[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16505-16506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8255]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OAR-2003-0041, FRL-7475-9]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
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 EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB):
    Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS): EPA ICR 
No.0877.08; OMB Control No. 2060-0015; Expiration date, 08/31/03. 
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 must be submitted on or before June 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES: National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory, 540 
South Morris Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601. Limited number of 
copies available at this address. ICR available electronically at 
www.epa.gov/narel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles M. Petko, Office of Radiation 
and Indoor Air, National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory, 
540 South Morris Ave., Montgomery, AL 36115-2601. TEL: (334) 270-3411; 
FAX: (334) 270-3454; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has established a public docket for this 
ICR under Docket ID number OAR-2003-0041, which is available for public 
viewing at the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/
DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 
The EPA Docket Center 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 (202) 566-1744, and the 
telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket is (202) 566-1742. An 
electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA 
Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use EDOCKET to obtain 
a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public 
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public 
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 above.
    Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA within 
60 days of this notice, and according to the following detailed 
instructions: (1) Submit your comments to EPA online using EDOCKET (our 
preferred method), by email to [email protected], or by mail to: 
EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation 
Docket, Mail Code: 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20460.
    EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted 
electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing 
in EDOCKET as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment 
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public 
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment 
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that 
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EDOCKET. The 
entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be 
available in the public docket. Although identified as an item in the 
official docket, information claimed as CBI, or whose disclosure is 
otherwise restricted by statute, is not included in the official public 
docket, and will not be available for public viewing in EDOCKET. For 
further information about the electronic docket, see EPA's Federal 
Register notice describing the electronic docket at 67 FR 38102 (May 
31, 2002), or go to www.epa.gov./edocket.
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
sample collectors.
    Title: Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS) 
(OMB Control Number 2060-0015; EPA ICR Number 0877.08, expiring 08/31/
2003.
    Abstract: The Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System 
(ERAMS) is a national network of stations collecting sampling media 
that include air, precipitation, drinking water, and milk. Samples are 
sent to EPA's National Air and Radiation

[[Page 16506]]

Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) in Montgomery, AL, where they are 
analyzed for radioactivity. ERAMS 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 ERAMS voluntarily. Station 
operators complete information forms that accompany the samples. The 
forms request descriptive information related to sample location, e.g., 
sample type, sample location, length of sampling period, and volume 
represented. 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 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 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.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and record keeping 
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; 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 Entities: Sample Collectors, who are usually 
employed by states or, in a few cases, local government.
    Estimated number of respondents: 249.
    Frequency of Response: From twice weekly, to four times annually, 
depending upon type of media being sampled.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 8363.4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $224,999.59.

    Dated: March 27, 2003.
Edwin L. Sensintaffar,
Director, National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 03-8255 Filed 4-3-03; 8:45 am]
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