Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing (APHL)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status

No forms / supporting documents in this ICR. Check IC Document Collections.

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
213142	Alternative hydropower license request	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0704	ICR Reference No: 201409-0648-009
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Alternatives Process in Hydropower Licensing (APHL)
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule	Conclusion Date: 10/15/2014
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/17/2014
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. Prior to publication of the final rule, the agency must submit to OMB a summary of all comments related to the information collection contained in the proposed rule and the agency response. The agency should clearly indicate any changes made to the information collection as a result of these comments.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date		36 Months From Approved
Responses	0	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	0	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Under the Federal Power Act, as amended, hydropower licenses must be adapted to a comprehensive plan for improving or developing affected waterways, including protection of fish and wildlife. (e.g., 16 U.S.C. Sections 4(e) and 811). When Federal lands are involved, the relevant agency will also be able to participate in the review and development of conditions. The agencies potentially having such review collaboration are the Departments of Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture. Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, a license applicant for a new hydropower project may submit an alternative means of protecting a fishway from what was originally recommended by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during the licensing process. It is the development and provision of this particular information to pursue an alternative process that is the subject of this information collection. The Department of Commerce (DOC) is submitting this new information collection request to OMB as a companion to the Department of the Interior's submission in 2012 on behalf of the three agencies. The agencies have also published regulations implementing these statuto Under the Federal Power Act, as amended, hydropower licenses must be adapted to a comprehensive plan for improving or developing affected waterways, including protection of fish and wildlife. (e.g., 16 U.S.C. Sections 4(e) and 811). When Federal lands are involved, the relevant agency will also be able to participate in the review and development of conditions. The agencies potentially having such review collaboration are the Departments of Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture. Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, a license applicant for a new hydropower project may submit an alternative means of protecting a fishway from what was originally recommended by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during the licensing process. It is the development and provision of this particular information to pursue an alternative process that is the subject of this information collection. The Department of Commerce (DOC) is submitting this new information collection request to OMB as a companion to the Department of the Interior's submission in 2012 on behalf of the three agencies. The agencies have also published regulations implementing these statutory processes, including the alternatives process in hydropower licensing.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 797 et seq. Name of Law: Federal Power Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
0648-AU01	Proposed rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Alternative hydropower license request

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Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new information collection with the estimate of 1,000 burden hours per year total, for two responses.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $25,707

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 09/17/2014

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