[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 24194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10282]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6584-5]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; 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 document announces that the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Environmental Radiation 
Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS); OMB Control Number 2060-0015; EPA 
ICR Number 0877.07; expiration date, June 30, 2000. The ICR describes 
the nature of the information collection and its expected burden and 
cost; where appropriate, it includes the actual data collection 
instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 25, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the ICR contact Sandy 
Farmer at EPA by phone at (202) 260-2740, by E-Mail at 
[email protected] or download off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 0877.07. For technical 
questions about the ICR contact Charles M. Petko, (334) 270-3411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Environmental Radiation Ambient 
Monitoring System; OMB Control Number 2060-0015; EPA ICR Number 
0877.07; expiration date, June 30, 2000. This is a request for 
extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System 
(ERAMS) consists of a national network of sample collection stations 
for air, milk, precipitation, and drinking water. On prescribed 
schedules, all collected samples are shipped to the National Air and 
Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) in Montgomery, Alabama, 
which is an EPA facility operating under EPA's Office of Radiation and 
Indoor Air. NAREL analyzes all samples for levels of radiation, and the 
resultant data are then made available online at the EPA website and in 
printed format. The data are used to fulfill the Agency's commitment to 
public information, but they are also used by scientists and radiation 
professionals in a number of ways, including comparison with data 
developed by other agencies and commercial groups, such as the nuclear 
power industry. In the event of national radiation emergency, 
especially when EPA is the lead federal agency, ERAMS data collections 
and analyses are accelerated as necessary and the resultant data are 
used to support decisions for protecting the public health and the 
environment. Frequently, sample collectors are employed by state health 
departments or environmental agencies.
    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 are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15. The 
Federal Register document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting 
comments on this collection of information was published on October 28, 
1999; 1 set of comments were received.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.37 
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; 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.
    Respondents/Affected: Typically State & sometimes Local Government 
Sample Collectors.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 249.
    Frequency of Response: from twice weekly to four times annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 8,363 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Capital and Operating & Maintenance Cost 
Burden: $0.
    Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the 
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods 
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please 
refer to EPA ICR No. 0877.07 and OMB Control No. 2060-0015 in any 
correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of 
Environmental Information, Collection Strategies Division (2822), 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20460; and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: April 18, 2000.
Oscar Morales,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. 00-10282 Filed 4-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P