FR 2021-03994

The Federal Register notice at hand concerns a proposal submitted by the Department of Defense (DoD), specifically by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This proposal aims to collect information on flood and coastal storm damage, vital for understanding and mitigating the effects of these natural disasters. As part of the Paperwork Reduction Act, public comments on this proposal are invited until March 29, 2021. The data collection process is anticipated to involve 3,000 respondents and is designed to assess the impacts of flooding and community responses, which will inform planning and budgeting decisions.

General Summary

The primary goal of this proposal is to gather essential data on the damages caused by flood and coastal storms. This information helps in crafting effective flood risk management strategies and planning resources for future events. The surveys are expected to be conducted on occasion and rely on voluntary participation from various sectors, including businesses, individuals, and governmental organizations. Despite not requiring mandatory participation, the Corps emphasizes the importance of these surveys in forming a reliable basis for decision-making.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues arise from this document, particularly regarding transparency and efficacy. Firstly, the document does not detail the budget or funding allocated for these surveys, which can raise questions about resource allocation or potential financial inefficiencies. Moreover, it does not assess how this data directly influences decision-making or financial allocations, leaving the true impact of such surveys somewhat ambiguous.

The document uses technical language that may not be easily comprehensible to the general public, potentially limiting public engagement. There's also concern about the voluntary nature of participation, which could skew the data collected and affect its reliability. Additionally, the instructions for commenting warn that submissions will be publicly accessible online with personal information intact, raising privacy concerns for respondents.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, especially those in flood-prone areas, the success of this data collection process can significantly influence the quality and responsiveness of future flood mitigation efforts. Accurate data enable better-preparedness plans and allocation of resources to prevent and lessen the impact of floods on communities.

However, the document’s unclear presentation of how this data translates into actionable results could leave the public uncertain about the tangible benefits they might experience. The ambiguity around funding and resource use might also lead to skepticism regarding governmental efficiency and effectiveness in managing such a crucial issue.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Several stakeholders stand to gain from this initiative, including local governments, businesses, and individuals directly involved in the areas most afflicted by flooding. The data collected could lead to improved infrastructure, more accurate risk assessments, and better resource allocation, ultimately enhancing community resilience.

On the flip side, respondents' voluntary contribution to the surveys could mean that essential data might be incomplete or biased, potentially affecting these stakeholders' long-term planning and protection measures. Additionally, state and local government bodies responsible for flood management might find it challenging to justify budgetary allocations without a clear understanding of the surveys' impact on policy and project formulation.

In closing, while the proposal presents crucial measures for collecting flood-related data essential for disaster management and policy development, it leaves much to be hoped for in terms of transparency, public engagement, and clear delineation of outcomes. Addressing these issues would foster greater trust and participation from the public, potentially leading to more effective disaster mitigation strategies.