Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; General Conformity of Federal Actions to State Implementation Plans

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5968-1]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

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 notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the

following proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Request

(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Determining

Conformity of General Federal Actions to State Implementation Plans,

OMB Control Number 2060-0279, ICR number 1637.03, expiration date:

April 30, 1998. 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 April 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the supporting statement may be obtained from the

Ozone Policy and Strategy Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards

Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, MD-15, Research

Triangle Park, NC 27711 or is available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/

oarpg/meta.19078.1.General.Doc, 19078.2.Gencon.Log, and

19078.3.Gencon.xls.

Comments must be mailed to David H. Stonefield, Ozone Policy and

Strategies Group, Air Quality Strategies and Standards Division, MD-15,

Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stonefield, telephone: 919-541-

5350, Facsimile: 919-541-0824, E-MAIL: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are

those which take Federal actions, or are subject to Federal actions,

and emit pollutants above de minimis levels.

Title: Determining Conformity of General Federal Actions to State

Implementation Plans, OMB Control Number 2060-0279, ICR number 1637.03,

expiration date: April 30, 1998.

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). 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

EPA's implementing regulations require Federal entities to make a

conformity determination for all actions which will 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

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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.

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: The estimated annual projected hour burden and

cost for the respondents (generally Federal agencies) are 32,560 hours

and $1,118,119. The estimated annual projected hour burden and cost for

the State and local agencies are 1,156 hours and $323,354. The

estimated annual projected hour burden and cost for the EPA are 1,846

hours and $51,173. 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: February 6, 1998.

John Seitz,

Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

[FR Doc. 98-4006 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P