[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53457-53458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19792]


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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.

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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 new information collection. In accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this 
notice seeks comments concerning an evaluation of the National Flood 
Insurance Program (NFIP) aimed at documenting program's impact on land 
use, state floodplain development and management capacity, program 
participation of low-income populations, flood insurance purchase 
decisions, and NFIP communication strategies.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), 
created by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Pub. L. 90-488, as 
amended) is a federal program that enables property owners in 
participating communities to purchase insurance as a protection against 
flood loses in exchange for State and community floodplain management 
regulations that reduce future flood damages. The Act authorizes 
studies of flood hazards to provide a basis for appraising NFIP's 
effect on land-use requirements. This information collection will 
assess NFIP's effectiveness and efficiency and will identify 
appropriate alternatives to current operations or opportunities for 
improvement. Findings will be shared and widely used by program 
officials, executive branch and congressional committees with oversight 
responsibility for the NFIP, and other stakeholders.

Collection of Information

    Title: Evaluation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's 
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
    Type of Information Collection: New.
    OMB Number: 1660-NEW10.
    Abstract: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will conduct 
a one-time only comprehensive evaluation of its impact on land-use 
requirements aimed at reducing loss of life and property due to floods. 
The study will center around six areas of inquiry translated into 52 
evaluative questions through a combination of case studies, in-depth 
interviews, and surveys applied to an across-the-board representation 
of NFIP constituencies involving communities, state agencies, mortgage 
lenders, insurance agents, land developers, and individual and business 
flood insurance policy and non-policy holders. Data findings will be 
used by NFIP officials to develop strategies aimed at improving the 
effectiveness and efficiency of the program.
    Affected Public: Individuals and Households, State and Tribal 
Governments, and Businesses and Other for-Profit Organizations.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,410.

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                                                     Number of                                     Annual burden
                   FEMA forms                       respondents    Frequency of      Hours per    hours (A x B x
                                                        (A)        response  (B)   response (C)         C)
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Case Studies....................................             276               1            2.00             552
Surveys.........................................           8,575               1             .33            2858
                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................           8,851               1  ..............           3,410
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    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 technolo-gy, 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 Section, Information Resources 
Management Branch, Information Technology Services Division, 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 Ms. Claudia Murphy, Program 
Analyst, National Flood Insurance Program at (202) 646-2775 for 
additional information. You may contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the 
proposed collection of information at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 
or email address: [email protected].


[[Page 53458]]


    Dated: August 23, 2004.
Edward W. Kernan,
Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, Information 
Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. 04-19792 Filed 8-31-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-11-P