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

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, 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.

DATES:

Written comments should be submitted on or before January 3, 2005. 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 Leslie.Smith@fcc.gov or Kristy L. LaLonde, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Room 10236 NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-3087 or via the Internet at Kristy_L._LaLonde@omb.eop.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copy of the information collection(s) contact Les Smith at (202) 418-0217 or via the Internet at Leslie.Smith@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.

Title: Radio Frequency Identification Equipment, 47 CFR 15.240.

Type of Review: New collection.

Form Number: N/A.

Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business or other for-profit; and State, local, or tribal governments.

Number of Respondents: 10.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hour.

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

Total Annual Burden: 200 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).

Needs and Uses: On April 15, 2004, the FCC adopted a Third Report and Order, In the Matter of Review of part 15 and other Parts of the Commission's Rules, ET Docket No. 01-278, RM-9375, RM-10051, FCC 04-98. The Third Report and Order requires each grantee of certification for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Equipment to register the location of the equipment/devices its markets with the Commission. The information the grantee must supply to the Commission when registering the devices shall include the name, address and other pertinent contact information of users, the geographic coordinates of the operating location, and the FCC identification number(s) of the equipment. The improved RFID equipment could benefit commercial shippers and have significant homeland security benefits by enabling the entire contents of shipping containers to be easily and immediately identified, and by allowing a determination of whether tampering with their contents has occurred during shipping.

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: Not-for-profit institutions; business or other for-profit; and State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 122,985.

Estimated Time per Response: 2.02 hours (avg.).

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

Total Annual Burden: 256,080 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $1,193,000.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N.A.

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 Radio Frequency (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 FCC staff uses the information required under section 1.1307 to determine whether the environmental evaluation is sufficiently complete and in compliance with the FCC Rules to be acceptable for filing.