[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8195-8196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4006]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5968-1]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; General Conformity of Federal Actions to State 
Implementation Plans

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 proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Determining 
Conformity of General Federal Actions to State Implementation Plans, 
OMB Control Number 2060-0279, ICR number 1637.03, expiration date: 
April 30, 1998. 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 April 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the supporting statement may be obtained from the 
Ozone Policy and Strategy Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards 
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, MD-15, Research 
Triangle Park, NC 27711 or is available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/
oarpg/meta.19078.1.General.Doc, 19078.2.Gencon.Log, and 
19078.3.Gencon.xls.
    Comments must be mailed to David H. Stonefield, Ozone Policy and 
Strategies Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards Division, MD-15, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stonefield, telephone: 919-541-
5350, Facsimile: 919-541-0824, E-MAIL: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which take Federal actions, or are subject to Federal actions, 
and emit pollutants above de minimis levels.
    Title: Determining Conformity of General Federal Actions to State 
Implementation Plans, OMB Control Number 2060-0279, ICR number 1637.03, 
expiration date: April 30, 1998.
    Abstract: Before any agency, department, or instrumentality of the 
Federal government engages in, supports in any way, provides financial 
assistance for, licenses, permits, approves any activity, that agency 
has the affirmative responsibility to ensure that such action conforms 
to the State implementation plan (SIP) for the attainment and 
maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). 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. Section 176(c) of 
the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) requires that all Federal 
actions conform with the SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS. The 
EPA's implementing regulations require Federal entities to make a 
conformity determination for all actions which will impact areas 
designated as nonattainment or maintenance for the NAAQS and which will 
result in total direct and indirect emissions in excess of de minimis 
levels. The Federal entities must collect information on the SIP 
requirements and the pollution sources to make the conformity 
determination. Depending on the type of action, the Federal entities 
either collect the information themselves, hire consultants to collect 
the information or require applicants/sponsors of the Federal action to 
provide the information.
    The type and quantity of information required will depend on the

[[Page 8196]]

circumstances surrounding the action. First, the entity must make an 
applicability determination. If the net total direct and indirect 
emissions do not exceed de minimis levels established in the 
regulations or if the action meets certain criteria for an exemption, a 
conformity determination is not required. Actions requiring conformity 
determinations vary from straightforward, requiring minimal 
information, to complex, requiring significant amounts of information. 
The Federal entity must determine the type and quantity of information 
on a case-by-case basis. State and local air pollution control agencies 
are usually requested to provide information to the Federal entities 
making a conformity determination and are provided opportunities to 
comment on the proposed determinations. The public is also provided an 
opportunity to comment on the proposed determinations.
    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 estimated annual projected hour burden and 
cost for the respondents (generally Federal agencies) are 32,560 hours 
and $1,118,119. The estimated annual projected hour burden and cost for 
the State and local agencies are 1,156 hours and $323,354. The 
estimated annual projected hour burden and cost for the EPA are 1,846 
hours and $51,173. 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.

    Dated: February 6, 1998.
John Seitz,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-4006 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P