Request for Public Comment on RESTORE Act Proposed Revisions to Forms and Reports

OMB Approval No. 1505-0250

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an extension of an existing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Federal Register: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Departmental Offices (DO) Information Collection Request. The Office of the Fiscal Assistant Secretary is soliciting comments concerning the application, reports, and recordkeeping for the Direct Component and the Centers of Excellence Research Grants Program under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). 

 

Treasury administers the Direct Component and the Centers of Excellence Research Grants Program authorized under the RESTORE Act and awards grants for these two programs from proceeds in connection with administrative and civil penalties paid after July 6, 2012, under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.  The penalties are deposited into the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.  Direct Component grants are awarded to the States of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and 23 Florida counties and 20 Louisiana parishes and Centers of Excellence grants are awarded to the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.  The collection information for both programs identifies the eligible recipients; describes proposed activities; determines an appropriate amount of funding; ensures compliance with the Act, Treasury’s regulations, and Federal laws and policies on grants; tracks grantee progress; and reports on the effectiveness of the programs.

 

REQUEST FOR COMMENT:  Treasury will summarize comments submitted in response to the Federal Register Notice and include the summary in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval.  Comments may become a matter of public record.  The public is invited to submit comments concerning:

  • Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

  • The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information;

  • Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

  • Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

  • Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

 

SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments should be received on or before July 3, 2023 [60 DAYS AFTER FRN PUBLICATION DATE] to be assured of consideration.  Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of the information collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, by electronic mail to restoreact@treasury.gov in the Office of Gulf Coast Restoration.  This email address can also be used to request additional information. 

Direct Component Program - Updates since 2022 pra process

Centers of Excellence Research Grant Program - Updates since 2022 pra process

  • RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Research Grant Program Application Narrative - none
  • RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Research Grant Program Applicant Certifications - none
  • RESTORE Act Application Milestones and Measures - New separate application form, questions same as prior collection but now separate from Narrative - none
  • RESTORE Act Environmental Compliance Form (document posted under Direct Component) - none
  • Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VI Narrative for RESTORE Act Direct Component and Centers of Excellence Research Grants Applicants (document posted under Direct Component) - none
  • RESTORE Act Application Milestones and Performance Measures (document posted under Direct Component) - revision proposed
  • RESTORE Act Milestones Report (document posted under Direct Component) - revision proposed
  • RESTORE Act Status of Performance Report (document posted under Direct Component) - revision proposed