[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16813-16816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7112]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[2256-672]


Proposed Information Collection; OMB Control Number 1024-0038

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice, request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 16814]]

SUMMARY: We (National Park Service) will ask the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described 
below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3507 et seq.) and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping 
Requirements, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork 
and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal 
agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this information 
collection. This IC is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2011. We may not 
conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a 
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

DATES: To ensure we are able to consider your comments on this IC, we 
must receive them by May 24, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the IC to: John W. Renaud, Project 
Coordinator, Historic Preservation Grants, Heritage Assistance 
Programs, NPS, 1849 C St., NW., Mailstop 2256, Washington, DC 20240; 
via fax at 202/371-1961, or via e-mail to [email protected]. Please 
send a copy of your comments to Rob Gordon, Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, NPS, 1849 C Street, NW., Mailstop 2605, Washington, 
DC 20240, or via e-mail at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John W. Renaud by mail or e-mail (see 
ADDRESSES) or by telephone at 202/354-2066.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    II. This set of information collections has an impact on State, 
tribal, and local governments that wish to participate formally in the 
National Historic Preservation Partnership (NHPP) Program, and State 
and tribal governments that wish to apply for Historic Preservation 
Fund (HPF) grants. The NPS uses the information collection to ensure 
compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 470 et seq.), as well as government-wide grant requirements OBM 
has issued and the Department of the Interior implements through 43 CFR 
part 12. This information collection also produces performance data NPS 
uses to assess its progress in meeting goals set in Departmental and 
NPS strategic plans created pursuant to the 1993 Government Performance 
and Results Act, as amended. This request for OMB approval includes 
local government burden for information collections associated with 
various aspects of the Certified Local Government (CLG) program; State 
government burden for information collections related to the CLG 
program; the program-specific aspects of HPF grants to States, 
maintenance of a State inventory of historic and prehistoric 
properties, tracking State Historic Preservation Office historic 
preservation consultation with Federal agencies, reporting on other 
State historic preservation accomplishments, and the State role in the 
State program review process; and tribal government burden for 
information collections related to the program-specific aspects of HPF 
grants to Tribal Historic Preservation Officers/Offices (THPOs).
    This request includes information collections related to HPF grants 
to states and to THPOs. Section 101(b) of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 470a(b)), specifies the role 
of States in the NHPP Program. Section101(c), and section 301 of the 
Act (16 U.S.C. section 103(c), 470a(c), 16 U.S.C. 470c(c), and 16 
U.S.C. 470w), specify the role of local governments in the NHPP 
program. Section 101(d) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 470a(d)) specifies the 
role of tribes in the NHPP Program. Section108 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
470h) created the HPF to support activities that carryout the purposes 
of the Act. Section 101(e)(1) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 470a(e)) directs 
the Secretary of the Interior through the NPS to ``administer a program 
of matching grants to the states for the purposes of carrying out'' the 
Act. Similarly, sections 101(d) and 101(e) of the Act direct a program 
of grants to THPOs for carrying out their responsibilities under the 
Act. Each year Congress directs the NPS to use part of the annual 
appropriation from the HPF for the State grant program and the tribal 
grant program. The purpose of both the HPF State grants program and the 
HPF THPO grants program is to assist states and tribes in carrying out 
their statutory role in the national historic preservation program. HPF 
grants to states and THPOs are program grants; i.e., each State/THPO 
selects its own HPF-eligible activities and projects. Each HPF grant to 
a State/THPO has two years of fund availability. At the end of the 
first year, NPS employs a ``Use or Lose'' policy to ensure efficient 
and effective use of the grant funds. All 59 states, territories, and 
the District of Columbia participate in the NHPP Program. Almost 1,600 
local governments have become Certified Local Governments (CLGs) in 
order to participate in the NHPP program. Approximately 54 local 
governments become CLGs each year. Fifty-seven Federally-recognized 
tribes have formally joined the NHPP and have established THPOs and 
tribal historic preservation offices. Typically, each year five to 
seven tribes join the partnership. The NPS developed the information 
collections associated with 36 CFR part 61 in consultation with State, 
tribal, and local government partners. The obligation to respond is 
required to provide information to evaluate whether or not State 
governments meet minimum standards and requirements for participation 
in the National Historic Preservation Program; and to meet government-
wide requirements for Federal grant programs.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 1024-0038.
    Title: Procedures for State, Tribal, and Local Government Historic 
Preservation Programs; 36 CFR 61.
    Service Form Number: None.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Description of Respondents: State, tribal, and local governments 
that wish to participate formally in the National Historic Preservation 
Program and who wish to apply for Historic Preservation Fund grant 
assistance.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: Annually.
    Activities, Number of Respondents and Responses, Completion Times, 
and Annual Burden Hour Estimates: The net number of partners 
participating in this set of information collections annually is 59 
states, 57 Tribes, and 1,554 CLGs.
    Estimated average number of responses annually: 34,539 (grant and 
non-grant). This is the gross number of responses for all of the 
elements included in this set of information collections.
    Estimated average number of State HPF grant-related applicant 
responses: 118 per year.
    Estimated average gross number of State HPF grant-related grantee 
responses: 400 per year.
    Estimated average gross number of State HPF grant-related responses 
for successful Applicants/Grantees: 518 per year.
    Estimated average number of THPO HPF grant-related Applicant 
responses: 57 per year.
    Estimated average gross number of THPO HPF grant-related grantee 
responses: 171 per year.
    Estimated average gross number of THPO HPF application plus grant 
related responses: 228 per year.

