[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5355-5356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1331]


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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, revised information collection. In accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments 
concerning the Flood Mitigation Assistance program requirements.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Program was created with the enactment 
of the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994. Section 553 of the 
Act authorizes a mitigation assistance program which FEMA has 
designated Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA). Section 554 establishes 
the National Flood Mitigation Fund to provide assistance under section 
553. FMA regulations implement requirements of section 553 and 554 of 
the Act.
    FMA was developed to address concerns regarding repetitively or 
substantially damaged structures, or both, and the associated claims on 
the National Flood Insurance Fund. The overall goal of FMA is to fund 
flood damage to buildings, manufactured homes, and other insurable 
structures.
    The purpose of the planning grants is to develop or update a Flood 
Mitigation Plan that FEMA must approve before approving a project 
grant. Native American tribes or authorized tribal organizations may 
submit applications to the State POC or directly to the FEMA Regional 
Director.
    The regulations outline a basic planning process with minimum 
standards for the Flood Mitigation Plans. Existing plans, such as those 
credited through the Community Rating System or those prepared in 
conformance with section 322 of the Stafford Act, as amended by section 
104 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, may meet the requirements 
of FMA with few or no modifications. The plan should summarize the 
planning process, and should be reviewed periodically by the community 
in order to remain a viable document. Flood Mitigation Plans must be 
formally adopted by the legal entity submitting the plan for FEMA 
approval.

Collection of Information

    Title: Flood Mitigation Assistance--Flood Mitigation Plan.
    Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0075.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Abstract: States and communities must have a FEMA approved flood 
mitigation plan before FEMA will award project grant assistance to a 
State or community applicant.
    FEMA and the States will use local community flood mitigation plans 
to identify the need to provide technical assistance to local 
governments lacking sufficient resources to complete FMA grant 
applications. Secondly, and more importantly, the local or State 
government that develops the plan will use it to make land use 
decisions, implement zoning changes, encourage smarter development, and 
implement projects to reduce the impacts of flooding on insurable 
structures.
    Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 250,560.

                                                                   Annual Burden Hours
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                                                                 No. of          Frequency of     Burden hours per   Annual responses     Total annual
     Project/Activity (Survey, Form(s), Focus Group,          respondents         responses          respondent    -------------------    burden hours
                     Worksheet, etc.)                     ---------------------------------------------------------                   ------------------
                                                                  (A)                (B)                (C)               (AxB)             (AxBxC)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Flood Mitigation Plans...............................                120                  1               2080                120            249,600
Local Mitigation Plan Review by States...................                 56               2.14                  8                120                960
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    Estimated Cost: $6,592,234.
    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

[[Page 5356]]

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, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Cecelia Rozenberg, Section 
Chief, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Section at (202) 646-3321. 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: January 26, 2006.
George Trotter,
Acting, Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, 
Information Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. E6-1331 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-13-P