[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6373-6374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3715]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5424-6]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Environmental Radiation
Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the
following proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Request
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Environmental
Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS). Approved through 07/31/96.
OMB NO. 2060-0015. 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 will be accepted until April 22, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA), 401 M Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles M. Petko, (334) 270-3411; FAX
(334) 270-3454; EMAIL to [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Affected entities: Voluntary sample collectors, usually state
employees but also some employees of local governments.
Title: Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS);
OMB NO. 2060-0015; Expiration date, 07/31/96.
Abstract: The Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System
(ERAMS) is a national network of stations sampling media that include
air, precipitation, drinking water, surface water, and milk. Samples
are sent to EPA's National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory
(NAREL) in Montgomery, AL, where they are analyzed. ERAMS provides
emergency response and ambient monitoring information regarding levels
of environmental radiation across the nation. All stations, usually
manned by state and some local personnel,
[[Page 6374]]
participate in ERAMS voluntarily. Station operators complete
information forms that accompany the samples. The forms request
descriptive information related to sample collection, e.g., sample
type, sample location, length of sampling, and volume represented.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and 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
are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
The EPA would like to solicit comments 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 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.
Burden Statement: The frequency of response from the respondents
varies with the media being collected. There are 104 occurrences per
air station per year (2 weekly x 52 weeks). There are an estimated 12
occurrences per precipitation station and per milk station per year.
The drinking water and surface water collections take place quarterly
resulting in 8 occurrences. If contamination is observed or is
anticipated, however, these number can change depending on the nature
and extent of the event. The time required per response varies with the
media collected, but a reliable average for respondent burden time per
occurrence is given by dividing the total respondent burden hours for
the (9019 hours) by the total number of occurrences for all respondents
for the year (24,033 occurrences) to obtain a value of 0.37 hours per
occurrence. The respondent burden hours per occurrence has a range of
from 0.1 to 1 hour. The respondents are not required to keep records.
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;
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.
Dated: February 6, 1996.
Charles M. Petko,
Public Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-3715 Filed 2-16-96; 8:45 am]
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