[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17188-17189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08085]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 Geological Survey

[GX18GC009PLSG00; OMB Control Number 1028-0088]


Agency Information Collection Activities; National Cooperative 
Geologic Mapping Program (EDMAP and STATEMAP)

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to renew an information 
collection (IC).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
June 18, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to the U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; 
or by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB 
Control Number 1028-0088, in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Darcy McPhee by email at [email protected], or 
by telephone at 703-648-6973.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Geological Survey, in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, provide the 
general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to 
comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of 
information. This helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It 
also helps the public understand our information collection 
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
    We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described 
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of the USGS; (2) will this information be processed and used 
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how 
might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use 
of information technology.
    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 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email 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 may 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.
    Abstract: EDMAP is the educational component of the NCGMP that is 
intended to train the next generation of

[[Page 17189]]

geologic mappers. The primary objective of the STATEMAP component of 
the NCGMP is to establish the geologic framework of areas that are 
vital to the welfare of individual States.
    The NCGMP EDMAP program allocates funds to colleges and 
universities in the United States and Puerto Rico through an annual 
competitive cooperative agreement process. Every Federal dollar awarded 
is matched with university funds.
    Geology professors, who are skilled in geologic mapping, request 
EDMAP funding to support undergraduate and graduate students at their 
college or university in a one-year mentored geologic mapping project 
that focuses on a specific geographic area.
    Only State Geological Surveys are eligible to apply to the STATEMAP 
component of the NCGMP pursuant to the National Geologic Mapping Act 
(Pub. L. 106-148). Since many State Geological Surveys are organized 
under a state university system, such universities may submit a 
proposal on behalf of the State Geological Survey.
    Each fall, the program announcements are posted to the Grants.gov 
website and respondents are required to submit applications (comprising 
Standard Form 424, 424A, 424B, Proposal Summary Sheet, the Proposal, 
and Budget Sheets. Additionally, EDMAP proposals must include a 
Negotiated Rate Agreement and a Support letter from a State Geologist 
or USGS Project Chief).
    Since 1996, more than $5 million from the NCGMP has supported 
geologic mapping efforts of more than 1,200 students working with more 
than 260 professors at 161 universities in 44 states, the District of 
Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Funds for graduate projects are limited to 
$17,500 and undergraduate project funds limited to $10,000. These funds 
are used to cover field expenses and student salaries, but not faculty 
salaries or tuition. The authority for both programs is listed in the 
National Geologic Mapping Act (Pub. L. 106-148).
    We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary 
under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its 
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.
    Title: National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP-EDMAP 
and STATEMAP).
    OMB Control Number: 1028-0088.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Renewal without change.
    Respondents/Affected Public: University or College faculty and 
State Geological Surveys.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: Approximately 50 
University or College faculty and 45 State Geological Survey 
respondents.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: Approximately 95 responses.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 36 hours.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 3,420 hours total.
    Respondent's Obligation: None. Participation is voluntary, though 
necessary to receive funding.
    Frequency of Collections: Annually.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: There are no ``non-
hour cost'' burdens associated with this IC.
    An agency 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.
    The authorities for this action are the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.).

Darcy McPhee,
Associate Program Coordinator, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping 
Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-08085 Filed 4-17-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4311-AM-P