[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 14905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7951]



[[Page 14905]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5804-4]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review; 
Bioremediation Field Initiative Database System

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). Before submitting the ICR to OMB for 
review and approval EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of 
the collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental 
Research Information, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive (Mailstop G75), 
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fran Kremer, phone (513) 569-7346, fax 
(513) 569-7585, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which are involved in the use of innovative technologies at 
Superfund sites, such as state and local governments, businesses, and 
non-profit institutions.
    Title: Request for Information for the Bioremediation Field 
Initiative Database Systems, EPA ICR No. 1672.02, OMB No. 2080-0048, 
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 a two-part 
questionnaire. The first part requests general site information. The 
second part requests site-specific biotechnology information. Following 
the initial questionnaire, respondents receive follow-up questionnaires 
on a semi-annual basis to update the information already provided. EPA 
has also developed an easy-to-use PC-based version of the questionnaire 
which is currently in use. Respondents may utilize either the paper- or 
the PC-based questionnaire, whichever they prefer.
    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 and from Web 
sites. The Bioremediation Field Initiative database has also appeared 
in the Bioremediation in the Field bulletin, distributed to 
approximately 3,500 addressees who have registered for Bioremediation 
Field Initiative mailings.
    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 12/31/96 
(Vol 61, No. 252, p. 69092); no comments were received.
    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 annual public reporting and record keeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .25 
to 5 hours per response. 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.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Site remediation personnel.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 781.
    Frequency of Response: semi-annual.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 1620 hours.
    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. 1672.02 and OMB Control No. 2080-0048 in any 
correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OPPE Regulatory 
Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW, 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.

    Dated: March 24, 1997.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 97-7951 Filed 3-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P