[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21136-21137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10516]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6971-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; General Conformity of Federal Actions to State 
Implementation Plans

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 notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following proposed and continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): General Conformity of 
Federal Actions to State Implementation Plans, ICR number 1637.05, and 
OMB Control Number 2060-0279, expiration date: September 30, 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 June 26, 2001.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the supporting statement may be obtained from the 
Ozone Policy and Strategies Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards 
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, MD-15, Research 
Triangle Park NC 27711 or is available electronically at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg under ``Search OAR P&G,'' type in General 
Conformity.
    Comments must be mailed to Annie Nikbakht, Ozone Policy and 
Strategies Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards Division, MD-15, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Annie Nikbakht, telephone: (919) 541-
5246, Facsimile: (919) 541-0824; E-Mail: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which take Federal actions, or are subject to Federal actions, 
and emit pollutants above de minimis levels.
    Title: General Conformity of Federal Actions to State 
Implementation Plans, EPA ICR Number 1637.05 and OMB Control Number 
2060-0279, expiration date: September 30, 2001.
    Abstract: Before any agency, department, or instrumentality of the 
Federal government engages in, supports in any way, provides financial 
assistance for, licenses, permits, approves any activity, that agency 
has the affirmative responsibility to ensure that such action conforms 
to the State implementation plan (SIP) for the attainment and 
maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). 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. Section 176(c) of 
the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) requires that all Federal 
actions

[[Page 21137]]

conform with the SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS. The EPA's 
implementing regulations require Federal entities to make a conformity 
determination for all actions which will impact areas designated as 
nonattainment or maintenance for the NAAQS and which will result in 
total direct and indirect emissions in excess of de minimis levels. The 
Federal entities must collect information on the SIP requirements and 
the pollution sources to make the conformity determination. Depending 
on the type of action, the Federal entities either collect the 
information themselves, hire consultants to collect the information or 
require applicants/sponsors of the Federal action to provide the 
information.
    The type and quantity of information required will depend on the 
circumstances surrounding the action. First, the entity must make an 
applicability determination. If the net total direct and indirect 
emissions do not exceed de minimis levels established in the 
regulations or if the action meets certain criteria for an exemption, a 
conformity determination is not required. Actions requiring conformity 
determinations vary from straightforward, requiring minimal 
information, to complex, requiring significant amounts of information. 
The Federal entity must determine the type and quantity of information 
on a case-by-case basis. State and local air pollution control agencies 
are usually requested to provide information to the Federal entities 
making a conformity determination and are provided opportunities to 
comment on the proposed determinations. The public is also provided an 
opportunity to comment on the proposed determinations.
    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 estimated total annual projected burden and 
cost for respondents of Federal agencies are 175,000 hours and 
$8,027,000. The estimated total annual projected burden and cost for 
respondents providing information to the Federal agencies are 5,040 
hours and $223,000. The estimated total annual projected burden and 
cost for the State and local agencies are 13,600 hours and $377,279. 
The estimated total annual projected burden and cost for EPA is 26,200 
hours and $720,934. The total annual burden is estimated to be 219,840 
hours and $9,348,213. For the 3 years covered by this ICR, the total 
burden is estimated to be 659,520 hours and $28,044,639. 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 2, 2001.
Henry C. Thomas, Jr.,
Acting Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-10516 Filed 4-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P