Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program, 5699-5702 [2020-01801]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 21 / Friday, January 31, 2020 / Notices
• Gates of the Arctic National Park and
Preserve (GAAR)
• Kobuk Valley National Park (KOVA)
• Noatak National Preserve (NOAT)
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and
Preserve (WRST)
• Yukon-Charley Rivers National
Preserve (YUCH)
To conduct the surveys, a facilitator
uses in-person interviews to collect
information about harvests, uses, and
sharing of subsistence resources. Search
and harvest areas are also mapped over
the course of the interview. At the end
of the study, reports are provided to
park managers, state and other federal
agencies involved in management of
subsistence resources, citizen advisory
groups, and the surveyed communities
describing levels and patterns of
subsistence uses in these parks.
Information from this collection is also
used by the Federal Subsistence Board
and the State of Alaska in making
recommendations and decisions
regarding seasons and harvest limits of
fish, wildlife, and plants in the regions
Estimated
annual
respondents
Activity
which communities have customarily
and traditionally gathered resources.
Title of Collection: Community
Harvest Assessments for Alaskan
National Parks, Preserves, and
Monuments.
OMB Control Number: 1024–0262.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: One-time.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour
Burden Cost: None.
Estimated
annual
responses
Average
completion
time per
response
(minutes)
Estimated
annual
burden
hours *
Community Harvest Assessments ...................................................................
Non-response Survey ......................................................................................
1,389
1,834
1,389
1,834
60
10
1,389
306
Totals: .......................................................................................................
3,223
3,223
........................
1,695
* Rounded
An agency 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.
The authority for this action is the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Phadrea Ponds,
Acting, Information Collection Clearance
Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–01802 Filed 1–30–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[NPS–WASO–PVE–LWCF–NPS0028089;
1PPWOSLAD00 PCA00SA82.Y00000
19XP503582 (PS.SSLAD0019.00.1); OMB
Control Number 1024–0031]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Land and Water
Conservation Fund State Assistance
Program
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of Information
Collection; request for comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the National Park Service (NPS) are
proposing to renew an information
collection with revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before March 2,
2020.
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SUMMARY:
17:16 Jan 30, 2020
To
request additional information about
this ICR, contact Elisabeth Fondriest,
Recreation Grants Chief, 1849 C Street
NW (2225), Washington, DC 20240; or
by email at elisabeth_fondriest@nps.gov;
or by telephone at 202–354–6916. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1024–
0031 in the subject line of your
comments. You may also view the ICR
at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
National Park Service
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Send written comments on
this information collection request (ICR)
to the Office of Management and
Budget’s (OMB) Desk Officer for the
Department of the Interior by email at
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov; or by
facsimile at 202–395–5806. Please
provide a copy of your comments to
Phadrea Ponds, Acting Information
Collection Clearance Officer, National
Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort
Collins, CO 80525; or by email at
phadrea_ponds@nps.gov. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1024–
0031 in the subject line of your
comments.
ADDRESSES:
Jkt 250001
In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the
general public and other federal
agencies with an opportunity to
comment on new, proposed, revised,
and continuing collections of
information. This helps us assess the
impact of our information collection
requirements and minimize the public’s
reporting burden. It also helps the
public understand our information
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
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collection requirements and provide the
requested data in the desired format.
On May 14, 2019, we published a
Federal Register notice soliciting
comments on this collection of
information for 60 days, ending on July
15, 2019 (84 FR 21357). We received
one comment from the public in
response to that notice. This comment
did not necessitate any revisions to the
information collection.
We are again soliciting comments on
the proposed ICR described below. We
are especially interested in public
comment addressing the following
issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to
the proper functions of the NPS; (2) will
this information be processed and used
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate
of burden accurate; (4) how might the
NPS enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (5) how might the NPS
minimize the burden of this collection
on the respondents, including through
the use of information technology.
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 ICR. 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
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 21 / Friday, January 31, 2020 / Notices
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Abstract: The Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (LWCF
Act) (54 U.S.C. 200305) was enacted to
help preserve, develop, and ensure
access for the public to outdoor
recreation opportunities. 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. In accordance with the LWCF
Act, the National Park Service (we, NPS)
administers the LWCF State Assistance
Program, which provides matching
grants to States and through the States
to local units of government. As used in
this information collection request, the
term ‘‘States’’ includes the 50 States; the
Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the
Northern Mariana Islands; the District of
Columbia; and the Territories of Guam,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American
Samoa.
