[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41228-41229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20582]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)


NOAA Coastal Ocean Programs (COP) Grant Applications

ACTION: Proposed Collection; Comment Request.

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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 take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Leslie McDonald, COP Grants Office, NOAA Coastal 
Ocean Programs (COP), SSMC#3, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3283,(301-713-
3338, x 137).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    NOAA's Coastal Ocean Programs provides predictive capability for 
managing coastal ecosystems through sponsorship of research. COP seeks 
to deliver the highest quality science in a timely manner for important 
coastal decisions. It supports research on critical issues which exist 
in the Nation's estuaries, coastal waters, and Great Lakes and 
translates its findings into accessible information for coastal 
managers, planners, lawmakers and the public. Grant monies are 
available for related activities.
    In addition to the standard application requirements for Federal 
grants, applicants must include the COP Summary Proposal Budget Form 
and a COP Project Summary (Abstract) Form. Applications may require up 
to 25 original proposal copies at time of submission. Use of the budget 
form will provide the level of detail required to evaluate the effort 
to be invested by investigators and staff on a specific project by the 
COP program staff; the proposed budget form is compatible with forms in 
use by other agencies that participate in joint projects with COP.
    The project summary (abstract) shall include a statement of 
objectives, methods to be employed, and the significance of the 
proposed activity to the advancement of knowledge or education; must 
not be more than one page in length; and should be written in the third 
person. The summary is used to help compare proposals quickly and 
allows the respondents to summarize these key points in their own 
words.
    The stated requirements for the number of original proposal copies 
provide for a timely review process because of the large number of 
technical reviewers. Due to the fact that many proposals contain 
original color inserts and the lack of color-copying capabilities by 
COP, the increased number of original proposal copies provides the 
opportunity for a more consistent review of all proposals by all 
reviewers during the competitive process.
    Persons with approved grants must file a COP Annual Progress Report 
and a COP Project Final Report. The annual report will provide the 
minimal information required by COP staff to evaluate the project's 
progress in respect to its goals and objectives, its schedule of 
accomplishments, and its resource management. The Project Final report 
will provide the level of detail required to evaluate the effort 
invested by the grantee, as well as the actual accomplishments or 
findings. The proposed format is compatible with forms in use by other 
agencies that participate in joint projects with COP.

II. Method of Collection

    The COP Summary Proposal Budget Form and the COP Project Summary 
Form are submitted as part of grant applications. The COP Annual 
Progress Report and the COP Project Final Report must follow a format 
provided to grantees. For the number of proposal copies required, the 
information is submitted as part of the application process; and no 
form is used.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Not-for profit institutions (public or private 
institutions of higher education, institutes, laboratories).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for a budget form, 30 
minutes for a project summary, 10 hours for an annual report, 10 hours 
for a final

[[Page 41229]]

report, and 10 minutes to provide the additional copies required.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,550 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: None (no capital 
expenditures required).

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: July 28, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-20582 Filed 7-31-98; 8:45 am]
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