Proposed Information Collection; Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program, 12349-12352 [2013-04119]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 36 / Friday, February 22, 2013 / Notices
The plat
and field notes of the dependent
resurvey and survey in Township 5
South, Range 80 West, Sixth Principal
Meridian, Colorado, were accepted on
January 31, 2013, and filed on February
12, 2013.
The plat and field notes of the
dependent resurvey, survey, and
supplemental plat in Township 5 South,
Range 81 West, Sixth Principal
Meridian, Colorado, were accepted on
January 31, 2013, and filed on February
12, 2013.
The plat, in 2 sheets, and field notes
of the dependent resurvey and survey in
Township 4 South, Range 82 West,
Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado,
were accepted on January 31, 2013, and
filed on February 12, 2013.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Randy Bloom,
Chief Cadastral Surveyor for Colorado.
[FR Doc. 2013–04104 Filed 2–21–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCO956000 L14200000.BJ0000]
Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey;
Colorado
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Filing of Plats of
Survey; Colorado.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) Colorado State
Office is publishing this notice to
inform the public of the intent to
officially file the survey plats listed
below and afford a proper period of time
to protest this action prior to the plat
filing. During this time, the plats will be
available for review in the BLM
Colorado State Office.
DATES: Unless there are protests of this
action, the filing of the plats described
in this notice will happen on March 25,
2013.
ADDRESSES: BLM Colorado State Office,
Cadastral Survey, 2850 Youngfield
Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215–
7093.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Randy Bloom, Chief Cadastral Surveyor
for Colorado, (303) 239–3856.
Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
to contact the above individual during
normal business hours. The FIRS is
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
to leave a message or question with the
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SUMMARY:
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above individual. You will receive a
reply during normal business hours.
The plat
and field notes of the dependent
resurvey in Township 41 North, Range
11 East, New Mexico Principal
Meridian, Colorado, were accepted on
October 31, 2012.
The plat, in 2 sheets, and field notes
of the dependent resurvey and survey in
Township 35 North, Range 12 West,
New Mexico Principal Meridian,
Colorado, were accepted on November
13, 2012.
The plat, in 2 sheets, and field notes
of the dependent resurvey and survey in
Township 40 North, Range 11 East, New
Mexico Principal Meridian, Colorado,
were accepted on November 14, 2012.
The plat, in 2 sheets, and field notes
of the dependent resurvey and metesand-bounds survey in Luis Maria Baca
Grant No. 4, Colorado, were accepted on
November 28, 2012.
The plat, in 4 sheets, and field notes
of the survey and metes-and-bounds
survey in Luis Maria Baca Grant No. 4,
Colorado, were accepted on November
28, 2012.
The plat and field notes of the
dependent resurvey in Township 26
South, Range 73 West, Sixth Principal
Meridian, Colorado, were accepted on
December 11, 2012.
The plat and field notes of the
dependent resurvey and survey of the
NE1⁄4 of section 31, in Township 7
South, Range 70 West, Sixth Principal
Meridian, Colorado, were accepted on
December 31, 2012.
The plat, in 3 sheets, and field notes
of the dependent resurvey and survey in
Township 9 South, Range 70 West,
Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado,
were accepted on December 31, 2012.
The plat and field notes of the
dependent resurvey and survey in
Township 11 South, Range 69 West,
Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado,
were accepted on January 10, 2013.
The plat, in 2 sheets, and field notes
of the dependent resurvey in Township
11 South, Range 70 West, Sixth
Principal Meridian, Colorado, were
accepted on February 13, 2013.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Randy Bloom,
Chief Cadastral Surveyor for Colorado.
[FR Doc. 2013–04105 Filed 2–21–13; 8:45 am]
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12349
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–PVE–LWCF–12021; WBS#:
PSSSLAD0004011]
Proposed Information Collection; Land
and Water Conservation Fund State
Assistance Program
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice; request for comments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
We (National Park Service,
NPS) will ask the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) to approve the
information collection (IC) described
below. As required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our
continuing efforts to reduce paperwork
and respondent burden, we invite the
general public and other Federal
agencies to take this opportunity to
comment on this IC. This IC is
scheduled to expire on October 31,
2013. We 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.
DATES: To ensure that we are able to
consider your comments on this IC, we
must receive them by April 23, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the
IC to Madonna L. Baucum, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, National
Park Service, 1201 I Street NW., MS
1237, Washington, DC 20005 (mail); or
madonna_baucum@nps.gov (email).