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. States
establish their own priorities and
criteria and award their grant money
through a competitive selection process
based on a state-wide 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 following information is collected
to administer the LWCF State
Assistance Program:
Application (Forms 10–903 and 10–
904). 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. We use
the information provided in
applications to determine eligibility
under the authorizing legislation and to
select those projects that will provide
the highest return on the federal
investment. Project proposals for LWCF
grants comprise the following:
• NPS Form 10–902 Project
Agreement, Request for Discontinuation.
Previously, Form 10–902 was used to
document the agreement between the
NPS and the State for accomplishing the
project, binding the Federal Government
and the State to certain obligations
through its acceptance of federal
assistance. With this renewal the NPS
requests to discontinue use of this form
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:16 Jan 30, 2020
Jkt 250001
in favor of a standard grant and
cooperative agreement template that is
used across the NPS, which is prepared
by LWCF State Assistance Program staff.
• NPS Form 10–903 Description and
Notification Form (DNF). The State must
submit a DNF for each park or other
recreation area that will be assisted with
grant funds. This form provides data
about the assisted project site(s), such as
location, acreages and details about
improvements, as understood at the
beginning of each grant project.
• NPS Form 10–904 Grant
Application and Revision Form, Request
for Form Revision. In response to State
and NPS LWCF Program staff
suggestions, the NPS is proposing to
revise the form previously named 10–
904 Proposal Description and
Environmental Screening Form (PD/
ESF) to create two sub-versions, one for
grant-related actions (renamed to Form
10–904, Grant Application and Revision
Form) and one for post-grant
stewardship and compliance actions
(Form 10–904A, Compliance and
Stewardship Form). Both versions of the
form will continue to provide
administrative and descriptive
information federal decision-makers
need to understand the nature of the
proposed grant-funded project or
subsequent amendments, including
conversions and other non-recreation
uses.
The revised NPS Form 10–904,
renamed the Grant Application and
Revision Form, will be required from
States submitting applications for a new
project and any requested amendments
to the subsequent grant agreement.
• Budget Narrative. Project sponsors
must prepare estimates of the cost(s) of
the proposed grant project.
• Pre-award On-site 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.
• 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 specific boundary
of the outdoor recreation area that will
be protected for outdoor recreation
purposes and subject to the conversion
provisions at 54 U.S.C. 200305(f).
Applicants should submit other
documents that have a significant
bearing on the project.
Grant Amendment (Forms 10–903 and
10–904). After initial award and over the
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course of the award performance period,
a State or project sponsor may seek to
amend the agreed-upon terms (e.g.,
award end date, scope of work, or
budget). NPS must review and approve
such changes. To describe the reasons
the change(s) is/are needed and the
impact(s) to the overall project, 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:
1. Request and recommendation letter
from the State Liaison Officer (SLO),
2. Revised SF–424 forms and budget
narrative,
3. Revised boundary map, and/or
4. Revised 10–903, DNF.
• NPS Form 10–904 Grant
Application and Revision Form. The
revised NPS Form 10–904 (PD/ESF),
renamed the Grant Application and
Revision Form, will be required from
States requesting amendments to the
subsequent grant agreement. The
revised form will constitute the cover
and certification pages, Steps 1 through
3A, plus Steps 5 through 7 of the
previous version of Form 10–904—PD/
ESF.
• NPS Form 10–903 Description and
Notification Form. A revised DNF may
be required for changes in scope that
significantly alter the planned facility
development or the acreage of the site
or area to be protected under 6(f).
Conversion of Use and Other PostAward Stewardship Issues (Forms 10–
902A, 10–903, and 10–904A). In
accordance with 54 U.S.C. 200305(f)
and implementing regulations found at
36 CFR 59, no lands acquired or
developed with LWCF funds can be
converted to other than public outdoor
recreation uses without the approval of
the Secretary of the Interior. 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
site 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 applications and
amendment requests. Additional
documents include maps showing the
existing protected recreation area and
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 21 / Friday, January 31, 2020 / Notices
delineating the area to be converted and
of the proposed replacement property.
