[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8605-8606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2315]


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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 extension of a currently approved information 
collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
this notice seeks comments concerning a Governor's request for a major 
disaster or an emergency declaration by the President.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206, as amended (the Stafford 
Act), requires that all requests for a major disaster or an emergency 
declaration by the President must be made by the Governor of the 
affected State. Section 401 of the Act stipulates specific information 
the Governor must submit with a request for any major disaster or 
emergency declaration. Section 501(a) of the Act stipulates specific 
information the Governor must submit with a request for any emergency 
declaration. Section 403(c) of the Act authorizes emergency assistance, 
without a Presidential declaration, through the utilization of 
Department of Defense personnel and resources.

[[Page 8606]]

Information needed to process the request from the Governor is set 
forth in 44 CFR part 206.35 and 206.36.

Collection of Information

    Title: The Declaration Process: Requests for Damage Assessment, 
Federal Disaster Assistance, Cost Share Adjustment, and Appeals.
    Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0009.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Abstract: When a disaster occurs in a State, the Governor of the 
State or the Acting Governor in his/her absence, may request a major 
disaster declaration or an emergency declaration. The Governor should 
submit the request to the President through the appropriate Regional 
Director to ensure prompt acknowledgement and processing. The 
information obtained by joint Federal, State, and local preliminary 
damage assessments will be analyzed by FEMA regional senior level 
staff. The regional summary and the regional analysis and 
recommendation shall include a discussion of State and local resources 
and capabilities, and other assistance available to meet the disaster 
related needs. The Director of FEMA provides a recommendation to the 
President and also provides a copy of the Governor's request. In the 
event the information required by law is not contained in the request, 
the Governor's request cannot be processed and forwarded to the White 
House. In the event the Governor's request for a major disaster 
declaration or an emergency declaration is not granted, the Governor 
may appeal the decision.
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal governments, and other 
Federal agencies.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,224.

                                               Annual Burden Hours
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                                   Number of        Frequency of      Burden hours     Annual      Total annual
   Project/activity (survey,      respondents        responses             per        responses    burden hours
     form(s), focus group,      -------------------------------------  respondent       \1\)     ---------------
        worksheet, etc.)                                             ----------------------------
                                      (A)               (B)                (C)          (AxB)         (AxBxC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Governor's Request.............            58  Per Request..........            76           228          13,224
                                --------------                       ---------------
    Total......................            58  .....................            76           228         13,224
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\1\ Based on the number of disaster occurrences.

    Estimated Cost: The estimated annualized cost per respondent is $30 
per hour for gathering preliminary assessments information x 13,244 
total burden hours = $397,320.
    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 April 
18, 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 Magda Ruiz, Acting Branch 
Chief, Declarations Unit, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472, telephone number (202) 646-3629, 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: February 9, 2006.
Darcy Bingham,
Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, Information 
Technology Services Division.
 [FR Doc. E6-2315 Filed 2-16-06; 8:45 am]
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