[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7560-7561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3674]


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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 a proposed extension of a 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 requests for a 
major disaster or an emergency declaration by the President.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206, as amended (the Stafford 
Act), requires that all requests for a major disaster or an emergency 
declaration by the President must be made by the Governor of the 
affected State. Section 401 of the Act stipulates specific information 
the Government must submit with a request for any major disaster 
declaration. Section 501(a) of the Act stipulates specific information 
the Governor must submit with a request for any emergency declaration. 
Section 403(c) of the Act authorizes emergency assistance, without a 
Presidential declaration, through the utilization of Department of 
Defense personnel and resources. Information needed to process the 
request from the Governor is set forth in 44 CFR part 206.35 and 
206.36.

Collection of Information

    Title: The Declaration Process: Requests for Damage Assessment, 
Federal Disaster Assistance, Cost Share Adjustment, and Loans of the 
Non-Federal Share.
    Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
    Abstract: When a disaster occurs in a State, the Governor of the 
State or the Acting Governor in his/her absence, may request a major 
disaster declaration. The Governor should submit the request to the 
President through the appropriate Regional Director to ensure prompt 
acknowledgement and processing. The information obtained by State 
damage assessments will be analyzed by FEMA Regional senior level 
staff. The Regional analysis shall include a discussion of State and 
local resources and capabilities, and other assistance available to met 
the disaster related needs. The Director of FEMA forwards the 
Governor's request to the President, with a FEMA report and 
recommendations. In the event the information required by law is not 
contained in the request, the Governor's request cannot be processed 
and forwarded to the White House. The Governor may appeal the decision.
    Affected Public: Individual or households, not-for-profit 
institutions, State, local or tribal government, business or other for-
profit, farms, and the Federal government.
    Number of Respondents: The number of respondents for the 
information collections is 58 to include the Governors of the 50 
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna 
Islands, and Federal States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands.
    Frequency of Response: Per declaration.
    Hours per Response: 76 hours per response.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,224.
    Estimated Cost: The estimated annualized cost per respondent is 
$30.00 per hour for gathering preliminary assessments information x 
13,244 total burden hours = $97,200. The estimated annualized cost to 
the Federal government is 5 FEMA senior level staff salary @ 
approximately $110,000 = $550,000 x 13,244 total burden hours = 
$72,842,000.
    Comments: Written comments are solicited to: Evaluate whether the 
proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the 
agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; 
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of

[[Page 7561]]

information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and 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, Chief, Records Management Branch, Information Resources 
Management Division, Information Technology Services Directorate, 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, 
Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information concerning 
the collection of information contact Magdalena M. Ruiz, Chief, 
Declaration and Administrative Branch, Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472. Telephone number (202) 
646-3629. You may contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the proposed 
collection of information at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 or email 
address: [email protected].

    Dated: February 5, 2003.
Edward W. Kernan,
Division Director, Information Resources Management Division, 
Information Technology Directorate.
[FR Doc. 03-3674 Filed 2-13-03; 8:45 am]
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