In accordance with 5 CFR 1320,the revised information collection is approved. The terms of the previous clearance remain in effect, including the expiration date of 09/30/2017. The agency has offered to continue to monitor actual burden hours on respondents and to adjust estimates accordingly upon resubmission.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2017
09/30/2017
09/30/2017
125
0
125
4,625
0
4,625
0
0
0
RM14-20. This ICR requests approval of non-substantive changes in the final rule in RM14-20. FERC issued this Final Rule in RM14-20 (Order 798, issued 7/17/2014) to make minor changes to its regulations. This Final Rule amends the requirements of 18 C.F.R. § 4.39(a) pertaining to the format and dimensions of maps and drawings submitted to the Commission by applicants and licensees in the Commission's hydropower program. Specifically, the amendments: 1) remove the requirement that applicants and licensees submit copies of certain project maps and drawings in microfilm format on aperture cards; and 2) change the minimum and maximum dimensions applicable to submitted maps and drawings. These amendments modernize the regulations to reflect technological advances and the manner in which the majority of filers currently submit their drawings, and to relieve burdens placed on applicants and licensees (who formerly may have had to request a waiver to file in this format or size). For further info., see the non-substantive justification available in "Supplementary Documents." [There will be 3 separate ICRs related to this final rule, one each for FERC-500 and FERC-505 (both of which are pending), and this submittal for FERC-512.]
Because this order updates the Commission's regulations and reflects current industry practice related to the creation and submittal of maps and drawings, this change is being submitted to OMB for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act as a 'non-substantive change' to FERC-500, FERC-505, and FERC-512. At this time, FERC is not modifying the burden or cost associated with these collections.
FERC-512, in general. FERC is responsible for licensing nonfederal hydropower projects if they are on lands or waters subject to Congressional authority. Part I of the Federal Power Act(FPA) gives FERC the authority to issue licenses for hydroelectric projects on these waters. FERC issues licenses for terms up to 50 years for projects "best adapted to a comprehensive plan" for improving a waterway for beneficial public purposes. Benefits include power generation, irrigation, flood control, navigation, fish and wildlife, municipal water supply, and recreation. Preliminary permits, issued for three years, reserve rights to study the feasibility of hydropower development at a specific site, but do not authorize construction of any hydropower facilities. The application for preliminary permit process is pursuant to FERC's defined role, as mandated under Sections 4(f), 5 and 7 of the Federal Power Act.
The purpose of obtaining a preliminary permit as noted above, is to maintain a priority status for an application for a license, while the applicant conducts site examinations and surveys to prepare maps, plans, specifications and estimates. This period of time also provides the applicant with the opportunity to conduct engineering, economic and environmental feasibility studies; plus make the financial arrangements for funding the construction of the site. The conditions under which the priority will be maintained are set forth in each permit. During the term of the permit, no other application for a preliminary permit or application for license submitted by another party can be accepted.
There are no changes to reporting requirements. Moreover, there is no change to the burden hours per response.
However, there is a decrease in the number of respondents that results in an overall decrease in total annual burden for the information collection. Over the past 1 to 2 years, there has been a downward trend in the number of respondents, and this trend is expected to continue. The precise reasons for the downward trend are unknown, but it appears to coincide with expiring federal and state tax credits for hydropower development and a decrease in potential hydropower sites that haven't already been identified and studied.
$738,047
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Sheila Lampitoc 202 502-6193
Reginfo record details
No
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.
RM14-20_500_505_512_non-subst state_9-4-14.docx
FERC-512 supporting statement.doc
FERC-512 30-day notice.pdf
FERC-512, Application for Preliminary Permits,