[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8213-8217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3808]


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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, U.S. 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 revised information collection. In accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
this notice seeks comments concerning the standardization and 
consistent use of FEMA grant administrative forms for disaster and non-
disaster federal assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection is in accordance 
with the requirements in 44 CFR, part 13, Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local 
Government (subpart B, 13.10, and subpart C, 13.32, 13.33, 13.40, 
13.41, and subpart D, 13.50). This is FEMA's implementation of the 
Common Rule for grant programs.
    The Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) has determined that in order 
to have consistent implementation of FEMA grant administrative 
policies, it is necessary to standardize the particular forms that FEMA 
uses in the various grant programs throughout the agency.

Collection of Information

    Title: FEMA Grant Administrative Forms.
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0025.
    Form Numbers: SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance; FF 20-10, 
Financial Status Report; FF 20-15, Budget Information-Construction 
Programs; FF 20-16, A,B,C Summary Sheet for Assurances and 
Certifications, FF 20-17, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement 
for Construction Programs; FF 20-18, Report of Government Property; FF 
20-19, Reconciliation of Grants and Cooperative Agreements; FF 20-20, 
Budget Information-Non-construction Programs; and FF 76-10A, Obligating 
Document for Award/Amendment.
    Abstract: The collection of information focuses on the 
standardization and consistent use of standard and FEMA forms 
associated with grantees requests for disaster and non-disaster Federal 
assistance submission of financial and

[[Page 8214]]

administrative reporting, and record keeping. The use of the forms will 
minimize burden on the respondents and enable FEMA to continue to 
improve in its grants administration practices. The following FEMA 
grants are included in this collection:
     Individual and Family Grants (IFG)--To provide 
funds for the necessary expenses and serious needs of disaster victims 
which cannot be met through other forms of disaster assistance or 
through other means such as insurance.
     Public Assistance Grants (PA)--To provide 
supplemental assistance to States, local governments, and political 
subdivisions to the State, Indian Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages, and 
certain nonprofit organizations in alleviating suffering and hardship 
resulting from major disasters or emergencies declared by the 
President.
     Crisis Counseling (SCC)--To provide immediate 
crisis counseling services, when required, to victims of a major 
Federally-declared disaster for the purpose of relieving mental health 
problems caused or aggravated by a major disaster or its aftermath.
     Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP)--To provide 
States and local governments financial assistance to implement measures 
that will permanently reduce or eliminate future damages and losses 
from natural hazards through safer building practices and improving 
existing structures and supporting infrastructure.
     Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)--To assist 
States and communities in implement measures to reduce or eliminate the 
long-term risk of flood damage to buildings, manufactured homes, and 
other structures insurable under the National Flood Insurance Program 
(NFIP).
     Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM)--To provide States 
and communities with a much needed source of pre-disaster mitigation 
funding for cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that are part 
of a comprehensive mitigation program, and that reduce injuries, loss 
of life, and damage and destruction of property.
     National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response 
System--To develop an immediately deployable, national response 
capability to locate and extricate, and medically stabilize victims of 
structural collapse during a disaster, while simultaneously enhancing 
the US&R response capabilities of State and local governments.
     Community Assistance Program-State Support 
Services Element (CAP-SSSE)--To ensure that communities participating 
in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are achieving flood loss 
reduction measures consistent with program direction. The CAP-SSSE is 
intended to identify, prevent and resolve floodplain management issues 
in participating communities before they develop into problems 
requiring enforcement action.
     Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness 
Program (CSEPP)--To enhance emergency preparedness capabilities of the 
States and local communities at each of the eight chemical agent 
stockpile storage facilities. The purpose of the program is to assist 
States and local communities in efforts to improve their capacity to 
plan for and respond to accidents associated with the storage and 
ultimate disposal of chemical warfare materials.
     National Dam Safety Program (NDSP)--To encourage 
the establishment and maintenance of effective State programs intended 
to ensure dam safety, to protect human life and property, and to 
improve State dam safety programs.
     Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG)--
To encourage the development of comprehensive emergency management, 
including for terrorism consequence management, at the State and local 
level and to improve emergency planning, preparedness, mitigation, 
response, and recovery capabilities.
     Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)--The 
purpose of the CERT program is to assist State and local efforts to 
start or expand CERT training and activities that contribute to the 
strengthening of homeland security by enhancing individual, community, 
family, and workplace preparedness.
     Interoperable Communications Equipment (ICE)--To 
provide funding to jurisdictions across the nation for demonstration 
projects on uses of equipment and technologies to increase 
communications interoperability among the fire service, law 
enforcement, and emergency medical service communities. These projects 
will illustrate and encourage the acceptance of new technologies and 
operating methods to assist communities in achieving interoperability.
     Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP)--To 
increase local involvement in, and ownership of, the development and 
maintenance of flood hazard maps produced for the National Flood 
Insurance Program (NFIP).
    Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,480,148.5 for disaster 
grants and 15,426.7 for non-disaster grants for a total of 2,495,575.2 
burden hours. A breakdown of the burden is as charted below:

