OMB commends
USCG for developing an electronic filing option for this
collection.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/2014
36 Months From Approved
06/30/2011
5,500
0
3,000
5,271
0
3,000
0
0
0
About 3,000 event sponsors will
continue to submit permit applications to the Coast Guard for
organized events held on navigable waters on the U.S. CG uses the
information to consider impacts on navigation and the environment
and develop measures to avoid or reduce those impacts.
Changes in estimated number of
applications received annually: The estimated number of expected
applications submitted to the Coast Guard has increased from 3000
to 5500. The Coast Guard's last burden estimate used 2005 data
which indicated the historic yearly average number of permit
applications received was approximately 3,000. In 2009 the Coast
Guard conducted a survey of Coast Guard offices around the country
and found that the number of permit applications annually received
from the public has risen to approximately 5,500. The 2010 data
suggest a similar pace. The numbers of Marine Event Permit
applications received around the country in 2009 are as follows:
1st Coast Guard District (New England): 1300 5th Coast Guard
District (Mid-Atlantic): 430 7th Coast Guard District (South East):
600 8th Coast Guard District (Gulf Coast and inland rivers): 416
9th Coast Guard District (Great Lakes): 487 11th Coast Guard
District (California): 1526 13th Coast Guard District (Pacific
Northwest): 293 14th Coast Guard District (Pacific Islands): 435
17th Coast Guard District (Alaska): 15 Total Marine Event Permits
received in 2009: 5502 Changes in hourly burden: The estimated
hourly burden to the public has increased from 3000 hours to
5270.83 hours. The Coast Guard has created a mechanism to submit
the form CG-4423 electronically online through
http://homeport.uscg.mil. To support this, the Coast Guard has
modified the form to include an optional email address to allow
http://homeport.uscg.mil to send automated email receipts to
applicants. The Coast Guard continues to estimate that the
aggregate time required for applicants to collect the data, fill
out the paper form and mail it to the appropriate Coast Guard unit
is 60 minutes. The Coast Guard estimates that the new online
submission option will save applicants five minutes in processing
time and approximately half of the applicants will select the
online submission option. Because the Coast Guard has not
previously allowed an online submission option, the 50% paper
submission and 50% online submission is a rough estimate and will
be refined as the program matures. The majority of the increase in
burden hours is accounted for by the increase in the estimated
number of applications expected annually. Changes in cost burden:
The estimated cost burden has risen from $5833.33 to $280,144.61.
In the past, the Coast Guard only accounted for the estimated cost
of an administrative assistant (GS7 equivalent) to type the
information into the form, figuring it took 20 minutes to type the
form. This methodology was in error and did not account for the
cost of collecting the information and preparing associated
documents. Furthermore, the Coast Guard has found no information to
substantiate the idea that administrative assistants type the
CG-4423. Based on feedback from Coast Guard units processing permit
applications, the Coast Guard estimates that most CG-4423s are
completed by personnel who meet the Bureau of Labor and Statistics
(BLS) definition of General and Operations Managers. The associated
cost burden has been modified accordingly. Changes in annualized
cost to the Federal Government: The estimated annualized cost to
the Federal Government has risen from $3,625,500 to $4,880,125. The
Coast Guard has updated the annual salary information for
government personnel processing permit application and conducting
environmental reviews to the most recent version of the governing
publication (Commandant Instruction 7310.1 L, Standard Rates.) In
addition, because the number of expected applications has increased
from 3000 to 5500, the associated costs to the Federal Government
have increased commensurately.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.