[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8195-8196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4006]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5968-1]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; General Conformity of Federal Actions to State
Implementation Plans
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 Request
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Determining
Conformity of General Federal Actions to State Implementation Plans,
OMB Control Number 2060-0279, ICR number 1637.03, expiration date:
April 30, 1998. Before submitting the ICR 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 April 20, 1998.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the supporting statement may be obtained from the
Ozone Policy and Strategy Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, MD-15, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711 or is available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/
oarpg/meta.19078.1.General.Doc, 19078.2.Gencon.Log, and
19078.3.Gencon.xls.
Comments must be mailed to David H. Stonefield, Ozone Policy and
Strategies Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards Division, MD-15,
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stonefield, telephone: 919-541-
5350, Facsimile: 919-541-0824, E-MAIL: stonefield.dave@epamail.epa.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
those which take Federal actions, or are subject to Federal actions,
and emit pollutants above de minimis levels.
Title: Determining Conformity of General Federal Actions to State
Implementation Plans, OMB Control Number 2060-0279, ICR number 1637.03,
expiration date: April 30, 1998.
Abstract: 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 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. 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. The
EPA's implementing regulations require Federal entities to make a
conformity determination for all actions which will impact areas
designated as nonattainment or maintenance for the NAAQS and which will
result in total direct and indirect emissions in excess of de minimis
levels. The Federal entities must collect information on the SIP
requirements and the pollution sources to make the conformity
determination. Depending on the type of action, the Federal entities
either collect the 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
[[Page 8196]]
circumstances surrounding the action. First, the entity must make an
applicability determination. If the net total direct and indirect
emissions do not exceed de minimis levels established in the
regulations or if the action meets certain criteria for an exemption, a
conformity determination is not required. Actions requiring conformity
determinations vary from straightforward, requiring minimal
information, to complex, requiring significant amounts of information.
The Federal entity must determine the type and quantity of information
on a case-by-case basis. State and local air pollution control agencies
are usually requested to provide information to the Federal entities
making a conformity determination and are provided opportunities to
comment on the proposed determinations. The public is also provided an
opportunity to comment on the proposed determinations.
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 annual projected hour burden and
cost for the respondents (generally Federal agencies) are 32,560 hours
and $1,118,119. The estimated annual projected hour burden and cost for
the State and local agencies are 1,156 hours and $323,354. The
estimated annual projected hour burden and cost for the EPA are 1,846
hours and $51,173. 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: February 6, 1998.
John Seitz,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-4006 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