                                                Disaster Programs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Total burden
      Disaster program data          Number of       Number of                                      hours x 50
           collections              respondents      responses      Hour burden  per response       disasters
                                                                                                     annually
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IFG:
  SF 424........................              56               1  45 minutes...................          2,100
  FF 20-20......................              56               1  9.7 hours....................         27,300
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              56               1  1.7 hours....................          4,900
  FF 20-10......................              56               1  1 hour.......................          2,800
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              56               4  .............................         37,100
                                 =================
PA:
  SF 424........................              56               1  45 minutes...................          2,100
  FF 20-20......................              56               1  9.7 hours....................         27,300
  FF 20-16,A,B,C,...............              56               1  1.7 hours....................          4,900
  FF 20-10......................              56               1  1 hour.......................          2,800
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              56               4  .............................         37,100
                                 =================

[[Page 8215]]

 
SCC:
  SF 424........................              17               1  45 minutes...................            637.5
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              17               1  1.7 hours....................          1,487.5
  FF 20-10 (SF 269).............              17               1  1 hour.......................            850
  SF LLL........................              17               1  10 minutes...................            141.5
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              17               4  .............................          3,116.5
                                 =================
HMGP:
  SF 424........................              52               1  45 minutes...................          1,950
  FF 20-20......................              52              15  9.7 hours....................        380,250
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              52               1  1.7 hours....................          4,550
  FF 20-10......................              52               4  1 hour.......................         10,400
  FF 20-17......................              52              15  17.2 hours...................        672,750
  FF 20-18......................              52               6  4.2 hours....................         66,300
  FF 20-19......................              52               6  5 minutes....................          1,300
  SF LLL........................              52               1  10 minutes...................            433
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              52              49  .............................      1,137,933
                                 =================
FMA:
  SF 424........................              56               3  45 minutes...................          6,300
  FF 20-20......................              56               3  9.7 hours....................         81,900
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              56               1  1.7 hours....................          4,900
  FF 76-10A.....................              56               3  1.2 hours....................         10,500
  FF 20-10......................              56               4  1 hour.......................         11,200
  FF 20-18......................              56               1  4.2 hours....................         11,900
  FF 20-19......................              56               1  5 minutes....................            233
  SF LLL........................              56               1  10 minutes...................            466.5
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              56              17  .............................        127,399.5
                                 =================
PDM:
  SF 424........................              56               2  45 minutes...................          4,200
  FF 20-15......................              56               1  17.2 hours...................         48,300
  FF 20-20......................              56               2  9.7 hours....................         54,600
  FF 76-10A.....................              56               2  1.2 hours....................          7,000
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              56               2  1.7 hours....................          9,800
  FF 20-10......................              56               8  1 hour.......................         22,400
  FF 20-17......................              56              20  17.2 hours...................        966,000
  FF 20-18......................              56               2  4.2 hours....................         23,800
  FF 20-19......................              56               2  5 minutes....................            466.5
  SF LLL........................              56               2  10 minutes...................            933
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              56              43  .............................      1,137,499.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                              Non-Disaster Programs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Non-disaster program data        Number of       Number of                                     Total burden
           collection               respondents      responses      Hour burden  per response         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US&R:
  SF 424........................              28               1  45 minutes...................             21
  FF 20-20......................              28               1  9.7 hours....................          7,644
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              28               1  1.7 hours....................             49
  FF 76-10A.....................              28               1  1.2 hours....................             35
  FF 20-10 (SF 270).............              28               1  1 hour.......................             28
  SF LLL........................              28               1  10 minutes...................              4.7
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              28               6  .............................          7,781.7
                                 =================
CAP-SSSE:
  SF 424........................              56               1  45 minutes...................             42
  FF 20-20......................              56               1  9.7 hours....................            546
  FF 20-15......................              56               1  17.2 hours...................            966
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              56               1  1.7 hours....................             98
  FF 76-10A.....................              56               1  1.2 hours....................             70
  FF 20-10......................              56               1  1 hour.......................             56
  FF 20-18......................              56               1  4.2 hours....................            238
  FF 20-19......................              56               1  5 minutes....................              4.7

[[Page 8216]]

