[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17423-17424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7873]


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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 the proposed collection of information. In accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
this notice seeks comments concerning the Capability Assessment for 
Readiness (CAR) which collects data on the capabilities of States to 
effectively respond to major disasters and emergencies.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CAR program was established based on the 
requirement recognized by both the U.S. Congress and FEMA that an 
assessment of State capabilities was needed to determine the States' 
readiness to effectively respond to major disasters, and secondarily 
that FEMA financial assistance to the States is being effectively 
utilized. The answers to these questions are provided in the CAR 
assessment that involves detailed programmatic questions on mitigation, 
preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
    Section 313 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, as amended) requires the President 
to ``conduct annual reviews of activities of Federal agencies and State 
and local governments in major disaster and emergency preparedness and 
in providing major disaster and emergency assistance in order to assure 
maximum coordination and effectiveness of such programs. * * *''
    Section 613 of the Stafford Act concerning financial contributions 
to States for necessary and essential State and local emergency 
preparedness personnel and administrative expenses provides that the 
State ``shall make such reports in such form and content as the 
Director may require.''

Collection of Information

    Title: Capability Assessment for Readiness (CAR).
    Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 3067-0272.

[[Page 17424]]

    Abstract. The Capability Assessment for Readiness is required for 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency to report the status of 
emergency management programs in the Nation to the President and the 
U.S. Congress. States, Territories and Insular Areas use it for program 
evaluation, strategic planning and budgeting. It is also needed for 
program evaluation and management to assure that Federal funding to 
Sate and local governments, Territories and Insular Areas is properly 
managed and targeted to those areas that need improvement and to 
satisfy the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 and in order 
to meet the goals stated in the Strategic Plan of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency. The data collected will be summarized in a report 
the President and Congress in early 2001.
    Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government (U.S. States 
and Territories).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,360 biennially.

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                                                                                                 Annual burden
          FEMA forms                Number of      Frequency of response       Hours per      hours  (A  x  B  x
                                respondents  (A)             (B)             response  (C)             C)
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                                              56   Biennial.............                 60               3,360
                              --------------------                       ---------------------------------------
Total........................                 56   Biennial.............                 60          \1\ 3,360
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\1\ 1,680 on an annual basis.

    Estimated Cost. Cost to Federal Government is $478,000. The cost to 
the States is $87,360.

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, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) determine an estimated cost of 
the proposed data collections to respondents; (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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information contact 
Cassandra Ward, Preparedness, Training, and Exercises Directorate, at 
(202) 646-3703. Contact Ms. Anderson at (202) 646-2625 or by facsimile 
(202) 646-3524 or email: [email protected] for copies of the 
proposed collection of information.

    Dated: March 21, 2001.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 01-7873 Filed 3-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-04-P