[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28380-28381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13786]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6101-7]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review, Comment Request

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 the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Superfund Site Evaluation and 
Hazard Ranking System, OMB Control No. 2050-0005 to expire on July 31, 
1998. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and 
its expected cost and burden; where appropriate, it includes the actual 
data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 22, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone 
(202) 260-2740, by email at [email protected], or download 
off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 
1488.04.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System, (EPA 
ICR No. 1488.04, OMB Control No. 2050-0005) expiring July 31, 1998. 
This ICR requests an extension of a currently approved collection.
    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.
    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 March 4, 
1998 (63 FR 10607). Three requests for copies of the ICR were received; 
however, EPA received no comments.
    Burden Statement: Depending on the number and type of activities 
performed, burden for the collection of site assessment information is 
estimated to range from 53 to 1,899 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 is performed will typically require approximately 53 
hours, while sites that progress to NPL listing will require 
approximately 1,899 hours. The burden estimates include reporting 
activities and minimal record keeping activities. The States are 
reimbursed 100 percent of their costs, except for record maintenance. 
The ICR does not impose burden for HRS activities on local governments 
or private businesses. 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: State agencies or Indian Tribes requesting oversight 
of the site.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60 States or Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 203,373 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: 0 (reimbursed by EPA).
    Frequency of Response: Periodically/Per SARA Section 116(b).
    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. 1488.04 and OMB Control No. 2050-0005 in any 
correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
OPPE Regulatory Information Division (2137),
401 M Street, S.W.,
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.


[[Page 28381]]


    Dated: May 18, 1998.
Richard T. Westlund,
Acting Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 98-13786 Filed 5-21-98; 8:45 am]
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