[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3113-3114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-528]


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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, 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, this notice seeks comments 
concerning a survey of property owners in communities with high 
densities of disaster recipients to identify flood insurance purchasing 
patterns and develop strategies to improve overall compliance with 
flood insurance regulations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1994 National Flood Insurance Act 
requires flood victims in Federally declared disaster areas to purchase 
flood insurance as a condition of Federal financial assistance if their 
property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This flood 
insurance coverage must be maintained for the life of a property loan 
or if an Individual and Household Program (IHP) grant is received, 
funds to cover the insurance for three years are deducted from the 
grant. Following the three-year, grant recipients must maintain their 
insurance coverage. If these victims do not comply with these 
requirements, they will not be eligible for future Federal disaster 
assistance. Flood insurance compliance among victims of federally 
declared flood events appears to be problematic. FEMA post-disaster 
records indicate that a significant number of flood-damaged structures, 
located both in and outside SFHAs, have either (a) never had flood 
insurance, or (b) purchased flood insurance but did not maintain the 
policies.

Collection of Information

    Title: Flood Insurance Policy Acquisition and Retention Among 
Recipients of Federal Assistance Study.
    Type of Information Collection: New Collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-NW19.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Abstract: This survey will collect information on flood insurance 
purchasing patterns among property owners in communities with high 
densities of disaster recipients. Data findings will be used to develop 
strategies to improve compliance with flood insurance regulations.
    Affected Public: Individuals and Households.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 400 hours.

[[Page 3114]]



                                                                   Annual Burden Hours
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                                                                          No. of        Frequency of     Burden hours        Annual        Total annual
                                                                       respondents       responses      per respondent     responses       burden hours
  Project/Activity (survey, form(s), focus group, worksheet, etc.)  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           (A)              (B)              (C)             (AxB)           (AxBxC)
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Telephone Survey...................................................            1,200                1  .33 hr (20 min)            1,200              400
                                                                    ------------------
    Total..........................................................            1,200                1              .33            1,200              400
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    Estimated Cost: $5,592.00 for all respondents combined, based on 
the 2004 Bureau of Labor Statistics national median hourly rate of 
$13.98. Average cost to respondents is approximately $4.62 based on a 
response time of 20 minutes or .33 hours.
    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 submitted on or before March 
20, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Chief, 
Records Management Section, Information Resources Management Branch, 
Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact David C. Thomas, Acting Chief, 
Risk Management Section at (202) 646-3842 for additional information. 
You may contact the Records Management Branch for copies of the 
proposed collection of information at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 
or e-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: December 12, 2005.
Darcy Bingham,
Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, Information 
Technology Services Division.
 [FR Doc. E6-528 Filed 1-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-13-P