Notice2023-11451
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; The Environmental Questionnaire and Checklist (EQC)
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 31, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce Department
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34823-34824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11451]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; The Environmental Questionnaire and Checklist (EQC)
AGENCY: Office of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Programs,
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the
[[Page 34824]]
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and
other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing
information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting
burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public
comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 31, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Kristen Thomas, Associate Director, Office of Sustainable Energy and
Environmental Programs, and <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#60303221030f0d0d050e141320040f034e070f16"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8888a99bbb7b5b5bdb6acab98bcb7bbf6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>. Please reference OMB
Control Number 0608-0028 in the subject line of your comments. Do not
submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Kristen Thomas, Associate Director, Office of Sustainable Energy and
Environmental Programs, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b100f1314161a083b1f1418551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86edf2eee9ebe7f5c6e2e9e5a8e1e9f0">[email protected]</span></a> or (202) 482-1202.
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 White House 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.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-11451 Filed 5-30-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NW-P
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