2024-21711. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an Existing ICR Collection and Request for Comment; Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program Annual Measures Reporting

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Environmental Protection Agency

1. [EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0395; FRL-12083-01-OCSPP]

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): “Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program Annual Measures Reporting,” identified by EPA ICR No. 2415.05 and OMB Control No. 2070-0188. This ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through July 31, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before November 22, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0395, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/​.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Carolyn Siu, Mission Support Division (7602M), Office of Program Support, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; email address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. What information is EPA particularly interested in?

Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:

1. 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.

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

4. 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

II. What information collection activity or ICR does this action apply to?

Title: Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program Annual Measures Reporting.

EPA ICR No.: 2415.05.

OMB Control No. 2070-0188.

ICR status: This ICR is currently approved through July 31, 2025. Under the PRA, 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 in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers for certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: This information collection request (ICR) collects information to establish partner membership, develop stewardship strategies, measure progress towards stewardship goals, and award incentives. PESP is an EPA partnership program that encourages the use of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to reduce pests and pesticide risks. IPM is an approach that involves making the best choices from among a series of pest management practices that are both economical and pose the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 51,562 hours. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized here:

Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected are Pesticide user companies and organizations, or entities that practice IPM or promote the use of IPM through education and training. A list of potentially affected entities with North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes provided to assist in determining potential applicability in question 12.

Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.

Forms: 9600-1, 9600-02 and 9600-03.

Frequency of response: Annual and on occasion.

Total estimated number of potential respondents: 456.

Total estimated average number of responses for each respondent: 1.

Total estimated annual burden hours: 51,297 hours.

Total estimated annual respondent costs: $ 3,884,334, which includes $ 0 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.

III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

EPA expects an increase in the number of potential respondents from 437 to 456, with a corresponding burden increase. This change is based on an anticipated increase in entities participating in the PESP Program. There is also an increase in industry cost by $382,790, which reflects the ( print page 77509) increase in burden and EPA's updated estimates according to the latest wage rates. These changes qualify as adjustments.

IV. What is the next step in the process for this ICR?

EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another Federal Register document pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

Authority:44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Dated: September 17, 2024.

Michal Freedhoff,

Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.