Rules and Regulations. Notice

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Action: Notice
Citation: FR Doc. 02-16464 · FRL-7239-8

Summary

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Notification of Regulated Waste Activity, EPA ICR #261.14, OMB No. 2050-0028, expires on October 31, 2002. Before submitting the ICRs to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

Dates

Comments must be submitted on or before August 30, 2002.

Supplementary Information

Internet Availability Today's document and the supporting documents that detail the Notification of Regulated Waste Activity ICR are available on the Internet at: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/notify/index.htm. Note: The official record for this action will be kept in paper form and maintained at the address in the ADDRESSES section above. Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are generators, transporters and owners and operators of hazardous waste management facilities. Title: Notification of Regulated Waste Activity, EPA ICR #261.14, OMB No. 2050-0028, expires on October 31, 2002. Abstract: Section 3010 of Subtitle C of RCRA, as amended, requires any person who generates or transports regulated waste or who owns or operates a facility for the treatment, storage, or disposal (TSD) of regulated waste to notify EPA of their activities, including the location and general description of activities and the regulated wastes handled. The facility is then issued an EPA Identification number. The facilites are required to use the Notification Form (EPA Form 8700-12) to notify EPA of their hazardous waste activities. 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 OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15. The Agency today begins an effort to examine the notification forms and consider options for reducing their burden and increasing the usefulness of the information these forms collect. The Agency would appreciate any information on the users of this information, how they use this information, how the information could be improved, and how the burden for these forms can be reduced. Therefore, the EPA would like to solicit comments to: (i) 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; (ii) 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; (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) 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 submission of responses. Burden Statement: The estimated average burden for renewing the existing notification ICR is 4.25 hours per respondent for initial notifications and 1.84 hours per respondent for subsequent notifications. This estimates for the notification ICR includes all aspects of the information collection including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering data, and completing and reviewing the form. EPA estimates that the number of respondents per year for notifications is 31,125 (16,174 initial notifications and 14,951 subsequent notifications). For this ICR, collection occurs one time per respondent, unless regulations are revised and promulgated. Timing of the submission of the notification is variable depending on the status of the respondent and the timing of the promulgation of the regulations. The estimated total annual burden on respondents for initial and subsequent notifications is 96,250 hours. These estimates of total annual burden reflect a decrease in burden of 3.9% for all notifications when compared with the previously approved ICR (1999). Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Dated: June 7, 2002. Elizabeth A. Cotsworth, Director, Office of Solid Waste. [FR Doc. 02-16464 Filed 6-28-02; 8:45 am]