Please include ‘‘1024–0031’’ in the
subject line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request additional information about
this IC, contact Elisabeth Fondriest,
Recreation Grants Chief, State and Local
Assistance Programs Division at 202–
354–6916; or 1849 C Street NW., (2225),
Washington, DC 20240 (mail); or
elisabeth_fondriest@nps.gov (email).
Please include ‘‘1024–0031’’ in the
subject line.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Abstract
The Land and Water Conservation
Fund Act of 1965 (LWCF Act) (16 U.S.C.
460l-4 et seq.) was enacted to help
preserve, develop, and ensure public
access to outdoor recreation facilities.
The LWCF Act provides funds for and
authorizes Federal assistance to the
States for planning, acquisition, and
development of needed land and water
areas and facilities. As used for this
information collection, the term
‘‘States’’ includes the 50 States; the
Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the
Northern Mariana Islands; the District of
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 36 / Friday, February 22, 2013 / Notices
Columbia; and the territories of Guam,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American
Samoa.
In accordance with the LWCF Act, we
administer the LWCF State Assistance
Program, which provides matching
grants to States, and through the States
to local units of government. LWCF
grants are provided to States on a
matching basis for up to 50 percent of
the total project-related allowable costs.
Grants to eligible insular areas may be
for 100 percent assistance. The LWCF
State Assistance Program gives
maximum flexibility and responsibility
to the States. States establish their own
priorities and criteria and award their
grant money through a competitive
selection process based on a Statewide
recreation plan. Payments for all
projects are made to the State agency
that is authorized to accept and
administer funds paid for approved
projects. Local units of government
participate in the program as
subgrantees of the State with the State
retaining primary grant compliance
responsibility.
The information collection
requirements associated with the LWCF
State Assistance Program are currently
approved under five OMB control
numbers, all of which expire on October
31. 2013. During our review for this
renewal, we identified some other
collection requirements that need OMB
approval. In this revision of 1024–0031,
we are including all of the information
collection requirements for the LWCF
State Assistance Program. If OMB
approves this revision, we will
discontinue OMB Control Numbers
1024–0032, 1024–0033, 1024–0034, and
1024–0047. Following are the
information collection requirements for
the LWCF State Assistance Program,
which are discussed in detail in the
Land and Water Conservation Fund
State Assistance Program Federal
Financial Assistance Manual, available
online at https://www.nps.gov/ncrc/
programs/lwcf/manual/lwcf.pdf:
(1) Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plan (SCORP). The LWCF
Act requires that to be eligible for LWCF
financial assistance, each State must
prepare and submit to NPS for approval
a new or revised SCORP at least once
every 5 years. The SCORP must include:
• The name of the State agency that
will have the authority to represent and
act for the State;
• An evaluation of the demand for
and supply of outdoor recreation
resources and facilities in the State;
• A program for the implementation
of the plan;
• Certification by the Governor that
ample opportunity for public
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participation has taken place in plan
development; and
• Other necessary information, as
may be determined by the Secretary.
(2) Open Project Selection Process
(OPSP). Each State must develop an
OPSP that provides objective criteria
and standards for grant selection that
are explicitly based on each State’s
priority needs for the acquisition and
development of outdoor recreation
resources as identified in the SCORP.
The OPSP is the connection between the
SCORP and the use of LWCF grants to
assist State efforts in meeting high
priority outdoor recreation resource
needs. To ensure continuing close ties
between the SCORP and the OPSP,
States must review project selection
criteria each time that a new or
amended SCORP is approved by the
NPS. States must submit to the NPS a
revised set of OPSP criteria that conform
to any changes in SCORP priorities or
submit an appropriate certification that
no such revisions are necessary.
(3) Application. States may seek
financial assistance for acquisition,
development, or planning projects to be
conducted under the LWCF Act. To
receive a grant, States must submit an
application to NPS for review and
approval. Project proposals for LWCF
grants comprise the following:
• Proposal Description and
Environmental Screening Form (PD/
ESF). The PD assists the applicant in
developing a narrative that provides
administrative and descriptive
information to help the Federal
decisionmaker understand the nature of
the proposed project NPS is being asked
to fund. The ESF indicates the resources
that could be impacted by the project,
enabling States and/or local project
sponsors to more accurately follow an
appropriate pathway for compliance
with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA). The analysis serves as part
of the Federal administrative record
required by NEPA and its implementing
regulations.
