[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60091-60092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29303]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the 
Federal Communications Commission

October 30, 1997.
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or 
sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for 
failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control 
number. Comments are requested concerning: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Commission, including whether the information 
shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's 
burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.


[[Page 60092]]


DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before January 5, 
1998. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find 
it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, 
you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Judy Boley, Federal Communications 
Commission, Room 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via 
internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection(s), contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or 
via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    OMB Control No.: 3060-0004.
    Title: Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of 
Radiofrequency Radiation (Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, ET 
Docket No. 93-2).
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; businesses or other for 
profit; small businesses and organizations.
    Number of Respondents: 126,108.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours per response (avg.). This time 
will vary with the number of transmitters considered; e.g., a site with 
a single transmitter might require one hour to determine compliance, 
while a site with many co-located transmitters may require considerably 
more time.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third 
party disclosure.
    Total Annual Burden: 223,376 total annual burden hours.
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The 
estimated cost to respondents to perform the environmental evaluations 
per service varies. For example, complex situations that require a 
consulting engineer @ $100 per hour may require additional time to 
perform an evaluation; portable devices authorized under Part 2 of the 
Rules require a specific absorption rate of RF energy test with an 
average cost of approximately $5,000 per test; and other applicants 
will use OET Bulletin No. 65 to perform environmental evaluations, and 
will have no financial burden associated with the evaluation.
    Needs and Uses: The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA) requires agencies of the Federal Government to evaluate the 
effects of their actions on the quality of the human environment. To 
meet its responsibilities under NEPA, the Commission has adopted 
revised RF exposure guidelines for purposes of evaluating potential 
environmental effects of RF electromagnetic fields produced by FCC-
regulated facilities. The new guidelines reflect more recent scientific 
studies of the biological effects of RF electromagnetic fields. The use 
of these new guidelines will ensure that the public and workers receive 
adequate protection from exposure to potentially harmful RF 
electromagnetic fields. This Second Memorandum Opinion and Order 
addresses a number of concerns that were raised in petitions and 
comments received in response to the Report and Order.
    The collections of environmental information required by Section 
1.1307 of the Rules will be used by the Commission staff to determine 
whether the environmental evaluation is sufficiently complete and in 
compliance with the Commission's Rules to be acceptable for filing. The 
collection of this information is necessary to ensure compliance with 
NEPA, specifically, to minimize the potential for significant 
environmental impact from radiofrequency (RF) radiation from FCC-
regulated transmitters and facilities.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-29303 Filed 11-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P