[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 62 (Friday, April 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16831-16832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6438]


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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 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 collection of information 
from States and local communities seeking flood insurance premium 
discounts through the Community Rating System Program (CRS).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(Public Law 90-488 as amended) created the National Flood Insurance 
Program (NFIP) whose central element is the promotion and 
implementation of sound local floodplain management in an effort to 
reduce loss of property and life. Participation in the NFIP is 
contingent on communities' adoption of minimum floodplain management 
standards. The Community Rating System was designed by FEMA to 
encourage States and communities to undertake activities that will 
mitigate flooding and flood damage beyond the minimum standards for 
NFIP participation. Under this system, communities apply for activity 
points, leading up to a CRS rating and commensurate flood insurance 
premium discounts. This information collection consists of the NFIP/CRS 
Coordinator's Manual, which describes the floodplain management and 
insurance benefits available to qualifying communities that undertake 
additional activities and contains the application worksheets and 
required documentation. The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 
codified the CRS.

Collection of Information

    Title: Community Rating System (CRS) Program Application Worksheets 
and Commentary.
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0022.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Abstract: The Community Rating System (CRS), designed by the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the National Flood 
Insurance Program (NFIP), provides flood insurance premiums discounts 
to communities that undertake activities that will mitigate flooding 
and flood damage beyond the minimum standards required by the NFIP. 
Communities select approved activities they want to get credit for 
either as a first time or continuing participant.
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal governments.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,280 hours.

                                                              Table 1.--Annual Burden Hours
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                                                                                                                                          Total annual
  Project/activity (survey, form(s), focus group, etc.)        Number of         Frequency of     Burden hours per   Annual respnses    burden hours  (A
                                                            respondents  (A)    responses  (B)    respondent  (C)        (A x B)            x B x C)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application (first time).................................                240                  1                 31                240              7,440
Maintenance (continuing).................................                960                  1                  4                960              3,840
                                                          --------------------
    TOTAL................................................              1,200                  1  .................              1,200             11,280
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    Estimated Cost: $308,346.00

                                      Table 2.--Annual Cost to Respondents
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                                                                                                    Annualized
                                                                    Median hour    Average cost      cost all
                     Program                       Burden hours      rate ($)      per hour per     respondents
                                                                                  respondent ($)        ($)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application.....................................           7,440           27.38          849.00      203,707.00
Maintenance.....................................           3,840           27.38          110.00      105,139.00
                                                 -----------------
    Grand Total.................................          11,280  ..............  ..............      308,346.00
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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

[[Page 16832]]

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 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: Bret Gates, CRS Program Manager, 
Mitigation Division at 202-646-4133 for additional information. You may 
contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the proposed collection of 
information at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 or e-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: March 18, 2005.
George S. Trotter,
Acting Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, 
Information Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. 05-6438 Filed 3-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-11-P