[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53884-53885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21748]


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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, DHS.

ACTION: Notice; 60-day notice and request for comments; Revision of a 
currently approved collection, OMB Number 1660-0008, FEMA Form 81-31, 
FEMA Form 81-65.

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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 revised information collection. In accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning 
Elevation Certificate and the Floodproofing Certificate.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 
requires the elevation or floodproofing of new or substantially 
improved structures in designated Special Flood Hazard Areas. As part 
of the agreement for making flood insurance available in a community, 
the NFIP requires the community to adopt a floodplain management 
ordinance that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the NFIP. 
Title 44 CFR parts 61.7 and 61.8 require proper investigation to 
estimate the risk premium rates necessary to provide flood insurance.

Collection of Information

    Title: Post Construction Elevation Certificate/Floodproofing 
Certificate.
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0008.
    Form Numbers: FEMA Form 81-31, Elevation Certificate, FEMA Form 81-
65, Floodproofing Certificate.

[[Page 53885]]

    Abstract: The Elevation Certificate and Floodproofing Certificate 
are used in conjunction with the application for flood insurance. The 
certificates are required for proper rating of post Flood Insurance 
Rate Map (FIRM) structures, which are buildings constructed after the 
publication of the FIRM, for flood insurance in Special Flood Hazard 
Areas. In addition, the Elevation Certificate is needed for pre-FIRM 
structures being rated under post-FIRM flood insurance rules. The 
certificates provide community officials and others standardized 
documents to readily record needed building elevation information. NFIP 
policyholders/applicants provide the appropriate certificate to 
insurance agents. The certificate is then used in conjunction with the 
insurance application so that the building can be properly rated for 
flood insurance.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households, Business or other for-
profit, State, local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,245 hours.

                                                 Table A.12--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours and Costs
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                                                                            Number of      Avg. burden    Total annual
        Type of respondent            Form name/form        Number of     responses per   per response     burden  (in     Avg. hourly     Total annual
                                          number           respondents     respondent      (in hours)        hours)         wage rate    respondent cost
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Individuals or households........  Elevation                      2,190               1            3.75         8,212.5          $19.56      $160,636.50
                                    Certificate FEMA 81-
                                    31 and Instructions
                                    (including Web-
                                    based training
                                    module).
Business or other for profit       Floodproofing                     10               1            3.25            32.5           33.11         1,076.08
 (surveyors).                       Certificate FEMA 81-
                                    65.
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total........................  ....................           2,200  ..............  ..............           8,245  ..............       161,712.58
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    Estimated Cost: The estimated annualized cost to respondents based 
on wage rate categories is $161,712.58. The estimated cost to 
respondents for purchasing professional services required to complete 
the certificates is $770,000. The estimated annual cost to the Federal 
Government is $21,080.00.
    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 
November 17, 2008.
    ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to 
Office of Management, Records Management Division, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472, Mail Drop 
Room 301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mary Ann Chang, Insurance 
Examiner, Mitigation Division, (703) 605-0421 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: September 11, 2008.
John A. Sharetts-Sullivan,
Director, Records Management Division, Office of Management, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E8-21748 Filed 9-16-08; 8:45 am]
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