[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 84 (Monday, May 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 24504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10302]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Agency Information Collection Activities: BioWatch Filter Holder 
Log

AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security, DHS.

ACTION: 60-Day Notice and request for comments; Extension with change, 
1601-0006.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, DHS, will submit the 
following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35).

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until July 1, 2011. 
This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and questions about this Information 
Collection Request should be forwarded to DHS, DHS Attn.: Daniel Yereb, 
[email protected], 703-647-8052.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 
Office of Health Affairs/OCMO Early Detection Division will collect 
information from BioWatch jurisdictions. The BioWatch Program operates 
aerosol collector equipment in approximately 30 U.S. jurisdictions to 
monitor for the presence of organisms that may be related to the 
deliberate release of a select subset of biological threat agents. 
Information is collected in writing by a representative of a BioWatch 
jurisdiction (either an employee, or a contractor) assigned 
responsibility for installing and removing filters from aerosol 
collection devices and transportation to local laboratories for sample 
analysis. A standard filter log form is completed for each sample and 
is archived by the BioWatch jurisdiction for a period of one year. The 
BioWatch Program reimburses participating jurisdictions for the cost of 
collection and laboratory analysis activities, including the 
preparation of the filter log form and other documentation. The 
creation of a written record for each sample is required to support law 
enforcement activities, including criminal prosecution in the case of a 
deliberate release of a biological agent.
    The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in 
comments which:
    1. 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;
    2. 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;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. 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 
submissions of responses.

Analysis

    Agency: Department of Homeland Security, DHS.
    Title: BioWatch Filter Holder Log.
    OMB Number: 1601-0006.
    Frequency: Daily.
    Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
    Number of Respondents: 522.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 0.0167 hours (1 minute).
    Total Burden Hours: 3,173 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.00.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $144,770.00.

    Dated: April 21, 2011.
Richard Spires,
Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-10302 Filed 4-29-11; 8:45 am]
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