[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 39986-39987] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-18874] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6402-4] Agency Information Collection Activities: Continuing Collection; Comment Request; Part B: Permit Application, Permit Modifications and Special Permits AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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): Part B Permit Application, Permit Modifications and Special Permits, EPA ICR #1573.05, OMB No. 2050-0009, expires on December 31, 1999. 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 September 21, 1999. ADDRESSES: Commenters must send an original and two copies of their comments referencing docket number F-1999-PBIP-FFFFF to: RCRA Docket Information Center, Office of Solid Waste (5305G), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters (EPA, HQ) 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. Hand deliveries of comments should be made to the Arlington, VA address below. Comments may also be submitted electronically through the Internet to: [email protected]. Comments in electronic format should also be identified by the docket number F-1999-PBIP- FFFFF. All electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Commenters should not submit any confidential business information (CBI) electronically. An original and two copies of CBI must be submitted under separate cover to: RCRA CBI Document Control Officer, Office of Solid Waste (5305W), U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. Public comments and supporting materials are available for viewing in the RCRA Information Center (RIC), located at Crystal Gateway I, First Floor, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. The RIC is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. To review docket materials, it is recommended that the public make an appointment by calling (703) 603-9230. The public may copy a maximum of 100 pages from any regulatory docket at no charge. Additional copies cost $0.15/page. This document and the supporting documents that detail the Part B Permit Application, Permit Modifications and Special Permits ICR are also electronically available. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for information on accessing them. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Eberly by mail at the Office of Solid Waste (5303W), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460, by phone at (703) 308-8645, or by Internet e-mail at: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Internet Availability Today's document and the supporting documents that detail the Part B Permit Application, Permit Modifications and Special Permits ICR are available on the Internet. Follow these instructions to access this information electronically: WWWURL:http//www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/permit/partb/index.htm FTP:ftp.epa.gov Login: anonymous Password: your Internet e-mail address Path:/pub/epaoswer Note: The official record for this action will be kept in paper form and maintained at the address in the ADDRESSES section above. Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are owners and operators of hazardous waste management facilities. Title: Part B Permit Application, Permit Modifications and Special Permits, EPA ICR #1573.05, OMB No. 2050-0009, expires on December 31, 1999. Abstract: Section 3005 of Subtitle C of RCRA requires treatment, storage or disposal (TSD) facilities to obtain a permit. To obtain the permit, the TSD must submit an application describing the facility's operation. There are two parts to the RCRA permit application--part A and part B. Part A defines the processes to be used for treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous [[Page 39987]] wastes; the design capacity of such processes; and the specific hazardous wastes to be handled at the facility. Part B requires detailed site specific information such as geologic, hydrologic, and engineering data. In the event that permit modifications are proposed by the applicant or EPA, modifications must conform to the requirements under sections 3004 and 3005. 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 Agency today begins an effort to examine the part B permit application requirements and consider options for reducing the burden and increasing the usefulness of the information that is collected. The Agency would appreciate any information on the users of this information, how they use this information, how the information could be improved, and how the burden for this information collected can be reduced. Therefore, 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 average burden for renewing the existing part B ICR is as follows: --Demonstrations and exceptions: 2.4 hours --Legal review: 100 hours --Permit information under 270.10(j): 10 hours --Demonstrations under 270.14(a): .1 hour --General facility standards: 486 hours --Financial assurance: 19 hours --Ground-water protection: 237 hours --Specific unit requirements under 270.15 through 270.26: 1,737 hours --Permit modifications: 2.4 hours --Renewal of permits: 1 hour --Special forms of permits: 99 hours The number of respondents per year for part B permit applications, permit modifications and special permits is variable. In the 1996 part B ICR, EPA estimated that 44 part B permit applications, 58 permit modifications and 5 special forms of permits were submitted annually. The 1996 estimated total annual burden on respondents for part B permit applications, permit modifications and special permits was 118,926 hours. 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: July 16, 1999. Elizabeth A. Cotsworth, Acting Director, Office of Solid Waste. [FR Doc. 99-18874 Filed 7-22-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P