Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Grant Program

Agency Information Collection Activities; Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Grant Program

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before January 4, 2027.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information collections require approval under the PRA. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies 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.

We are especially interested in public comments addressing the following:

(1) Whether or not 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 our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, 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) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of response.

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 personally identifiable information (PII) in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment-including your PII-may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your PII from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract: USGS collects this information under the authority of 43 U.S.C. 3101-3104 (National Landslide Preparedness Act), which supports the mission of the USGS Landslide Hazards Program to reduce loss of life and property from landslides and improve public safety and community resilience. Under this authority, the USGS provides competitive grants to State, territorial, local, and Tribal governments to research, map, assess, and collect data on landslide hazards within their jurisdictions.

In response to USGS program announcements, applicants submit proposals describing proposed work in one or more priority areas: (a) advancing landslide hazard mapping and assessments, (b) improving landslide hazard planning and coordination, and (c) improving the dissemination and effectiveness of landslide hazard information to mitigate losses. Proposals include a project narrative, a detailed budget, resumes or curricula vitae of key staff, and applicant organization information (organization name, address, and authorized representative).

The USGS collects this information to evaluate and select proposals for funding that best meet the priorities of the Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Grant Program. Award recipients must also submit final technical reports summarizing project outcomes and, for awards spanning more than two years, annual progress reports describing work completed to date. The USGS uses these reports to monitor grantee progress and performance and to ensure accountability for federal funds. Final technical reports are made publicly available at https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/science/external-grants-overview .

Title of Collection: Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Grant Program.

OMB Control Number: 1028-0142.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, territorial, local, and Tribal governments.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 20.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 20.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: 40 hours.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 800.

Respondent's Obligation: Response is voluntary but required to be eligible to receive funding.

Frequency of Collection: Annually.

Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: There are no non-hour cost burdens associated with this Information Collection.

The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ).