84 FR 20160 - Agency Information Collection Activities; USGS Ashfall Report

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing to renew an information collection.

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20160-20161]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09400]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GX19WC00GJNV331; OMB Control Number 1028-0106]


Agency Information Collection Activities; USGS Ashfall Report

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing to renew an information 
collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
July 8, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collections 
Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; or by 
email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control 
Number 1028-0106 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Kristi Wallace by email at [email protected], 
or by telephone at (907) 786-7109.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact 
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information 
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired 
format.
    We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described 
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of the USGS; (2) will this information be processed and used 
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how 
might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use 
of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract

    The USGS provides notifications and warnings to the public of 
volcanic activity in the US in order to reduce the loss of life, 
property, and economic and societal impacts. Ash fallout to the ground 
can pose significant disruption and damage to buildings, 
transportation, water and wastewater, power supply, communications 
equipment, agriculture, and primary production leading to potentially 
substantial societal impacts and costs, even at thicknesses of only a 
few millimeters or inches. Additionally, fine-grained ash, when 
ingested can cause health impacts to humans and animals. USGS will use 
reports entered in real time by respondents of ashfall in their local 
area to correct or refine ashfall forecasts as the ash cloud moves 
downwind. Retrospectively these reports will enable USGS to improve 
their ashfall models and further research into eruptive processes.

[[Page 20161]]

    This project is a database module and web interface allowing the 
public and Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) staff to enter reports of 
ashfall in their local area in real time and retrospectively following 
an eruptive event. Users browsing the AVO website during eruptions will 
be directed towards a web form allowing them to fill in ashfall 
information and submit the information to AVO.
    Compiled ashfall reports are available in real-time to AVO staff 
through the AVO internal website. A pre-formatted summary report or 
table that distills information received online will show ashfall 
reports in chronological order with key fields including (1) date and 
time of ashfall, (2) location, (3) positive or negative ashfall (4) 
name of observer, and (5) contact information is easily viewable 
internally on the report so that calls for clarification can be made by 
AVO staff quickly and Operations room staff can visualize ashfall 
information quickly.
    Ashfall report data will also be displayed on a dynamic map 
interface and show positive (yes ash) and negative (no ash) ashfall 
reports by location. Ashfall reports (icons) will be publicly displayed 
for a period of 24 hours and shaded differently as they age so that the 
age of reports is obvious.
    The ashfall report database will help AVO track eruption clouds and 
associated fallout downwind. These reports from the public will also 
give scientists a more complete record of the amount and duration and 
other conditions of ashfall. Getting first-hand accounts of ashfall 
will support model ashfall development and interpretation of satellite 
imagery. AVO scientists will--as time allows--be able to contact the 
individuals using their entered contact information for clarification 
and details. Knowing the locations from which ashfall reports have been 
filed will improve ashfall warning messages, AVO Volcanic Activity 
Notifications, and make fieldwork more efficient. AVO staff will be 
able to condense and summarize the various ashfall reports and forward 
that information on to emergency management agencies and the wider 
public. The online form will also free up resources during exceedingly 
busy times during an eruption, as most individuals currently phone AVO 
with their reports.
    Title of Collection: USGS Ashfall Report.
    OMB Control Number: 1028-0106.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: General Public, local governments and 
emergency managers.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: We are likely to ask 
individuals to respond 1-6 times year which is the number of past 
eruptions we have during any one year in Alaska.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: Approximately 250 
individuals affected by a volcanic ashfall event each year.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: We estimate the public 
reporting burden will average 5 minutes per response. This includes the 
time for reviewing instructions, and answering a web-based 
questionnaire.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 21 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion, after each ashfall event.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: We have not identified 
any ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with this collection of 
information.
    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.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq).

Thomas Murray,
Director, Volcano Science Center.
[FR Doc. 2019-09400 Filed 5-7-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4338-11-P