[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 223 (Friday, November 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69510-69511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29506]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6903-8]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Application for Reimbursement to Local Governments for 
Emergency Response to Hazardous Substance Releases Under CERCLA Section 
123

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 continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Application for Reimbursement to Local 
Governments for Emergency Response to Hazardous Substance Releases 
Under CERCLA Section 123, EPA ICR #1424.04, OMB Control #2050-0077 
which will expire on March 1, 2001. 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 December 4, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments on specific aspects of this renewal of the 
information collection to Local Governments Reimbursement Project 
Officer, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (5204-G), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, 
DC, 20460. You may review the draft renewal information collection form 
and the instrument from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday by 
visiting Public Docket No. LGR, located at 1235 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, (ground floor) Arlington, VA. A reasonable fee my be charged 
for copying docket material.
    Electronic or fax versions of this material may be obtained by 
calling Lisa Boynton on (703) 603-9052 and leaving an email address or 
fax number, or by emailing [email protected].

[[Page 69511]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Boynton, (703) 603-9052, Local 
Governments Reimbursement Project Officer, Office of Emergency and 
Remedial Response (5204-G), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20460.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
Local Governments that apply for reimbursement under this program.
    Title: Application for Reimbursement to Local Governments for 
Emergency Response to Hazardous Substance Releases Under CERCLA section 
123, EPA ICR #1424.04, OMB Control #2050-0077 which will expire on 
March 1, 2001.
    Abstract: The Agency requires applicants for reimbursement under 
this program authorized under section 123 of CERCLA to submit an 
application that demonstrates consistency with program eligibility 
requirements. This is necessary to ensure proper use of the Superfund. 
EPA reviews the information to ensure compliance with all statutory and 
program requirements. The applicants are local governments who have 
incurred expenses, above and beyond their budgets, for hazardous 
substance response. Submission of this information is voluntary and to 
the applicant's benefit. 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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Average hours
                       Burden item                              per
                                                            application
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Read Instructions a.....................................               1
Gather Information b....................................               3
Compile Information c...................................               3
Complete Application d..................................               1
File and Maintain Information e.........................               1
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  Total Estimated Burden Hours Per Application..........               9
  Total Estimated Number of Applications Submitted by             x  200
   All Applicants per Year..............................
                                                         ===============
  Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours...................            1800
Total Estimated Cost Burden to Responders f.............       $ 23,300
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a Time to read or hear instructions. This includes the time which will
  be needed by applicants to familiarize themselves with the
  requirements for requesting reimbursement and the instructions for
  completing the application form.
b Time to gather information. This includes the time necessary to
  collect various reports from files and extract pertinent information
  and find additional reference materials and information.
c Time to compile information. This includes the time necessary to
  assemble information specific to the response for which reimbursement
  is being sought. This may include interviewing first responders and
  ascertaining the number of work-hours involved in the response.
d Time to complete application. This includes the time required to enter
  the pertinent information on the application form in accordance with
  the line-by-line instructions.
e Time to file and maintain information. This includes the time needed
  for preparing file folders, indexes, and filing.
f Estimated hourly rate is $18.50. This estimate takes into
  consideration that the application may be prepared by a secretary,
  Fire Chief, County Clerk, Health Professional, or other administrative
  staff.

    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: October 2, 2000.
Larry Reed,
Acting Director, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
[FR Doc. 00-29506 Filed 11-16-00; 8:45 am]
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