[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59418-59419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23361]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GX22GC009PLFM00; 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: Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 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 
November 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by \]=[search function. You may also submit 
comments by mail at 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 1028-0088 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this information collection request (ICR), contact Michael 
Marketti by email at [email protected], or by telephone at 703-648-
6976. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the 
Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1), we, the USGS, 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.
    A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period 
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 
August 11, 2021, FR 86, 44036. No comments were received.
    As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other 
Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are 
especially interested in public comment addressing the following:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection 
of information, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) How the USGS might minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    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 personally identifiable information (PII) in your 
comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your 
PII--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us 
in your comment to withhold your PII from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Abstract: EDMAP is the educational component of the National 
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (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 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

[[Page 59419]]

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 $10 million from the NCGMP has supported 
geologic mapping efforts of more than 1,335 students at 171 
universities in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. 
Funds for graduate projects are limited to $25,000 and undergraduate 
project funds limited to $15,000. 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).
    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: Total number of 
responses is 95. 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: 20 to 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.).

Michael Marketti,
Acting Associate Program Coordinator, National Cooperative Geologic 
Mapping Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-23361 Filed 10-26-21; 8:45 am]
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