[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 179 (Monday, September 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53265-53267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21427]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. Geological Survey


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of new information collection.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we 
are notifying the public that

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we will submit to OMB a new information collection request (ICR) for 
review and approval. This notice provides the public an opportunity to 
comment on the paperwork requirements for the National Geological and 
Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP) under Section 351 of the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005. To submit a proposal to the NGGDPP, a 
project narrative must be completed and submitted via Grants.gov. 
Furthermore, a final technical report for all projects is required at 
the end of the project period. Narrative and report guidance is 
available through http://datapreservation.usgs.gov/ and at http://www.Grants.gov.

DATES: Submit written comments by November 14, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Please submit comments on this information collection 
directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Desk Officer for the 
Department of Interior via e-mail [[email protected]]; or fax 
(202) 395-6566; and identify your submission as 1028-NEW. Please also 
submit a copy of your comments to Phadrea Ponds, U.S.G.S. Information 
Collections Clearance Officer, 2150-C Center Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 
80525 (mail); (970) 226-9230 (fax); or [email protected] (e-mail). Please 
reference ``Information Collection 1028-NEW, NGGDPP'' in the subject 
line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara L. Dickinson at (703) 648-6603 
or Frances W. Pierce at (703) 648-6636.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation 
Program (NGGDPP).
    OMB Control Number: 1028-NEW.
    Abstract: Section 351 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 directs the 
Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the U.S. Geological 
Survey, as follows, ``The Secretary shall carry out a National 
Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program in accordance with 
this section--
    (1) To archive geologic, geophysical, and engineering data, maps, 
well logs, and samples;
    (2) To provide a national catalog of such archival material; and
    (3) To provide technical and financial assistance related to the 
archival material.''
    The Plan outlines program goals and recommends implementation 
strategies. An action item in the plan is to ``begin interactions with 
State geological surveys and other DOI agencies that maintain 
geological and geophysical data and samples to address their 
preservation and data rescue needs.'' In response, the USGS is 
requesting each state that elects to participate in the program to:
    (1) Inventory their current collections and data preservation needs 
to provide a snapshot of the diversity of scientific collections held, 
supported, or used by state geological surveys. This inventory of 
current collections will form the foundation of the National Catalog;
    (2) Build the National Catalog by providing site-specific metadata 
for items in inventoried collections. Focus on site-specific sample 
data allows broad national coverage with content useful to a wide 
variety of users. The types of sites cataloged will be determined by 
the holdings of participating States; and
    (3) In FY 2010 and beyond, depending on appropriations, states 
would be invited to propose projects that address other priorities 
identified in the Implementation Plan for the National Geological and 
Geophysical Data Preservation Program, including: (a) Digital 
infrastructure; (b) Outreach; and (c) Special data rescue needs.
    Furthermore, annual data preservation priorities are provided in 
the Program Announcement as guidance for applicants to consider when 
submitting proposals. Annual priorities are determined by the USGS 
NGGDPP Catalog and Financial and Technical Assistance Committees 
comprising representatives from state geological surveys, industry, 
academia, and DOI. Since its inception in 2007, NGGDPP has awarded, and 
35 states have matched, over $610,000 in grant funds. This notice 
concerns the collection of information that is sufficient and relevant 
to evaluate and select proposals for funding. We will protect 
information from respondents considered proprietary under the Freedom 
of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and implementing regulations (43 CFR 
Part 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR 250.197, ``Data and 
information to be made available to the public or for limited 
inspection.'' Responses are voluntary. No questions of a ``sensitive'' 
nature are asked. We intend to release the project abstracts and 
primary investigators for awarded/funded projects only.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Estimated Annual Number and Description of Respondents: 
Approximately 49 State Geological Surveys will have the opportunity to 
apply for matching Federal funds.
    Respondent Obligation: Voluntary (necessary to receive benefits).
    Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 34.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,224 hours.
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: We 
estimate the public reporting burden averages 36 hours per response. 
This includes time (1) to write and review the proposal and submit it 
through Grants.gov, and (2) prepare and submit the final technical 
report.
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'': We 
have not identified any ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with this 
collection of information.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection 
of information, you are not obligated to respond.
    Comments: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 
3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) requires each agency `` * * * 
to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the 
public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of 
information * * * '' Agencies must specifically solicit comments. We 
invite comments concerning this information collection on:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, 
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection 
of information;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents.
    Please note that the comments submitted in response to this notice 
are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone 
number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including 
your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask OMB in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that it will be done.
    USGS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Phadrea D. Ponds, 
970-226-9445.


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    Dated: September 8, 2008.
Victor Labson,
Acting Associate Director for Geology.
[FR Doc. E8-21427 Filed 9-12-08; 8:45 am]
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