Federal Register: November 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 214)
DOCID: fr06no09-45 FR Doc E9-26836
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA ID: [EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0041; FRL-8975-7]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr06no09-45
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; RadNet (Previously Known as ERAMS); EPA ICR No. 0877.10, OMB Control No. 2060-0015
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 5, 2010.
DOCUMENT 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 May 31, 2010. 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.
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?
EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPAHQOAR20030041, 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 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 2025661744, and the telephone number for the Office of Air and Radiation Docket is 2025661742.
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;
(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?
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are sample collectors.
Title: RadNet.
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0877.10, OMB Control No. 20600015.
ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on May 31, 2010. 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: 8363 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 [[Page 57466]]
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: October 5, 2009.
Ronald Fraass,
Director, National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL). [FR Doc. E926836 Filed 11509; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 656050P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Charles M. Petko, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA), National Air and Radiation Environmental (NAREL), 540 South Morris Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 361152601. TEL: 3342703411; FAX: 3342703454; EMAIL: petko.charles@epa.gov.