[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