[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12225-12227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5048]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00642; FRL-6491-5]


Pesticide Product Registration Maintenance Fee; Renewal of 
Pesticide Information Collection Activities and Request for Comments

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) this notice announces that EPA is seeking public 
comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR): 
``Pesticide Product Registration Maintenance Fee'' (OMB Control Number 
2070-0100; EPA No. 1214.05). This is a request to renew an existing ICR 
that is currently approved and due to expire September 30, 2000. The 
ICR describes the nature of the information collection activity and its 
expected burden and costs. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval under the PRA, EPA 
is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the collection.

DATES: Written comments, identified by the docket control number OPP-
00642, must be received on or before May 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in 
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as 
provided in Unit III. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket 
control number OPP-00642 in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Cameo Smoot, Field and 
External Affairs Division (Mail code 7506C), Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 
305-5454; fax number: (703) 305-5884; e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a 
pesticide registrant with a product registered under section 3 and 
section 24(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide 
Act (FIFRA). Potentially affected categories and entities may include, 
but are not limited to:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Examples of potentially
              Category                     NAICS code               SIC codes             affected entities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pesticide and other agricultural     325320                  286--Industrial         Pesticide registrants
 chemical manufacturing                                       organic chemicals
                                                             287--Agricultural
                                                              chemicals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in this table could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes and the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are 
provided to assist you and others in determining whether or not this 
action might apply to certain entities. If you have questions regarding 
the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the 
person listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

II. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Documents?

A. Electronically

    You may obtain electronic copies of this document, and certain 
other related documents that might be available electronically, from 
the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page 
select ``Laws and Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this 
document under the ``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You 
can also go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://
www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

B. Fax-on-Demand

    Using a faxphone call (202) 401-0527 and select item 6079 for a 
copy of the ICR.

C. In Person

    The Agency has established an official record for this action under 
docket control number OPP-00642. The official record consists of the 
documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments 
received during an applicable comment period, and other information 
related to this action, including any information claimed as 
Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official record includes 
the documents that are physically located in the docket, as well as the 
documents that are referenced in those documents. The public version of 
the official record does not include any information claimed as CBI. 
The public version of the official record, which includes printed, 
paper versions of any electronic comments submitted during an 
applicable comment period, is available for inspection in the Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 
#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone 
number is (703) 305-5805.

III. How Can I Respond to this Action?

A. How and to Whom Do I Submit the Comments?

    You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or 
electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that 
you identify docket control number OPP-00642 in the subject line on the 
first page of your response.
    1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources and Services Division 
(7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection 
Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20460.
    2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources 
and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 
Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. The PIRIB is open from 8:30 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB 
telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    3. Electronically. You may submit your comments and/or data 
electronically by e-mail to: ``opp-

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[email protected],'' or you can submit a computer disk as described in 
Units III.A.1. and 2. Do not submit any information electronically that 
you consider to be CBI. Avoid the use of special characters and any 
form of encryption. Electronic submissions will be accepted in 
WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic 
form must be identified by docket control number OPP-00642. Electronic 
comments may also be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

B. How Should I Handle CBI that I Want to Submit to the Agency?

    Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to 
be CBI. You may claim information that you submit to EPA in response to 
this document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as 
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance 
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete 
version of the comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a 
copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as 
CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public version of the 
official record. Information not marked confidential will be included 
in the public version of the official record without prior notice. If 
you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, 
please consult the person identified under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.''

C. What Should I Consider when I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    6. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
    7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this 
notice.
    8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
control number and administrative record number assigned to this action 
in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also 
provide the name, date, and Federal Register citation.

D. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA), EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it 
to:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collections of information are 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burdens 
of the proposed collections of information.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
or electronic collection technologies or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

IV. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action 
Apply to?

    EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR:
    Title: Pesticide Product Registration Maintenance Fee.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1214.05, OMB No. 2070-0100.
    ICR status: This a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently 
approved by OMB and is due to expire September 30, 2000. An Agency may 
not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a 
collection of information that is subject to the approval under the 
PRA, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB 
control numbers for EPA's information collections appear on the 
collection instruments or instructions, in the Federal Register notices 
for related rulemakings and ICR notices, and, if the collection is 
contained in a regulation, in a table of OMB approval numbers in 40 CFR 
part 9.
    Abstract: This information collection program provides a practical 
means of communication between the registrants and the Agency to 
collect the pesticide product registration maintenance fees as required 
by section 4(i)(5) of FIFRA as amended. Each affected firm is required 
to complete a filing form and submit their fee payment by January 15 of 
each year. Respondents complete and submit EPA Form 8570-30 indicating 
the respondent's liability for the registration maintenance fee. The 
Agency provides registrants a list of the registered products currently 
registered with the Agency. Registrants are provided the opportunity to 
review the list, determine its accuracy, and remit payment of the 
maintenance fee. The list of products has space identified for marking 
those products to be supported and those products that are to be 
canceled. The registrants are also instructed to identify any products 
on the list which they believe to be transferred to another company, 
and to add to the list any products which the company believes to be 
registered that are not on the Agency list. The failure to pay the 
required fee for a product will result in cancellation of that product. 
Since 1994, the number of registrants to which these forms are sent has 
remained fairly stable at around 2,000. No changes in the substance or 
in the method of collection is proposed in this ICR renewal request.

V. What are EPA's Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR?

    Under the PRA, ``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. For this 
collection it 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.
    The ICR provides a detailed explanation of this estimate, which is 
only briefly summarized in this notice. The annual public burden is 
estimated at 0.94 per collection. The following is a summary of the 
estimates taken from the ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: Pesticide registrants.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 1,977.
    Frequency of response: Annually, by January 15.
    Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 
Dependent upon number of registrations held.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 1,858 hours.

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    Estimated total annual burden costs: $177, 870.69.

VI. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

    Few changes have occurred since the last approval. Most firms have 
filed the form in the past 6 years and are familiar with the annual 
requirement, and with the form itself. Most of the companies hold 10 or 
fewer products, and find that it takes only a few minutes to complete 
the form. The Agency believes that access and use of a toll free help 
line has paid great dividends in assisting respondents with questions. 
Therefore, the burden has remained relatively unchanged from the most 
recent renewal.

VII. What is the Next Step in the Process for this ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as 
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for 
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another 
Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce 
the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit 
additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or 
the approval process, please contact the person listed under ``FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: February 18, 2000.
Susan H. Wayland,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.
[FR Doc. 00-5048 Filed 3-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F