Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Application for Commission in the NOAA Officer Corps

AGENCY:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before March 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to LTJG Nicole Manning, 301-713-3453, ext. 119 or Nicole.Manning@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The NOAA Corps is the smallest of the seven uniformed services of the United States and is an integral part of NOAA. The NOAA Corps provides a cadre of professionals trained in engineering, earth sciences, oceanography, meteorology, fisheries science, and other related disciplines who serve in assignments within the five major Line Offices of NOAA. Persons wishing to obtain a NOAA Corps Commission must submit an application package, including an eye test and five references.

II. Method of Collection

Paper forms are submitted via mail in postage-paid envelopes.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0047.

Form Number: NOAA Forms 56-42, 56-42A, 56-42C, 56-42D.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 130.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 260.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $5,850.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.