• NPS Form 10–904A Compliance
and Stewardship Form, Request for New
Form. As part of the revision to Form
10–904, this is a new form request. The
proposed form will be required from
States post-grant completion when
seeking approval to convert a property
from recreation use or for a nonrecreation use of the site. The new form
will constitute the cover and
certification pages, Steps 3B through 4,
plus Steps 5 through 7 of the previous
version of Form 10–904—PD/ESF. In
addition, some information previously
requested in a narrative format will now
be requested in a question and answer
format.
• NPS Form 10–902A Project
Amendment Agreement. With this
renewal the NPS is requesting to
discontinue use of the 10–902A for
grant amendments in favor of a standard
grant and cooperative agreement
amendment template that is used across
the NPS, which is prepared by LWCF
State Assistance Program staff. Form
10–902A will continue to be used for
compliance and stewardship actions. It
is required to alter the signed Project
Agreement for conversion requests.
When the amendment is signed by the
NPS, it becomes part of the agreement
and supersedes it in the specified
matters.
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plan (SCORP). The LWCF
Act requires that to be eligible for LWCF
financial assistance, each State must
prepare and submit a SCORP to NPS for
approval. The NPS requires a new or
updated 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.
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:16 Jan 30, 2020
Jkt 250001
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.
Request for a Public Facility (Form
10–904A). Except for certain kinds of
recreation-supporting facilities (e.g.,
restrooms, visitor information centers),
project sponsors must seek NPS
approval when constructing an indoor
structure on a property that has received
LWCF assistance. In most cases,
development of an indoor structure
would constitute a conversion, but, in
certain cases NPS may approve them
where it can be shown that they will
enhance the outdoor recreation uses of
a park and there will be a net gain in
benefits to the outdoor recreating public
using that park. The request describes
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 revised boundary map indicating the
location of the proposed facility.
Request for Temporary NonConforming Use (Form 10–904A).
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 requirements.
Besides Form 10–904A, the State’s
proposal to NPS must include:
1. Request and recommendation letter
from the SLO, and
2. Acknowledgement by the SLO that
a full conversion will result if the
temporary use has not ceased after 6
months.
Request for Significant Change of Use
(Form 10–904A). 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.
Request to Shelter Facilities (Form
10–904A). Project sponsors must seek
NPS approval to construct a new
outdoor recreation facility, or partially
or fully enclose an existing facility, such
as a pool or ice rink, to shelter them
from severe climatic conditions and
thereby increase the recreational
opportunities. This approval is required
whether seeking to use LWCF grant
funds for this purpose or not.
Extension of the 3-year Limit for
Delayed Outdoor Recreation
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5701
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:
1. A full description of the property’s
current public outdoor recreation
resources and the public’s current
ability to use the property; and
2. An update of the project sponsor’s
plans and schedule for developing
outdoor recreation facilities on the
property.
Reports. We use this information
provided in reports 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.
• 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 grant 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. Only reports
indicating problems are forwarded to
the NPS for review and necessary
action; all other reports are maintained
in State files.
• Financial and Program
Performance Reports. In accordance
with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards), grantees must monitor
grant and sub-grant supported activities
to ensure compliance with applicable
federal requirements and to ensure
performance goals are being achieved.
States must submit reports to NPS at
least annually that include performance
and financial information.
Request for Reimbursement/Record of
Electronic Payment (Form 10–905).
States use the Automated Standard
Application for Payments (ASAP)
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 21 / Friday, January 31, 2020 / Notices
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. Payments on
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
NPS Form 10–905, ‘‘Record of
Electronic Payment’’ to the LWCF
Program offices in Washington, DC and
applicable NPS Region.
Recordkeeping. To comply with the
grant requirements of 2 CFR 200, 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 3year period if audit findings have not
been resolved. However, to comply with
the LWCF Act perpetuity requirements,
States must maintain sufficient records
to allow them to keep track of parks and
other recreation areas that have been
assisted.
Title of Collection: Land and Water
Conservation Fund State Assistance
Program, 54 U.S.C. 200305.
OMB Control Number: 1024–0031.
Form Number: NPS Forms, 10–902A,
10–903, 10–904, 10–904A and 10–905.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: States
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.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour
Burden Cost: None.
