[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 55 (Thursday, March 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15007-15009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5631]


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MORRIS K. UDALL SCHOLARSHIP AND EXCELLENCE IN NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL 
POLICY FOUNDATION


The United States Institute for Environmental Conflict 
Resolution; Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed 
Collection; Comment Request: See List of Evaluation Related ICRs 
Planned for Submission to OMB in Section A

AGENCY: Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National 
Environmental Policy Foundation, U.S. Institute for Environmental 
Conflict Resolution.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this document announces that the U.S. Institute for 
Environmental Conflict Resolution (the U.S. Institute), part of the 
Morris K. Udall Foundation, is planning to submit seven Information 
Collection Requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). Six of the seven ICRs are for revisions to currently approved 
collections due to expire 06/30/2008 (OMB control numbers 3320-0003, 
3320-0004, 3320-2005, 3320-0006, 3320-0007, and 3320-

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0009). One ICR pertains to a new collection request. The seven ICRs are 
being consolidated under a single filing to provide a more coherent 
picture of information collection activities designed primarily to 
measure performance. The proposed collections are necessary to support 
program evaluation activities. The collection is expected neither to 
have a significant economic impact on respondents, nor to affect a 
substantial number of small entities.
    Before submitting the ICRs to OMB for review and approval, the U.S. 
Institute is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed 
information collection as described at the beginning of the section 
labeled SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Supporting statements for the proposed paperwork collections can be 
downloaded from the Institute's Web site http://www.ecr.gov/ecr.asp?link=557. Paper copies can be obtained by contacting Patricia 
Orr, Program Manager for Evaluation, U.S. Institute for Environmental 
Conflict Resolution, 130 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701, 
Fax: 520-670-5530, Phone: 520-901-8548, E-mail: [email protected].

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 19, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing this Federal Register 
Notice, by e-mail to [email protected], or by fax to 520-670-5530, or by mail 
to the attention of Patricia Orr, Program Manager for Evaluation, U.S. 
Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, 130 South Scott 
Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    To comply with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 
(Pub. L. 103-62), the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict 
Resolution, as part of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, is required to 
produce, each year, an Annual Performance Budget and an Annual 
Performance and Accountability Report, linked directly to the goals and 
objectives outlined in the Institute's five-year Strategic Plan. The 
U.S. Institute's evaluation system is key to evaluating progress 
towards achieving its performance commitments. The U.S. Institute is 
committed to evaluating all of its projects, programs and services not 
only to measure and report on performance but also to use this 
information to learn from and improve its services. The refined 
evaluation system has been carefully designed to support efficient and 
economical generation, analysis and use of this much-needed 
information, with an emphasis on performance measurement, learning and 
improvement.
    As part of the program evaluation system, the U.S. Institute 
intends to collect specific information from participants in, and users 
of, several of its programs and services. Specifically, seven programs 
and services are the subject of this Federal Notice: (1) Conflict 
assessment services; (2) ECR and collaborative problem solving 
mediation services; (3) ECR and collaborative problem solving 
facilitation services; (4) training services; (5) facilitated meeting 
services; (6) roster program services; and (7) program support and 
services. Evaluations will mainly involve administering questionnaires 
to process participants and professionals, as well as members and users 
of the National Roster. Responses by members of the public to the 
Institute's request for information (i.e., questionnaires) will be 
voluntary.
    In 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Conflict 
Prevention and Resolution Center (CPRC) was granted the approval of the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to act as a named administrator 
of the U.S. Institute's currently approved information collections for 
evaluation. The CPRC and the U.S. Institute will seek approval as part 
of this proposed collection to continue this evaluation partnership. 
The U.S. Institute will also request similar status for the Department 
of Interior, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution 
(CADR). Given that other agencies have approached the U.S. Institute 
seeking (a) evaluation services and (b) assistance in establishing 
their own internal evaluation systems, the U.S. Institute will also 
request OMB approval to continue to administer the evaluation 
questionnaires on behalf of other agencies. The burden estimates in the 
ICRs take into consideration the multi-agency usage of the evaluation 
instruments.

Key Issues

    The U.S. Institute would appreciate receiving comments that can be 
used to:
    i. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the U.S. Institute, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    ii. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    iii. Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who 
are to respond, including suggestions concerning use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., 
allowing electronic submission of responses).
    Section A. Information on Individual ICRs:
    1. Conflict Assessment Services
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for 
Conflict Assessment Services.
    OMB Number: 3320-0003.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Frequency: One time.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 455.
    Total Annual Responses: 45.
    Average Burden per Response: 6 minutes.
    Total Annual Hours: 45.50.
    Total Burden Cost: $2,047.50.
    2. ECR and Collaborative Problem Solving Mediation Services
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for 
ECR and Collaborative Problem Solving Mediation Services.
    OMB Number: 3320-0004.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Frequency: One time.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 2,250.
    Total Annual Responses: 2,250.
    Average Burden per Response: 20 minutes.
    Total Annual Hours: 761.50.
    Total Burden Cost: $34,267.50.
    3. ECR and Collaborative Problem Solving Facilitation Services
    Type of Information Collection: New Collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for 
ECR and Collaborative Problem Solving Facilitation Services.
    OMB Number: Proposed New Collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Frequency: One time.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 2,250.
    Total Annual Responses: 2,250.
    Average Burden per Response: 20 minutes.
    Total Annual Hours: 761.50.
    Total Burden Cost: $34,267.50.

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    4. Training Services
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for 
Training Services.
    OMB Number: 3320-0006.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Frequency: One time.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 1,950.
    Total Annual Responses: 1,950.
    Average Burden per Response: 6 minutes.
    Total Annual Hours: 195.
    Total Burden Cost: $8,775.
    5. Facilitated Meeting Services
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for 
Facilitated Meeting Services.
    OMB Number: 3320-0007.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit, Not-for-profit, Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Frequency: One time.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 3,150.
    Total Annual Responses: 3,150.
    Average Burden per Response: 6 minutes.
    Total Annual Hours: 315.
    Total Burden Cost: $14,175.
    6. Roster Program Services
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for 
Roster Program Services.
    OMB Number: 3320-0005.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit, 
Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Frequency: One time.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 600.
    Total Annual Responses: 600.
    Average Burden per Response: 5 minutes.
    Total Annual Hours: 50.
    Total Burden Cost: $2,250.
    7. Program Support Services
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    Title of Information Collection: Program Evaluation Instruments for 
Program Support Services.
    OMB Number: 3320-0009.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit, 
Federal and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Frequency: One time.
    Annual Number of Respondents: 60.
    Total Annual Responses: 60.
    Average Burden per Response: 6.
    Total Annual Hours: 6.
    Total Burden Cost: $270.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 5601-5609)

    Dated: March 13, 2008.
Ellen Wheeler,
Executive Director, Morris K. Udall Foundation.
[FR Doc. E8-5631 Filed 3-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-FN-P