[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35688-35689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15147]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Submission of Paperwork Reduction Act Request to Office of 
Management and Budget

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Information Collection Request 
for Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for a Certificate of Degree of 
Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) has been submitted to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 25). The BIA is soliciting 
public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent directly to the Desk Officer 
for the Department of the Interior, by facsimile at (202) 395-5806 or 
you may send an e-mail to: [email protected].
    Send a copy of your comments to Duane Bird Bear, Chief, Division of 
Tribal Government Services, Office of Tribal Services, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, 1849 C Street, NW., MS-320-SIB, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the information collection 
may be obtained by contacting Carolyn Newman, 202-513-7641.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: No comments on the workload burden or the 
form itself (OMB Control No. 1076-0153) were received during or before 
the close of the public comment period on April 21, 2003, as requested 
in the Notice published in the Federal Register (68 FR 7800) on 
February 18, 2003. Comments were received but they concerned 
substantive requirements for descendants of members of federally 
recognized Indian tribes but who were not themselves enrolled members 
of the tribe. This issue will be addressed during rule revision.

Abstract

    The purpose of this collection is to assist in determining the 
eligibility of individuals for various programs and services available 
to American Indians and Alaska Natives. This part specifies the 
requirements for the documentation of degree of Indian blood and 
uniform standards by which we may issue, amend, or invalidate a 
Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood. Disclosure of 
information may be given to the Department of the Interior and the 
Department of Justice when required for litigation or anticipated 
litigation. Notification of inquiries or access must be addressed to 
the appropriate Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    We have adjusted the estimated number of respondents and the burden 
based on historical trend and for these reasons: (1) The number of 
federally recognized tribes has remained stable, (2) the number of 
requests for the CDIB form, usually issued once, has decreased and (3) 
the BIA field offices and agencies have reduced the number of CDIB 
forms, processed pending the issuance of a final rule.
    Submission of this information is voluntary. However, not providing 
information may result in a determination that an individual is not 
eligible to receive program services based upon his/her status as an 
American Indian or Alaska Native. The information to be collected 
includes: certificates of birth and death, probate determinations, 
court orders, affidavits, Federal or tribal census records and Social 
Security records.

Request for Comments

    The Department of the Interior invites comments on:
    (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information will have practical utility;
    (b) The accuracy of the agencies' estimate of the burden (including 
the hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information, 
including the validity of the methodology and assumption used;
    (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 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    The Office of Management and Budget has up to 60 days to approve or 
disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days; 
therefore, comments submitted in response to this notice should be

[[Page 35689]]

submitted to OMB within 30 days in order to assure their maximum 
consideration. Please note: comments, names, addresses of commentators 
are available for public review during regular business hours. If you 
wish us to withhold any information, you must state this prominently at 
the beginning of your comment. We will honor your request to the extent 
allowable by law. Please note that an agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information unless a currently valid OMB control number is displayed. 
You may request copies of the information collection forms and our 
submission to OMB from the person listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section.
    Title: Request for Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native 
Blood, 25 CFR part 70.
    OMB Control number: 1076-0153.
    Description of respondents: Individual Indians who may be eligible 
to receive program services based upon their status and/or degree of 
Indian or Alaska Native blood.
    Frequency: All information and documentation is to be collected 
once from each requester.
    Estimated completion time: The reporting and record keeping burden 
for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.5 hours 
for each response for an estimated 154,200 requests per year or 231,300 
hours, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching 
existing data sources and gathering needed data. In addition, 2,400 
appeals are expected annually at 2.5 hours per appeal, which adds 6000 
hours of burden. Thus, the estimated total annual reporting and record 
keeping burden for this entire collection is estimated to be 237,300 
hours.
    Total annual burden: 237,300 hours.
    Estimated non-hour cost: There are no costs to consider, except 
postage and the cost of duplicating the original application form, 
because verification of the information is already available for other 
reasons.

    Dated: June 6, 2003.
Aurene M. Martin,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 03-15147 Filed 6-13-03; 8:45 am]
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