The Federal Communications Commission is requesting the voluntary cooperation of submarine cable landing station licensees in providing information related to its FCC-licensed undersea cable(s). We seek this information in accordance with the Cable Landing License Act (47 U.S.C. 34 et seq.), the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and Executive Order No. 10530. This information is needed to support Federal government national security and emergency preparedness communications programs, to provide situational awareness of undersea cable system performance and a greater understanding of potential physical threats to the cable system.
Emergency OMB approval is necessary for this information collection because public harm could result if normal clearance procedures were followed. While the Commission will be the collection point for this information, we will share it with the Departments and agencies that have direct responsibility for national and homeland security. This information will provide situational awareness regarding the operational status of submarine cable systems to the Federal government, and allow the Executive Branch to assess potential risks and threats to these critical communications systems in the context of other available information. We understand that the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) will also be contacting the OMB in support of this request.
The hourly burden increased for this new collection by +27,500 hours. The reason is that the Commission and the Assistant Director for National Security and Emergency Preparedness, Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), at the direction of the President, is requesting the voluntary cooperation of submarine cable landing station licensees in providing information related to its FCC-licensed undersea cable(s). Given the national security considerations associated with this information request, and the time sensitivity, we request emergency OMB approval by April 17, 2008.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.