Renewal of Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request; The Environmental Questionnaire and Checklist (EQC), 17532 [2020-06543]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 61 (Monday, March 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 17532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06543]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary


Renewal of Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment 
Request; The Environmental Questionnaire and Checklist (EQC)

AGENCY: Office of Facilities and Environmental Quality, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to comment on continuing the Environmental 
Questionnaire and Checklist, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public 
comment.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written or online comments must be 
submitted on or before May 29, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Department Paperwork 
Reduction Act Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 
14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the 
internet at [email protected]. All comments received are part of the 
public record. Comments will generally be posted without change. All 
Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to the DOC PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Policy and 
Governance, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Room 6616, Washington, DC 
20230 (202) 482-3306 or at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) and the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) 
Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) require that 
federal agencies complete an environmental analysis for all major 
federal actions significantly affecting the environment. Those actions 
may include a federal agency's decision to fund non-federal projects 
under grants and cooperative agreements, including infrastructure 
projects. In order to determine NEPA compliance requirements for a 
project receiving Department of Commerce (DOC) bureau-level funding, 
DOC must assess information which can only be provided by the applicant 
for federal financial assistance (grant).
    The Environmental Questionnaire and Checklist (EQC) provides 
federal financial assistance applicants and DOC staff with a tool to 
ensure that the necessary project and environmental information is 
obtained. The EQC was developed to collect data concerning potential 
environmental impacts that the applicant for federal financial 
assistance possesses and to transmit that information to the Federal 
reviewer. The EQC allows for a more rapid review of projects and 
facilitate DOC's evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of a 
project and level of NEPA documentation required. DOC staff use the 
information provided in answers to the questionnaire to determine 
compliance requirements for NEPA and conduct subsequent NEPA analysis 
as needed. Information provided in the questionnaire may also be used 
for other regulatory review requirements associated with the proposed 
project, such as the National Historic Preservation Act.

II. Method of Collection

    The primary method of collection will be the internet 
(electronically). Some supporting documents may be emailed or mailed.

II. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0690-0028.
    Form Number: CD-593.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households; not-for-profit institutions; state, local, 
or tribal government; and Federal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 3 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,200 in mailing costs ($6 
x approximately 200 respondents who choose to mail rather than email 
attachments).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 25, 2020.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-06543 Filed 3-27-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-NW-P