[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51837-51838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17339]


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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 proposed continuing information collections. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning the renewal of 
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Biennial Report forms 
(FEMA Form 81-28, FEMA Form 81-29, FEMA Form 81-29A). Under 44 CFR 
59.22(b)(2), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires 
that communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program 
(NFIP) submit an annual or biennial report describing the progress made 
during the year in the implementation and enforcement of floodplain 
management regulations. Currently, FEMA has determined that this data 
will be collected on a biennial reporting cycle and the data collection 
is now referred to as the Biennial Report.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 44 CFR 59.22(b)(2), the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that communities 
participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) submit an 
annual or biennial report describing the progress made during the year 
in the implementation and enforcement of floodplain management 
regulations. Currently, FEMA has determined that this data will be 
collected on a biennial reporting cycle and the data collection is now 
referred to as the Biennial Report. As a supplement to the Biennial 
Report, FEMA has been mandated under Section 575 of the National Flood 
Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (NFIRA) to assess the need to revise and 
update all floodplain areas and flood risk zones identified, 
delineated, or established under section 1360 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968.
    The NFIP Biennial Report enables FEMA to meet its regulatory 
requirement under 59.22(b)(2). It also enables FEMA to be more 
responsive to the on-going changes that occur in each participating 
community's flood hazard area. These changes include, but are not 
limited to, new corporate boundaries, changes in flood hazard areas, 
new floodplain management measures, and changes in rate of floodplain 
development. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the 
community's floodplain management activities. The evaluation is 
accomplished by analyzing information provided by the community, such 
as the number of variances and floodplain permits granted by each 
community in relationship to other information contained in the 
Biennial Report, as well as other data available in FEMA's Community 
Information System (CIS). The Biennial Report also provides an 
opportunity for NFIP participating communities to request technical 
assistance in implementing a floodplain management program. FEMA 
regional offices use this information as a means to know which 
communities need support and guidance. In addition, the NFIP Biennial 
Report is one of the tools used to assist FEMA in meeting its 
regulatory requirement under Section 575 of the NFIRA. A ``yes'' answer 
to Items A-D in Section I of the report will provide the basis for FEMA 
to follow-up by contacting the community for clarification and/or 
elaboration regarding changes and activities occurring in a community's 
flood hazard area. This information will be used in ranking and 
prioritizing one community's mapping needs against all other 
communities in the NFIP and for determining how the limited flood 
hazard mapping funds are allocated for map updates.

Collection of Information

    Title: The National Flood Insurance Program-Biennial Report.
    Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0003.
    Form Numbers: FEMA Form 81-28, FEMA Form 81-29, FEMA Form 81-29A.
    Abstract: The NFIP Biennial Report enables FEMA to meet its 
regulatory requirement under 59.22(b)(2). It also enables FEMA to be 
more responsive to the on-going changes that occur in each 
participating community's flood hazard area. These changes include, but 
are not limited to, new corporate boundaries, changes in flood hazard 
areas, new floodplain management measures, and changes in rate of 
floodplain development. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness 
of the community's floodplain management activities. The evaluation is 
accomplished by analyzing information provided by the community, such 
as the number of variances and floodplain permits granted by each 
community in relationship to other information contained in the 
Biennial Report, as well as other data available in FEMA's Community 
Information System (CIS). The Biennial Report also provides an 
opportunity for NFIP participating communities to request technical 
assistance in implementing a floodplain

[[Page 51838]]

management program. FEMA regional offices use this information as a 
means to know which communities need support and guidance. In addition, 
the NFIP Biennial Report is one of the tools used to assist FEMA in 
meeting its regulatory requirement under Section 575 of the NFIRA. A 
``yes'' answer to Items A-D in Section I of the report will provide the 
basis for FEMA to follow-up by contacting the community for 
clarification and/or elaboration regarding changes and activities 
occurring in a community's flood hazard area. This information will be 
used in ranking and prioritizing one community's mapping needs against 
all other communities in the NFIP and for determining how the limited 
flood hazard mapping funds are allocated for map updates.
    Affected Public: The respondents are the estimated 20,500 United 
States and United States territorial communities that are participating 
members of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP 
requires that communities participating in the NFIP submit an annual or 
biennial report describing the progress made during the year in the 
implementation and enforcement of floodplain management regulations.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,375 burden hours.

                                               Annual Burden Hours
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    Project/activity (survey,        Number of                     Burden hours       Annual       Total annual
form(s), focus group, worksheet,    respondents    Frequency of   per respondent  responses (A x   burden hours
              etc.)                     (A)        responses (B)        (C)             B)          (A x B x C)
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FF 81-28........................           5,930             0.5            0.75           2,965           2,223
FF 81-29........................          12,224             0.5            1.44           6,112           8,801
FF 81-29A.......................           2,346             0.5             0.3           1,173             351
                                 -----------------
    Total.......................          20,500             0.5  ..............          10,250          11,375
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    Estimated Cost: The estimated annual cost of the collection of the 
Biennial Report forms is estimated to be $180,520.
    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 to 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 William Lesser, Lead Program 
Specialist at (202) 646-2807 for additional information. You may 
contact the Records Management Section for copies of the proposed 
collection of information at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 or e-mail 
address: [email protected].

    Dated: August 25, 2005.
George S. Trotter,
Acting Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, 
Information Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. 05-17339 Filed 8-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-12-P