[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 27951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13607]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6100-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Source Compliance and State Action Reporting/
Compliance Reporting to the Aerometric Information and Retrieval System 
(AIRS)

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 document announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Source Compliance and State Action 
Reporting, EPA ICR Number 0107, OMB control number 2060-0096, current 
expiration date 7/31/98. 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 July 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: US EPA Office of Compliance, 401 M Street, Washington DC 
Copies of background materials may be obtained without charge from Mark 
Antell (2222A) at this address, or electronically, via EMAIL request to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Antell, 202/564-5003, FAX 202/
564-0032, EMAIL [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
State, District, Commonwealth and territorial governments.
    Title: Source Compliance and State Action Reporting, OMB Control 
Number 2060-0096, EPA ICR No. 0107 expiring July 31, 1998.
    Abstract: Source Compliance and State Action reporting is an 
activity whereby State, District, Commonwealth and territorial 
(hereafter referred to as State) governments make air compliance 
information available to EPA on a quarterly basis via input to the 
Aerometric Information and Retrieval System (AIRS). The information 
provided to EPA includes compliance determinations and compliance 
activities. EPA uses this information to assess progress toward meeting 
emission requirements developed under the authority of the Clean Air 
Act to protect and maintain the atmospheric environment and the public 
health. The compliance information in AIRS is used by many States and 
by all ten EPA Regional offices on a frequent basis for managing 
activities of their air pollution control programs.
    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 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 burden for this effort was reduced dramatically in the mid 90's 
from 145633 hours/yr (pre-1995 ICR inventory), to the current approved 
58686 hours. The burden change was due to reduced reporting 
requirements and improved technology. This request reflects modest but 
continuing burden reductions for similar reasons.
    Number of respondents--55 (State governments).
    Number of hours required per response--52 to 405 depending on State 
size.
    Number of responses required per respondent per year--4.
    Total hours/cost requested--55,500/$1.47 million.
    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: May 14, 1998.
Elaine Stanley,
Director, Office of Compliance.
[FR Doc. 98-13607 Filed 5-20-98; 8:45 am]
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