[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33210-33211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15192]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Environmental 
Compliance Questionnaire for National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Federal Financial Assistance Applicants

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, 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 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 17, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental

[[Page 33211]]

Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Frank M. Sprtel, (301) 628-1641 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection through the Environmental Compliance 
Questionnaire for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Federal Financial Assistance Applicants (Questionnaire). This 
Questionnaire is used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) to collect information about proposed activities 
for the purpose of complying with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(``NEPA,'' 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370) and other environmental compliance 
requirements associated with proposed activities. NEPA requires federal 
agencies to complete an environmental analysis for all major federal 
actions, including funding non-federal activities through federal 
financial assistance awards where federal participation in the funded 
activity is expected to be significant. The Questionnaire is used in 
conjunction with NOAA Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
    The NOFO will indicate the specific questions to which an applicant 
must respond in one of three ways: (1) The applicable questions are 
inserted directly into the NOFO with reference to the OMB Control 
Number (0648-0538) for this form; (2) the NOFO will specify which 
questions (e.g., 1, 2) an applicant must answer, with the entire OMB-
approved Questionnaire attached to the NOFO; or (3) applicants to be 
recommended for funding will be required to answer relevant questions 
from the Questionnaire. The federal program officer will determine 
which questions are relevant to each specific applicant. Answers must 
be provided before the application can be submitted for final funding 
approval.
    This Questionnaire has been revised to (1) remove repetitive 
questions; (2) revise specific questions to use plain language; and (3) 
add questions that would be helpful to a wider range of NOAA programs.

II. Method of Collection

    The information may be submitted electronically or on paper (faxed 
or mailed).

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0538.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of a 
currently approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations; 
individuals or households; not-for-profit institutions; state, local, 
or tribal government; and Federal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 736.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,030.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 12, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-15192 Filed 7-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-NW-P