[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 55199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21811]



[[Page 55199]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 082202D]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NOAA Community-
based Restoration Program Progress Reports

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, 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 and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 
(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 28, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington DC 20230 (or via 
Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Robin Bruckner, NOAA Restoration Center, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315 East West Highway (F/HC3), Silver Spring, MD 
20910-3282 (301-713-0174 or by e-mail at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The NOAA Community-based Restoration Program (CRP) provides 
financial assistance on a competitive basis to implement grass-roots, 
community-based habitat restoration activities through individual 
projects or restoration partnerships. The NOAA Restoration Center (RC), 
within the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, intends to 
institute specific reporting requirements for habitat restoration 
projects funded through the CRP. Recipients of NOAA CRP funds will be 
required to submit specific information on habitat restoration projects 
such as site details (project location information, including 
geographic coordinates), restoration techniques used, species 
benefitted, volunteer involvement, and other variables. This 
information collection is necessary to track the rapidly increasing 
number of habitat restoration projects being implemented around the 
country with CRP funds. This information will be used to populate a 
database of NOAA-funded habitat restoration projects, respond to 
Department of Commerce, NOAA, Congressional and Constituent inquiries, 
and ensure accountability for federal funds expended under the CRP. 
Successful applicants are required by the NOAA Grants Management 
Division to submit periodic performance reports and a final report for 
each award; this collection will stipulate the information to be 
provided in these reports.

II. Method of Collection

    Progress reports will be submitted in two parts consisting of a 
reporting form for project details, and in narrative style according to 
a format provided by the RC. The form and format outline will be sent 
to recipients in hard copy as part of their award package and will also 
be available on the Restoration Center's home page. Electronic 
submission of forms and progress report narratives will be encouraged 
but not required.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Not-for profit institutions; State, Local and 
Tribal Governments; and business or other for-profits organizations 
(limited to those organizations that have received NOAA CRP funds for 
habitat restoration).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Five hours (average) per report. Two 
semiannual reports and one final report are required for each grant 
covering an 18-month award period, however information collected and 
submitted for a single report need not be collected again for 
subsequent reports. Preparation time for producing one comprehensive 
report (Progress Report Narrative and completed Project Data Form) 
encompassing 18 months of work is 15 hours total.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 750.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,205.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 21, 2002.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-21811 Filed 8-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S