[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20515-20516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08020]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GX21DK20H2S0000; OMB Control Number 1028-0114]


Agency Information Collection Activities; National Ground-Water 
Monitoring Network Cooperative Funding Application

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 
June 21, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collections 
Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; or by 
email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control 
Number 1028-0114 in the subject line of your comments.

[[Page 20516]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Daryll Pope by email at [email protected], or by 
telephone at (804) 261-2630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on new, 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 can 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: The USGS administers the National Ground-Water Monitoring 
Network which was developed through work with the Federal Advisory 
Committee on Water Information (ACWI) and its Subcommittee on Ground 
Water (SOGW). This network is required as part of Public Law 111-11, 
Subtitle F--Secure Water: Section 9507, 42 U.S.C. 10367, ``Water Data 
Enhancement by United States Geological Survey.'' The NGWMN consists of 
an aggregation of wells and spring from existing Federal, State, 
Tribal, and local groundwater monitoring networks. To support data 
providers for the NGWMN, the USGS will be providing funding through 
cooperative agreements to water-resource agencies that collect 
groundwater data. The USGS will be soliciting applications for funding 
that will request information from the Agency collecting the data. 
Elements will include contact information (phone number and email 
address), and a proposal describing their proposed work in support of 
the NGWMN. The proposal will describe the groundwater networks to be 
included in the NGWMN, the purpose of the networks, and the Principal 
aquifers that are monitored. Proposals may include work to become a new 
data provider to the NGWMN, support for maintaining connections to 
agency databases, and work to enhance NGWMN sites (updating metadata, 
well maintenance, well drilling, and support for continuous water-level 
monitoring equipment). The proposal would require estimates of costs to 
complete the above tasks and a timeline for planned completion. The 
proposal will be reviewed by the USGS and the NGWMN Program Board who 
will make funding recommendations.
    Title of Collection: National Ground-Water Monitoring Network 
Cooperative Funding Application.
    OMB Control Number: 1028-0114.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Renewal of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Multi-state, state or local water-
resources agencies who operate groundwater monitoring networks.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 30.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 30.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 40 hours.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 1,200 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory to be considered for funding.
    Frequency of Collection: Annually.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
    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).

Janice Fulford,
Director, WMA Observing Systems Division.
[FR Doc. 2021-08020 Filed 4-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4338-11-P