• Project Agreement (Form 10–902).
This form documents the agreement
between the NPS and the State for
accomplishing the project. It binds the
Federal Government and the State to
certain obligations through its
acceptance of Federal assistance,
including the rules and regulations
applicable to the conduct of a project
under the Act and any special terms and
conditions to the project established by
the NPS and agreed to by the State. It
obligates the United States to provide
grants up to a designated amount for
eligible costs; sets forth methods of
costing, accounting, incurrence of costs,
and similar matters. The form also
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establishes the project performance
period and briefly describes the scope of
the project. (Currently approved under
OMB Control Number 1024–0033.)
• Description and Notification Form
(DNF) (Form 10–903). The State must
submit a DNF for each project. This
form provides data about assisted
project sites, such as location, acreages
and details about improvements, as
understood at the beginning of each
project. (Currently approved under
OMB Control Number 1024–0031.)
• Pre-award Onsite Inspection Report.
The State must physically inspect
proposed project sites prior to the award
of grant funds and report on the
findings. The inspection must be
conducted in accord with the onsite
inspection agreement between the State
and NPS. See additional information
under Reports, below. (Currently
approved under 1024–0034.)
• Maps and other supporting
documentation. Applicants must
develop and submit two maps: one
depicting the general location of the
park as well as the entrance area; the
other delineating the boundaries of the
outdoor recreation area that will be
subject to the conversion provisions of
Section 6(f)(3) of the Act. Applicants
should submit other documents that
have a significant bearing on the project.
(4) Grant Amendments. After initial
award but during the award
performance period, a State or project
sponsor may seek to modify the agreedupon terms, such as the award end date,
the scope of work, or the budget. NPS
must review and approve such changes.
States must submit an amendment
request on behalf of themselves or the
local sponsor, which depending on the
nature of the change, could comprise
the following elements: Amendment to
Project Agreement, revised Standard
Forms, a letter from the SLO describing
the proposed changes and the impact to
the project, the PD/ESF, a revised
boundary map, and a revised DNF.
• Amendment to Project Agreement
(Form 10–902A). An amendment form is
required to alter the signed Project
Agreement. When the amendment is
signed by the NPS, it becomes part of
the agreement and supersedes it in the
specified matters. (Currently approved
under 1024–0033.)
• Description and Notification Form
(Form 10–903). A revised DNF may be
required for changes in scope that alter
the planned facility development or the
acreage of the site or area to be protected
under 6(f).
(5) Conversions of Use. In accordance
with section 6(f)(3) of the Act and as
codified in 36 CFR 59, no lands
acquired or developed with LWCF
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funds can be converted to other than
public outdoor recreation uses unless
the NPS approves. States must submit a
formal request to the appropriate NPS
Regional Office with documentation to
substantiate that: (a) All alternatives to
the conversion have been evaluated and
then rejected on a sound basis; (b)
required replacement land being offered
as a substitute is of reasonably
equivalent location and recreational
usefulness as the assisted sites proposed
for conversion; (c) the property
proposed for substitution meets the
eligibility requirements for LWCF
assistance; and (d) replacement property
is of at least equal fair market value as
established by an appraisal developed
in accordance with Federal appraisal
standards. Required documentation is
similar to that submitted for grant
amendment requests. Additional
documents include maps identifying the
existing 6(f) boundary with the area to
be converted, and of the proposed
replacement property; and appraisal
reports establishing property values.
(Currently approved under OMB
Control Number 1024–0047.)
(6) Proposal for a Public Facility.
Project sponsors must seek NPS
approval to construct public indoor or
non-recreation facilities within a
Section 6(f) area. In most cases,
development of such facilities would
constitute a conversion, but, in certain
cases NPS may approve them where it
can be shown that there will be a net
gain in outdoor recreation benefits and
enhancements for the entire park. The
request comprises the PD/ESF, which is
used to describe the nature of the
facility, how it will support and
enhance the outdoor recreation use of
the site, and ownership and
management; as well as a copy of a
proposed revised 6(f) map indicating the
location of the proposed facility.
