[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 30445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12000]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Questionnaire for National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Federal Financial Assistance Applicants

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before August 9, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0538 in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
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 Approval 
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) update specific 
questions to use plain language, and (2) 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 
current information collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or 
Tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 736.
    Estimated Time per Response: 3.375 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,030.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
    Legal Authority: National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4370).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms 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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2021-12000 Filed 6-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-P