[Federal Register: December 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 243)] [Notices] [Page 71138-71139] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20de99-86] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency is submitting a request for review and approval of an expired information collection. The information collection concerns the certification of basements as floodproofed by licensed engineers of architects. This certification is normally performed during or immediately following construction of a house. The request is submitted under the emergency processing procedures in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulation 5 CFR 1320.13. FEMA is requesting that this information collection be approved by December 17, 1999. The approval will authorize FEMA to use the collection through June 30, 2000. FEMA plans to follow this emergency request with a request for a 3- year approval. The request will be processed under OMB's normal clearance procedures in accordance with the provisions of OMB regulation 5 CFR 1320.10. To help us with the timely processing of the emergency and normal clearance submissions to OMB, FEMA invites the general public to comment on the proposed collection of information. This notice and request for comments is in accordance with the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the floodplain management regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at 44 CFR 60.3, communities that participate in the NFIP must ensure that all new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) has the lowest floor elevation to or above the 100-year flood elevation, or Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This requirement is to ensure that the risks to new buildings in SFHAs is sufficiently small that frequent flood losses are reduced and flood insurance can be made available at reasonable rates. However at 44 CFR 60.6 (c), regulations allow communities to apply for an exception to permit the construction of floodproofed residential basements in SFHAs. If the community meets the criteria for an exception as described in 44 CFR 60.6 (d) (2) (i)-(iii), the community requests and receives an exception from FEMA that will allow floodproofed basements to be built in SFHAs in the community. Construction [[Page 71139]] of a floodproofed basement requires specific design attention to materials, flood loads, and openings where floodwaters may enter a basement. When a community is granted an exception to allow floodproofed basements it agrees that an engineer and architect will properly certify that these basements are in fact floodproofed. In addition, this certificate is also presented to the flood insurance agent by the homeowner so that the homeowner receives the ``discounted'' rate applicable to floodproofed basements. The homeowner, community official and the insurance agent normally retain a copy of this form for recordkeeping only. Collection of Information Title: Residential Basement Floodproofing Certificate. Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection of information. OMB Number: 3067-0235. Form Number: FEMA Form 81-78, Residential Basement Floodproofing Certificate. Abstract. The certificate provides licensed design professionals a standard means of certifying the construction of floodproofed basements below the Base Flood Elevation. This certificate is only used in communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program who have been granted a ``basement'' exception. The homeowner must pay for the cost of the certification. Affected Public: This affects individuals who are in communities with ``basement'' exceptions and who build houses with basements in Special Flood Hazard Areas. Communities who have been granted these ``basement'' exceptions also keep copies of the certificate to ensure compliance with local floodplain management ordinances. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours. 163 hours (50 respondents x 3.25 hours per response. The respondents are engineers or architects who complete the form as a professional service to a homeowner. There are three inspections during the construction of a flood proof basement. Each inspection is estimated to be 45 minutes, plus one hour for the review of basement design documentation and recordkeeping by insurance agents and community officials.) Estimated Cost to Respondents. $16,250.00 (The estimated cost of a professional engineering service is $100. That cost multiplied by 3.25--the hour burden per respondent--equals $325 per homeowner to obtain professional engineering services.) Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Submit comments to OMB within 30 days of the date of this notice. To ensure that FEMA is fully aware of any comments or concerns that you share with OMB, please provide us with a copy of your comments. FEMA will continue to accept comments for 60 days from the date of this notice. OMB Addressee: Interested persons should submit written comments to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503. FEMA Addressee: Submit written comments to Muriel B. Anderson, FEMA Information Collections Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 316, Washington, DC 20472. Telephone number (202) 646-2625. FAX number (202) 646-3524 or e:mail muriel.anderson@fema.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Paul Tertell, Civil Engineer, Program Policy and Assessment Branch, Mitigation Division, 202-646-3935 for additional information. Contact Ms. Anderson at (202) 646-2625 for copies of the proposed collection of information. Dated: December 6, 1999. Reginald Trujillo, Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate. [FR Doc. 99-32854 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-01-P