01-278. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

December 20, 2000.

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, Public Law 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.

DATES:

Written comments should be submitted on or before February 5, 2001. 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 1-C804, 445 12th Street, SW., DC 20554 or via the Internet to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collection(s), contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0966.

Title: Sections 80.385, 80.475, and 90.303, Automated Marine Telecommunications Service (AMTS).

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Individuals or households and businesses or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 20.

Estimated Time Per Response: .50 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third party disclosure requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 10 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Needs and Uses: The reporting requirements are necessary to require licensees of Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) stations to notify TV stations and two organizations (the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and Interactive Systems, Inc.) that maintain databases of AMTS locations for the benefit of amateur radio operators of the location of AMTS fill-in stations. Amateur radio operators use some of the same frequencies (219-220 MHz) as AMTS stations on a secondary, non-interference basis for digital message forwarding systems. Reporting requirements are necessary to require amateurs proposing to operate within close proximity of an AMTS station to notify the AMTS licensee as well as the ARRL. The information is used to update databases concerning AMTS locations for the benefit of amateur radio operators. If the collection of this information was not conducted, the database would become inaccurate and the ability to avoid interference problems would deteriorate.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Deputy, Secretary.