Estimated
annual
respondents
Activity
Application (NPS Forms 10–903, and 10–904):
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Grant Amendment (NPS Forms 10–903 and 10–904):
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Conversion of Use (NPS Forms 10–902A, 10–903, and 10–904A):
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP):
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Open Project Selection Process:
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Request for Public Facility (NPS Form 10–904A):
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Request for Temporary Non-Conforming Use (NPS Form 10–904A):
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Request for Significant Change of Use (NPS Form 10–904):
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Extension of 3-Year Limit for Delayed Outdoor Recreation Development:
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Onsite Inspection Reports:
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Financial and Program Performance Reports:
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Recordkeeping:
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Request for Reimbursement/Record of Electronic Payment (NPS Form 10–905):
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Proposal to Shelter Facilities:
State/Local/Tribal Governments ...............................................................................
Totals .................................................................................................................
Estimated
annual
responses
Average
completion
time per
response
(hours)
Estimated
annual
burden
hours *
56
448
16
7,168
50
180
5
900
50
50
92.5
4,625
11
11
600
6,600
11
11
30
330
8
8
16
128
5
5
16
80
2
2
16
32
5
5
16
80
56
5040
5.75
28,980
56
840
1
840
56
56
40
2,240
56
448
1
448
1
1
16
16
423
7,105
....................
52,467
* Rounded.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
An agency 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.
The authority for this action is the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Phadrea Ponds,
Acting, NPS Information Collection Clearance
Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–01801 Filed 1–30–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:16 Jan 30, 2020
Jkt 250001
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Application for
Designation as National Recreation
Trail or National Water Trail
PO 00000
National Park Service, Interior.
Frm 00092
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the National Park Service (NPS) are
proposing to renew an information
collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before March 2,
2020.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on
this information collection request (ICR)
to the Office of Management and
Budget’s (OMB) Desk Officer for the
Department of the Interior by email at
SUMMARY:
[NPS–WASO–PCE–COR–NTS–NPS0028331;
PPWOPCADT0, PPMPSPD1T.Y00000 (200);
OMB Control Number 1024–0283]
AGENCY:
Notice of Information
Collection; request for comment.
ACTION:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5699-5702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01801]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-PVE-LWCF-NPS0028089; 1PPWOSLAD00 PCA00SA82.Y00000 19XP503582
(PS.SSLAD0019.00.1); OMB Control Number 1024-0031]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Land and Water
Conservation Fund State Assistance Program
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Information Collection; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the National Park Service (NPS) are proposing to renew an information
collection with revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
March 2, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Desk Officer for
the Department of the Interior by email at [email protected];
or by facsimile at 202-395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments
to Phadrea Ponds, Acting Information Collection Clearance Officer,
National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525; or
by email at [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number
1024-0031 in the subject line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this ICR, contact Elisabeth Fondriest, Recreation Grants Chief,
1849 C Street NW (2225), Washington, DC 20240; or by email at
[email protected]; or by telephone at 202-354-6916. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1024-0031 in the subject line of your
comments. You may also view the ICR at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired
format.
On May 14, 2019, we published a Federal Register notice soliciting
comments on this collection of information for 60 days, ending on July
15, 2019 (84 FR 21357). We received one comment from the public in
response to that notice. This comment did not necessitate any revisions
to the information collection.
We are again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR described
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper
functions of the NPS; (2) will this information be processed and used
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how
might the NPS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how might the NPS minimize the
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use
of information technology.
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 ICR. 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
[[Page 5700]]
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Abstract: The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (LWCF
Act) (54 U.S.C. 200305) was enacted to help preserve, develop, and
ensure access for the public to outdoor recreation opportunities. 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. In accordance with the LWCF Act, the
National Park Service (we, NPS) administers the LWCF State Assistance
Program, which provides matching grants to States and through the
States to local units of government. As used in this information
collection request, the term ``States'' includes the 50 States; the
Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands; the
District of Columbia; and the Territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, and American Samoa.
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. States
establish their own priorities and criteria and award their grant money
through a competitive selection process based on a state-wide
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 sub-
grantees of the State, with the State retaining primary grant
compliance responsibility.