(7) Requests for Temporary NonConforming Uses Within Section 6(f)(3)
Areas. Project sponsors must seek NPS
approval for the temporary (up to 6
months) use of an LWCF-assisted site
for purposes that do not conform to the
public outdoor recreation requirement.
The State’s proposal to NPS must
include: (a) The PD/ESF (used to
describe the proposed temporary use);
(b) SLO recommendations; and (c) an
acknowledgement by the SLO that a full
conversion will result if the temporary
use has not ceased after 6 months.
(8) Proposal for a Significant Change
of Use. Project sponsors must seek NPS
approval to change the use of an
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assisted site from one eligible use to
another when the proposed use
significantly contravenes the plans or
intent for the area as they were outlined
in the original LWCF application for
Federal assistance; e.g., changing a site’s
use from passive to active recreation.
The PD/ESF is used for this request.
(9) Proposal to Shelter Facilities.
Project sponsors must seek NPS
approval to construct new or partially or
fully enclose an existing outdoor
recreation facility, such as a pool or ice
rink to shelter them from cold climatic
conditions and thereby increase the
recreational opportunities. This
approval is required whether seeking to
use grant funds for this purpose or not.
The PD/ESF is used for this request.
(10) Extension of the 3-year Limit for
Delayed Outdoor Recreation
Development. Project sponsors must
seek NPS approval to continue a nonrecreation use beyond the 3-year limit
for acquisition projects that were
previously approved with delayed
outdoor recreation development. The
State must submit a written request and
justification for such an extension to
NPS before the end of the initial 3-year
period. This request must include: (a) A
full description of the property’s current
public outdoor recreation resources and
the public’s current ability to use the
property; and (b) an update of the
project sponsor’s plans and schedule for
developing outdoor recreation facilities
on the property.
(11) Reports.
• Onsite Inspection Reports. States
must administer a regular and
continuing program of onsite
inspections of projects. Onsite
inspection reports are prepared for all
inspections conducted and are included
in the official project files maintained
by the State. Progress onsite inspection
reports occur during the project period
and are generally combined with the
annual performance report or when
grant payments are made. Final onsite
inspection reports must be submitted to
the NPS within 90 days after the date of
completing a project and prior to final
reimbursement and administrative
closeout. Post-completion onsite
inspection reports must be completed
within 5 years after the final project
reimbursement and every 5 years
thereafter. If there are problems, the
report should include a description of
the discrepancy and the corrective
action to be taken. Reports indicating
problems are forwarded to the NPS for
review and necessary action; all other
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12351
reports are maintained in State files.
(Currently approved under OMB
Control Number 1024–0034.)
• Financial and Program
Performance Reports. In accordance
with 43 CFR part 12 (Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State
and Local Governments), grantees must
monitor grant and subgrant supported
activities to ensure compliance with
applicable Federal requirements and
that performance goals are being
achieved. States must submit reports to
NPS at least annually that include
performance and financial information.
(Currently approved under OMB
Control Number 1024–0032.)
(12) Recordkeeping. In accordance
with OMB Circular A–102, States must
maintain financial records, supporting
documents, statistical records, and all
other records pertinent to a grant
program for a period of 3 years after
final payment on a project. The records
must be retained beyond the 3 year
period if audit findings have not been
resolved.
(13) Request for Reimbursement/
Record of Electronic Payment. States
use the Automated Standard
Application for Payments (ASAP)
system for drawing funds on approved
grants. For planning grants, States must
submit to NPS a progress report and
request for reimbursement before they
may request payments. Acquisition and
development projects do not require
prior approval, but upon completion of
an electronic payment on a given date
the State must concurrently (within 24
hours) submit a completed ‘‘LWCF
Record of Electronic Payment’’ to the
program offices in Washington, DC and
their applicable NPS Region.
II. Data
OMB Control Number: 1024–0031.
Title: Land and Water Conservation
Fund State Assistance Program, 36 CFR
59.
Service Form Numbers: 10–902, 10–
902A, and 10–903.
Type of Request: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Description of Respondents: States;
the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and
the Northern Mariana Islands; the
District of Columbia; and the territories
of Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and
American Samoa.
Number of Respondents: 56.
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 36 / Friday, February 22, 2013 / Notices
Number of
annual
responses
Activity
Completion
time per
response
(hours)
Total annual
burden hours *
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan ..................................................................
Open Project Selection Process ..................................................................................................
