[Federal Register: November 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 222)]
[Notices]
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From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Notice of Intent To Request Comments on a Currently Approved
Information Collection.
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) to request comments on a currently approved
information collection for which approval will expire, 0578-0030,
Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
Public Participation: The NRCS invites full public participation to
promote open communication and better decision-making. All persons and
organizations that have an interest in the Emergency Watershed
Protection (EWP) Program are urged to provide comments.
Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the
scoping process. The NRCS is soliciting comment the public indicating
what issues and impacts the public believes should be encompassed
within the scope of the EWP Program. 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 will have practical utility, (b) The accuracy of the
agency's estimate of burden of the proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used, (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 those who are to respond, such as through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technologic
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Date Scoping Comments Are Due: Comments on this notice must be
received by January 18, 2008 to ensure consideration. Comments may be
sent to Phyllis I. Watkins, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601
Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, MD 20705-5000; (301) 504-
2170; phyllis.i.watkins@wdc.usda.gov.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law
104-13), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995).
Government Paperwork Elimination Act
NRCS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act (GPEA) and the Freedom to E-File Act, which require
government agencies in general, and NRCS in particular, to provide the
option of submitting information or transacting business electronically
to the maximum extent possible.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions and comments should be
directed to Phyllis I. Watkins, Agency Office of Management and Budget
Clearance Officer, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5602
Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5000;
telephone: (301) 504-2170.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
OMB Number: 0578-0030.
Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2008.
Type of Request: To request comments on a currently approved
collection for which approval will expire.
Abstract: The primary objective of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) is to work in partnership with the American
people and the farming and ranching community to conserve and sustain
our natural resources. The purpose of Emergency Watershed Protection
Program (EWP) information collection is to provide EWP assistance to
sponsors to undertake emergency measures to retard runoff and prevent
soil erosion to safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and
the products of erosion on any watershed whenever fire, flood, or other
natural disaster is causing or has caused a sudden impairment of that
watershed.
The sponsor's request is submitted formally as a letter (now the
Appendix to the NRCS-PDM-20A) to the NRCS State Conservationist for
consideration. The NRCS-PDM-20, Damage Survey Report (DSR), is the
agency decision-making document that includes the economic, social, and
environmental evaluation and the engineer's cost estimate.
This information collection allows the responsible Federal official
to make EWP Program eligibility determinations and provide Federal
cost-share contribution to complete the measures. This request is
necessary to implement the EWP Program for which NRCS has statutory
authority.
The table below lists the forms in this collection, the uses for
each document, and the applicable programs. These forms constitute this
information collection and reflect the documents used by EWP sponsors
to request participation in the recovery program.
[[Page 64995]]
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Form No. Form title OMB No. Program
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NRCS-PDM-20............................. Damage Survey Report....... 0578-0030 EWP Recovery.
NRCS-PDM-20A............................ Appendix to the DSR, 0578-0030 EWP Recovery.
Request for Participation
in the Program.
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NRCS will ask OMB for 3-year approval within 60 days of submitting
the request.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 3.5 hours or 117 minutes per
response.
Respondents: State government or State agency or a legal
subdivision thereof, local unit of government, or any Native American
Tribe or Tribal organization as defined in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b), with
a legal interest in or responsibility for the values threatened by a
watershed emergency. All of the foregoing entities must be capable of
obtaining necessary land rights and capable of carrying out any
operation and maintenance responsibilities that may be required.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,900 hours.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Signed at Washington, DC on October 3, 2007.
Arlen L. Lancaster,
Chief.
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[FR Doc. 07-5747 Filed 11-16-07; 8:45 am]
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