Proposed Information Collection; Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Grants, 25760-25762 [2013-10362]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 85 (Thursday, May 2, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25760-25762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10362]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-PVE-UPARR-12049; PPWOSLAD00, PUA00UA08.GA0000]


Proposed Information Collection; Urban Park and Recreation 
Recovery Program Grants

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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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 July 1, 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 ``1024-0048--Urban Park and 
Recreation Recovery Program'' 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 ``1024-0048'' in the subject 
line.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) Act (16 U.S.C. 2501 
et seq.) was passed as Title X of the National Parks and Recreation Act 
of 1978. The UPARR Act authorized the Secretary of the Interior to 
establish a grant program to help economically distressed urban areas 
improve recreation opportunities for their residents.
    We administer the UPARR program in accordance with regulations at 
36 CFR 72 and the UPARR Grant Manual. These (1) Explain the policies to 
be followed for awarding grants; (2) list the requirements and criteria 
to be met for each type of grant and discretionary eligibility; (3) 
discuss fundable uses and limitations; (4) explain how proposals will 
be selected and funding; and (5) describe the application process and 
administrative procedures for awarding grants. The three types of 
grants available under the program are:
     Rehabilitation--renovate or redesign existing close-to-
home recreation facilities.
     Innovation--specific activities that either increase 
recreation programs or improve the efficiency of the local government 
to operating existing programs.
     Planning--development of a Recovery Action Program plan.
    The information collection requirements associated with the UPARR 
Program are currently approved under three OMB control numbers, all of 
which expire on October 31, 2013. During our review for this renewal, 
we identified some additional requirements that need OMB approval. In 
this revision of 1024-0048, we are including all of the information 
collection requirements for the UPARR Program. If OMB approves this 
revision, we will discontinue OMB Control Numbers 1024-0028 and 1024-
0089. Congress has not appropriated funds for new UPARR grants since FY 
2002. We are not currently accepting applications, and there are no 
open grants for which performance reports must be submitted. However, 
we still receive requests for conversion of properties improved or 
developed with UPARR grants through FY 2002 to other than public 
recreation uses. In anticipation of future funding, we are requesting 
OMB approval for the information collection requirements. With the 
exception of requests for conversions of use, we are estimating one 
response as a placeholder for each of the requirements. Following are 
the information collection requirements for the UPARR Program:
    (1) Recovery Action Program: In accordance with 36 CFR 72.10-13, 
any eligible jurisdiction or discretionary applicant desiring to apply 
for a grant must develop and submit for NPS approval, a local Recovery 
Action Program (RAP). The RAP documents the recreation needs of the 
community and is linked to the objectives, needs, plans, and 
institutional arrangements of the community. The RAP consists of two 
sections, which are the Assessment and the Action Plan.
    The Assessment describes the existing park and recreation system; 
issues and problems; goals and objectives. The Assessment summarizes 
the entire system including: operation and maintenance; employment and 
training; programs and services; rehabilitation of existing facilities; 
and the need for new facilities. The six parts of the Assessment 
include: Context; physical issues; rehabilitation issues; service 
issues; management issues; and conclusions, implications, and issues.

[[Page 25761]]

