[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78998-78999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-31037]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5684-N-08]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: HUD 
Environmental Review Online System (HEROS)

AGENCY: Office of Community Planning and Development, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment 
from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

DATES: Comments Due Date: February 25, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB 
Control Number and should be sent to: Colette Pollard, Reports 
Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 7th Street SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; telephone 
202-402-3400

[[Page 78999]]

(this is not a toll-free number) or email at [email protected] 
for a copy of the proposed forms or other available information. 
Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number 
through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at (800) 
877-8339.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Schopp, Director, Office of 
Environment and Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 7th Street SW., Room 7250, Washington, DC 20410-7000. For telephone 
and email communication, contact Elizabeth Zepeda, Environmental 
Planning Division, (202) 402-3988 or email: [email protected]. 
This phone number is not toll-free. Hearing or speech-impaired 
individuals may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free 
Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339. Copies of 
available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Pollard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that HUD is 
seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in 
Section A.

A. Overview of Information Collection

    Title of Information Collection: HUD Environmental Review Online 
System (HEROS).
    OMB Approval Number: 2506-New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: 224 
CFR Part 58, ``Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming 
HUD Environmental Responsibilities'' requires units of general local 
government receiving HUD assistance to maintain a written environmental 
review record for all projects receiving HUD funding documenting 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality, related federal 
environmental laws, executive orders, and authorities, and Part 58 
procedure. Various laws that authorize this procedure are listed in 24 
CFR 58.1(b).
    In the past, HUD recipients were allowed to prepare their 
environmental review records using HUD recommended formats or 
equivalent formats. Now, HUD is developing a new online tool called the 
HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS), which will allow users 
to complete, store, and submit their environmental review records 
online. HUD's intention is HEROS will improve HUD's environmental 
reviews in a number of ways. First, it will replace HUD's many 
environmental review forms and requirements with one single format 
housed online with guidance integrated throughout to simplify the 
process and assist new employees in the preparation of their reviews. 
Second, HUD plans to increase transparency and overall compliance with 
NEPA by posting many environmental review records online for public 
review through HEROS. Finally, storing recipients' records in HEROS 
will allow HUD to collect data on environmental compliance for the 
first time. Once completed, HUD intends to make HEROS the only 
permitted format in most cases.
    24 CFR Part 50, ``Protection and Enhancement of Environmental 
Quality,'' implements procedures for HUD to perform environmental 
reviews for projects where Part 58 is not permitted by law. Under Part 
50, HUD staff complete the environmental review records, but they may 
use any information supplied by an applicant or contractor, provided 
HUD independently evaluates the information and is responsible for its 
accuracy and prepares the environmental finding. There is no current 
format for applicants and contractors to submit required information, 
but HEROS would allow these parties to submit environmental information 
to HUD staff through the system as well. HUD staff will then use HEROS 
to complete the environmental review record.
    Respondents (i.e. affected public): The respondents are state and 
local governments receiving HUD funding who are required to complete 
environmental reviews.

Estimation of the total number of hours to prepare the information 
collection including number of respondents, frequency of response and 
hours of response:

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                                      Number of       Frequency of    Responses  per    Burden  hour    Annual  burden    Hourly  cost
     Information  collection         respondents        response          annum        per  response        hours         per response     Annual cost
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    Total........................           2,500                5           12,500                1           12,500               30         $375,000
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B. Solicitation of Public Comment

    This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected parties concerning the collection of information described in 
Section A on the following:
    (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of the agency'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 
those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
    HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to 
these questions.

    Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

    Dated: December 19, 2013.
Mark Johnston,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs Program.
[FR Doc. 2013-31037 Filed 12-26-13; 8:45 am]
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