[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28380-28381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13786]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6101-7]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB
Review, Comment Request
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 document announces that the following Information
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Superfund Site Evaluation and
Hazard Ranking System, OMB Control No. 2050-0005 to expire on July 31,
1998. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and
its expected cost and burden; where appropriate, it includes the actual
data collection instrument.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 22, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone
(202) 260-2740, by email at farmer.sandy@epamail.epa.gov, or download
off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No.
1488.04.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System, (EPA
ICR No. 1488.04, OMB Control No. 2050-0005) expiring July 31, 1998.
This ICR requests an extension of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, 1980 and 1986) amends the
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP) to include
criteria prioritizing releases throughout the U.S. before undertaking
remedial action at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The Hazard
Ranking System (HRS) is a model that is used to evaluate the relative
threats to human health and the environment posed by actual or
potential releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and
contaminants. The HRS criteria take into account the population at
risk, the hazard potential of the substances, as well as the potential
for contamination of drinking water supplies, direct human contact,
destruction of sensitive ecosystems, damage to natural resources
affecting the human food chain, contamination of surface water used for
recreation or potable water consumption, and contamination of ambient
air.
Under this ICR the States will apply the HRS by identifying and
classifying those releases that warrant further investigation. The HRS
score is crucial since it is the primary mechanism used to determine
whether a site is eligible to be included on the National Priorities
List (NPL). Only sites on the NPL are eligible for Superfund-financed
remedial actions.
HRS scores are derived from the sources described in this
information collection, including field reconnaissance, taking samples
at the site, and reviewing available reports and documents. States
record the collected information on HRS documentation worksheets and
include this in the supporting reference package. States then send the
package to the EPA region for a completeness and accuracy review, and
the Region then sends it to EPA Headquarters for a final quality
assurance review. If the site scores above the NPL designated cutoff
value, and if it meets the other criteria for listing, it is then
eligible to be proposed on the NPL.
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
Federal Register Notice required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting
comments on this collection of information was published on March 4,
1998 (63 FR 10607). Three requests for copies of the ICR were received;
however, EPA received no comments.
Burden Statement: Depending on the number and type of activities
performed, burden for the collection of site assessment information is
estimated to range from 53 to 1,899 hours per site. The number of hours
required to assess a particular site depends on how far a site
progresses through the site assessment process. Sites where only a pre-
CERCLIS screening is performed will typically require approximately 53
hours, while sites that progress to NPL listing will require
approximately 1,899 hours. The burden estimates include reporting
activities and minimal record keeping activities. The States are
reimbursed 100 percent of their costs, except for record maintenance.
The ICR does not impose burden for HRS activities on local governments
or private businesses. 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.
Respondents: State agencies or Indian Tribes requesting oversight
of the site.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 60 States or Indian Tribes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 203,373 hours.
Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: 0 (reimbursed by EPA).
Frequency of Response: Periodically/Per SARA Section 116(b).
Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of
automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please
refer to EPA ICR No. 1488.04 and OMB Control No. 2050-0005 in any
correspondence.
Ms. Sandy Farmer,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
OPPE Regulatory Information Division (2137),
401 M Street, S.W.,
Washington, DC 20460;
and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget,
Attention: Desk Officer for EPA,
725 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20503.
[[Page 28381]]
Dated: May 18, 1998.
Richard T. Westlund,
Acting Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 98-13786 Filed 5-21-98; 8:45 am]
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