[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 218 (Friday, November 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65407-65408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25234]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Intent: To Request Comments on a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) to request comments on a newly approved 
information collection, 0578-0030, Emergency Watershed Protection 
Program.
    Public Participation: The NRCS invites full public participation to 
promote open communication and better decision making. All persons and 
organizations that have an interest in the Emergency Watershed Program 
are urged to provide comments.
    Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the 
scoping process. The NRCS is soliciting comment from the public 
indicating what issues and impacts the public believes should be 
encompassed within the scope of the EWP. 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 will have practical utility;
    (b) The accuracy of the Agency's estimate of burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions 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, such as through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technologic collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Date Scoping Comments are Due: Comments on this notice must be 
received by January 11, 2005 to ensure consideration. Comments may be 
sent to Phyllis I. Williams, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 
Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, MD 20705-5000; (301) 504-
2170; [email protected].

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 
104-13), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995).

Government Paperwork Elimination Act

    NRCS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act (GPEA) and the Freedom to E-File Act, which require 
government agencies in general, and NRCS in particular, to provide the 
option of submitting information or transacting business electronically 
to the maximum extent possible.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis I. Williams.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
    OMB Number: 0578-0030.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2005.
    Type of Request: To request comments on a currently approved 
collection for which approval will expire.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) is to work in partnership with the American 
people and the farming and ranching community to conserve and sustain 
our natural resources. The purpose of Emergency Watershed Protection 
Program (EWP) information collection is to provide EWP assistance to 
sponsors to undertake emergency measures to retard runoff and prevent 
soil erosion to safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and 
the products of erosion on any watershed whenever fire, flood, or other 
natural disaster is causing or has caused a sudden impairment of that 
watershed.
    The sponsor's request is submitted formally as a letter (now the 
Appendix to the NRCS-PDM-20A) to the NRCS State Conservationist for 
consideration. The NRCS-PDM-20, Damage Survey Report (DSR), is the 
Agency decision-making document that includes the economic, social, and 
environmental evaluation and the engineer's cost estimate.
    This information collection allows the responsible Federal official 
to make EWP eligibility determinations and provide Federal cost-share 
payments to the sponsor. This request is necessary to implement the EWP 
Program for which NRCS has statutory authority.
    The table below lists the forms in this collection, the uses for 
each document, and the applicable programs. These forms constitute this 
information collection and reflect the documents used by EWP sponsors 
to request participation in the recovery program.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Form number                         Form title             OMB number             Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NRCS-PDM-20...........................  Damage Survey Report.........       0578-0030  EWP Recovery.
NRCS-PDM-20A..........................  Appendix to the DSR, Request        0578-0030  EWP Recovery.
                                         for Participation in the
                                         Program.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NRCS will ask OMB for 3-year approval within 60 days of submitting 
the request.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.5 hours, or 117 minutes, per 
response.

[[Page 65408]]

    Respondents: State government, State agency or a legal subdivision 
thereof, local unit of government, or any Native American Tribe or 
Tribal organization as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b), with a 
legal interest in or responsibility for the values threatened by a 
watershed emergency. All of the foregoing entities must be capable of 
obtaining necessary land rights and capable of carrying out any 
operation and maintenance responsibilities that may be required.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 360.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,770 hours.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval.
    All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on November 4, 2004.
Bruce I. Knight,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 04-25234 Filed 11-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P