Branch, Mitigation Division, 202-646-3935
for additional information. Contact Ms. Anderson at (202) 646-2625 for
copies of the proposed collection of information.
Dated: December 6, 1999.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 99-32854 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P