    The Action Plan is a clear statement of the community's specific 
objectives, priorities and implementation strategies in relation to the 
intent of the UPARR Program and the local government's overall 
recreation system goals. Citizen involvement in the development of the 
Action Plan is required and may include surveys, hearings, meetings, 
and/or consultation, as appropriate, which is essential in the 
development of goals, objectives and the setting of project priorities. 
The Action Plan identifies: the goals for the system; strategies to 
address national and local concerns, recommendations; program 
priorities and implementation schedule; and an evaluation of and update 
to the Action Program.
    In accordance with 36 CFR 72.30, applicants must have an approved 
RAP on file with the appropriate NPS Regional Office prior to applying 
for Rehabilitation or Innovation grants. Rehabilitation and Innovation 
proposals must be based on priorities identified in the applicant 
jurisdiction's RAP.
    (2) Recovery Action Program Grant Applications: In accordance with 
36 CFR 72.52, ranking and selection for funding of Recovery Action 
Program grants will be initiated on the basis of a full application, 
preparation of which will be assisted through meetings with NPS 
regional staff. The following documents are required to be submitted 
with the Recovery Action Program Grant Application: OMB Standard Forms 
such as the SF-424, the RAP Grant Agreement (Form 10-911), 
narrative statements with a description and scope of the planning 
product(s) to be developed, a project budget, and a work schedule.
    (3) Preapplication for Rehabilitation and Innovation Grants: In 
accordance with 36 CFR 72.53, a preapplication procedure is used to 
reduce the amount of time and documentation needed for a full 
application, and to foster the competitive aspects of the UPARR 
Program. The preapplication must include those items as set forth in 
the Preapplication Handbook, to include: a letter of transmittal, SF-
424, proposal description statement, a narrative describing how the 
project meets the selection criteria, maps, photographs (for 
construction projects), cost estimates, and pass through certifications 
(if applicable). The application must describe the problem addressed by 
the proposal, including existing conditions, the reason for the problem 
or why the condition exists, and what the UPARR assistance would do to 
alleviate the problem or condition. Discretionary applicants must also 
submit a narrative statement, signed by the chief executive of the 
applicant jurisdiction, explaining and quantifying the degree of 
physical and economic distress in the community must be included in 
each preapplication.
    (4) Full Application--Rehabilitation and Innovation Grants: In 
accordance with 36 CFR 72.54, once a Rehabilitation or Innovation 
proposal has received a tentative grant offer, applicants will be 
responsible for completing a full application, which addresses 
compliance with OMB Circulars A-102 and A-87, as well as other 
applicable Federal laws and regulations such as environmental and 
historic preservation laws. A list of specific Acts and Executive 
Orders is in 36 CFR 72.56. A grant will not be approved until the 
applicant has completed a full application, which is due 120 days from 
the date of the grant offer.
    Grant respondents must also complete and sign the UPARR Program 
Grant Rehabilitation and Innovation Agreement (currently approved under 
1024-0089; Form 10-912). We use this information to document 
the obligations assumed by the respondent through its acceptance of 
Federal assistance including the rules and regulations applicable to 
the conduct of a project under the UPARR Act and any special terms and 
conditions to the project established by the NPS and agreed to by the 
respondent. This information also obligates the Federal government to 
provide grants up to the designated amount for eligible costs incurred 
on the project on the basis of information and estimates contained in 
the proposal.
    (5) Amendments (Currently approved under 1024-0089): Grantees must 
request prior written approval from NPS for an amendment to a project 
if the revision causes substantial changes in the scope, objective, or 
work elements such as the project period. To alter the grant agreement, 
grantees must complete and sign the Amendment to UPARR Grant Agreement 
(Form 10-915). The request must also include an SF-424, an 
explanation of and justification for the change(s), and if applicable, 
new budget information.
    (6) Performance Reports (Currently approved under 1024-0028): The 
UPARR Program Project Performance Report details the annual status of 
the projects and any changes that need to be implemented. We use this 
information to ensure that the grantee is accomplishing the work on 
schedule and to identify any problems that the grantee may be 
experiencing in accomplishing that work. Performance Reports are needed 
to show quarterly or annual progress reports on the physical completion 
per percentage of each grant, financial expenditures to date, budget 
revisions if needed, work planned for the next year, and any additional 
information pertinent for grant completion.
    (7) Conversion of Use (Currently approved under 1024-0048): In 
accordance with Section 1010 of the UPARR Act and as codified in 36 CFR 
72.72, no property improved or developed with UPARR assistance can be 
converted to other than public recreation uses without the approval of 
the NPS. A conversion will only be approved if it is found to be in 
accord with the current local park and recreation Recovery Action 
Program and/or equivalent recreation plans and only upon such 
conditions as deemed necessary to assure the provision of adequate 
recreation properties and opportunities of reasonably equivalent 
location and usefulness. To request a conversion, the grantee must 
submit the following documentation: an amendment request, a narrative 
statement comparing the site to be converted with the proposed 
replacement site addressing factors such as physical size, location, 
carrying capacity, and facilities; maps (location, site, and Section 
1010 boundary); and evidence of the grantee's control and tenure over 
the replacement site.
    (8) Recordkeeping Requirements: In accordance with 36 CFR 72.60(b), 
applicants must maintain adequate financial records to support all 
expenditures or costs covered by a Recovery Action Program, 
Rehabilitation, or Innovation project grant, as specified in OMB 
Circular A-87 and OMB Circular A-102 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.

II. Data

    OMB Control Number: 1024-0048.
    Title: Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Grants, 36 CFR 
72.
    Service Form Numbers: 10-911, 10-912, and 10-915.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Description of Respondents: State Governments; 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.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

[[Page 25762]]



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                                                                    Number of    Completion time
                    Activity                        Number of        annual        per response    Total annual
                                                   respondents      responses        (hours)       burden hours
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Recovery Action Program........................               1               1             80                80
Recovery Action Program Grant Applications.....               1               1              3.5               4
Preapplication for Rehabilitation or Innovation               1               1             10                10
 Grants........................................
Final Application for Rehabilitation or                       1               1             10.5              11
 Innovation Grants.............................
Grant Amendments...............................               1               1              3.5               4
Performance Reports............................               1               1              1                 1
Conversion of Use Request......................               1               5             25               125
Recordkeeping Requirements.....................               1               1              2                 2
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    Totals.....................................              11              15  ...............             237
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    Estimated Annual Nonhour Cost Burden: None.

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: April 26, 2013.
Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-10362 Filed 5-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-EH-P