[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52010-52012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21041]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Land and Water Conservation Fund Description and Notification, 
Performance Reports, Agreements and Amendments, On-site Inspection 
Reports, and Conversion of Use Provisions

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we 
(National Park Service, NPS) have sent five interrelated Information 
Collection Requests (ICRs) to OMB for renewal (OMB Control Numbers 
1024-0031, 1024-0032, 1024-0033, 1024-0034, and 1024-0047). We 
summarize each ICR below and describe the nature of the collection and 
the estimated burden. These ICRs are scheduled to expire on August 31, 
2010. 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. However, under OMB regulations, we may 
continue to conduct or sponsor these information collections while they 
are pending at OMB.

DATES: Submit comments on any or all of these ICRs on or before 
September 23, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments and suggestions on these ICRs to the Desk 
Officer for the Department of the Interior at OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-
5806 (fax) or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1857514a59475c575b535d4c5857555a367d7768367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94dbddc6d5cbd0dbd7dfd1c0d4dbd9d6baf1fbe4baf3fbe2">[email protected]</span></a> (e-mail). Please provide a copy 
of your comments to Cartina Miller, Information Collection

[[Page 52011]]

Clearance Officer, National Park Service, at 202-371-2049 (fax) or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cc8fadbeb8a5a2ad9381a5a0a0a9be8ca2bcbfe2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b082a393f22252a14062227272e390b253b38652c243d">[email protected]</span></a> (e-mail). Please specify the appropriate OMB 
control number(s) in the subject line of your comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Heupel, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, State and Local Assistance Programs, National Park Service, 
1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 2225, Washington, DC 20240 (mail) or 202-
371-5179 (fax). You are entitled to a copy of the ICR packages free of 
charge.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 
1965 (LWCF Act) (16 U.S.C 4601-4 et seq.) was enacted to help preserve, 
develop, and ensure access to outdoor recreation facilities. 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, we administer 
the LWCF State Assistance Program, which provides matching grants to 
States, and through the States to local units of government. As used in 
these ICRs, 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.
    The LWCF State Assistance Program gives maximum flexibility and 
responsibility to the States. States establish their own priorities and 
criteria and award their grant money through a competitive selection 
process based on a Statewide recreation plan. Local units of government 
participate in the program as subgrantees of the State with the State 
retaining primary grant compliance responsibility.
    We are seeking renewal of the following information collections for 
this program:

1. Description and Notification Form

    Title: Land and Water Conservation Fund Description and 
Notification Form.
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0031.
    Service Form Numbers: 10-903.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Brief Description of Collection: The Description and Notification 
Form (DNF), NPS 10-903, captures information about Land and Water 
Conservation Fund grants and the parks and recreation areas assisted 
through approval of a new grant, an amendment to an existing grant, or 
a Conversion of Use Provisions request. The DNF becomes part of the 
official project agreement.
    Affected Public: States.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 448.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 448.

2. Program Performance Report

    Title: Land and Water Conservation Fund Program Performance 
Reports.
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0032.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Brief Description of Collection: States must submit performance 
reports that describe the status of the work required under the project 
agreement and other pertinent information. Performance reports may be 
combined with the on-site inspection reports approved under OMB Control 
No. 1024-0034. We use this information to determine that adequate 
progress is being made for completing projects as agreed.
    Affected Public: States.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 672.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 672.

3. Project Agreements and Amendments

    Title: Land and Water Conservation Fund Project Agreement and 
Amendment.
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0033.
    Service Form Numbers: 10-902 and 10-902A.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Brief Description of Collection: To receive financial assistance, 
States must complete and sign the LWCF Project Agreement. We use this 
information to document the obligations assumed by the State through 
its acceptance of Federal assistance. This agreement also obligates the 
Federal government to provide grants up to the designated amount for 
eligible costs. To alter an agreement, States must complete and sign 
the Amendment to Project Agreement.
    Affected Public: States.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 448 (224 for each form).
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 3 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,344.

