[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34823-34824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11451]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; The Environmental Questionnaire and Checklist (EQC)

AGENCY: Office of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Programs, 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the

[[Page 34824]]

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: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 31, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Kristen Thomas, Associate Director, Office of Sustainable Energy and 
Environmental Programs, and [email protected]. Please reference OMB 
Control Number 0608-0028 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 
to Kristen Thomas, Associate Director, Office of Sustainable Energy and 
Environmental Programs, [email protected] or (202) 482-1202.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) and the White House Council on Environmental 
Quality's (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508) require that Federal agencies complete an environmental analysis 
for all major Federal actions significantly affecting the environment. 
Those actions may include a Federal agency's decision to fund non-
Federal projects under grants and cooperative agreements, including 
infrastructure projects. In order to determine NEPA compliance 
requirements for a project receiving Department of Commerce (DOC) 
bureau-level funding, DOC must assess information which can only be 
provided by the applicant for Federal financial assistance (grant).
    The Environmental Questionnaire and Checklist (EQC) provides 
Federal financial assistance applicants and DOC staff with a tool to 
ensure that the necessary project and environmental information is 
obtained. The EQC was developed to collect data concerning potential 
environmental impacts that the applicant for Federal financial 
assistance possesses and to transmit that information to the Federal 
reviewer. The EQC allows for a more rapid review of projects and 
facilitate DOC's evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of a 
project and level of NEPA documentation required. DOC staff use the 
information provided in answers to the questionnaire to determine 
compliance requirements for NEPA and conduct subsequent NEPA analysis 
as needed. Information provided in the questionnaire may also be used 
for other regulatory review requirements associated with the proposed 
project, such as the National Historic Preservation Act.

II. Method of Collection

    The primary method of collection will be the internet 
(electronically). Some supporting documents may be emailed or mailed.

II. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0690-0028.
    Form Number: CD-593.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved 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: 1,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 3 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,200 in mailing costs ($6 
x approximately 200 respondents who choose to mail rather than email 
attachments).

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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-11451 Filed 5-30-23; 8:45 am]
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