Collection of Water Delivery and Electric Service Data for the Operation of Irrigation and Power Projects and Systems: Proposed Collection of Water Delivery and Electric Service Data; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Collection of Water Delivery and Electric Service Data for the

Operation of Irrigation and Power Projects and Systems: Proposed

Collection of Water Delivery and Electric Service Data; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44

U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) invites

comments on two information collection requests which will be renewed.

The two collections are Electrical Service Application, 1076-0021, and

Water Request, 1076-0141.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 9, 1999, to be

assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs,

Branch of Irrigation, Power, and Safety of Dams, 1849 C Street, NW,

Mail Stop 4513-MIB, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested persons may obtain copies

of the information collection requests without charge by contacting

Ross Mooney, 202-208-5480, facsimile number: 202-219-1255, or E-mail:

[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 provides

an opportunity for interested parties to comment on proposed

information collection requests. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Branch

of Irrigation, Power, and Safety of Dams is proceeding with this public

comment period as the first step in obtaining a normal information

collection clearance from OMB. Each requests contain (1) type of

review, (2) title, (3) summary of the collection, (4) respondents, (5)

frequency of collection, (6) reporting and record keeping requirements.

Water Request

Type of review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Title: Water Request, 25 CFR 171.

Summary: 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 171.7 of 25 CFR

part 171, [Irrigation] Operation and Maintenance, specifies the

information collection requirement. Water users must apply for water

delivery. The information to be

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collected includes name, water delivery location, time and date of

requested water delivery, duration of water delivery, rate of water

flow, number of acres irrigated, crop statistics, and other operational

information identified in the local administrative manuals. Collection

of this information is currently authorized under an approval by OMB

(OMB Control No. 1076-0141). All information is collected at least

annually from each water user with a response required each time

irrigation water is provided. Annual reporting and record keeping

burdens for this collection of information are estimated to average 8

minutes per request. There is a range of one to ten requests from each

irrigation water user each season with an average of five responses per

respondent. For all five responses, including the time for reviewing

instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and

maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the

collection of information, the total per respondent is 40 minutes. The

total number of respondents is estimated at 10,300 per year. Thus, the

total annual reporting and record keeping burden for this collection is

estimated to be 6,867 hours.

Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

Description of Respondents: BIA Irrigation Project Water Users.

Total Respondents: 10,300.

Total Annual Responses: 51,500.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,867 hours.

Electric Service Application

Type of review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Title: Electric Service Application, 25 CFR 175.

Summary: 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. Section 175.22 of

25 CFR part 175, Indian electric power utilities, specifies the

information collection requirements. 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 No. 1076-

0021). All information is collected from each electric power consumer.

Annual reporting and record keeping burdens for this collection of

information are estimated to average 30 minutes for each response for

3,000 respondents, including the time for reviewing instructions,

searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data

needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

Thus, the total annual reporting and record keeping burden for this

collection is estimated to be 1,500 hours.

Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

Description of Respondents: BIA Electric Power Consumers.

Total Respondents: 3,000.

Total Annual Responses: 3,000.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,500 hours.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs solicits comments in order to:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the bureau,

including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the bureau's estimate of the burden of the proposed

collection of information, including the validity of the methodology

and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to

be collected; and,

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those

who are to respond.

Any public comments will be addressed in the Bureau of Indian

Affairs' submission of the information collect request to the Office of

Management and Budget.

Dated: May 24, 1999.

Kevin Gover,

Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.

[FR Doc. 99-14407 Filed 6-7-99; 8:45 am]

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