[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 137 (Monday, July 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42130-42131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17933]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Agency Information Collection Activities: BioWatch Filter Holder 
Log

AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: 30-Day Notice and request for comments; Extension with change.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, will submit the following 
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). DHS 
previously published this information collection request (ICR) in the 
Federal Register on May 2, 2011 at 76 FR 24504, for a 60-day public 
comment period. No comments were received by DHS. The purpose of this 
notice is to allow additional 30-days for public comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until August 17, 
2011. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to OMB Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security and sent 
via electronic mail to [email protected] or faxed to (202) 
395-5806.
    The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in 
comments which:
    1. 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;
    2. 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;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. 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 
submissions of responses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If additional information is required 
contact: The Department of Homeland Security, Attn.: Daniel Yereb, 
[email protected], 703-647-8052.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Homeland Security, Office 
of Health Affairs/OCMO Early Detection Division will collect 
information from BioWatch jurisdictions. The BioWatch Program operates 
aerosol collector equipment in approximately 30 U.S. jurisdictions to 
monitor for the presence of organisms that may be related to the 
deliberate release of a select subset of biological threat agents. 
Information is collected in writing by a representative of a BioWatch 
jurisdiction (either an employee, or a contractor) assigned 
responsibility for installing and removing filters from aerosol 
collection devices and transportation to local laboratories for sample 
analysis. A standard filter log form is completed for each sample and 
is archived by the BioWatch jurisdiction for a period of one year. The 
BioWatch Program reimburses participating jurisdictions for the cost of 
collection and laboratory analysis activities, including the 
preparation of the filter log form and other documentation. The 
creation of a written record for each sample is required to support law 
enforcement activities, including criminal prosecution in the case of a 
deliberate release of a biological agent.

[[Page 42131]]

Analysis

    Agency: Department of Homeland Security.
    Title: BioWatch Filter Holder Log.
    OMB Number: 1601-0006.
    Frequency: Daily.
    Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
    Number of Respondents: 522.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 0.0167 hours (1 minute).
    Total Burden Hours: 3173 hours.

Richard Spires,
Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-17933 Filed 7-15-11; 8:45 am]
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