[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 252 (Tuesday, December 31, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69092-69093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33263]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5673-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Request for Information for the Bioremediation Field 
Initiative Database Systems

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 continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Request for Information for the 
Bioremediation Field Initiative Database Systems, EPA ICR No. 1672.01, 
OMB Control No. 2080048, expires 04/30/97. 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 March 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Office of Research and Development. A copy of the ICR 
without charge, can be obtained at: http://www.epa.gov/ORD/WebPubs/
biorem

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fran Kremer, 513-569-7346, 
[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those that are involved in the use of innovative technologies at 
Superfund sites, such as state and local governments, businesses, and 
nonprofit institutions.
    Title: Request for Information for the Bioremediation Field 
Initiative Database Systems, OMB Control No. 20800048, expires 04/30/
97.
    Abstract: This is an ICR renewal for gathering information on the 
design, operation, and performance of biological treatment technologies 
from remediation experts and managers working at sites where biological 
treatment technologies are being tested or implemented. The authority 
for collecting information on innovative treatment technologies is 
described at Section 311 of the Superfund Amendments and 
Reauthorization Act, Section 8003 of the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act, Section 7001 of the Oil Pollution Act, and Section 10 of 
the Toxic Substance Control Act. The information will help the EPA to 
deploy innovative technologies more quickly at Superfund and other 
sites.
    Selected respondents are asked to complete and return, via mail, a 
two-part questionnaire. The first part requests general site 
information, such as location, contacts, contaminants, and legislative 
authority under which the site is being remediated. The second part 
requests site-specific biotechnology information, such as the stage of 
the operation, wastes and media being treated, cleanup level goals, and 
the performance and cost of the treatment. All responses are strictly 
voluntary. Following the initial questionnaire, respondents receive 
followup questionnaires on a semi-annual basis to update the 
information already provided. EPA has developed an easy-to-use PC-based 
version of the questionnaire that is currently in use. To run the 
electronic questionnaire, the user must have access to a Windows-
capable IBM-compatible PC, preferably 486-class or better. The PC 
questionnaire has several benefits:
     Questions that apply only under particular circumstances 
(i.e., are dependent on previous responses) are only presented to the 
user as necessary.
     Data validations are performed optionally as the user is 
filling out the questionnaire and are required when a respondent is 
ready to submit the data to EPA. Data validation conditions are 
reported with an explanation of the problem/situation and recommended 
corrective action(s).
     Pick lists are provided for several questions, so that 
user may choose an item from a list rather than enter the full text 
using the keyboard.
    Repsondents may utilize either the paper- or the PC-based 
questionnaire, whichever they prefer. In each case, when respondents 
are updating the site records for sites that are already in the 
Bioremediation Field Intitative database, the questionnaire shows the 
site's complete responses from past questionnaires, so that information 
that has not changed need not be reentered. Respondents with access to 
the Internet may express comments or request assistance using an e-mail 
account that is identified in each questionnaire mailing. Each form of 
the questionnaire is updated occasionally between data collection 
cycles to include prominent new technologies and contaminants as they 
are identified in prior collection efforts.
    EPA compiles information from completed questionnaires into the 
Bioremediation Field Initiative computer database. EPA developed a 
software program called the Bioremediation in the Field Search System 
(BFSS) to search, view, and report information in the database. BFSS is 
available to the public via computerized bulletin boards, or interested 
parties may obtain a copy of BFSS by mail by calling the Bioremediation 
Field Initiative hotline (513 569-7562) and requesting a copy. The next 
update to BFSS (scheduled for the Spring of 1997) is also anticipated 
to be available on the Internet. The Bioremediation Field Initiative 
database currently contains information on over 465 sites, and 
approximately 100 new sites are expected to be included in the next 
update of BFSS. Anyone with access to an IBM-compatible 286-AT class 
computer equipped with DOS 3.3 or better may run BFSS. The 
Bioremediation Field Initiative database also has appeared in the 
Bioremediation in the Field bulletin, published quarterly and 
distributed to approximately 3,500 addressees who have registered for 
Bioremediation Field Initiative mailings. Each site contains contact 
information for one or more individuals associated with the regulatory 
authority or application of bioremediation technology at the site. 
Remediation professionals may contact individuals with common site 
conditions to share information. Summary statistics may be drawn from 
the database to elucidate trends in bioremediation.
    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 OMB 
control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 
48 CFR Chapter 15.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments to:
    (i) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the

[[Page 69093]]

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 following burden figures are taken from the 
currently approved ICR (Attachment A):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Burden  
                       Respondent type                           hours  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-time respondents......................................        5.0 
Update respondents..........................................        1.0 
No-change respondents.......................................        0.5 
Nonrespondents..............................................        0.25
                                                             -----------
      Total.................................................        6.75
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                                                                                  Respondents                   
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                      Respondents type                                                                  Total   
                                                               Period one   Period two     Yearly       burden  
                                                                                                        hours   
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First-time respondents......................................           50           50          100        500.0
Update respondents..........................................          499          482          931        931.0
No-change respondents.......................................          129          139          268        134.0
Nonrespondents..............................................          102          110          212         53.0
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
      Total.................................................          730          781         1511       1618.0
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(First-time respondents fill out a questionnaire for the first time, 
entering data for a site not previously included in the Bioremediation 
Field Initiative database. Update respondents receive a questionnaire 
containing the current record of site data in the Bioremediation Field 
Initiative database and enter information to make the information 
current. No-change respondents receive a questionnaire containing the 
current record of site data in the Bioremediation Field Initiative 
database, review the information and find that it is current; 
therefore, they need not modify information to make the site current. 
Nonrespondents receive the questionnaire, review it, and elect not to 
respond.)
    Each year, the burden figures increase somewhat, as first-time 
respondents are added to the database. In subsequent years, first-time 
respondents will be divided among the other respondent types. This 
growth is offset slightly as sites are removed from the data collection 
cycle--most typically if the site activity is completed, but for other 
reasons as well.
    For the purposes of this burden estimate, 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 
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 20, 1996.
Robert A. Olexsey,
Director, LRPCD.
[FR Doc. 96-33263 Filed 12-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M