Applications ..................................................................................................................................
Grant Amendments ......................................................................................................................
Conversions of Use .....................................................................................................................
Public Facility Requests ..............................................................................................................
Requests for Temporary Non-Conforming Uses .........................................................................
Request for a Significant Change of Use ....................................................................................
Request to Shelter Facilities ........................................................................................................
Extension of 3-Year Limit for Delayed Outdoor Recreation Development .................................
Onsite Inspection Reports ...........................................................................................................
Financial and Program Performance Reports .............................................................................
Recordkeeping .............................................................................................................................
Requests for Reimbursement/Record of Electronic Payment .....................................................
11
11
250
180
50
8
5
2
1
5
4,350
660
56
325
200
10
5
3.5
35
2
2
1
1
1
1.5
1
40
.5
2,200
110
1,250
630
1,750
16
10
2
1
5
6,525
660
2,240
163
Totals ....................................................................................................................................
5,914
........................
15,562
* rounded.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
We invite comments concerning this
information collection on:
• Whether or not the collection of
information is necessary, including
whether or not the information will
have practical utility;
• The accuracy of our estimate of the
burden for this collection of
information;
• Ways to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and
• Ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents.
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or
summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this IC. Before
including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal
identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment, including your
personal identifying information, may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
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III. Comments
National Park Service
Dated: February 15, 2013.
Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer,
National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–04119 Filed 2–21–13; 8:45 am]
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[NPS–PWR–PWRO–11651;PPPWOLYMS1]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Wilderness Stewardship Plan,
Olympic National Park, Clallam, Grays
Harbor, Jefferson and Mason County,
WA
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of Intent.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with
§ 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub.
L. 91–190) Olympic National Park is
initiating the conservation planning and
environmental impact analysis process
required to inform consideration of
alternative strategies for the future
management of the Olympic
Wilderness. In November 1988,
Congress designated about 95%
(876,669 acres) of park lands as the
Olympic Wilderness. Through this
planning process a Wilderness
Stewardship Plan (WSP) and
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
will be developed to provide guidance
and direction to meet the requirements
of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and 2006
NPS Management Policies, as well as to
implement actions identified in the
park’s 2008 General Management Plan
(GMP). This process will include
identifying and analyzing a range of
alternatives for achieving wilderness
stewardship objectives and conducting
wilderness eligibility studies for areas
identified in the GMP Record of
Decision (2008). The WSP will identify
standards, conditions, and thresholds to
preserve wilderness character, protect
cultural and natural resources, and
SUMMARY:
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adhere to legally mandated management
and preservation requirements.
DATES: All comments must be
postmarked or transmitted not later than
April 23, 2013.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: When
Olympic National Park approved the
Record of Decision for the GMP/Final
EIS in August 2008 (the approved GMP
is available at https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/
documentsList.cfm?projectID=10233),
the final plan provided broad direction
for wilderness stewardship at the park,
with the overarching vision to ensure
that the park’s wilderness resources and
character are valued, enjoyed, protected,
preserved, and restored for the benefit of
current and future generations. The
GMP committed to development of a
detailed WSP for specific management
actions for wilderness based on the
desired conditions and strategies
prescribed in the GMP. Accordingly, the
WSP will provide detailed guidance on
a variety of topics including, but not
limited to: wildlife management,
cultural resource management, trail
maintenance, trail bridges, and other
necessary infrastructure in wilderness,
day use and overnight use in
wilderness, wilderness permitting, use
of campfires, proper food storage,
human waste management, stock use,
group and party size, camping and camp
areas, ecological restoration and
rehabilitation in wilderness, scientific
research activities, and commercial
services.
To inform development of the WSP,
the park will host a series of public
scoping meetings, which are expected to
occur in Clallam, Jefferson, Grays
Harbor, Kitsap, and Mason Counties,
and the greater Seattle area during
January through March 2013. Confirmed
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12349-12352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04119]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-PVE-LWCF-12021; WBS: PSSSLAD0004011]
Proposed Information Collection; Land and Water Conservation Fund
State Assistance Program
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We (National Park Service, NPS) will ask the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC)
described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take
this opportunity to comment on this IC. This IC is scheduled to expire
on October 31, 2013. We 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.
