[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 147 (Monday, July 31, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46710-46711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19256]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6842-9]


Agency Information Collection Activities; PCBs: Consolidated 
Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Submission to OMB

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of submission to OMB.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this document announces that the Information Collection 
Request (ICR) entitled: ``PCBs: Consolidated Reporting and 
Recordkeeping Requirements'' (EPA ICR No. 1446.07, OMB No. 2070-0112) 
has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and approval pursuant to the OMB procedures in 5 CFR 1320.12. 
The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the 
information collection and its estimated cost and burden. The Agency is 
requesting that OMB renew for 3 years the existing approval for this 
ICR, which is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2001. A Federal 
Register notice announcing the Agency's intent to seek the renewal of 
this ICR and the 60-day public comment opportunity, requesting comments 
on the request and the contents of the ICR, was issued on January 10, 
2000 (65 FR 1366). EPA received no comments on this ICR during the 
comment period.

DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before August 30, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, referencing EPA ICR No. 1446.07 and OMB 
Control No. 2070-0112, to the following addresses: Sandy Farmer, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Collection Strategies Division (Mail

[[Page 46711]]

Code 2822), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460; And 
to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone on (202) 
260-2740, by e-mail: ``[email protected],'' or download off the 
Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr/icr.htm and refer to EPA ICR No. 
1446.07.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Review Requested: This is a request to renew and consolidate 
currently approved information collections pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12.
    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 1446.07; OMB Control No. 2070-0112.
    Title: PCBs: Consolidated Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements.
    Abstract: Section 6(e)(1) of the Toxic Substances Control Act 
(TSCA), 15 U.S.C. 2605(e), directs EPA to regulate the marking and 
disposal of PCBs. Section 6(e)(2) bans the manufacturing, processing, 
distribution in commerce, and use of PCBs in other than a totally 
enclosed manner. Section 6(e)(3) establishes a process for obtaining 
exemptions from the prohibitions on the manufacture, processing, and 
distribution in commerce of PCBs. Since 1978, EPA has promulgated 
numerous rules addressing all aspects of the life cycle of PCBs as 
required by the statute. The regulations are intended to prevent the 
improper handling and disposal of PCBs and to minimize the exposure of 
human beings or the environment to PCBs. These regulations have been 
codified in the various subparts of 40 CFR part 761. There are 
approximately 100 specific reporting, third-party reporting, and 
recordkeeping requirements covered by 40 CFR part 761.
    To meet its statutory obligations to regulate PCBs, EPA must obtain 
sufficient information to conclude that specified activities do not 
result in an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. 
EPA uses the information collected under the 40 CFR part 761 
requirements to ensure that PCBs are managed in an environmentally safe 
manner and that activities are being conducted in compliance with the 
PCB regulations. The information collected by these requirements will 
update the Agency's knowledge of ongoing PCB activities, ensure that 
individuals using or disposing of PCBs are held accountable for their 
activities, and demonstrate compliance with the PCB regulations. 
Specific uses of the information collected include determining the 
efficacy of a disposal technology; evaluating exemption requests and 
exclusion notices; targeting compliance inspections; and ensuring 
adequate storage capacity for PCB waste.
    This ICR consolidates six separate existing ICRs that address PCB 
reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Detailed discussions of the 
existing ICRs and how their associated reporting and/or recordkeeping 
burdens have changed as a result of the final rule are found in the 
supporting statement for the information collection that is the subject 
of this notice.
    Responses to the collection of information are mandatory (see 40 
CFR part 761). Respondents may claim all or part of a document 
confidential. EPA will disclose information that is covered by a claim 
of confidentiality only to the extent permitted by, and in accordance 
with, the procedures in TSCA section 14 and 40 CFR part 2.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average 0.57 hours per 
response for an estimated 1,300,240 respondents making one or more 
submissions of information annually. These estimates include 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. No person is 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for these 
regulations are displayed in 40 CFR part 9.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this action are companies that currently possess PCB Items, PCB-
contaminated equipment, or other PCB waste.
    Estimated Total No. of Respondents: 1,300,240.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden: 741,261 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Changes in Burden Estimates: This consolidation of six existing 
ICRs, the burden for which totals 2,007,618 hours, will result in a net 
reduction of 1,266,357 hours. This reduction reflects numerous factors, 
including program changes and adjustments to the burdens of specific 
existing reporting or recordkeeping requirements, and is described in 
detail in the ICR.
    According to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12, EPA has 
submitted this ICR to OMB for review and approval. Any comments related 
to the renewal of this ICR should be submitted within 30 days of this 
notice, as described above.

    Dated: July 20, 2000.
Oscar Morales,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. 00-19256 Filed 7-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P