2023-13062. Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; RadNet (Renewal)

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), “RadNet” (EPA ICR No. 0877.15, OMB Control No. 2060–0015) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through March 31, 2024. 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.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before August 21, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2003–0041, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.

EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Griggs, OAR/ORIA/NAREL, Environmental Protection Agency, National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory, 540 South Morris Ave., Montgomery, AL 36115; telephone number: (334) 270–3400; fax number: (334) 270–3450; email address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Supporting documents which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202–566–1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/​dockets.

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments and information to enable it 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. EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB.

Abstract: RadNet is a national network of stations collecting environmental media that include air, precipitation, and drinking water. Samples are sent to EPA's National Analytical Radiation Environmental Lab (NAREL) in Montgomery, Alabama, where they are analyzed for radioactivity. RadNet provides emergency response/homeland security and ambient monitoring information on levels of environmental radiation across the nation. All stations operators participate in RadNet voluntarily. Station operators complete information forms that accompany the samples. The forms request information pertaining to sample type, sample location, start and stop date and times for sampling, length of sampling period, and volume represented. Data from RadNet are made available regularly on the Agency websites—Envirofacts and the EPA website www.epa.gov/​radnet.

Form numbers: RadNet Air Particulate Sample (EPA Form 5900–24); RadNet Precipitation Report Form (EPA Form 5900–27); RadNet Drinking Water Report Form (EPA Form 5900–29); and RadNet Supply Request Form (EPA Form 5900–23).

Respondents/affected entities: Primarily State and Local Officials.

Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.

Estimated number of respondents: 213.

Frequency of response: Varies depending upon sample media type. Responses vary from twice weekly to quarterly.

Total estimated burden: 3,640 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).

Total estimated cost: $2,622,124 (per year), includes annualized capital costs, operational costs, and maintenance costs.

Changes in estimates: There is a 2.2 percent reduction in burden from 3,722 hours annually. While the RadNet network is fully established and operating with essentially no changes expected, 30% of the drinking water sampling locations have not responded since the beginning of the COVID–19 pandemic. There is a 4.5 percent increase in costs due to increases in federal and contractor salaries and cost of goods and supplies.

Jonathan D. Edwards,

Director, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air.