Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 7136 [2018-03348]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 7136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03348]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 20, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 7136]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 14, 2018.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding (1) whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to 
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 
and other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by March 
22, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20503. Commentors are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Forest Service

    Title: Federal and Non-Federal Financial Assistance Instruments.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0217.
    Summary of Collection: In order to carry out specific Forest 
Service (FS) activities, Congress created several authorities to assist 
the Agency in carrying out its mission. Authorized by the Federal 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act (FGCAA), the FS issues Federal 
Financial Assistance awards, (i.e., grants and cooperative agreements). 
Agency specific authorities and appropriations also support use of 
Federal Financial Assistance awards. In addition to FFA, Congress 
created specific authorizations for acts outside the scope of the 
FGCAA. Appropriations language was developed to convey authority for 
the Forest Service to enter into relationships that are outside the 
scope of the FGCAA. Information in this request is collected from 
individuals; non-profit and for-profit institutions; institutions of 
higher education and state, local, and Native American tribal 
governments etc. Multiple options are available for respondents to 
respond including forms, non-forms, electronically, face-to-face, by 
telephone and over the internet.
    Need and Use of the Information: From the pre-award to the close-
out stage, FS will collect information from respondents on forms, via 
emails, meetings, and telephone calls. Using various forms respondents 
will describe the type of project, project scope, financial plan and 
other factors. To reach management decision on several Office of the 
Inspector General (OIG) Recommendations from the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act--Forest Service Hazardous Fuels Reduction and 
Ecosystem Restoration Projects on Non-Federal Lands Audit (Report No. 
08703-0005-SF, Issued March 2013), several new forms were created. In 
addition, mandatory post-award meetings must be held for each new 
Federal financial assistance award. Without this information the FS 
would not be able to develop, implement, monitor and administer these 
agreements and comply with the OIG audit recommendations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit Institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government; Individuals.
    Number of Respondents: 4,874.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly; On 
occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 49,751.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-03348 Filed 2-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P