[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 10607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5556]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5973-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking 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 proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget OMB): Site Evaluation and 
Hazard Ranking System, ICR #1488.04, OMB #2050-0005, expiration date 7/
31/98. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for approval, EPA is soliciting 
comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as 
described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of this ICR, please contact Mary Ann Rich, 
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, (703) 603-8825 or by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Mary 
Ann Rich at (703) 603-8825, please refer to ICR #1488.04.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

    Title: Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System, EPA ICR 
#1488.04. This ICR requests renewal of a currently approved collection 
(OMB #2050-0005).
    Abstract: Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, 1980 and 1986) amends the 
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP) to include 
criteria prioritizing releases throughout the U.S. before undertaking 
remedial action at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The Hazard 
Ranking System (HRS) is a model that is used to evaluate the relative 
threats to human health and the environment posed by actual or 
potential releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and 
contaminants. The HRS criteria take into account the population at 
risk, the hazard potential of the substances, as well as the potential 
for contamination of drinking water supplies, direct human contact, 
destruction of sensitive ecosystems, damage to natural resources 
affecting the human food chain, contamination of surface water used for 
recreation or potable water consumption, and contamination of ambient 
air.
    Under this ICR the States will apply the HRS by identifying and 
classifying those releases that warrant further investigation. The HRS 
score is crucial since it is the primary mechanism used to determine 
whether a site is eligible to be included on the National Priorities 
List (NPL). Only sites on the NPL are eligible for Superfund-financed 
remedial actions.
    HRS scores are derived from the sources described in this 
information collection, including field reconnaissance, taking samples 
at the site, and reviewing available reports and documents. States 
record the collected information on HRS documentation worksheets and 
include this in the supporting reference package. States then send the 
package to the EPA region for a completeness and accuracy review, and 
the Region then sends it to EPA Headquarters for a final quality 
assurance review. If the site scores above the NPL designated cutoff 
value, and if it meets the other criteria for listing, it is then 
eligible to be proposed on the NPL.
    Burden Statement: Depending on the number and type of activities 
performed, burden for the collection of site assessment information is 
estimated to range from 15 to 3,325 hours per site. The number of hours 
required to assess a particular site depends on how far a site 
progresses through the site assessment process. Sites where only a pre-
CERCLIS screening action is performed will typically require 
approximately 15 hours, while sites that progress to NPL listing based 
on an integrated assessment approach may require up to 3,325 hours. The 
burden estimates include reporting activities and minimal recordkeeping 
activities. The States are reimbursed 100% of their costs, except for 
record maintenance. The ICR does not impose burden for HRS activities 
on local governments or private businesses.
    Respondents: State agencies performing Superfund site evaluation 
activities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50 States.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 226,000 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: One time; section 116(b) requires an HRS 
evaluation within four years of the site's entry into the EPA CERCLIS 
database.

    Dated: February 24, 1998.
Larry G. Reed,
Acting Director, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
[FR Doc. 98-5556 Filed 3-3-98; 8:45 am]
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