[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42687-42688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20201]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6413-9]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Emergency Planning and Release Notification 
Requirements under Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act 
Sections 302, 303, and 304

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 proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Emergency Planning and Release 
Notification Requirements under Emergency Planning and Community Right-
to-Know Act Sections 302, 303, and 304, EPA ICR Number 1395.04. This 
ICR renews a previously approved ICR No. 1395.03 (expires January 31, 
2000, OMB Control Number 2050-0092). 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 October 4, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office, SW, 
Washington DC 20460. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the ICR 
without charge by contacting the person in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sicy Jacob, 202-260-7249, fax no. 202-
260-0927, or e-mail: Jacob.S[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which have a threshold planning quantity of an extremely 
hazardous substance (EHS) listed in 40 CFR Part 355, Appendix A and 
those which have a release of any of the EHS above a reportable 
quantity. Entities more likely to be affected by this action may 
include chemical, non-chemical manufac-turers, retailers, petroleum 
refineries, utilities, etc.
    Title: Emergency Planning and Release Notification Requirements 
under Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act Sections 302, 
303, and 304, OMB Control No. 2050-0092, EPA ICR No. 1395.04.

[[Page 42688]]

    Abstract: The authority for these requirements is sections 302, 
303, and 304 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act 
(EPCRA), 1986 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11002, 11003, and 11004). EPCRA 
established broad emergency planning and facility reporting 
requirements. Section 302 requires facilities to notify their state 
emergency response commission (SERC) that the facility is subject to 
emergency planning. This activity has been completed; only new 
facilities are subject to this requirement. Section 303 requires the 
local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) to prepare emergency plans 
for facilities that are subject to section 302. This activity has been 
also completed; this ICR only covers any updates needed for these 
emergency response plans. Section 304 requires facilities to report to 
SERCs and LEPCs releases in excess of the reportable quantities listed 
for each extremely hazardous substance (EHS). This ICR also covers the 
notification and the written follow-up required under this section.
    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 average reporting burden for emergency 
planning under 40 CFR 355.30 is 17.65 hours for new and newly regulated 
facilities and 12.5 hours for existing facilities. For new and newly 
regulated facilities, this burden includes the time required to read 
and understand the regulations, to determine reporting status, notify 
the SERC that the facility is subject to emergency planning, designate 
a facility representative and otherwise participate in initial planning 
activities. For certain existing facilities, this burden includes the 
time required to inform the LEPC of any changes at a facility that may 
affect emergency planning, and provide information to the LEPC for 
planning purposes. The average reporting burden for facilities 
reporting releases under 40 CFR 355.40 is estimated to average 
approximately 5 hours per release, including the time for determining 
if the release is a reportable quantity, notifying the LEPC and SERC, 
or the 911 operator, and developing and submitting a written follow-up 
notice. There are no recordkeeping requirements for facilities under 
EPCRA Sections 302-304.
    The average burden for emergency planning activities under 40 CFR 
300.215 is 21 hours per plan for LEPCs, 16 hours per plan for SERCs. 
Each SERC and LEPC is also estimated to incur an annual recordkeeping 
burden of 10 hours. The total burden to facilities over the three-year 
information collection period is estimated to be 266,000 hours, at a 
cost of $7.8 million. The total burden for SERCs and LEPCs over the 
three-year information collection period is estimated to be 486,000 
hours at a cost of $11.6 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: July 30, 1999.
David Speights,
Acting Director, Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office.
[FR Doc. 99-20201 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P