Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NOAA Restoration Center Performance Progress Report, 14347-14348 [2012-5774]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14347-14348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5774]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NOAA 
Restoration Center Performance Progress Report

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, 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 and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 8, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Robin Bruckner, (301) 427-8657 or 
Robin.Bruckner@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    NOAA funds habitat restoration projects including grass-roots, 
community-based habitat restoration; debris prevention and removal; 
removal of barriers to migrating fish; and large-scale, targeted 
restoration through individual projects and restoration partnerships. 
Awards are made as grants or cooperative agreements under the authority 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the 
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661, as amended by the 
Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970.
    NOAA requires specific information on habitat restoration projects 
that we fund, as part of routine progress reporting. Recipients of NOAA 
funds submit information such as project location, restoration 
techniques used, species benefited, acres restored, stream miles opened 
to access for diadromous fish, volunteer participation, and other 
parameters.

[[Page 14348]]

    The required information enables NOAA to track, evaluate and report 
on coastal and marine habitat restoration and demonstrate 
accountability for federal funds. This information is used to populate 
a database of NOAA-funded habitat restoration, debris prevention and 
removal, and barrier removal projects. The database, with its robust 
querying capabilities, is instrumental to provide accurate and timely 
responses to NOAA, Department of Commerce, Congressional and 
Constituent inquiries. It also facilitates reporting by NOAA on the 
Government Performance and Results Act ``acres restored'' performance 
measure. Grant recipients are required by the NOAA Grants Management 
Division to submit periodic performance reports and a final report for 
each award; this collection stipulates the information to be provided 
in these reports.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents have a choice of either electronic fillable forms or 
paper forms. Methods of submittal include email of electronic forms, or 
mailing of paper forms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0472.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; state, local, or 
tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 250.
    Estimated Time per Response: Semi-annual reports, 7 hours, 45 
minutes; final reports, 12 hours, 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,145.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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.

    Dated: March 6, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-5774 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P