DATES: To ensure that we are able to consider your comments on this IC,
we must receive them by April 23, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the IC to Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 I
Street NW., MS 1237, Washington, DC 20005 (mail); or madonna_baucum@nps.gov (email). Please include ``1024-0031'' in the subject
line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this IC, contact Elisabeth Fondriest, Recreation Grants Chief,
State and Local Assistance Programs Division at 202-354-6916; or 1849 C
Street NW., (2225), Washington, DC 20240 (mail); or elisabeth_fondriest@nps.gov (email). Please include ``1024-0031'' in the subject
line.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (LWCF Act) (16
U.S.C. 460l-4 et seq.) was enacted to help preserve, develop, and
ensure public access to outdoor recreation facilities. The LWCF Act
provides funds for and authorizes Federal assistance to the States for
planning, acquisition, and development of needed land and water areas
and facilities. As used for this information collection, the term
``States'' includes the 50 States; the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and
the Northern Mariana Islands; the District of
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Columbia; and the territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and
American Samoa.
In accordance with the LWCF Act, we administer the LWCF State
Assistance Program, which provides matching grants to States, and
through the States to local units of government. LWCF grants are
provided to States on a matching basis for up to 50 percent of the
total project-related allowable costs. Grants to eligible insular areas
may be for 100 percent assistance. The LWCF State Assistance Program
gives maximum flexibility and responsibility to the States. States
establish their own priorities and criteria and award their grant money
through a competitive selection process based on a Statewide recreation
plan. Payments for all projects are made to the State agency that is
authorized to accept and administer funds paid for approved projects.
Local units of government participate in the program as subgrantees of
the State with the State retaining primary grant compliance
responsibility.
The information collection requirements associated with the LWCF
State Assistance Program are currently approved under five OMB control
numbers, all of which expire on October 31. 2013. During our review for
this renewal, we identified some other collection requirements that
need OMB approval. In this revision of 1024-0031, we are including all
of the information collection requirements for the LWCF State
Assistance Program. If OMB approves this revision, we will discontinue
OMB Control Numbers 1024-0032, 1024-0033, 1024-0034, and 1024-0047.
Following are the information collection requirements for the LWCF
State Assistance Program, which are discussed in detail in the Land and
Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program Federal Financial
Assistance Manual, available online at https://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/lwcf/manual/lwcf.pdf:
(1) Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The
LWCF Act requires that to be eligible for LWCF financial assistance,
each State must prepare and submit to NPS for approval a new or revised
SCORP at least once every 5 years. The SCORP must include:
The name of the State agency that will have the authority
to represent and act for the State;
An evaluation of the demand for and supply of outdoor
recreation resources and facilities in the State;
A program for the implementation of the plan;
Certification by the Governor that ample opportunity for
public participation has taken place in plan development; and
Other necessary information, as may be determined by the
Secretary.
(2) Open Project Selection Process (OPSP). Each State must develop
an OPSP that provides objective criteria and standards for grant
selection that are explicitly based on each State's priority needs for
the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation resources as
identified in the SCORP. The OPSP is the connection between the SCORP
and the use of LWCF grants to assist State efforts in meeting high
priority outdoor recreation resource needs. To ensure continuing close
ties between the SCORP and the OPSP, States must review project
selection criteria each time that a new or amended SCORP is approved by
the NPS. States must submit to the NPS a revised set of OPSP criteria
that conform to any changes in SCORP priorities or submit an
appropriate certification that no such revisions are necessary.
(3) Application. States may seek financial assistance for
acquisition, development, or planning projects to be conducted under
the LWCF Act. To receive a grant, States must submit an application to
NPS for review and approval. Project proposals for LWCF grants comprise
the following:
Proposal Description and Environmental Screening Form (PD/
ESF). The PD assists the applicant in developing a narrative that
provides administrative and descriptive information to help the Federal
decisionmaker understand the nature of the proposed project NPS is
being asked to fund. The ESF indicates the resources that could be
impacted by the project, enabling States and/or local project sponsors
to more accurately follow an appropriate pathway for compliance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The analysis serves as
part of the Federal administrative record required by NEPA and its
implementing regulations.
Project Agreement (Form 10-902). This form documents the
agreement between the NPS and the State for accomplishing the project.
