[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23445-23446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11160]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5819-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities up for Renewal; 
Collection of Economic and Regulatory Impact Support Data Under RCRA 
ICR No. 1641.01

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): Collection of Economic and Regulatory 
Impact Support Data Under RCRA: Request for Generic Clearance 1641.01, 
OMB Control Number 2050-0136, expiration date 10/31/97. 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 June 30, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Washington at EPA, (703) 308-
0497, and refer to EPA ICR No. 1641.01.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which are classified as hazardous waste generators, scientist, 
industry experts, and treatment storage and disposal facilities.
    Title: Collection of Economic and Regulatory Support Data Under 
RCRA (OMB Control No. 2050-0136; EPA ICR No.1641.01) expiring 10/31/97 
.
    Abstract: EPA's Office of Solid Waste (OSW) is requesting approval 
for a generic clearance to collect economic and regulatory impact data 
through surveys, interviews, or focus group meetings with industry or 
other parties in support of the Resource Conservation

[[Page 23446]]

and Recovery Act (RCRA) rulemaking actions. RCRA, as amended by the 
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, requires EPA to establish a 
national regulatory program to ensure that hazardous waste is managed 
in a manner protective of human health and the environment. EPA is 
authorized under section 2002 and 3007 of RCRA to collect information 
from industry and other parties when necessary to carry out its 
regulatory responsibilities. The information collected will be used to 
assess the costs and benefits of various potential regulatory and 
nonregulatory actions. 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. Executive Order 12866 specifies that all 
administrative decisions shall be based on adequate information 
concerning the need for and consequences of prosed government action. 
To this end, Executive Order No. 12866 requires the preparation and 
evaluation of an assessment of costs and benefits for all proposed 
regulatory actions determined to be significant. This generic clearance 
simplifies the authorization process to develop and administer surveys, 
interviews and focus group meetings and provides OSW with the 
flexibility needed to conduct information collection in a rapid and 
efficient manner. An important element in preparing an Economic Impact 
Analysis (EIA) may include the administration of surveys, interview and 
focus group meetings to obtain data from the regulated community and 
other interested parties. OSW often needs to collect such information 
and perform analysis over a short time frame. It is for this reason 
that the Agency is currently requesting renewal of this Information 
Collection Request (ICR).
    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 public reporting burden for this generic 
collection is estimated to average 13.5 hours per response. This 
estimate includes all aspects of the information collection including 
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection 
information. 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.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,000 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: On Occasion.

    Dated: April 2, 1997.
Matthew Hale,
Acting Director, Office of Solid Waste.
[FR Doc. 97-11160 Filed 4-29-97; 8:45 am]
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