[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16067-16068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7790]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 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 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 Mortgage Portfolio Protection 
Program (MPPP) that is a mechanism used by lending institutions, 
mortgage servicing companies, and others servicing mortgage loan 
portfolios to bring their mortgage loan portfolios into compliance with 
the flood insurance purchase requirements of the Flood Disaster 
Protection Act of 1973.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 
authorized by Public Law 90-448 (1968) and expanded by Public Law 93-
234 (1973) provides Federally backed flood insurance for existing 
buildings exposed to flood risk. In accordance with Public Law 93-234, 
the purchase of flood insurance is mandatory when Federal and Federally 
related financial assistance is being provided for acquisition or 
construction of buildings located or to be located within FEMA 
identified special flood hazard areas of communities which are 
participating in the program.

Collection of Information

    Title: Mortgage Portfolio Protection Program (MPPP).
    Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement, with change, of a 
previously approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: The Mortgage Portfolio Protection Program (MPPP) is a 
mechanism used by lending institutions, mortgage servicing companies, 
and others servicing mortgage loan portfolios to bring their mortgage 
loan portfolios into compliance with the flood insurance purchase 
requirements of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973. 
Implementation of the various requirements of the MPPP should result in 
mortgagors, following receipt of notification of the need for flood 
insurance, showing evidence of such a policy or purchasing the 
necessary coverage through their local insurance agent or appropriate 
Write Your Own (WYO) Company. It is intended that flood insurance 
policies be written under the MPPP only as a last resort, and only on 
mortgages whose mortgagors have failed to respond to the various 
notifications required by the program. The requirements of the MPPP are 
contained in FEMA regulation 44 CFR 62.23(l).
    Affected Public: Individuals and households; businesses or other 
for-profit; not-for-profit institutions; farms; small businesses or 
organizations; Federal agencies or employees; and State, local or 
tribal governments.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,093 hours.

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                                                                                    Hours  per
              Respondents                  Number of      Frequency of response      response      Annual burden
                                          respondents                                (minutes)         hours
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                                                   (A)  (B).....................             (C)     (A x B x C)
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Lenders...............................             250  As required.............              30             125
Mortgagors............................          11,936  One-time................              30           5,968
                                       -----------------
    Total.............................          12,186  ........................  ..............           6,093

    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

[[Page 16068]]

the methodology and assumptions used; (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. 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, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 500 C Street, 
SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Neil Furst, Mitigation 
Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness 
and Response Directorate at (202) 646-3428 for additional information. 
You may contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the proposed collection of 
information at telephone number (202) 646-2625, facsimile number (202) 
646-3347, or e-mail address at [email protected].

    Dated: March 26, 2003.
Vernon Adler,
Acting Division Director, Information Resources Management Division, 
Information Technology Services Directorate.
[FR Doc. 03-7790 Filed 4-1-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P