It binds the Federal Government and the State to certain obligations
through its acceptance of Federal assistance, including the rules and
regulations applicable to the conduct of a project under the Act and
any special terms and conditions to the project established by the NPS
and agreed to by the State. It obligates the United States to provide
grants up to a designated amount for eligible costs; sets forth methods
of costing, accounting, incurrence of costs, and similar matters. The
form also establishes the project performance period and briefly
describes the scope of the project. (Currently approved under OMB
Control Number 1024-0033.)
Description and Notification Form (DNF) (Form 10-903). The
State must submit a DNF for each project. This form provides data about
assisted project sites, such as location, acreages and details about
improvements, as understood at the beginning of each project.
(Currently approved under OMB Control Number 1024-0031.)
Pre-award Onsite Inspection Report. The State must
physically inspect proposed project sites prior to the award of grant
funds and report on the findings. The inspection must be conducted in
accord with the onsite inspection agreement between the State and NPS.
See additional information under Reports, below. (Currently approved
under 1024-0034.)
Maps and other supporting documentation. Applicants must
develop and submit two maps: one depicting the general location of the
park as well as the entrance area; the other delineating the boundaries
of the outdoor recreation area that will be subject to the conversion
provisions of Section 6(f)(3) of the Act. Applicants should submit
other documents that have a significant bearing on the project.
(4) Grant Amendments. After initial award but during the award
performance period, a State or project sponsor may seek to modify the
agreed-upon terms, such as the award end date, the scope of work, or
the budget. NPS must review and approve such changes. States must
submit an amendment request on behalf of themselves or the local
sponsor, which depending on the nature of the change, could comprise
the following elements: Amendment to Project Agreement, revised
Standard Forms, a letter from the SLO describing the proposed changes
and the impact to the project, the PD/ESF, a revised boundary map, and
a revised DNF.
Amendment to Project Agreement (Form 10-902A). An
amendment form is required to alter the signed Project Agreement. When
the amendment is signed by the NPS, it becomes part of the agreement
and supersedes it in the specified matters. (Currently approved under
1024-0033.)
Description and Notification Form (Form 10-903). A revised
DNF may be required for changes in scope that alter the planned
facility development or the acreage of the site or area to be protected
under 6(f).
(5) Conversions of Use. In accordance with section 6(f)(3) of the
Act and as codified in 36 CFR 59, no lands acquired or developed with
LWCF
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funds can be converted to other than public outdoor recreation uses
unless the NPS approves. States must submit a formal request to the
appropriate NPS Regional Office with documentation to substantiate
that: (a) All alternatives to the conversion have been evaluated and
then rejected on a sound basis; (b) required replacement land being
offered as a substitute is of reasonably equivalent location and
recreational usefulness as the assisted sites proposed for conversion;
(c) the property proposed for substitution meets the eligibility
requirements for LWCF assistance; and (d) replacement property is of at
least equal fair market value as established by an appraisal developed
in accordance with Federal appraisal standards. Required documentation
is similar to that submitted for grant amendment requests. Additional
documents include maps identifying the existing 6(f) boundary with the
area to be converted, and of the proposed replacement property; and
appraisal reports establishing property values. (Currently approved
under OMB Control Number 1024-0047.)
(6) Proposal for a Public Facility. Project sponsors must seek NPS
approval to construct public indoor or non-recreation facilities within
a Section 6(f) area. In most cases, development of such facilities
would constitute a conversion, but, in certain cases NPS may approve
them where it can be shown that there will be a net gain in outdoor
recreation benefits and enhancements for the entire park. The request
comprises the PD/ESF, which is used to describe the nature of the
facility, how it will support and enhance the outdoor recreation use of
the site, and ownership and management; as well as a copy of a proposed
revised 6(f) map indicating the location of the proposed facility.
(7) Requests for Temporary Non-Conforming Uses Within Section
6(f)(3) Areas. Project sponsors must seek NPS approval for the
temporary (up to 6 months) use of an LWCF-assisted site for purposes
that do not conform to the public outdoor recreation requirement. The
State's proposal to NPS must include: (a) The PD/ESF (used to describe
the proposed temporary use); (b) SLO recommendations; and (c) an
acknowledgement by the SLO that a full conversion will result if the
temporary use has not ceased after 6 months.
(8) Proposal for a Significant Change of Use. Project sponsors must
seek NPS approval to change the use of an assisted site from one
eligible use to another when the proposed use significantly contravenes
the plans or intent for the area as they were outlined in the original
LWCF application for Federal assistance; e.g., changing a site's use
from passive to active recreation. The PD/ESF is used for this request.
