[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 245 (Monday, December 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 71120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31394]


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

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, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

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 information collection. In accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice 
seeks comments concerning State Administrative Plans for the Hazard 
Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The development of the State Administrative 
Plan is required as a condition of receiving HMGP funding under section 
404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act of 1988. Section 404 mandates that FEMA must approve the plan 
before awarding any project grant assistance to a community or State 
applicant. The regulations for the State Administrative Plan are 
codified in 44 CFR 206.437, implementing the provisions to the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93-
288 as amended.

Collection of Information

    Title: State Administrative Plan for the Hazard Mitigation Grant 
Program.
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0026.
    Abstract: The State Administrative Plan is a procedural guide that 
details how the State will administer the HMGP funding. The 
Administrative Plan may take any form including a chapter within a 
comprehensive State mitigation program strategy. The State may forward 
an Administrative Plan to the Regional Director for approval at any 
time or prior to or immediately after the request for a disaster 
declaration. Independent of the frequency of disaster declarations, 
each State should review and update the plan at least annually.
    Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government, and Federal 
government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 383.
    Estimated Cost: The estimated annual wage rates cost to States and 
territories for the burden hours associated with State Administrative 
Plan updates is $9,141 ($23.88 per hour x 383 total annual burden 
hours).
    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 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 via mail, 
email or facsimile 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, U.S. Department of 
Homeland Security, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472, 
or e-mail address: [email protected], or facsimile number 
(202) 646-3347.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Kathleen Wissmann, Program 
Specialist, Mitigation Division, (202) 646-4372 for additional 
information. You may contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the proposed 
information collection at the above e-mail address or facsimile number.

    Dated: December 12, 2003.
Edward W. Kernan,
Division Director, Information Resources Management Division, 
Information Technology Services Directorate.
[FR Doc. 03-31394 Filed 12-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-01-P