[Federal Register: August 31, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 167)]
[Notices]
[Page 44867-44868]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au09-106]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Water Delivery and Electric Service Data for the Operation of
Irrigation and Power Projects and Systems: Proposed Information
Collection
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Submission to the Office of Management and Budget.
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SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Bureau of
Indian Affairs (BIA) is submitting the following information
collections to the Office of Management and Budget for renewal: (1)
Electrical Service Application, 25 CFR 175, OMB Control Number 1076-
0021; and (2) Water Request, 25 CFR 171, OMB Control Number 1076-0141.
Current approvals for the collections expire August 31, 2009.
DATES: Submit comments on or before September 30, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Department of the
Interior Desk Officer, by facsimile at (202) 395-5806 or via e-mail to
OIRA_Docket@omb.eop.gov. Also, please send a copy of your comments to:
John Anevski, Chief, Division of Irrigation, Power and Safety of Dams,
Office of Trust Services, Mail Stop 4655-MIB, 1849 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20240; e-mail: john.anevski@bia.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Anevski, Chief, Division of
Irrigation, Power and Safety of Dams, telephone: (202) 208-5480, e-
mail: john.anevski@bia.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The BIA owns, operates, and maintains three electric power
utilities that provide a service to the end user. The BIA also owns,
operates, and maintains 15 irrigation projects that provide a service
to the end user. To be able to properly bill for the services provided,
the BIA must collect customer information to identify the individual
responsible for repaying the government the costs of delivering the
service, and billing for those costs. Additional information necessary
for providing the service is the location of the service delivery. The
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) requires that certain
information be collected from individuals and businesses doing business
with the government. This information includes the taxpayer
identification number for possible future use to recover delinquent
debt. To implement the DCIA requirement to collect customer
information, the BIA has included a section concerning the collection
of information in its regulations governing its electrical power
utilities (25 CFR 175) and in its regulations governing its irrigation
projects (25 CFR 171). A request for comments on this information
collection request appeared in the Federal Register on May 19, 2009 (74
FR 23428). No comments were received regarding these information
collections in response to the announcement.
II. Request for Comments
You are invited to send your comments on these information
collections to the two locations listed in the ADDRESSES section. Your
comments should address:
(a) The necessity of this information collection for the proper
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (hours and
cost) of the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
(c) Ways we could enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(d) Ways we could minimize the burden of the collection of the
information on the respondents, such as through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Please note that an agency may not sponsor or request, and an
individual need not respond to, a collection of information unless it
has a valid OMB Control Number.
OMB has up to 60 days after publication of this document in the
Federal Register to make a decision on the submission for renewal, but
may make the decision after 30 days. Therefore, to receive the best
consideration of your comments, you should submit them during the first
30-day period.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or
other personally identifiable information, be advised that your entire
comment--including your personally identifiable information--may be
made public at any time. While you may request that we withhold your
personally identifiable information, we cannot guarantee that we will
be able to do so.
III. Data
A. Electrical Service Application
OMB Control Number: 1076-0021.
Title: Electrical Service Application 25 CFR 175.
Brief Description of Collection: In order for electric power
consumers to be served, information is needed by the BIA to operate and
maintain its electric power utilities and fulfill reporting
requirements.
Sections 175.6 and 175.22 of 25 CFR part 175, Indian electric power
utilities, specifies the information collection requirement. Power
consumers must apply for electric service. The information to be
collected includes: name; electric service location; and other
operational information identified in the local administrative manuals.
Collection of this information is currently authorized under an
approval by OMB (OMB Control Number 1076-0021). All information is
collected from each electric power consumer. Responses are required to
receive or maintain a benefit.
Type of Review: Renewal.
Respondents: BIA electric power consumers--individuals and
businesses.
Number of Respondents: 3,000 per year.
Number of Responses: 3,000 per year.
Estimated Time per Response: \1/2\ hour.
Frequency of Response: Normally just once. Only need to re-do if
requesting new electrical service elsewhere or if they have been
disconnected for failure to pay their electric bill.
Total Annual Burden to Respondents: 1,500 hours.
B. Water Request
OMB Control Number: 1076-0141.
Title: Water Request 25 CFR 171.
Brief Description of Collection: In order for irrigators to receive
water deliveries, information is needed by the BIA to operate and
maintain its irrigation projects and fulfill reporting requirements.
Section 171.140 and other sections cited in section 171.40 of 25 CFR
part 171, [Irrigation] Operation and Maintenance, specifies the
information collection requirement. Water users must apply for water
delivery and for a number of other associated services, such as,
subsidizing a farm unit,
[[Page 44868]]
requesting leaching service, requesting water for domestic or stock
purposes, building structures or fences in BIA rights-of-way,
requesting payment plans on bills, establishing a carriage agreement
with a third-party, negotiating irrigation incentive leases, and
requesting an assessment waiver. The information to be collected
includes: full legal name; correct mailing address; taxpayer
identifying number; water delivery location; if subdividing a farm
unit--a copy of the recorded plat or map of the subdivision where water
will be delivered; the time and date of requested water delivery;
duration of water delivery; amount of water delivered; rate of water
flow; number of acres irrigated; crop statistics; any other agreements
allowed under 25 CFR part 171; and any additional information required
by the local project office that provides your service. Collection of
this information is currently authorized under an approval by OMB (OMB
Control Number 1076-0141). Information for water request is collected
at least annually from each water user with a response required each
time BIA provides irrigation water; the remaining information is
collected only occasionally, upon request for the specific service. The
information water users submit is for the purpose of obtaining or
retaining a benefit, namely irrigation water.
Type of Review: Renewal.
Respondents: Waters users of the BIA irrigation project--
individuals and businesses.
Number of Respondents: 6,539 per year.
Number of Responses: 27,075 per year.
Estimated Time per Response: A range of 18 minutes to 6 hours,
depending on the specific service being requested.
Frequency of Response: On occasion throughout the irrigation
season, averaging approximately 2 times per year.
Total Annual Burden to Respondents: 14,059 hours.
Dated: August 25, 2009.
Alvin Foster,
Deputy Chief Information Officer--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-20974 Filed 8-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-W7-P
