[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 74 (Monday, April 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20451-20452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9391]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6579-1]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution 
Contingency Plan, Subpart J

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):
    National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan--
Subpart J, EPA ICR 1664.04, OMB Control Number 2050-0141, expiration 
date--8/31/00. 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 May 17, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may obtain a copy of the ICR without 
charge by contacting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 5203G, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20460. Materials relevant to this 
ICR may be inspected from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, by 
visiting the Public Docket, located at 1235 Jefferson-Davis Highway 
(ground floor), Arlington, Virginia 22202. The docket number for this 
notice is SPSUBJ. The telephone number for the Public Docket is (703) 
603-9232.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William ``Nick'' Nichols, (703) 603-
9918, Facsimile Number (703) 603-9116, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which manufacturer, sell, distribute and/or use oil spill 
dispersants, other chemicals, and other spill mitigating devices and 
substances that may be used in carrying out the NCP, as listed in 40 
CFR 300.900 on land or waters of the United States.
    Title: National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency 
Plan, Subpart J (NCP)
    (OMB Control No. 2050-0141; EPA ICR No.1664.04), expiring 8/31/00.
    Abstract: Subpart J of the NCP allows and regulates the use of 
chemical and biological oil spill cleanup and control agents. The 
information collected is supplied by the manufacturer of such products. 
This information and data are then analyzed by EPA to determine the 
appropriateness, and under which category, the product may be listed on 
the NCP Product Schedule. This product data is critical for EPA to 
obtain in order to assure that effectiveness and toxicity data for 
these products is available to the oil spill community in order to use 
them legally and effectively. Responses to the collection

[[Page 20452]]

of information are mandatory if EPA determines that the products 
specifications require its listing under subpart J (40 CFR 300.5a 
Definitions). However, manufacturers volunteer to have their product 
analyzed. The authority to review and use a product is 40 CFR 300.910. 
Confidentiality of data, ingredients, and other proprietary information 
for the products is maintained by EPA. Manufacturers may use any 
certified lab in the U.S. to test their products effectiveness and 
toxicity. The cost of such test range from $1,000 to $5,000 per test. 
The process to have a product listed takes at least 30 days, but no 
longer than 60 days, depending on the accuracy and completeness of the 
product information package provided to EPA by the manufacturer. Due to 
the technical and graphical data required to be listed, electronic 
submissions are not accepted.
    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: Estimated projected cost and hour burden for 
listing a product are between 14 and 40 hours at a cost ranging from 
under $4,000 to $10,000 depending on the what the lab charges the 
manufacture to test the product. EPA estimates that an average of 14 
product applications are submitted each year at a cost of $83,000 
($6,000 average). Additional data requirements include changes to: 
manufacturer's address, name of product, distributers, product 
specifications, and any other changes to the product. Changes to the 
product's composition may require further testing and data submission 
to EPA. Otherwise the cost to supply this information to EPA is a one-
time cost. EPA does not charge any fees to maintain records for a 
product nor are there any cost to update the product's file other than 
those mentioned above. There are no required capital, start up cost or 
fees required by EPA to have a product listed.
    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: April 5, 2000.
Stephen D. Luftig,
Director, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
[FR Doc. 00-9391 Filed 4-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P