(9) Proposal to Shelter Facilities. Project sponsors must seek NPS
approval to construct new or partially or fully enclose an existing
outdoor recreation facility, such as a pool or ice rink to shelter them
from cold climatic conditions and thereby increase the recreational
opportunities. This approval is required whether seeking to use grant
funds for this purpose or not. The PD/ESF is used for this request.
(10) Extension of the 3-year Limit for Delayed Outdoor Recreation
Development. Project sponsors must seek NPS approval to continue a non-
recreation use beyond the 3-year limit for acquisition projects that
were previously approved with delayed outdoor recreation development.
The State must submit a written request and justification for such an
extension to NPS before the end of the initial 3-year period. This
request must include: (a) A full description of the property's current
public outdoor recreation resources and the public's current ability to
use the property; and (b) an update of the project sponsor's plans and
schedule for developing outdoor recreation facilities on the property.
(11) Reports.
Onsite Inspection Reports. States must administer a
regular and continuing program of onsite inspections of projects.
Onsite inspection reports are prepared for all inspections conducted
and are included in the official project files maintained by the State.
Progress onsite inspection reports occur during the project period and
are generally combined with the annual performance report or when grant
payments are made. Final onsite inspection reports must be submitted to
the NPS within 90 days after the date of completing a project and prior
to final reimbursement and administrative closeout. Post-completion
onsite inspection reports must be completed within 5 years after the
final project reimbursement and every 5 years thereafter. If there are
problems, the report should include a description of the discrepancy
and the corrective action to be taken. Reports indicating problems are
forwarded to the NPS for review and necessary action; all other reports
are maintained in State files. (Currently approved under OMB Control
Number 1024-0034.)
Financial and Program Performance Reports. In accordance
with 43 CFR part 12 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments), grantees must
monitor grant and subgrant supported activities to ensure compliance
with applicable Federal requirements and that performance goals are
being achieved. States must submit reports to NPS at least annually
that include performance and financial information. (Currently approved
under OMB Control Number 1024-0032.)
(12) Recordkeeping. In accordance with OMB Circular A-102, States
must maintain financial records, supporting documents, statistical
records, and all other records pertinent to a grant program for a
period of 3 years after final payment on a project. The records must be
retained beyond the 3 year period if audit findings have not been
resolved.
(13) Request for Reimbursement/Record of Electronic Payment. States
use the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system for
drawing funds on approved grants. For planning grants, States must
submit to NPS a progress report and request for reimbursement before
they may request payments. Acquisition and development projects do not
require prior approval, but upon completion of an electronic payment on
a given date the State must concurrently (within 24 hours) submit a
completed ``LWCF Record of Electronic Payment'' to the program offices
in Washington, DC and their applicable NPS Region.
II. Data
OMB Control Number: 1024-0031.
Title: Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program,
36 CFR 59.
Service Form Numbers: 10-902, 10-902A, and 10-903.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Description of Respondents: States; the Commonwealths of Puerto
Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands; the District of Columbia; and
the territories of Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
Number of Respondents: 56.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
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Completion
Number of time per Total annual
Activity annual response burden hours *
responses (hours)
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Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan................. 11 200 2,200
Open Project Selection Process.................................. 11 10 110
Applications.................................................... 250 5 1,250
Grant Amendments................................................ 180 3.5 630
Conversions of Use.............................................. 50 35 1,750
Public Facility Requests........................................ 8 2 16
Requests for Temporary Non-Conforming Uses...................... 5 2 10
Request for a Significant Change of Use......................... 2 1 2
Request to Shelter Facilities................................... 1 1 1
Extension of 3-Year Limit for Delayed Outdoor Recreation 5 1 5
Development....................................................
Onsite Inspection Reports....................................... 4,350 1.5 6,525
Financial and Program Performance Reports....................... 660 1 660
Recordkeeping................................................... 56 40 2,240
Requests for Reimbursement/Record of Electronic Payment......... 325 .5 163
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Totals...................................................... 5,914 .............. 15,562
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* rounded.
III. Comments
We invite comments concerning this information collection on:
Whether or not the collection of information is necessary,
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this
collection of information;
Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this IC. Before including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your
personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any
time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so.
Dated: February 15, 2013.
Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-04119 Filed 2-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-EH-P