 
  SF LLL........................              56               1  10 minutes...................              9.5
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              56               9  .............................          2,030.2
                                 =================
CSEPP:
  SF 424........................              10               1  45 minutes...................              7.5
  FF 20-20......................              10               1  9.7 hours....................             97.5
  FF 20-10......................              10               1  1 hour.......................             10
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              10               1  1.7 hour.....................             17.5
  FF 76-10A.....................              10               1  1.2 hour.....................             12.5
  FF 20-10......................              10               1  1 hour.......................             10
  FF 20-18......................              10               1  4.2 hours....................             42.5
  FF 20-19......................              10               1  5 minutes....................          \*\50
  SF LLL........................              10               1  10 minutes...................              1.7
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              10               9  .............................            200
                                 =================
NDSP:
  SF 424........................              51               1  45 minutes...................             38.2
  FF 20-20......................              51               1  9.7 hours....................            497.2
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              51               1  1.7 hours....................             89.2
  FF 76-10A.....................              51               1  1.2 hours....................             63.7
  FF 20-10 (SF 270).............              51               1  1 hour.......................             51
  SF LLL........................              51               1  10 minutes...................              8.5
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              51               6  .............................            748
                                 =================
EMPG:
  SF 424........................              56               1  45 minutes...................             42
  FF 20-20......................              56               1  9.7 hours....................            546
  FF 20-15......................              56               1  17.2 hours...................            966
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              56               1  1.7 hours....................             98
  FF 76-10A.....................              56               1  1.2 hours....................             70
  FF 20-10......................              56               2  1 hour.......................            112
  FF 20-17......................              56               1  17.2 hours...................            966
  FF 20-18......................              56               1  4.2 hours....................            238
  FF 20-19......................              56               1  5 minutes....................              4.7
  SF LLL........................              56               1  10 minutes...................              9.5
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              56              11  .............................          3,052.2
                                 =================
CERT:
  SF 424........................              56               1  45 minutes...................             42
  FF 20-20......................              56               1  9.7 hours....................            546
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              56               1  1.7 hours....................             98
  FF 20-10......................              56               1  1 hour.......................             56
  SF LLL........................              56               1  10 minutes...................              9.5
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              56               5  .............................            751.5
                                 =================
ICE:
  SF 424........................              17               1  45 minutes...................             12.7
  FF 20-20......................              17               1  9.7 hours....................            165.7
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              17               1  1.7 hours....................             29.7
  FF 76-10A.....................              17               1  1.2 hours....................             21.2
  FF 20-10......................              17               1  1 hour.......................             17
  SF LLL........................              17               1  10 minutes...................              3
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              17               6  .............................            249.5
                                 =================
CTP:
  SF 424........................              20               1  45 minutes...................             15
  FF 20-20......................              20               1  9.7 hours....................            195
  FF 20-15......................              20               1  17.2 hours...................            345
  FF 20-16,A,B,C................              20               1  1.7 hours....................             35
  FF 20-10......................              20               1  1 hour.......................             20
  SF LLL........................              20               1  10 minutes...................              3.5
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................              20               6  .............................            613.5
                                 =================
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Minutes.


[[Page 8217]]

    Estimated Cost: See Table below.

                                                Disaster Programs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Average
                   FEMA forms                       Number of       Hours per      hourly wage      Estimated
                                                   respondents      response          rate         annual cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SF 424.........................................              56           2,100           21.62       $45,402.00
FF 20-20.......................................              56          27,300           21.62       590,226.00
FF 20-15.......................................              56          48,300           21.62     1,044,246.00
FF 20-16,A,B,C.................................              56           4,900           21.62       105,938.00
FF 76-10A......................................              56              70           21.62         1,513.40
FF 20-10.......................................              56           2,800           21.62        60,536.00
FF 20-17.......................................              56          48,300           21.62     1,044,246.00
FF 20-18.......................................              56          11,900           21.62       257,278.00
FF 20-19.......................................              56           233.2           21.62         5,042.86
SF LLL.........................................              56           466.5           21.62        10,085.73
                                                -----------------
    Total......................................              56       146,369.7  ..............     3,164,513.99
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                              Non-Disaster Programs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Average
                   FEMA forms                        Number of       Hours per      hourly wage      Estimated
                                                    respondents      response          rate         annual cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SF 424..........................................              56              42           21.62         $908.04
FF 20-20........................................              56             546           21.62       11,804.52
FF 20-15........................................              56             966           21.62       20,884.92
FF 20-16,A,B,C..................................              56              98           21.62        2,118.76
FF 76-10A.......................................              56              70           21.62        1,513.40
FF 20-10........................................              56              56           21.62        1,210.72
FF 20-17........................................              56             966           21.62       20,884.92
FF 20-18........................................              56             238           21.62        5,145.56
FF 20-19........................................              56             4.7           21.62          102.69
SF LLL..........................................              56             9.5           21.62          205.39
                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................              56         2,996.2  ..............      64,778.92
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate annual salary of State and local person completing form is $40,000. Approximate hourly rate of pay
  ($40,000 divided by 1850 hours) is $21.62. The total cost to respondents is estimated to be $3,229,292.91
  (149,366 hours x $21.62).

    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 must be received on or before April 
23, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments on the 
proposed information collection to Muriel B. Anderson, Chief, Records 
Management Branch, FEMA at 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 
20472, facsimile number (202) 646-3347, or email address 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Arlene Ramsey, Grants 
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 202-646-4531, for 
additional information. You may contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the 
proposed information collection (see ADDRESSES information above).

    Dated: February 12, 2004.
Edward W. Kernan,
Division Director, Information Resources Management Division, 
Information Technology Services Directorate.
[FR Doc. 04-3808 Filed 2-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-07-P