1028-0100 Dysi Ss-a 2014-12-02

Supporting Statement A

Landslide Report: Did You See it?

OMB Control Number 1028-0100

Terms of Clearance: None

General Instructions

A completed Supporting Statement A must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation. When the question “Does this ICR contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods?” is checked "Yes," then a Supporting Statement B must be completed. OMB reserves the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for approval.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is responsible for responding to evolving national and global needs and priorities for scientific information on which is used to base natural resource management decisions. Landslides are a serious but little understood hazard in the U.S. They cause more than 3 billion dollars in property damage and at least 25 deaths per year. Under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (Stafford Act) the USGS has the responsibility to issue disaster warnings for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides or other geologic catastrophes. Accordingly, the USGS is required to evaluate hazards associated with landslides and develop methods for hazards prediction. The information provided by the information collection is used to determine the location and nature of landslides necessary to mitigate the impact of landslides on the public.

This collection will provide information required by the following laws, regulations, policies and statutes:

42 U.S.C. 5201 et seq. - The Disaster Relief Act of 1974

43 U.S.C. 31 et seq. - The Organic Act of March 3, 1879

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection. Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.

The primary objective of this information collection is to build better inventories of landslides through citizen participation. The public is able to report their observations of landslides to the USGS via an established web site. The information gathered is used to classify landslides and damages, as well as provide information about the location, time, speed and size of the landslides. The website where this information collection is implemented has been online for about two years and so far we have received less than one hundred responses and collected too few data to perform any detailed analyses. We are seeking approval to continue the collection for an additional three years while we continue efforts to increase public awareness and participation. As part of this effort, we plan to make the website more readily usable by smart phones and tablets. At the end of three years we will evaluate the number of responses received and determine whether to continue the collection.

The USGS uses the information to provide qualitative, quantitative, and graphical descriptions of landslide damage. The questions in this collection are grouped by the following six categories:

1. Location of the Landslide

The respondent is asked to provide the nearest city (or landmark) and state where the landslide occurred. The respondent is allowed to provide additional information such as the precise location of the landslide by using an interactive map application. The mapped location will allow USGS researchers to study the geographical distribution of landslides in relation to geology and topography.

2. Time of the Landslide

The respondent is asked to indicate time of the first observation of the landslide and is able to provide additional information about when the landslide actually occurred and how long movement lasted. The time and duration of the landslides are needed because it will allow the USGS geologists to study distribution of landslides in relation to rainfall, snowmelt, and earthquakes.

3. Images

The respondents will have the option of attaching photographs to their response. We have found that people are generally aware of the importance of their observations and that photographs can be used to convey additional information about the effects of landslides Photographs are desirable because they can help USGS geologists interpret landslide size, type, and effects. Submitting photographs of the landslide is optional

4. Damage Caused by the Landslide

This question is included to distinguish damaging from non-damaging landslides. The respondent will have an opportunity to enter numbers of injuries, fatalities and damages to different kinds of property, facilities, and so on. This information is used by USGS geologists to estimate the magnitude of landslide-related losses.

5. Description of the Event

The remaining questions will address attributes and characteristics of the landslide. The respondents are asked to provide information about:

• movement,

• setting,

• kind and consistency of materials (rock or soil),

• effects of the landslide on the orientation of trees or inanimate objects,

• conditions prior to the landslide,

• noises, speed, and size of the landslide

The responses to these questions are sometimes compared to reports of other similar landslides. Information acquired in this section of the survey is used by USGS geologists to classify the landslides and study relationships between landslide type, size, causes and location.

6. Contact Information.

Names and contact information (e.g., email address) is collected and maintained only for the purpose of follow-up contact to clarify responses. Our primary purpose for collecting contact information is to follow-up with the respondents to verify the submission as a valid and reliable entry. Respondent names or e-mail addresses will not appear in any of our reports. A space is provided for additional information or comments not covered by the questions. Providing personal contact information (e.g., name, e-mail address, and phone) is not required and is noted as optional.

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.

All responses to this collection are 100% electronic. The USGS has created a fully automated web-based system to collect and process the data. This is a huge savings of USGS personnel time. However “real-person” time is needed to respond to any open-ended comments at the end of the survey.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

No other organization gathers this type information on a national scale. The USGS “Did You See It” database manages specific information that is combined with historical data to make long term assessments of landslide damages and effects. Some States solicit this type of information from their citizens at a local level but not at the landscape or geographical scale of this collection.

Additionally, there is no information that can be used to evaluate the damage, intensity, and effects from landslides on the scale needed to make the types of assessments the USGS is traditionally and historically known to provide.

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

This information does not affect small businesses or other small entities.

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.

This collection will provide additional information that will be used to augment what is currently known about the frequency of landslides and their effects in the United States. Because the actual cost and impact of landslide hazards in the United States is not well documented and comprehensive cost data are difficult to obtain, insurance coverage is typically not available to property owners for landslide damages. This information could also be used to provide data that will lead to a better understanding of the actual cost of damage after events that can cause landslides

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.

This request contains no special circumstances that would require this information collection to be conducted in a manner that is inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify 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 and in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years, and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

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.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every three years — even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

The Federal Register notice requesting comments was published on August 26, 2014 (79 FR 50939). The notice announced that we would submit this information request to OMB for approval. In that notice we solicited public comments for 60 days, ending October 27, 2014. We did not receive any comments in response to that notice.

