[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54631-54632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27853]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5911-9]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; EPA's Transportation Partners

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: EPA's Transportation Partners 
Program, EPA ICR No. 1818.01. 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 November 20, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the ICR, call Sandy 
Farmer at EPA, (202) 260-2740, or download off the Internet at http://
www.epa.gov/icr/icr.htm and refer to EPA ICR No. 1818.01.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: EPA's Transportation Partners Program, EPA ICR No. 1818.01. 
This is a new collection.
    Abstract: The Transportation Partners program is a new, 
cooperative, voluntary program that seeks to reduce the growth of 
vehicle miles traveled (VMT) through the adoption of measures that 
provide or promote the use of non-single occupancy vehicle 
transportation choices for citizens. As part of the Climate Change 
Action Plan, Transportation Partners will play an important role in the 
nation's commitment to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
    The Transportation Partners program is designed to work around two 
types of members: Principal Partners and Project Partners. Principal 
Partners have substantive areas of expertise and will provide direct 
assistance to VMT-reducing projects across the country. Project 
Partners, on the other hand, administer the individual programs and 
actions designed to reduce VMT. Local governments, regional 
governments, local non-governmental organizations, and private 
businesses may become Project Partners.
    As voluntary participants in the Transportation Partners program, 
Project Partners may be asked to complete an annual Partner Profile 
that requests general project information. Project-related information 
requested may include background data about the sponsoring entity, a 
description (and, to the extent possible, quantification) of project 
effects on travel, other project effects, and comments regarding 
program participation and technical assistance. As EPA may request 
additional information from the Project Partners about their projects, 
organizations may be requested to periodically submit supplementary 
information to the Agency.
    In addition, EPA sponsors the Way to Go! Awards, which honor local 
innovators who are enhancing their communities and the environment 
through transportation improvements. Project Partners will receive an 
application for the Way to Go! awards. Some Project Partners may choose 
to complete and submit the application to EPA. The application asks for 
the following information: the name and focus of the project; a 
description of project management; a description of the end user(s) of 
the project; and a project summary and narrative.
    Principal Partners have a number of responsibilities, which 
include: First, they will provide EPA with contact lists of prospective 
Project Partners. Second, they will disseminate information to 
partners. Third, Principal Partners will review, sign, and forward 
Project Partner agreements to EPA. Fourth, Principal Partners will 
assist EPA in reviewing and compiling Partner Profiles and supplemental 
information from Project Partners.
    Participation in the Transportation Partners program is voluntary. 
If requested, EPA will treat information as confidential business 
information and will not make the partner-specific information 
collected under the program available to the general public, unless the 
partner's approval is obtained.
    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

[[Page 54632]]

15. The Federal Register Notice required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), 
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 
8/8/97 ( FR Doc. 97-20977 ); Zero (0) comments were received.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 11.7 
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: Entities potentially affected by 
this action may include local and suburban transit providers, business 
associations, civic organizations, air and water resource and solid 
waste management agencies, local and regional government agencies and 
other transportation-related organizations. Additionally, EPA expects 
to enroll private businesses from a wide range of industries in the 
Transportation Partners program.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 195.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 8,371 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $0.
    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. 1818.01 in any correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OPPE Regulatory 
Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460 (or 
E-Mail Farmer.S[email protected])

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: October 14, 1997.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 97-27853 Filed 10-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P