Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the

Federal Communications Commission

October 30, 1997.

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, Pub. L. 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.

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DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before January 5,

1998. 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 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via

internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collection(s), contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or

via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0004.

Title: Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of

Radiofrequency Radiation (Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, ET

Docket No. 93-2).

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; businesses or other for

profit; small businesses and organizations.

Number of Respondents: 126,108.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours per response (avg.). This time

will vary with the number of transmitters considered; e.g., a site with

a single transmitter might require one hour to determine compliance,

while a site with many co-located transmitters may require considerably

more time.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third

party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 223,376 total annual burden hours.

Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The

estimated cost to respondents to perform the environmental evaluations

per service varies. For example, complex situations that require a

consulting engineer @ $100 per hour may require additional time to

perform an evaluation; portable devices authorized under Part 2 of the

Rules require a specific absorption rate of RF energy test with an

average cost of approximately $5,000 per test; and other applicants

will use OET Bulletin No. 65 to perform environmental evaluations, and

will have no financial burden associated with the evaluation.

Needs and Uses: The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

(NEPA) requires agencies of the Federal Government to evaluate the

effects of their actions on the quality of the human environment. To

meet its responsibilities under NEPA, the Commission has adopted

revised RF exposure guidelines for purposes of evaluating potential

environmental effects of RF electromagnetic fields produced by FCC-

regulated facilities. The new guidelines reflect more recent scientific

studies of the biological effects of RF electromagnetic fields. The use

of these new guidelines will ensure that the public and workers receive

adequate protection from exposure to potentially harmful RF

electromagnetic fields. This Second Memorandum Opinion and Order

addresses a number of concerns that were raised in petitions and

comments received in response to the Report and Order.

The collections of environmental information required by Section

1.1307 of the Rules will be used by the Commission staff to determine

whether the environmental evaluation is sufficiently complete and in

compliance with the Commission's Rules to be acceptable for filing. The

collection of this information is necessary to ensure compliance with

NEPA, specifically, to minimize the potential for significant

environmental impact from radiofrequency (RF) radiation from FCC-

regulated transmitters and facilities.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 97-29303 Filed 11-5-97; 8:45 am]

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