Supporting Statement A
National Ground-Water Monitoring Network
Cooperative Funding Program
OMB Control Number 1028-NEW
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.
Specific Instructions
Justification
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.
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.
Project Summary
Overall summary of project including physical area, aquifers monitored, and type and number of wells monitored.
Description of Agency and Purpose of Monitoring
Brief description of agency and purpose of groundwater data collected.
Identification of Principal or Major Aquifers being Monitored
List principal, major or other important aquifers that are being monitored.
Description of Monitoring Networks
Provide a detailed description of existing monitoring networks with sites that may be considered for inclusion in the NGWMN.
Overview of Field Practices
Discuss any differences in field practices than those described in the NGWMN Framework Document Appendix 5.
Overview of Databases
Describe databases used to store water-level, water-quality, and lithologic data. List any fields from the list in Appendix C of the Program Announcement that you will not be able to provide to the Network.
List of Project Tasks
Provide a list of tasks for the project. Describe the approach for each task and the approximate percentage of the total project budget for each task.
Work Plan
Identify project personnel and the timeline needed to accomplish the tasks above.
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.
Application packages will be accepted electronically through the grants.gov web site.
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.
This is a new program intended to support development and implementation of the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network. Specific information from potential data providers will be needed as part of the application package to evaluate their application. No other Federal agency will be collecting the specific information required.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.
The collection of information would only impact small businesses or other entities which collect groundwater data and choose to apply for cooperative funding as a data provider. Application for cooperative funding is completely voluntary.
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.
If we cannot collect applications from potential data providers, we will not have the information necessary to make decisions about priorities of funding and funding needs. Collection will have to occur annually in order to bring in new data providers as the Network grows. Support will also be provided to existing data providers over a two-year period. If we are unable to receive renewal applications, ongoing support could not be provided.
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.
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 60-day FRN was published 2/6/2015 at 80 FR 6746. We did not receive any public comments.
We consulted with the individuals listed in the table to obtain their views on the information presented in our instrument. Several modifications to the format and design of the application were suggested during the testing period and these have been incorporated.
Texas Water Development Board Janie Hopkins Austin, TX |
Montana Department of Natural Resources Tom Patton Helena, MT |
Musick Groundwater Consulting Mary Musick, Wimberley, TX |
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9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
Not Applicable. No awards or payment will be provided to applicants simply for applying.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
No assurance of confidentiality is given to respondents. The application along with the agency name, contact name, phone number, and email addresses collected will be shared only within the USGS program office, the Subcommittee on Ground-Water members, and the NGWMN Program Board.
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 application process does not require sensitive information.
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 hour burdens.
* 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.
Cost estimate for applicants were determined using a rate of $44.25 per hour for State and local government employee from Bureau of Labor Statistics ‘Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2015’, released June 10, 2015. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_06102015.htm
Activity |
Estimated Number of Responses |
Estimated Minutes per response |
Estimated Burden Hours |
Estimated Dollar Equivalent |
Cooperative Agreement Applications |
100 |
1800 |
3000 |
$132,750 |
Final Report |
25 |
7500 |
3125 |
$138,281 |
Total |
|
|
6125 |
$271,031 |
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 is no non-hour cost burden to applicants under this collection. There is no fee for application, nor any fees associated with application requirements.
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.
Federal Govt cost |
Year 1 |
|
200 |
|
$13,522 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Position |
Grade |
Hourly Rate |
Annual Hours |
Loaded Hourly Rate |
Labor Value |
USGS Program Coordinator |
GS-15 |
$55.19 |
40 |
$82.79 |
$3,312 |
USGS NGWMN Staff |
GS-13 |
$39.70 |
120 |
$59.55 |
$7,146 |
EPA Representative |
GS-15 |
$55.19 |
20 |
$82.79 |
$1,656 |
Forest Service Representative |
GS-14 |
$46.92 |
20 |
$70.38 |
$1,408 |
The table above shows estimated costs for reviewing the application packets that will be submitted as part of cooperative agreement solicitation. The program is administered by USGS so most of the burden will be there. However the Subcommittee on Ground-Water (SOGW) also has members from other Federal Agencies that may be involved in the proposal review process. Hourly rates were determined from the General Schedule of the GS scale for Federal employees available at (http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2015/general-schedule/)/ a step level of 5 was used for each GS level to estimate the basic hourly rate. The Loaded Hourly rate is the OPM hourly rate times 1.5 to account for benefits to Federal employees.
Other expenses to Federal Government
None.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.
This is a new program.
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.
Collection will not be published.
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.
The expiration date will be displayed.
18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."
Not seeking any exceptions.
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| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | djbieniewicz |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-25 |