[Federal Register: August 31, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 168)]
[Notices]
[Page 51837-51838]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au05-146]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and
Response Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity
to comment on proposed continuing information collections. In
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning the renewal of
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Biennial Report forms
(FEMA Form 81-28, FEMA Form 81-29, FEMA Form 81-29A). Under 44 CFR
59.22(b)(2), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires
that communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) submit an annual or biennial report describing the progress made
during the year in the implementation and enforcement of floodplain
management regulations. Currently, FEMA has determined that this data
will be collected on a biennial reporting cycle and the data collection
is now referred to as the Biennial Report.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 44 CFR 59.22(b)(2), the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that communities
participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) submit an
annual or biennial report describing the progress made during the year
in the implementation and enforcement of floodplain management
regulations. Currently, FEMA has determined that this data will be
collected on a biennial reporting cycle and the data collection is now
referred to as the Biennial Report. As a supplement to the Biennial
Report, FEMA has been mandated under Section 575 of the National Flood
Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (NFIRA) to assess the need to revise and
update all floodplain areas and flood risk zones identified,
delineated, or established under section 1360 of the National Flood
Insurance Act of 1968.
The NFIP Biennial Report enables FEMA to meet its regulatory
requirement under 59.22(b)(2). It also enables FEMA to be more
responsive to the on-going changes that occur in each participating
community's flood hazard area. These changes include, but are not
limited to, new corporate boundaries, changes in flood hazard areas,
new floodplain management measures, and changes in rate of floodplain
development. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the
community's floodplain management activities. The evaluation is
accomplished by analyzing information provided by the community, such
as the number of variances and floodplain permits granted by each
community in relationship to other information contained in the
Biennial Report, as well as other data available in FEMA's Community
Information System (CIS). The Biennial Report also provides an
opportunity for NFIP participating communities to request technical
assistance in implementing a floodplain management program. FEMA
regional offices use this information as a means to know which
communities need support and guidance. In addition, the NFIP Biennial
Report is one of the tools used to assist FEMA in meeting its
regulatory requirement under Section 575 of the NFIRA. A ``yes'' answer
to Items A-D in Section I of the report will provide the basis for FEMA
to follow-up by contacting the community for clarification and/or
elaboration regarding changes and activities occurring in a community's
flood hazard area. This information will be used in ranking and
prioritizing one community's mapping needs against all other
communities in the NFIP and for determining how the limited flood
hazard mapping funds are allocated for map updates.
Collection of Information
Title: The National Flood Insurance Program-Biennial Report.
Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved
collection.
OMB Number: 1660-0003.
Form Numbers: FEMA Form 81-28, FEMA Form 81-29, FEMA Form 81-29A.
Abstract: The NFIP Biennial Report enables FEMA to meet its
regulatory requirement under 59.22(b)(2). It also enables FEMA to be
more responsive to the on-going changes that occur in each
participating community's flood hazard area. These changes include, but
are not limited to, new corporate boundaries, changes in flood hazard
areas, new floodplain management measures, and changes in rate of
floodplain development. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness
of the community's floodplain management activities. The evaluation is
accomplished by analyzing information provided by the community, such
as the number of variances and floodplain permits granted by each
community in relationship to other information contained in the
Biennial Report, as well as other data available in FEMA's Community
Information System (CIS). The Biennial Report also provides an
opportunity for NFIP participating communities to request technical
assistance in implementing a floodplain
[[Page 51838]]
management program. FEMA regional offices use this information as a
means to know which communities need support and guidance. In addition,
the NFIP Biennial Report is one of the tools used to assist FEMA in
meeting its regulatory requirement under Section 575 of the NFIRA. A
``yes'' answer to Items A-D in Section I of the report will provide the
basis for FEMA to follow-up by contacting the community for
clarification and/or elaboration regarding changes and activities
occurring in a community's flood hazard area. This information will be
used in ranking and prioritizing one community's mapping needs against
all other communities in the NFIP and for determining how the limited
flood hazard mapping funds are allocated for map updates.
Affected Public: The respondents are the estimated 20,500 United
States and United States territorial communities that are participating
members of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP
requires that communities participating in the NFIP submit an annual or
biennial report describing the progress made during the year in the
implementation and enforcement of floodplain management regulations.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,375 burden hours.
Annual Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project/activity (survey, Number of Burden hours Annual Total annual
form(s), focus group, worksheet, respondents Frequency of per respondent responses (A x burden hours
etc.) (A) responses (B) (C) B) (A x B x C)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FF 81-28........................ 5,930 0.5 0.75 2,965 2,223
FF 81-29........................ 12,224 0.5 1.44 6,112 8,801
FF 81-29A....................... 2,346 0.5 0.3 1,173 351
-----------------
Total....................... 20,500 0.5 .............. 10,250 11,375
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Cost: The estimated annual cost of the collection of the
Biennial Report forms is estimated to be $180,520.
Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d) 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 should be received within 60 days of
the date of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Chief,
Records Management Section, Information Resources Management Branch,
Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of
Homeland Security, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact William Lesser, Lead Program
Specialist at (202) 646-2807 for additional information. You may
contact the Records Management Section for copies of the proposed
collection of information at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 or e-mail
address: FEMA-Information-Collections@dhs.gov.
Dated: August 25, 2005.
George S. Trotter,
Acting Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch,
Information Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. 05-17339 Filed 8-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-12-P