[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45460-45461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19447]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GX18GC009PLSG00; OMB Control Number 1028-0088]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; 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, we, 
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing to renew an information 
collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
October 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior by email at [email protected]; or 
via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments 
to USGS, Information Collections 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. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the USGS, 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.
    A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period 
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 
April 24, 2018 (FR 2018-08458). No comments were received.
    We are again 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. 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 geologic mappers. The primary 
objective of the STATEMAP component of the NCGMP is to establish the 
geologic

[[Page 45461]]

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 of Collection: National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program 
(NCGMP-EDMAP and STATEMAP).
    OMB Control Number: 1028-0088.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    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 Annual Responses: Total number of 
responses is 185. Approximately 95 University or College faculty and 90 
State Geological Survey responses.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 36 hours.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 5,220 hours total.
    Respondent's Obligation: None. Participation is voluntary, though 
necessary to receive funding.
    Frequency of Collection: 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 authority for this action is 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. 2018-19447 Filed 9-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4338-11-P