[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77508-77509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21711]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0395; FRL-12083-01-OCSPP]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an 
Existing ICR Collection and Request for Comment; Pesticide 
Environmental Stewardship Program Annual Measures Reporting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this 
document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on 
the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning 
to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): ``Pesticide 
Environmental Stewardship Program Annual Measures Reporting,'' 
identified by EPA ICR No. 2415.05 and OMB Control No. 2070-0188. This 
ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved 
through July 31, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and 
approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects 
of the information collection that is summarized in this document. The 
ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public 
review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 22, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0395, through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information 
you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional 
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more 
information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Siu, Mission Support Division 
(7602M), Office of Program Support, Office of Chemical Safety and 
Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(703) 347-0159; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. What information is EPA particularly interested in?

    Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
    1. 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.
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from 
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of 
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork 
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

II. What information collection activity or ICR does this action apply 
to?

    Title: Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program Annual Measures 
Reporting.
    EPA ICR No.: 2415.05.
    OMB Control No. 2070-0188.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently approved through July 31, 2025. 
Under the PRA, 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 in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are 
displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other 
appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or 
form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers for certain EPA 
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: This information collection request (ICR) collects 
information to establish partner membership, develop stewardship 
strategies, measure progress towards stewardship goals, and award 
incentives. PESP is an EPA partnership program that encourages the use 
of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to reduce pests and 
pesticide risks. IPM is an approach that involves making the best 
choices from among a series of pest management practices that are both 
economical and pose the least possible hazard to people, property, and 
the environment.
    Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 
51,562 hours. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
    The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related 
materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities 
and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized here:
    Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected are 
Pesticide user companies and organizations, or entities that practice 
IPM or promote the use of IPM through education and training. A list of 
potentially affected entities with North American Industrial 
Classification System (NAICS) codes provided to assist in determining 
potential applicability in question 12.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.
    Forms: 9600-1, 9600-02 and 9600-03.
    Frequency of response: Annual and on occasion.
    Total estimated number of potential respondents: 456.
    Total estimated average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Total estimated annual burden hours: 51,297 hours.
    Total estimated annual respondent costs: $ 3,884,334, which 
includes $ 0 for capital investment or maintenance and operational 
costs.

III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

    EPA expects an increase in the number of potential respondents from 
437 to 456, with a corresponding burden increase. This change is based 
on an anticipated increase in entities participating in the PESP 
Program. There is also an increase in industry cost by $382,790, which 
reflects the

[[Page 77509]]

increase in burden and EPA's updated estimates according to the latest 
wage rates. These changes qualify as adjustments.

IV. What is the next step in the process for this ICR?

    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 pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another 
Federal Register document pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to 
announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit 
additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or 
the approval process, please contact the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

    Dated: September 17, 2024.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-21711 Filed 9-20-24; 8:45 am]
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