[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67861-67862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33957]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5942-3]
Agency Information Collection Activities
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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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 proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Requests
(ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting
the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on
specific aspects of the proposed information collections as described
below:
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 2, 1998.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Mobile
Sources, Office of Air and Radiation, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20460. Interested persons can obtain copies of the ICR at no
charge by accessing ``What's New'' on the OMS Website, ``http://
www.epa.gov/omswww''.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Bullard, Telephone No. (202)
260-2614; Facsimile No. ( 202) 260-6011; or e-mail at
bullard.susan@epamail.epa.gov''.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
those who have an interest in the reduction of air emissions from
mobile sources.
Title: ``ICR for gathering information about: the public's
understanding of air quality, the impact of mobile sources, and actions
individuals can take to improve air quality; and programs to increase
the public's awareness.''
Abstract: EPA's Office of Mobile Sources (OMS) is charged with
reducing air pollution from mobile sources. Although there's been
significant and measurable progress in reducing air pollution in the
past 20 years, it is clearly not enough to solve the problem. Ultimate
solutions will require action by individuals as well as industry.
OMS and its partners in state, local and regional air and
transportation agencies, other federal/state/local agencies, public
health and other organizations are working to increase public awareness
of air quality, the impact of mobile sources and choices individuals
can make to help solve the problem of air pollution. To accomplish this
mission in the public interest, air and transportation managers must
better understand the public's knowledge of the problem as well as
possible solutions. In order for individual consumers and drivers to
make responsible choices, it is incumbent upon EPA and other air and
transportation organizations to provide education and information as to
choices available and impacts of those choices on the environment and
quality of life.
Before we expend limited federal resources, we must conduct
research to answer a number of questions vital to the mission. For
example--how much does the public understand about air pollution, the
impact of mobile sources,
[[Page 67862]]
and the benefits of informed choices? How much do they care? Who are
credible sources of information for the air quality and public health
message? How far is the public willing to go in commitment of time and
money to ensure air quality? What are possible incentives to encourage
people to make environmentally responsible choices? Have we been
successful in our efforts to encourage informed choices?
Prior to materials production, we will conduct focus groups to test
draft public education concepts and materials with proposed audiences
to ensure appropriateness and effectiveness. Our goal will be to ensure
that products produced will meet the needs of the public for which
they're intended.
Finally, we intend to gather information about existing mobile
source-related public education efforts from state and local air and
transportation management agencies, industry, public health and other
partners in order to maximize public benefit and minimize possibilities
for duplication of effort. This will allow us to utilize limited
federal resources responsibly.
Information will be gathered through telephone and in-person
surveys, focus groups, questionnaires and evaluation forms and targeted
meetings. Information will be gathered on both the state and local
levels to support community-based projects and the national level to
support long-term national outreach efforts. Participation in
information-gathering is strictly voluntary.
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 number for EPA's
regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
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;
(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: Respondents/Affected Entities: Those who have an
interest in the reduction of air emissions from mobile sources
Estimated number of Respondents: 1700 per year.
Frequency of Response: One per year per respondent.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 2310 hours.
Estimated Burden per Respondent: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: none to respondents; no
additional cost to agency staff.
This estimate includes the time needed to review instructions;
develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the
purpose 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: December 17, 1997.
Robert Brenner,
Program Official.
[FR Doc. 97-33957 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
