[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 142 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 39838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19547]



[[Page 39838]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5863-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

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 the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: The National Oil and 
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), Subpart J, OMB 
Control Number: 2050-0141. EPA Control Number: 1664.03. Expiration 
Date: August 31, 1997. The ICR describes the nature of the information 
collection and its expected burden and cost; where appropriate, it 
includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 25, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY CALL: Sandy Farmer at (202) 260-2740 
and refer to EPA ICR No. 1664.03.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution 
Contingency Plan (NCP), Subpart J (OMB Control Number 2050-0141; EPA 
ICR Number 1664.03); expiring 8/31/97. This is a request for extension 
of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The use of dispersants, other chemical agents, and 
bioremediation agents to respond to oil spills in U.S. waters is 
governed by subpart J of the NCP (40 CFR 300.900). EPA's regulation, 
which is codified at 40 CFR 300.00, requires that EPA prepare a 
schedule of ``dispersants, other chemicals, and other spill mitigating 
devices and substances, if any, that may be used in carrying out the 
NCP.'' Under subpart J, respondents wishing to add a product to the 
Product Schedule must submit technical product data specified in 40 CFR 
300.915 to EPA. EPA places oil spill mitigating products on the Product 
Schedule if all the required data are submitted. The Product Schedule 
is available to Federal On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs), Regional Response 
Teams (RRTs), and Area Committees for determining the most appropriate 
products to use in various spill scenarios. Subpart J ensures that 
OSCs, RRTs, and Area Committees have necessary data regarding the 
toxicity, effectiveness, and other characteristics of different 
products in order to make more informed decisions regarding the use of 
such products during time critical spill responses. Because local 
conditions may require additional information, RRTs may, under the 
revisions, require supplemental toxicity and effectiveness testing of 
products.
    Section 300.920(c) allows respondents to assert that certain 
information in the technical product data submissions is confidential 
business information. EPA will handle such claims pursuant to the 
provisions in 40 CFR part 2, subpart B. Such information must be 
submitted separately from non-confidential information, clearly 
identified, and clearly marked ``Confidential Business Information.'' 
If the submitter fails to make such a claim at the time of submittal, 
EPA may make the information available to the public without further 
notice.
    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 April 11, 
1997 (62 FR 17801); no comments were received.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 27 
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: Manufacturers of dispersants, 
surface washing agents, surface collecting agents, bioremediation 
agents, and other chemical agents and biological additives used as 
countermeasures against oil spills.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 14 per year.
    Frequency of Response: One time, on occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 370 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $99,857.
    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. 1664.03 and OMB Control No. 2050-0141 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: July 17, 1997.
Joseph Retzer,
Director Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 97-19547 Filed 7-23-97; 8:45 am]
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