[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31616-31618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14100]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 Geological Survey

[GX19WC00GJNV331; OMB Control Number 1028-0106]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; USGS Ash Fall 
Report

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing to renew an information 
collection.

[[Page 31617]]


DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
August 1, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior by email at [email protected]; or 
via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments 
to U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collections Officer, 12201 
Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; or by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number 1028-
0106 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Kristi Wallace by email at [email protected], 
or by telephone at (907) 786-7109. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact 
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information 
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired 
format.
    A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period 
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 
May 8, 2019, 84 FR 20160. No comments were received.
    We are again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is 
described below. We are especially interested in public comment 
addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the 
proper functions of the USGS; (2) will this information be processed 
and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; 
(4) how might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use 
of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. Before including your address, phone number, email 
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you 
should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal 
identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so.
    Abstract: The USGS provides notifications and warnings to the 
public of volcanic activity in the US in order to reduce the loss of 
life, property, and economic and societal impacts. Ash fallout to the 
ground can pose significant disruption and damage to buildings, 
transportation, water and wastewater, power supply, communications 
equipment, agriculture, and primary production leading to potentially 
substantial societal impacts and costs, even at thicknesses of only a 
few millimeters or inches. Additionally, fine grained ash, when 
ingested can cause health impacts to humans and animals. USGS will use 
reports entered in real time by respondents of ash fall in their local 
area to correct or refine ash fall forecasts as the ash cloud moves 
downwind. Retrospectively these reports will enable USGS to improve 
their ash fall models and further research into eruptive processes.
    This project is a database module and web interface allowing the 
public and Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) staff to enter reports of 
ash fall in their local area in real time and retrospectively following 
an eruptive event. Users browsing the AVO website during eruptions will 
be directed towards a web form allowing them to fill in ash fall 
information and submit the information to AVO.
    Compiled ashfall reports are available in real-time to AVO staff 
through the AVO internal website. A pre-formatted summary report or 
table that distills information received online will show ash fall 
reports in chronological order with key fields including (1) date and 
time of ash fall, (2) location, (3) positive or negative ash fall (4) 
name of observer, and (5) contact information is easily viewable 
internally on the report so that calls for clarification can be made by 
AVO staff quickly and Operations room staff can visualize ashfall 
information quickly.
    Ashfall report data will also be displayed on a dynamic map 
interface and show positive (yes ash) and negative (no ash) ash fall 
reports by location. Ash fall reports (icons) will be publicly 
displayed for a period of 24 hours and shaded differently as they age 
so that the age of reports is obvious.
    The ashfall report database will help AVO track eruption clouds and 
associated fallout downwind. These reports from the public will also 
give scientists a more complete record of the amount and duration and 
other conditions of ash fall. Getting first-hand accounts of ash fall 
will support model ash fall development and interpretation of satellite 
imagery. AVO scientists will--as time allows--be able to contact the 
individuals using their entered contact information for clarification 
and details. Knowing the locations from which ash-fall reports have 
been filed will improve ash fall warning messages, AVO Volcanic 
Activity Notifications, and make fieldwork more efficient. AVO staff 
will be able to condense and summarize the various ash fall reports and 
forward that information on to emergency management agencies and the 
wider public. The online form will also free up resources during 
exceedingly busy times during an eruption, as most individuals 
currently phone AVO with their reports.
    Title of Collection: USGS Ash Fall Report.
    OMB Control Number: 1028-0106.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: General Public, local governments and 
emergency managers.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: We are likely to ask 
individuals to respond 1-6 times year which is the number of past 
eruptions we have during any one year in Alaska. Individuals can submit 
responses more than once during an eruption to report ashfall details.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: Approximately 575 
individuals affected by a volcanic ashfall event each year.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: We estimate the public 
reporting burden will average 5 minutes per response. This includes the 
time for reviewing instructions and answering a web-based 
questionnaire.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 79 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion, after each ashfall event.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $736.
    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.

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    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Thomas Murray,
Director, Volcano Science Center.
[FR Doc. 2019-14100 Filed 7-1-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4338-11-P