[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]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5424-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Environmental Radiation 
Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P