Below are the names and contact information of the individuals who provided feedback concerning this collection. No additional comments or recommendations were given by these reviewers.

Bill Burns, Engineering Geologist Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland, OR 97232 (971) 673-1538 [email protected]	Tim Walsh, Chief Hazards Geologist Division of Geology & Earth Resources Washington State Department of Natural Resources 360-902-1432 Fax 360-902-1785 [email protected]
Lawrence A. Douglas, Special Projects Manager West Virginia Department of Transportation Program, Planning and Administration Division 1900 Kanawha Blvd., East, Bldg. 5, Room A-851 Charleston WV 25305 Phone: 304-558-7402 FAX: 304-558-3783 [email protected]	Jason Rolfe, Professional Geologist Wyoming State Geological Survey P.O. Box 1347 Laramie, WY 82073-1347 (307) 690-7258 [email protected]

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 associated with this collection.

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

Names and contact information (e.g., email address) are maintained only for the purpose of follow-up contact to clarify responses. Our primary purpose for collecting contact information is to follow-up with the respondents to verify the submission as a valid and reliable entry. Respondent names or e-mail addresses will not appear in any of our reports. The records for this collection are maintained in accordance to Privacy Act System of Records identified as Computer Registration System (INTERIOR/USGS-20) published at 74 FR 23430 (May 19, 2009).

We plan to display any submitted photographs of a landslide along with its associated report. Submitters are given an opportunity to indicate who should receive credit (or copyright information where and when appropriate) for a photograph in its accompanying caption. Photos submitted without naming the photographer are credited to “anonymous.” Submitters are informed that the images they submit will effectively be placed in the public domain inasmuch as the USGS cannot prevent or control the use of the image by others. Submitters are required to certify that they are legally empowered to convey the images they are submitting to the USGS. Further, the submitter is required to give USGS permission to display the images on its web pages and in other information products free of charge. A staff member will review all images and associated captions to confirm that the content is appropriate and that the images are clear enough to be useful, before approving them to appear with the landslide report. We worked with the USGS office of communications and the DOI solicitor’s office to ensure that notices and procedures are compliant with U.S. copyright laws and USGS policies concerning photographic media.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

The collection does not include sensitive or private questions

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the burden hours.

* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included under “Annual Cost to Federal Government.”

The form is seldom completed by the same person for different landslides, since landslides do not occur in the same place each time. This data collection and the completion times will vary depending on the level of information provided by each respondent. The total number of burden hours for this collection is estimated to be 167. This estimate is based on the on the number of responses received and not the number of respondents providing information.

There are three types of responses considered for this collection.

• Those only reporting landslide location and time (3 minutes)

• Those reporting landslide location, time, damage and description (5 minutes); and

• Those reporting landslide location, time, damage and description and submitting photographs (10 minutes)

These estimates generally include the time to read the instructions, navigate the website and to provide optional contact information

Table 1 Estimate of annual response burden.

Individual Households	Responses	Completion Time (minutes)	Burden Hours
Those only reporting landslide location and time	1000	3	50
Those reporting landslide location, time, damage and description	600	5	50
Those reporting landslide location, time, damage and description and submitting photographs	400	10	67
Total	2000		167

We estimate the total dollar value of the annual burden hours for this collection to be $5028 (rounded). We arrived at this figure by multiplying the estimated burden hours for individuals by $30.11. This wage figure includes the multiplier for benefits and is based on the National Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages in the United States published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupation and Wages, BLS news release USDL-14-0693) for Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—September 2014 (accessed on October 6, 2014 at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.htm).

Table 2 Estimated Dollar Value of Respondent Annual Burden Hours.

Respondents	Hourly Rate Including Benefits	Total Annual Burden Hours	Total Annualized Cost
2000 Individuals	$30.11	167	$5028

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)

* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information (including filing fees paid for form processing). Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no non-hour burden costs associated with this collection.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

We estimate that the total cost to the Federal Government for reviewing and processing completed surveys and preparing reports as a result of this collection of information is $17,143 (rounded). This cost includes Federal employee salaries and benefits. The table below shows grade levels, positions, and time of three Federal employees performing various tasks associated with this information collection. We used the Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2014 General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay Table to determine the hourly. We multiplied the hourly rate by 1.5, to account for benefits and overhead.

Table 3 Total Annualized Federal Employee Salaries and Benefits.

Position	Grade (GS)	Hourly Rate	Hourly Rate incl. benefits (1.5 x hourly pay rate)	Estimated time per task (hours)		Annual Cost
Supervisory Geologist	15/5	$54.64	$81.96	80		$6,557
Geographer	12/5	$33.06	$49.59	80		$3,967
IT Specialist	11/5	$27.58	$41.37	160		$6,619
TOTAL					$17,143

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour cost burden.

There are no program changes, this is an extension without change.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The information will be published in USGS landslide-related publications and will also be displayed on the USGS landslide information Web Site. This information is intended to describe the nature of landslides and will not be used by the USGS to provide statistical inferences concerning landslides.

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.

Not applicable. We will display the expiration date

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.