[[Page 16815]]

    Estimated average number of State and local CLG program related 
responses per State/CLG: 42 per year.
    Estimated average gross number State and local CLG program related 
responses for all States/CLGs: 2,897 per year.
    Estimated average minimum number of State inventory responses per 
State: 78 per year.
    Estimated average gross minimum number of State inventory responses 
for all States: 4,602 per year.
    Estimated average minimum number of State consultation on Federal 
projects responses per State: 445 per year.
    Estimated average gross minimum number of State consultation of 
Federal projects responses for all States: 26,255 per year.
    Estimated average number of other State performance reports per 
State: 1 per year.
    Estimated average gross number of other State performance reports 
for all States: 25 per year.
    Estimated average minimum number of State Program Reviews per 
State: 1 per year.
    Estimated average gross minimum number of State Program Reviews for 
all States: 14 per year.
    Estimated average gross number of responses for all non-grant 
collections: 33,793 per year.
    The frequency of response varies depending upon the activity. In 
the CLG program, States and local governments participate once for the 
certification process, once per year for the monitoring of each CLG, 
once every four years for the evaluation of each CLG, and once a year 
on a voluntary basis for other performance reporting. Each State adds 
property records to its inventory and tracks the progress of 
consultation with Federal agencies as the information becomes 
available. Each State reports once a year on a voluntary basis for 
other performance reporting. The National Historic Preservation Act 
requires each State undergo a Program Review every four years. For the 
program-specific aspects of the HPF grants to States program, the 
estimated number of responses includes a ``Cumulative Products Table'' 
of projected performance in summary format, an ``Organization Chart'' 
showing the availability of appropriately qualified staff, and a 
(major) ``Anticipated Activities List.'' During the grant cycle, 
grantees seek NPS approval once for a sub grant (via a project 
notification) and associated final project report. Each year, every 
State submits an ``End of Year Report'' that includes the Cumulative 
Products Table (which compares actual to proposed performance), a 
``Sources of Nonfederal Matching Share Report,'' a ``Project/Activity 
Database Report,'' an ``Unexpended Carryover Funds Table and Carryover 
Statement,'' and a ``Significant Preservation Accomplishments 
Summary.'' For the program-specific aspects of the HPF grants to THPOs 
program, the estimated number of responses includes a grant application 
scope of work, a ``Grants Product Summary Table,'' an unexpended funds 
carry-over statement, and a ``THPO Annual Report'' (a narrative summary 
of important accomplishments).
    Estimated average time burden per respondent: The NPS estimates 
that the total public (State plus local) burden for the Certified Local 
Government (CLG) program averages 36 hours per CLG for the 
certification, monitoring, and evaluation of each CLG, and 45 minutes 
for reporting of other CLG accomplishments. The NPS estimates that the 
total public (State) burden averages10 minutes per Federal agency 
project tracked, 45 minutes per inventory record, 2 hours per reporting 
on other State accomplishments, and 90 hours per State Program Review. 
The NPS estimates the total public burden for collection not directly 
tied to grants is 129 hours per respondent. NPS estimates that the 
public burden for the HPF-supported State grant program collections of 
information will average11 hours per application and 19 hours per grant 
per year for all of the grant related collections. The combined total 
public burden for the HPF State grant program-related information 
collections would average 31 hours per successful applicant/grantee. 
NPS estimates that the public burden for the HPF supported THPO grant 
program collections of information will average 7 hours per application 
and 14 hours per grant per year for all of the grant-related 
collections. The combined total public burden for the HPF THPO grant 
program-related information collections would average 21 hours per 
successful applicant/grantee. These burden estimates are a one-year 
average for the two-year grants. The combined total public burden for 
the 36 CFR Part 61-related information collections would average 182 
hours per partner. These estimates of burden include time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection of 
information.
    Estimated average time burden hours per State HPF grant-related 
applicant response: 11 hours.
    Estimated average burden hours per State HPF grant-related Grantee 
response: 20 hours.
    Estimated total annual average burden hours per State HPF grant 
related respondent: 31 hours.
    Estimated total annual average burden hours for all State HPF grant 
related responses: 1,568 hours.
    Estimated average burden hours per THPO HPF grant-related Applicant 
response: 7 hours.
    Estimated average burden hours per THPO HPF grant-related Grantee 
response: 14 hours.
    Estimated average annual burden hours per THPO HPF grant-related 
Applicant/Grantee for all responses: 21 hours.
    Estimated total annual average burden hours for all THPO HPF grant 
related respondents: 1,217 hours.
    Estimated average burden hours in the CLG program per response: 50 
minutes.
    Estimated average burden hours in the State inventory program per 
response: 40 minutes.
    Estimated average burden hours in the Federal agency consultation 
tracking program per response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated average burden hours in other performance reporting per 
response: 2 hours.
    Estimated average burden hours in the State Program Review program 
per response: 90 hours.
    Estimated average annual burden hours per partner for all non grant 
related responses: 432 hours.
    Estimated annual burden on all respondents for all non grant 
related responses: 33,565 hours.
    Estimated total annual reporting burden: 36,351 hours per year.
    Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

IV. Comments

    We invite comments concerning this information collection on:
     Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, 
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
     The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this 
collection of information;
     Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request

[[Page 16816]]

to OMB to approve this IC. 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 us in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so.

    Dated: March 22, 2011.
Robert Gordon,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-7112 Filed 3-24-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P