[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 126 (Monday, July 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36019-36020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12658]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Information Collection Submission to OMB for Reinstatement Under 
Paperwork Reduction Act

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces that an information collection request was submitted 
to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs for review and reinstatement. The collection 
expired during the renewal process.

DATES: Written comments must be received by August 1, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Office of Management 
and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: 
Desk Officer for Department of the Interior. You may submit comments by 
facsimile to 202-395-6566 or by e-mail to [email protected].
    Send a copy of your comments to Lynn Forcia, Chief, Division of 
Workforce Development, Office of Indian Energy and Economic 
Development, 951 Constitution Street, NW., Mail Stop 20-SIB, 
Washington, DC 20245.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
additional copies of the information collection instructions and the 
October 18, 2006 Federal Register notice should be directed to Lynn 
Forcia, Chief,

[[Page 36020]]

Division of Workforce Development, Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs, 
Department of the Interior, 1951 Constitution Avenue, NW., MS-20-SIB, 
Washington, DC 20245; Telephone 202-219-5270. (This is not a toll-free 
number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collection for A Reporting 
System for the Public Law 102-477 Demonstration Project needs renewal. 
The 60-day notice requesting comments on OMB Control Number 1076-0135, 
``Public Law 102-477 Reporting,'' was published in the Federal Register 
on October 18, 2006 (71 FR 61505). We have held meetings with both 
tribal and Federal partners regarding the existing Public Law 102-477 
tribal report forms. We have also shared the changes mandated by the 
government-wide employment and training OMB requirements with Federal 
partners and tribal representatives.
    Abstract: The information collection is needed to document 
satisfactory compliance with statutory, regulatory and OMB requirements 
of the various integrated programs. Public Law 102-477 authorizes 
tribal governments to integrate federally-funded employment, training 
and related services programs into a single, coordinated, comprehensive 
service delivery plan. Funding agencies include the Department of the 
Interior, Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human 
Services. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is statutorily required to serve 
as the lead agency. Section 11 of this Act requires that the Secretary 
of the Interior make available a single universal report format which 
shall be used by a tribal government to report on integrated activities 
and expenditures undertaken. The Bureau of Indian Affairs shares the 
information collected from these reports with the Department of Labor 
and the Department of Health and Human Services.
    Method of Collection:
    Current Forms: These forms have been developed incorporating 
comments from the Department of Health and Human Services and the 
Department of Labor which provide program funds to tribes for portions 
of Public Law 102-477. The revised forms have also incorporated many of 
the comments from tribal grantees and other interested parties.
    The revised forms include a one page financial form which is a 
slightly modified SF-269-A (short form). The financial report also now 
adds one additional financial page at the request of the Department of 
Health and Human Services, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
(TANF) report. The form is accompanied by four pages of instructions. 
The additional form and instructions are only to be completed by those 
tribes receiving TANF funds under Public Law 102-477. A portion of the 
report is optional as requested by DHHS. Secondly, the revised forms 
include a revised and expanded program statistical report.
    These report forms and narrative are limited but should satisfy the 
Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and the 
Department of the Interior. Both the existing and revised forms reduce 
the burden on tribal governments by consolidating data collection for 
employment, training, education, child care and related service 
programs. The reports are due annually. These forms have been developed 
within a partnership between tribes and representatives of all three 
Federal agencies to standardize terms and definitions, eliminate 
duplication and reduce frequency of collection.
    Action: Reinstatement.
    Collection: OMB Control  1076-0135, A Reporting System for 
Pub. L. 102-477 Demonstration Project.
    Respondents: Tribes participating in Public Law 102-477 will report 
annually. Currently there are 51 grantees representing 240 tribes 
participating in the program.
    Burden: The hourly burden for present forms is 58 hours per 
respondent without TANF; 58 hours x 21 grantees estimated equals 1,218 
annual burden hours. If a tribe does include TANF the annual burden 
hours is 60 hours with an estimated 30 grantees including TANF equals 
1,800 annual burden hours. The total estimated annual burden hours for 
the Pub. L. 102-477 initiative equals 3,018.
    Public Comments and Responses: No comments were received to our 60 
day notice published in the Federal Register October 18, 2006 (71 FR 
61505):
    One written comment was received on February 1, 2006 while meeting 
with tribes. The tribe summarized by stating, we ``can find no fault 
with the current reporting requirements and forms.''
    Request for Comments: The Department of the Interior requests your 
comments on this collection concerning:
    (a) The necessity of this information collection for the proper 
performance of functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility;
    (b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (hours and 
cost) of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Ways we could enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (d) Ways we could minimize the burden of the collection of the 
information on the respondents, such as through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    You are reminded that an agency may not request or sponsor a 
collection of information unless OMB has approved the collection; you 
are not required to answer a collection of information that is not 
approved, and you will not be harmed by your refusal.
    The Office of Management and Budget has 60 days in which to make a 
decision on this request for renewal, but may decide after 30 days. 
Therefore, your comments should arrive by the 30 day comment date to be 
sure of getting full consideration.

    Dated: June 20, 2007.
Carl J. Artman,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E7-12658 Filed 6-29-07; 8:45 am]
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