[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 22225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11092]



[[Page 22225]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6974-1]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program

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):
    Underground Injection Control Program, EPA ICR No. 0370.13, OMB 
Control No. 2040-0042 which expires 9/30/01. 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 July 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Persons interested in getting information or making comment 
about this ICR (# 0370.13) should direct inquires to Robert E. Smith, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Ariel Rios Building; 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Mail Stop 4606; Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert E. Smith, Office of Ground 
Water and Drinking Water: 202-260-5559; FAX 202-401-2345; E-mail: 
[email protected]. Further information on the ICR can be obtained from 
the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (703) 286-1093, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
owners/operators of underground injection wells and State UIC Primacy 
Agencies including, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Trust Territories, Indian 
Tribes, and Alaska's Native Villages and, in some instances, U.S. EPA 
Regional Offices.
    Title: Information Collection Request for the Underground Injection 
Control Program (OMB Control No. 2040-0042; EPA ICR No. 0370.13.), 
expiring September 30, 2001.
    Abstract: The Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program under the 
Safe Drinking Water Act established a Federal and State regulatory 
system to protect underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from 
contamination by injected fluids. Owners/operators of underground 
injection wells must obtain permits, conduct environmental monitoring, 
maintain records, and report results to EPA or the State UIC primacy 
agency. States must report to EPA on permittee compliance and related 
information. The information is reported using standardized forms, and 
regulations are codified at 40 CFR parts 144 through 148. The data are 
used to ensure the protection of underground sources of drinking water 
from UIC authorities. 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: 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 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. In the UIC Program 
ICR for 1998-2001, the total burden associated with it was estimated to 
be 1,135,273 hours per year and the total cost was estimated to be 
$58,246,054 per year. EPA expects that the total burden for the 
continuing UIC Program ICR for the period 2001-2004 will be 
approximately the same except for inflation for the cost information. 
This is because little or no significant increase in the UIC well 
population is anticipated during this period. EPA also considered the 
possible impact of the Class V Well Phase I rulemaking (64 FR 68546, 
11/30/99) implementation for the renewal period. While this rulemaking 
has separate ICR coverage until November 2002, the Program ICR will 
include slightly increased burden and cost for State implementation of 
Class V Well Phase I rulemaking from December 1, 2002 until September 
30, 2004.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Owners/Operators of UIC wells, State 
Primacy Agencies including, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Trust Territories, 
Indian Tribes, and Alaska's Native Villages and EPA Regional Offices.

    Dated: April 25, 2001.
Philip S. Oshida,
Acting Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 01-11092 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
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