1024-0089_supporting_statement_August 10_10

Supporting Statement A for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

OMB Control Number 1024-0089

Urban Park and Recovery Grant Agreement and Amendment

Form 10-912 and Form 10-915

36 CFR 72

July 30, 2010

Terms of Clearance: OMB approved this information clearance on August 8, 2007 with the following terms of clearance: None.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

The Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) Act (16 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) was passed as Title X of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978. The UPARR Act authorized the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program to help physically and economically distressed urban areas improve recreation opportunities for their residents.

The UPARR program is administered by the National Park Service (we, NPS) in accordance with regulations at 36 CFR 72. These regulations (1) explain the policies to be followed for awarding grants; (2) list the requirements and criteria to be met for each type of grant and discretionary eligibility; (3) discuss fundable uses and limitations; (4) explain how proposals will be selected and funding; and (5) describe the application process and administrative procedures for awarding grants. The three types of grants available under the program are:

• Rehabilitation - renovate or redesign existing close-to-home recreation facilities.

• Innovation - specific activities that either increase recreation programs or improve the efficiency of the local government to operating existing programs.

• Planning - development of a Recovery Action Program plan.

In order to receive financial assistance, grant respondents must complete and sign the UPARR Program Grant Rehabilitation and Innovation Agreement (Form # 10-912). To alter this agreement, they must complete and sign the Amendment to UPARR Grant Agreement (Form # 10-915). We use this information to document the obligations assumed by the respondent through its acceptance of Federal assistance including the rules and regulations applicable to the conduct of a project under the UPARR Act and any special terms and conditions to the project established by the NPS and agreed to by the respondent. This information also obligates the Federal government to provide grants up to the designated amount for eligible costs incurred on the project on the basis of information and estimates contained in the proposal.

2. Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information is to be used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support information that will be disseminated to the public, explain how the collection complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.

The UPARR Program Grant Rehabilitation and Innovation Agreement (Form # 10-912) collects information about the proposal scope and grant costs. The Amendment to UPARR Grant Agreement (Form # 10-915) collects the specific details on the changes to the original agreement. The NPS uses the information to describe the legal obligations of each party with respect to the grant award.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden [and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.].

The UPARR Program Grant Rehabilitation and Innovation Agreement (Form # 10-912) and the Amendment to UPARR Grant Agreement (Form # 10-915) are available to be emailed to respondents. In addition, a PDF fillable version of Form #10-915 is available at http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/uprr/pub.html. The UPARR Program is working on a PDF fillable version of Form #10-912 to place on its program website. Respondents may mail or email the completed forms to the NPS.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

There is no duplication of the information because the collection is specific to this unique grant program.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods to minimize the burden.

The collection of information does not impact small businesses or other small entities. All respondents are urban governments which are traditionally cities with populations greater than 50,000.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If the collection of this information is not conducted, the NPS will be unable to properly manage the UPARR program. This information collection allows the NPS to establish proper legal obligations to ensure that Government funds are properly expended.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

* requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

* in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

* requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

* that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no circumstances that require us to collect the information in a manner that is inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

8. Provide the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice,

required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice (or in response to a PRA statement) and describe actions taken by the agency in response to those comments.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed or reported. [Please list the name, titles, addresses, and phone numbers of persons contacted.

A notice announcing the extension of the collection and requesting public comments was published in the Federal Register on March 18, 2010 (75 FR 13138) for a 60-day period. The comment period ended on May 17, 2010. The NPS did not receive any comments in response to the Federal Register notice.

No individuals outside NPS were consulted, since there has not been any information collected since the last renewal of this collection.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There are no payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

There are no assurances of confidentiality provided to respondents.

11. Provide additional justification for any question of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.

No sensitive questions are asked.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

We are estimating a total of 2 annual responses and 2 burden hours for this collection as a placeholder for requirements in our regulations. This program has not been funded since FY 2002 and there are no open grants requiring an agreement or amendment. The program may be funded in the future.

We estimate the total dollar value of the annual burden hours is $127 (rounded). Local Recreation Grant Officers complete the Project Grant Rehabilitation and Innovation Agreements and Amendment to UPARR Grant Agreements. The mean hourly wage is approximately $42.17, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2008 http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes111021.htm). A multiplier of 1.5 was added for benefits for State/local/tribal governments in accordance with BLS news release USDL 10-0774, June 9, 2010 (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf) resulting in an hourly wage of $63.26.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual [nonhour] cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information.

There are no nonhour costs.

14. Provide estimates of annualized costs to the Federal Government.

The annual cost to the Federal Government is $98 (rounded). We estimate that it will take an Outdoor Recreation Planner 1 hour to process each response. The hourly rate for a GS-12/step 5 is $32.73, based on the Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2010-GS (http://www.opm.gov/oca/10tables/pdf/gs_h.pdf). A multiplier of 1.5 was added for benefits in accordance with BLS news release USDL 10-0774, June 9, 2010 (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf), resulting in an hourly wage of $49.10.

15. Explain the reason for any program changes or adjustments.

We are reporting 2 annual responses and 2 burden hours for this collection. The decrease of 18 responses and 18 burden hours is an adjustment until funding is reinstated. While the UPARR program has remained authorized, it has not been funded since FY 2002. It may receive funding in the future.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.

We do not publish this information.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

We will display the OMB control number and expiration date on appropriate materials.

18. Certification.

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.