[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 6, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56101-56102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27838]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7098-5]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; 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 document announces that the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: General Conformity of Federal 
Actions to State Implementation Plans, ICR number 1637.05, and OMB 
Control Number 2060-0279, expiration date December 31, 2001. The ICR 
describes the nature of the information collection and its expected 
burden and cost; where appropriate, it includes the actual data 
collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 6, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, referencing EPA ICR No. 1637.05 and OMB 
Control No. 2060-0279, to the following addresses: Susan Auby, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Collection Strategies Division (Mail 
Code 2822), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; 
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: For a copy of the ICR contact Susan 
Auby at EPA by phone at (202) 260-4901, by E-mail at 
[email protected] or download off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 1637.05. For technical 
questions about the ICR contact: Annie Nikbakht, Ozone Policy and 
Strategies Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards Division, MD-15, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, 
telephone (919) 541-5246.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: General Conformity of Federal Actions to State 
Implementation Plans, OMB Control Number 2060-0279, EPA ICR Number 
1637.05, expiration date December 31, 2001. This is a request for 
extension of a currently approved collection.

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). The 
EPA's implementing regulations require Federal entities to make a 
conformity determination for all actions which 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.
    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 conform with the SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS. 
The

[[Page 56102]]

Federal Register document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting 
comments on this collection of information was published on April 27, 
2001 (66 FR 21136); Two comment letters were received.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and record keeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15-20 
hours per response. 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.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Non-Federal-( Private Industry, 
State and Local Government).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Estimate 733 Total Actions/
Determinations.
    Frequency of Response: Estimate Non-Federal perform approximately 
733 straightforward & complex determinations per year (Note: only 
number of annual hours were given in comment letter, number and type of 
determinations not indicated; therefore, this number is subject to 
change if other detailed information becomes available).
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 10,246.
    Estimated Total Annualized Capital, O&M Cost Burden: None.
    Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the 
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods 
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques to the addresses listed above. Please 
refer to EPA ICR No. 1637.05 and OMB Control No. 2060-0279 in any 
correspondence.

    Dated: October 29, 2001.
Oscar Morales,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. 01-27838 Filed 11-5-01; 8:45 am]
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