[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 178 (Thursday, September 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56713-56714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22493]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-NEW (NCA Emerging Burial Survey Needs)]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each proposed new 
collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to 
determine Veteran's satisfaction with their current burial benefits 
within the National Cemetery System and what role, if any, new 
offerings might play in the future.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before November 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at 
www.Regulations.gov; or to Mechelle Powell, National Cemetery 
Administration (41D1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420; or email: [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900--NEW (NCA Emerging Burial Survey 
Needs)]'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments 
may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mechelle Powell at (202) 461-4114 or 
Fax (202) 273-6695.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, NCA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of NCA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of NCA's estimate of the burden of the proposed 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, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Titles: NCA Emerging Burial Survey Needs.
    a. 2012 Veterans Burial Benefits Survey.
    b. Focus Group.
    c. New and Emerging Burial Practices Study: Structured Interview 
Guide.
    OMB Control Number: 2900--NEW (NCA Emerging Burial Survey Needs).
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Abstract: NCA has over the past several years made significant 
efforts to evaluate its burial program. In 2008, NCA completed the 
first comprehensive evaluation of its burial benefits program, which 
included a nation-wide survey of Veterans that, among other things, 
assessed the reasons that Veterans choose--or do not choose--burial in 
a national cemetery. Although the survey assessed what types of 
interment practices were currently available through NCA and evaluated 
Veterans' preferences for existing interment practices, it did not 
determine Veterans' preferences for interment options that were beyond 
what was currently offered by VA at that time. NCA now seeks to both 
update their understanding of the Veterans' satisfaction with NCA's 
current services, and to understand what additional internment options 
might be of interest to our Veterans and how they would view the 
inclusion of these options at the national cemeteries or other venues. 
The survey and focus groups will form the basis for review of various 
policies and the performance of follow-on research into specific 
emerging interment options.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.

[[Page 56714]]

    Estimated Annual Burden:
    a. 2012 Veterans Burial Benefits Survey--3,572 hours.
    b. Focus Group--240 hours.
    c. New and Emerging Burial Practices Study: Structured Interview 
Guide--75 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:
    a. 2012 Veterans Burial Benefits Survey--14 minutes.
    b. Focus Group--90 minutes.
    c. New and Emerging Burial Practices Study: Structured Interview 
Guide--90 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    a. 2012 Veterans Burial Benefits Survey--15,307.
    b. Focus Group--160.
    c. New and Emerging Burial Practices Study: Structured Interview 
Guide--50.

    Dated: September 7, 2012.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22493 Filed 9-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P