[Federal Register: September 14, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 178)]
[Notices]
[Page 54278-54279]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14se06-37]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0041; FRL-8218-9]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; RadNet (Previously Known as ERAMS); EPA ICR No.
0877.09, OMB Control No. 2060-0015
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to
submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is
scheduled to expire on February 28, 2007. Before submitting the ICR to
OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific
aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 13, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2003-0041, by one of the following methods:
http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
E-mail: petko.charles@epa.gov.
Fax: 334-270-3454.
Mail: National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory,
540 South Morris Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601.
Hand Delivery: Office of Air and Radiation Docket in the
EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the
Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be
made for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2003-0041. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to
be CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail.
The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system,
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov
your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part
of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available
on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends
that you include your name and other contact information in the body of
your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read
your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional
information about EPA's public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center
homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
Note: The EPA Docket Center suffered damage due to flooding
during the last week of June 2006. The Docket Center is continuing
to operate. However, during the cleanup, there will be temporary
changes to Docket Center telephone numbers, addresses, and hours of
operation for people who wish to make hand deliveries or visit the
Public Reading Room to view documents. Consult EPA's Federal
Register notice at 71 FR 38147 (July 5, 2006) or the EPA Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm for current information on
docket operations, locations and telephone numbers. The Docket
Center's mailing address for U.S. mail and the procedure for
submitting comments to http://www.regulations.gov are not affected by the
flooding and will remain the same.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles M. Petko, Office of Radiation
and Indoor Air (ORIA), National Air and Radiation Environmental
Laboratory (NAREL), 540 South Morris Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36115-
2601. Tel: 334-270-3411; Fax: 334-270-3454; E-mail:
petko.charles@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?
EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0041, which is available for online viewing at
http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Office of Air and
Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room
B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public
Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is
202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Office of Air and
Radiation Docket is 202-566-1742.
Use http://www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft collection of
information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing
of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the
public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system,
select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number identified in this
document.
What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested in?
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically
solicits comments and information to enable it to:
(i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
[[Page 54279]]
(ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and
(iv) 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.
What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your
comments:
1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific
examples.
2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used
that support your views.
4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified
under DATES.
7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal
Register citation.
What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply to?
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0041
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
sample collectors.
Title: RadNet.
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0877.09, OMB Control No. 2060-0015.
ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on February
28, 2007. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's
regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal
Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed
either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate
means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if
applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
Abstract: RadNet is a national network of stations collecting
sampling media that include air, precipitation, drinking water, and
milk. Samples are sent to EPA National Air and Radiation Environmental
Laboratory (NAREL) in Montgomery, Alabama, where they are analyzed for
radioactivity. RadNet provides emergency response/homeland security and
ambient monitoring information on levels of environmental radiation
across the nation. All stations, usually operated by state and local
personnel, participate in RadNet voluntarily. Station operators
complete information forms that accompany the samples. The forms
request descriptive information pertaining to sample location, e.g.,
sample type, sample location, length of sampling period, and volume
represented.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.3
hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This
includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire,
install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of
collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information;
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable
instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train
personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search
data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and
transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate,
which is only briefly summarized here:
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 249.
Frequency of response: From twice weekly to four times annually,
depending upon type of medium being sampled.
Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent:
34.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 8,363 hours.
Estimated total annual costs: $254,890. This cost refers to
respondent burden. The costs of capital investment, maintenance and
operational costs are assumed by the Agency.
Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval?
There will be an increase in the total estimated respondent burden
compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB.
This increase reflects EPA's decision to upgrade and expand the air
monitoring network of RadNet. Over the years covered by this ICR
renewal, the air network will expand from existing 64 monitors to
approximately 130 monitors, which will result in the addition of 66
respondents.
What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR?
EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will
issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR
1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any
questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Dated: September 6, 2006.
Michael Clark,
Acting Director, National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory
(NAREL).
[FR Doc. E6-15250 Filed 9-13-06; 8:45 am]
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