The following information is collected to administer the LWCF State
Assistance Program:
Application (Forms 10-903 and 10-904). 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. We use the information
provided in applications to determine eligibility under the authorizing
legislation and to select those projects that will provide the highest
return on the federal investment. Project proposals for LWCF grants
comprise the following:
NPS Form 10-902 Project Agreement, Request for
Discontinuation. Previously, Form 10-902 was used to document the
agreement between the NPS and the State for accomplishing the project,
binding the Federal Government and the State to certain obligations
through its acceptance of federal assistance. With this renewal the NPS
requests to discontinue use of this form in favor of a standard grant
and cooperative agreement template that is used across the NPS, which
is prepared by LWCF State Assistance Program staff.
NPS Form 10-903 Description and Notification Form (DNF).
The State must submit a DNF for each park or other recreation area that
will be assisted with grant funds. This form provides data about the
assisted project site(s), such as location, acreages and details about
improvements, as understood at the beginning of each grant project.
NPS Form 10-904 Grant Application and Revision Form,
Request for Form Revision. In response to State and NPS LWCF Program
staff suggestions, the NPS is proposing to revise the form previously
named 10-904 Proposal Description and Environmental Screening Form (PD/
ESF) to create two sub-versions, one for grant-related actions (renamed
to Form 10-904, Grant Application and Revision Form) and one for post-
grant stewardship and compliance actions (Form 10-904A, Compliance and
Stewardship Form). Both versions of the form will continue to provide
administrative and descriptive information federal decision-makers need
to understand the nature of the proposed grant-funded project or
subsequent amendments, including conversions and other non-recreation
uses.
The revised NPS Form 10-904, renamed the Grant Application and
Revision Form, will be required from States submitting applications for
a new project and any requested amendments to the subsequent grant
agreement.
Budget Narrative. Project sponsors must prepare estimates
of the cost(s) of the proposed grant project.
Pre-award On-site 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.
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 specific
boundary of the outdoor recreation area that will be protected for
outdoor recreation purposes and subject to the conversion provisions at
54 U.S.C. 200305(f). Applicants should submit other documents that have
a significant bearing on the project.
Grant Amendment (Forms 10-903 and 10-904). After initial award and
over the course of the award performance period, a State or project
sponsor may seek to amend the agreed-upon terms (e.g., award end date,
scope of work, or budget). NPS must review and approve such changes. To
describe the reasons the change(s) is/are needed and the impact(s) to
the overall project, 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:
1. Request and recommendation letter from the State Liaison Officer
(SLO),
2. Revised SF-424 forms and budget narrative,
3. Revised boundary map, and/or
4. Revised 10-903, DNF.
NPS Form 10-904 Grant Application and Revision Form. The
revised NPS Form 10-904 (PD/ESF), renamed the Grant Application and
Revision Form, will be required from States requesting amendments to
the subsequent grant agreement. The revised form will constitute the
cover and certification pages, Steps 1 through 3A, plus Steps 5 through
7 of the previous version of Form 10-904--PD/ESF.
NPS Form 10-903 Description and Notification Form. A
revised DNF may be required for changes in scope that significantly
alter the planned facility development or the acreage of the site or
area to be protected under 6(f).
Conversion of Use and Other Post-Award Stewardship Issues (Forms
10-902A, 10-903, and 10-904A). In accordance with 54 U.S.C. 200305(f)
and implementing regulations found at 36 CFR 59, no lands acquired or
developed with LWCF funds can be converted to other than public outdoor
recreation uses without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
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 site 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 applications and amendment requests. Additional
documents include maps showing the existing protected recreation area
and
[[Page 5701]]
delineating the area to be converted and of the proposed replacement
property.
NPS Form 10-904A Compliance and Stewardship Form, Request
for New Form. As part of the revision to Form 10-904, this is a new
form request. The proposed form will be required from States post-grant
completion when seeking approval to convert a property from recreation
use or for a non-recreation use of the site. The new form will
constitute the cover and certification pages, Steps 3B through 4, plus
Steps 5 through 7 of the previous version of Form 10-904--PD/ESF. In
addition, some information previously requested in a narrative format
will now be requested in a question and answer format.
NPS Form 10-902A Project Amendment Agreement. With this
renewal the NPS is requesting to discontinue use of the 10-902A for
grant amendments in favor of a standard grant and cooperative agreement
amendment template that is used across the NPS, which is prepared by
LWCF State Assistance Program staff. Form 10-902A will continue to be
used for compliance and stewardship actions. It is required to alter
the signed Project Agreement for conversion requests. When the
amendment is signed by the NPS, it becomes part of the agreement and
supersedes it in the specified matters.
