[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 129 (Monday, July 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40262-40263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17103]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7522-8]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution 
Contingency Plan, Subpart J

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): Nation Oil and Hazardous Substances 
Pollution Contingency Plan--Subpart J, EPA ICR 1664.05, OMB Control 
Number RIN 2050-AE87, expiration date 01/31/2004. 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 September 5, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may obtain a copy of the ICR without 
charge by contacting the EPA Docket Center at 1301 Constitution Ave., 
NW., EPA West, Suite B-102, Washington, DC 20460. The docket number for 
this ICR is OPA 2003-0001. The docket is contained in the EPA Docket 
Center and is available for inspection by appointment only, between the 
hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. You may make an appointment to view the docket by 
calling 202-566-0276. You may copy a maximum of 100 pages from a 
regulatory docket at no cost. If the number of pages exceeds 100, 
however, we will charge you $0.15 for each page after 100. The docket 
will mail copies to you if you are outside the Washington, DC 
metropolitan area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William ``Nick'' Nichols, (703) 603-
9918, Facsimile Number (703) 603-9116, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which manufacture, sell, distribute and/or use oil spill 
dispersants, other chemicals, and other spill mitigating devices and 
substances that may be used in carrying out the NCP, as listed in 40 
CFR 300.900 on land or waters of the United States.
    Title: National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency 
Plan, Subpart J (NCP) (OMB Control No. RIN 2050-AE87; EPA ICR 
No.1664.05), expiring 01/31/2004.
    Abstract: Subpart J of the NCP allows and regulates the use of 
chemical and biological oil spill cleanup and control agents. The 
information collected is supplied by the manufacturer of such products. 
This information and data are then analyzed by EPA to determine the 
appropriateness, and under which category, the product may be listed on 
the NCP Product Schedule. This product data is critical for EPA to 
obtain in order to assure that effectiveness and toxicity data for 
these products is available to the oil spill community in order to use 
them legally and effectively. Responses to the collection of 
information are mandatory if EPA determines that the products 
specifications require its listing under subpart J (40 CFR 300.5 
Definitions). However, manufacturers volunteer to have their product 
analyzed. The authority to review and use a product is 40 CFR 300.910. 
Confidentiality of data, ingredients, and other proprietary information 
for the products is maintained by EPA. Manufacturers may use any 
certified lab in the U.S. to test their product's effectiveness and 
toxicity. The cost of such tests range from $1,200 to $15,000 per test. 
The process to have a product listed takes at least 30 days, but no 
longer than 60 days, depending on the accuracy and completeness of the 
product information package provided to EPA by the manufacturer. Due to 
the technical and graphical data required to be listed, electronic 
submissions are not accepted.
    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: Estimated projected cost and hour burden for 
listing a product are between 13.4 and 40 hours at a cost ranging from 
under $3,500 to $16,021 depending on the product and what the lab 
charges the manufacturer to test the product. EPA estimates that an 
average of 14 product applications are submitted each year at a cost of 
$95,558 ($6,825 average) to manufacturers and $17,708 to EPA. 
Additional data requirements include changes to manufacturer's address, 
name of product, distributers, product specifications, and any other 
changes to the product. Changes to the product's composition may 
require further testing and data submission to EPA. Otherwise the cost 
to supply this information to EPA is a one-time cost. EPA does not 
charge any fees to maintain records for a product nor are there any 
costs to update the product's file other than those mentioned above. 
There are no required capital, start up cost or fees required by EPA to 
have a product listed.

[[Page 40263]]

    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: June 27, 2003.
Stephen Heare,
Acting Director, Office of Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and 
Response.
[FR Doc. 03-17103 Filed 7-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P