[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 19514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9788]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 041503B]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NOAA Coastal 
Ocean Program Grants Proposal Application Package

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 20, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the 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 Leslie McDonald, 301-713-3338, ext. 155, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Ocean 
Program (COP) provides direct financial assistance through grants and 
cooperative agreements for research supporting the management of 
coastal ecosystems. In addition to standard government application 
requirements, applicants for financial assistance are required to 
submit a summary proposal budget form and a project summary form. 
Applicants are also requested to submit 20 copies of applications to 
expedite the review process. Recipients are required to file annual 
progress reports and a project final report using COP formats. All of 
these requirements are needed for better evaluation of proposals and 
monitoring of awards.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper forms and documents are submitted to the COP. The option of 
electronic submission is being explored. NOAA COP will participate in 
the government-wide E-Grants electronic application process once it has 
been completed. NOAA COP is also participating in the NOAA-wide Grants 
Online effort, which will allow COP staff the ability to accept 
electronic proposals, conduct the peer-review process electronically, 
and process awards for recipients. However, both of these electronic 
options are not yet available. It is anticipated that the E-grants 
electronic option to receive proposals will be made available 
throughout NOAA in late 2004.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0384.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions (universities, 
colleges, junior colleges, technical schools, laboratories); State, 
Local, or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for a budget form; 30 
minutes for a project summary; 5 hours for an annual report; 10 hours 
for a final report; and 10 minutes to provide the extra copies 
required.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,100.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

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: April 14, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-9788 Filed 4-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JS-S