[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55252-55253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21992]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OECA-2010-0291; FRL-9900-88-OECA]


Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; State 
Review Framework

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit a 
request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request 
(ICR) State Review Framework (EPA ICR No. 2185.05, OMB Control No. 
2020-0031) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on 
specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described 
below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently 
approved through December 31, 2013. 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.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 12, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OECA-
2010-0291, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), or 
by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail 
Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Knopes, Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Compliance, MC: 2221A, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-2337; fax number: 202-
564-0027; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail 
the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the 
public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at 
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The telephone 
number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting 
comments and information to enable it 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. EPA 
will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. 
The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and 
approval. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice 
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to 
submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: The State Review Framework (``Framework'') is an 
oversight tool designed to assess state performance in enforcement and 
compliance assurance. The Framework's goal is to evaluate state 
performance by examining existing data to provide a consistent level of 
oversight and develop a uniform mechanism by which EPA Regions, working 
collaboratively with their states, can ensure that state environmental 
agencies are consistently implementing the national compliance and 
enforcement program in order to

[[Page 55253]]

meet agreed-upon goals. Furthermore, the Framework is designed to 
foster dialogue on enforcement and compliance performance between the 
states that will enhance relationships and increase feedback, which 
will in turn lead to consistent program management and improved 
environmental results. The Framework is described in the April 26, 2005 
Federal Register Notice (79 FR 21408). This amendment will allow OECA 
to collect information from enforcement and compliance files reviewed 
during routine on-site visits of state or local agency offices that 
will assist in the evaluation of the State Review Framework 
implementation from FY 2014 to the end of FY 2016. This request will 
allow EPA to make inquiries to assess the State Review Framework 
process, including the consistency achieved among the EPA Regions and 
states, the resources required to conduct the reviews, and the overall 
effectiveness of the program.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: States, localities, and territories.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Required as part of program 
authorization under the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Acts.
    Estimated number of respondents: 54.
    Frequency of response: Once every five years.
    Total estimated burden: 11,016 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
    Total estimated cost: $393,342.84 (per year), includes $0 
annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in Estimates: There is likely to be no change in hours in 
the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently 
approved by OMB.

    Dated: August 29, 2013.
Lisa Lund,
Office Director, Office of Compliance, Office of Enforcement & 
Compliance Assurance.
[FR Doc. 2013-21992 Filed 9-9-13; 8:45 am]
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