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The LWCF
Act requires that to be eligible for LWCF financial assistance, each
State must prepare and submit a SCORP to NPS for approval. The NPS
requires a new or updated 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.
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.
Request for a Public Facility (Form 10-904A). Except for certain
kinds of recreation-supporting facilities (e.g., restrooms, visitor
information centers), project sponsors must seek NPS approval when
constructing an indoor structure on a property that has received LWCF
assistance. In most cases, development of an indoor structure would
constitute a conversion, but, in certain cases NPS may approve them
where it can be shown that they will enhance the outdoor recreation
uses of a park and there will be a net gain in benefits to the outdoor
recreating public using that park. The request describes 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
revised boundary map indicating the location of the proposed facility.
Request for Temporary Non-Conforming Use (Form 10-904A). 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 requirements. Besides Form 10-904A, the State's
proposal to NPS must include:
1. Request and recommendation letter from the SLO, and
2. Acknowledgement by the SLO that a full conversion will result if
the temporary use has not ceased after 6 months.
Request for Significant Change of Use (Form 10-904A). 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.
Request to Shelter Facilities (Form 10-904A). Project sponsors must
seek NPS approval to construct a new outdoor recreation facility, or
partially or fully enclose an existing facility, such as a pool or ice
rink, to shelter them from severe climatic conditions and thereby
increase the recreational opportunities. This approval is required
whether seeking to use LWCF grant funds for this purpose or not.
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:
1. A full description of the property's current public outdoor
recreation resources and the public's current ability to use the
property; and
2. An update of the project sponsor's plans and schedule for
developing outdoor recreation facilities on the property.
Reports. We use this information provided in reports 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.
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 grant 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.
Only reports indicating problems are forwarded to the NPS for review
and necessary action; all other reports are maintained in State files.
Financial and Program Performance Reports. In accordance
with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,
and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards), grantees must monitor grant
and sub-grant supported activities to ensure compliance with applicable
federal requirements and to ensure performance goals are being
achieved. States must submit reports to NPS at least annually that
include performance and financial information.
Request for Reimbursement/Record of Electronic Payment (Form 10-
905). States use the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP)
[[Page 5702]]
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. Payments on 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 NPS Form 10-905,
``Record of Electronic Payment'' to the LWCF Program offices in
Washington, DC and applicable NPS Region.
Recordkeeping. To comply with the grant requirements of 2 CFR 200,
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. However, to comply with the LWCF Act perpetuity
requirements, States must maintain sufficient records to allow them to
keep track of parks and other recreation areas that have been assisted.
Title of Collection: Land and Water Conservation Fund State
Assistance Program, 54 U.S.C. 200305.
OMB Control Number: 1024-0031.
Form Number: NPS Forms, 10-902A, 10-903, 10-904, 10-904A and 10-
905.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: States 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.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Estimated Estimated completion Estimated
Activity annual annual time per annual
respondents responses response burden
(hours) hours *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application (NPS Forms 10-903, and 10-904):
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 56 448 16 7,168
Grant Amendment (NPS Forms 10-903 and 10-904):
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 50 180 5 900
Conversion of Use (NPS Forms 10-902A, 10-903, and 10-904A):
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 50 50 92.5 4,625
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP):
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 11 11 600 6,600
Open Project Selection Process:
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 11 11 30 330
Request for Public Facility (NPS Form 10-904A):
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 8 8 16 128
Request for Temporary Non-Conforming Use (NPS Form 10-904A):
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 5 5 16 80
Request for Significant Change of Use (NPS Form 10-904):
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 2 2 16 32
Extension of 3-Year Limit for Delayed Outdoor Recreation
Development:
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 5 5 16 80
Onsite Inspection Reports:
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 56 5040 5.75 28,980
Financial and Program Performance Reports:
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 56 840 1 840
Recordkeeping:
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 56 56 40 2,240
Request for Reimbursement/Record of Electronic Payment (NPS
Form 10-905):
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 56 448 1 448
Proposal to Shelter Facilities:
State/Local/Tribal Governments.......................... 1 1 16 16
---------------------------------------------------
Totals.............................................. 423 7,105 ........... 52,467
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Rounded.
An agency 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.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Phadrea Ponds,
Acting, NPS Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-01801 Filed 1-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
