05-21926. Agency Information Collection Request Activities: Renewal of the Collection Request for the Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulation; EPA ICR Number 1601.06, OMB Control Number 2060-0249

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA has submitted a renewal for a continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The proposed request was for renewal of an existing approved collection which is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2005. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA solicited comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. The EPA received comments submitted to the docket from the U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service and has responded by making certain suggested changes and corrections which are found in this final document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Sanders, Ozone Policy and Strategies Group, Mail Drop C539-02, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711; telephone number: [phone]; fax number: [phone] ; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID number OAR-2005-0118, which is available for public viewing at the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is [phone], and the telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket is [phone]. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/​edocket. Use EDOCKET to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above.

The EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EDOCKET as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, Confidential Business Information (CBI), or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EDOCKET. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, is available in the public docket. Although identified as an item in the official docket, information claimed as CBI, or whose disclosure is otherwise restricted by statute, is not included in the official public docket, and will not be available for public viewing in EDOCKET. For further information about the electronic docket, see EPA's Federal Register notice describing the electronic docket at 67 FR 38102 (May 31, 2002), or go to http://www.epa.gov./​edocket.

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are all outer continental shelf sources except those located in the Gulf of Mexico west of 87.5 degrees longitude (near the border of Florida and Alabama). For sources located within 25 miles of States' seaward boundaries, the requirements are the same as those that would be applicable if the source were located in the corresponding onshore area (COA). In States affected by this rule, State boundaries extend three miles from the coastline, except off the coast of the Florida Panhandle, where the State's boundary extends three leagues (about nine miles) from the coastline.

Title: Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulations, EPA ICR Number 1601.06 and OMB Control Number 2060.0249, expiration date: October 31, 2005.

Abstract: Sources located beyond 25 miles of States' boundaries are subject to Federal requirements (implemented and enforced solely by EPA) for Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Standards (NESHAPS), the Federal operating permit program, and the enhanced compliance and monitoring regulations. Before any agency, department, or instrumentality of the Federal government engages in, supports in any way, provides financial assistance for, licenses, permits, approves any activity, that agency has the affirmative responsibility to ensure that such action conforms to the State implementation plan (SIP) for the attainment and maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information request unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15. Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) requires that all Federal actions conform with the SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS. Depending on the type of action, the Federal entities must collect information themselves, hire consultants to collect the information or require applicants/sponsors of the Federal action to provide the information.

The type and quantity of information required will depend on the circumstances surrounding the action. First, the entity must make an applicability determination. If the source is located within 25 miles of the State's seaward boundaries as established in the regulations, the requirements are the same as those that would be applicable if the source were located in the COA. State and local air pollution control agencies were requested to provide information concerning regulation of offshore sources and were provided opportunities to comment on the proposed determinations. The public also was provided an opportunity to comment on the proposed determinations.

The EPA did 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

Total Industry Respondent Burden and Costs

The estimated industry respondent burden for total labor hours and costs associated with one-time/periodic activities are estimated to be 30,575 hours and $1,654,248, respectively. Total labor hours and costs associated with annual activities are estimated to be 30,244 hours and $1,636,362, respectively. Total industry respondent costs annualized over the 3-year time period are estimated to be $1,636,362 per year.

Total State and Local Agency Burden and Costs

The estimated State and local agency burden for total labor hours and costs associated with one-time/periodic activities are estimated to be 3,821 hours and $206,333, respectively. Total labor hours and costs associated with annual activities for that time period are estimated to be 3,801 hours and $205,254, respectively. Total costs annualized over the 3-year time period are estimated to be $204,102 per year.

Total EPA Burden and Costs

The estimated EPA burden for total labor hours and costs associated with one-time-only activities are estimated to be 3,549 hours and $170,359, respectively. Total labor hours and costs associated with annual activities are estimated to be 3,532 hours and $169,515, respectively. Total costs annualized over the 3-year time period are estimated to be $168,672 per year.

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: October 26, 2005.

Mary E. Henigin,

Acting Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.