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.
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
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,