[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]
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