The NCCWSC has the responsibility to
manage DOI CSCs that are co-located at cooperating organizations at
non-USGS facilities. The DOI CSCs include USGS staff that report to
a national USGS office. The NCCWSC works in close partnership with
the climate change science and natural and cultural resource
management communities to understand high priority science needs
and to develop science information tools that can help resource
managers develop strategies for responding to climate change. This
program provides funding for researchers through cooperative
agreements that involve climate change science as a major
component. Eight DOI CSCs have been established, with the last
three started up in Fiscal Year 2012. The DOI CSCs and Host
partnerships have been established on a 5-year renewable basis. The
initial information collection activity was performed to identify
the preferred locations / institutional partners for Climate
Science Centers. This was a full and open competition announced on
Grants.gov. Based on this information, CSC host institutions have
been identified and have entered cooperative agreements with USGS.
At present, information collection activities focus on annual
performance and financial reports, required under the cooperative
agreements. This information is used to conduct an annual
performance evaluation of each CSC's progress in meeting the goals
of the agreement.
There were no program changes.
The reduction in burden hours reflects the removal of respondents
submitting applications. Because the CSCs have been established,
applications will not be necessary until it is time to renew the
partnerships in approximately three years.
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.