[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67863-67864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33962]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5940-5]
Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces that EPA is planning to submit an
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) to allow the Agency to continue collecting data for the
AgSTAR Program. Information is required from participants (``Partners''
and ``Allies'') in the AgSTAR Program. Partners, primarily livestock
producers, complete a Memorandum of Understanding, develop an
implementation plan, and report to EPA annually on progress towards
meeting the goals identified in the implementation plan. Allies,
primarily utilities and marketers of methane recovery technologies or
related associations, complete a Memorandum of Understanding and obtain
EPA approval to use EPA-developed materials or reproduction of
materials bearing the AgSTAR logo. This ICR is a reinstatement of a
previously approved information collection. Before submitting the ICR
to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific
aspects of the proposed information collection described below.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 2, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Docket Clerk (Docket No. 97-
61), located in the USEPA. Office of Air & Radiation. One original and
two copies of each comment should be submitted. Hand delivery of
comments should be made to: Air Docket, USEPA, MC 6102, 401 M Street.,
SW., room M 1500, Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Roos, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division (6202J),
401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460, or call (202) 564-9041.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Information Collection Requests
EPA is seeking comment on the ICR for the AgSTAR Program (EPA ICR
1735.02). This ICR requests approval for renewal of an existing
collection.
Affected Entities: Entities affected by this action are livestock
producers, utilities, vendors and universities.
Abstract: AgSTAR is an EPA-sponsored, voluntary program that
encourages livestock producers to implement methane recovery
technologies to increase livestock production profit margins and reduce
emissions from manure methane, a greenhouse gas. AgSTAR further
encourages utilities, regulatory agencies and universities to support
and promote the use of methane recovery technologies. The AgSTAR
program consists of two types of participants: ``Partners'' and
``Allies.'' Partners, who are primarily livestock producers, complete a
Memorandum of Understanding, develop an implementation plan, and report
to EPA annually on progress towards meeting the goals identified in the
implementation plan. Allies, primarily utilities and marketers of
methane recovery technologies or related associations, complete a
Memorandum of Understanding and obtain EPA approval to use EPA-
developed materials or reproduction of materials bearing the AgSTAR
logo.
Burden Statement: The estimated average public burden per
respondent for new Partners and Allies is five hours per Partner
response and nine hours per Ally, including time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data
needed, and completing the collection of information.
Respondents: Livestock producers, utilities, vendors and
universities.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 625.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,500 hours.
Frequency of Collection: As needed.
II. Requests for Comments
The Agency will begin an effort to examine the information
requested and consider options for reducing their burden and increasing
the usefulness of the information collected by these forms. 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. In addition, the Agency
is also soliciting comments that:
(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,
[[Page 67864]]
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.
III. Public Docket
A record has been established for this action under docket number
97-61. A public version of this record, including printed, paper
versions of electronic comments, which does not include any information
claimed as CBI, is available for inspection from USEPA, Office of Air &
Radiation. The public record is located at the Air Docket, USEPA, MC
6102, 401 M Street., SW., room M 1500, Washington, DC 20460.
Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of
this information collection, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to: Kurt Roos, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division (6202J), 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, D.C. 20460, or call (202) 564-9041.
Dated: December 18, 1997.
Paul Stolpman,
Director, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 97-33962 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
