01-18295. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval

July 16, 2001.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commissions, 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, 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 August 22, 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 Les Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collections contact Les Smith at [phone] or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0004.

Title: Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation, Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, ET Docket No. 93-62.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; and Not-for-profit institutions; Individuals or households; and State, local, or tribal governments.

Number of Respondents: 126,550.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hrs. (avg.).

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; Third party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 239,620 hrs.

Total Annual Costs: $849,000.

Needs and Uses: The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) required Federal agencies to evaluate the effects of their actions on “human environmental quality.” To comply with NEPA, the Commission adopted rules, 47 CFR 1.1307, which revised the RF exposure guidelines for FCC-regulated facilities. The new guidelines reflect more recent scientific studies of RF electromagnetic fields and their biological effects and are designed to ensure that the public and workers receive adequate protection from exposure to potentially harmful RF electromagnetic fields. The Commission staff uses the information required under 47 CFR 1.1307 to determine whether the environmental evaluation is sufficiently complete and in compliance with the FCC Rules to be acceptable for filing.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0844.

Title: Carriage of the Transmission of Digital Television Broadcast Stations, R&O, and FNPRM.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 12,700.

Estimated Time per Response: 30 mins. to 40 hrs.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements; Third party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 93,221 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $2,414,894.

Needs and Uses: The FCC adopted a Report and Order (R&O) on January 23, 2001 and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). The R&O modified 47 CFR 76.64(f) to provide that stations that return their analog spectrum and broadcast only in digital format are entitled to elect must-carry or retransmission consent status following the procedures previously applicable to new television stations. The R&O also provides only carriage rights for a very limited number of digital-only television broadcast stations (DTV) and may result in voluntary carriage for a subset of other DTV stations. Furthermore, the R&O established a framework for voluntary retransmission consent agreements between DTV station licensees and multichannel video programming distributors and modified several sections of the rules accordingly. The FNPRM seeks additional comments on carriage requirements relating to digital television stations generally, as proposed in the initial NPRM.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Deputy Secretary.