4. On-Site Inspection Reports

    Title: Land and Water Conservation Fund On-Site Inspection Reports.
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0034.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Brief Description of Collection: On-site inspections of funded 
sites are required so that we can (1) determine a project's eligibility 
to receive LWCF assistance, (2) monitor the performance of grantees, 
and (3) ensure compliance with all applicable requirements and 
regulations.
    Affected Public: States.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 5,992.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,996.

5. Conversion of Use Provisions Request

    Title: Land and Water Conservation Fund Conversion of Use 
Provisions, 36 CFR 59.
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0047.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection of 
information.
    Brief Description of Collection: In accordance with section 6(f)(3) 
of the LWCF Act and as codified in 36 CFR part 59, no lands acquired or 
developed with LWCF funds can be converted to other than public outdoor 
recreation uses unless the NPS approves the conversion in advance. The 
basis for this information collection is the narrative and supporting 
documentation necessary to ensure that a conversion of use meets the 
requirements of the LWCF Act.
    Affected Public: States.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 50.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 35 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,750.
    We published the following notices in the Federal Register 
announcing our intention to renew these ICRs and soliciting public 
comments for 60 days:

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    <bullet> OMB Control No. 1024-0031--notice published on March 24, 
2010 (75 FR 14181) with public comment period open through May 24, 
2010. We did not receive any comments.
    <bullet> OMB Control No. 1024-0032--notice published on April 14, 
2010 (75 FR 19419) with public comment period open through June 14, 
2010. We did not receive any comments.
    <bullet> OMB Control No. 1024-0033--notice published on April 14, 
2010 (75 FR 19419) with public comment period open through June 14, 
2010. We did not receive any comments.
    <bullet> OMB Control No. 1024-0034--notice published on March 15, 
2010 (75 FR 12253) with public comment period open through May 14, 
2010. We received one comment. The commenter expressed concern that the 
report is negligent in design and does not protect taxpayers' money and 
that the program is a waste of money that accomplishes nothing for the 
good of the American people.
    Response: On-site inspection reports are one of the methods we use 
to determine a project's eligibility to receive LWCF assistance, to 
monitor the performance of grantees, and to ensure compliance with all 
requirements and regulations. There is no standard report format. The 
State develops the on-site inspection report considering issues 
applicable to the specific project. An agreement negotiated between the 
NPS and the State covers the scope, timing, and selectivity of the 
inspections. If we discover that grant funds are being used improperly 
or the terms of the grant agreement are not being followed, we can 
withhold the State's LWCF funding. In addition, if anyone believes that 
a State's report may be incorrect or flawed, he or she should contact 
the appropriate NPS Regional Office.
    Under the Land and Water Conservation Fund grants program, we have 
approved over 40,000 projects to support acquisition of open space for 
park lands or the development of outdoor recreation facilities in every 
geographic region of the United States, in every county, and in almost 
all localities. Seventy-five percent of the total funds obligated have 
gone to locally sponsored projects to provide close-to-home recreation 
opportunities that are readily accessible to America's youth, adults, 
senior citizens, and the physically or mentally challenged. In addition 
to thousands of small recreation areas, grants have helped to acquire 
and develop new parks of Statewide or national significance.
    <bullet> OMB Control No. 1024-0047--notice published on April 19, 
2010 (75 FR 20374) with public comment period open through June 18, 
2010. We received one comment. The commenter stated that the public 
should have an opportunity to comment on a State's request to convert 
LWCF-assisted land to other than public outdoor recreational use.
    Response: While there is no requirement for a State to seek public 
comment on a conversion of use request, the regulations at 36 CFR part 
59 do require that such requests be in accord with the Statewide 
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Before receiving LWCF 
grants, States must develop a SCORP and revise it at least every 5 
years. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 requires that 
States provide ample opportunity for public participation during SCORP 
development and revision. The Governor of the State must certify that 
this opportunity has been afforded, and the State must send the results 
of public meetings and a summary of the public comments to NPS with the 
SCORP.
    We again invite comments on: (1) The practical utility of the 
information being gathered; (2) the accuracy of the burden hour 
estimate; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden to 
respondents, including the use of automated information collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Before including 
your address, phone number, e-mail, 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: August 19, 2010.
Cartina Miller,
NPS Information Collection Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-21041 Filed 8-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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