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Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System

 [Federal Register: April 26, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 81)]
[Notices]
[Page 20987-20988]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26ap01-64]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6968-9]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System

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 proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB):
     Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System; ICR
#1488.05; OMB Control Number: 2050-0095; Expiration Date: September 30,
2001.
    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 June 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (M/S 5204-G), 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. Those interested in
obtaining a copy of the ICR without charge, including electronic
access, may contact: Randy Hippen, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., (M/S 5204-G), Washington, DC
20460, Tel: (703)

[[Page 20988]]

603-8829, or by E-mail Hippen.Randy@epa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randy Hippen, Tel: (703) 603-8829;
Fax: (703) 603-9104; E-mail: Hippen.Randy@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
those state agencies, Indian Tribes, and U.S. Territories performing
Superfund site evaluation activities.
    Title: Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System; EPA ICR
No. 1488.05; OMB Control No. 2050-0095; Expiring 9/30/01.
    Abstract: Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, 1980 and 1986) amends the
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP) to include
criteria prioritizing releases throughout the U.S. before undertaking
remedial action at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The Hazard
Ranking System (HRS) is a model that is used to evaluate the relative
threats to human health and the environment posed by actual or
potential releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and
contaminants. The HRS criteria take into account the population at
risk, the hazard potential of the substances, as well as the potential
for contamination of drinking water supplies, direct human contact,
destruction of sensitive ecosystems, damage to natural resources
affecting the human food chain, contamination of surface water used for
recreation or potable water consumption, and contamination of ambient
air.
    Under this ICR, the States will apply the HRS by identifying and
classifying those releases that warrant further investigation. The HRS
score is crucial since it is the primary mechanism used to determine
whether a site is eligible to be included on the National Priorities
List (NPL). Only sites on the NPL are eligible for Superfund-financed
remedial actions.
    HRS scores are derived from the sources described in this
information collection, including field reconnaissance, taking samples
at the site, and reviewing available reports and documents. States
record the collected information on HRS documentation worksheets and
include this in the supporting reference package. States then send the
package to the EPA region for a completeness and accuracy review, and
the Region then sends it to EPA Headquarters for a final quality
assurance review. If the site scores above the NPL designated cutoff
value, and if it meets the other criteria for listing, it is then
eligible to be proposed on the NPL.
    Burden Statement: Depending on the number and type of activities
performed, burden for the collection of site assessment information is
estimated to range from 10 to 1,900 hours per site. The number of hours
required to assess a particular site depends on how far a site
progresses through the site assessment process. Sites where only a pre-
CERCLIS screening action is performed will typically require
approximately 10 hours, while sites that progress to NPL listing based
on an integrated assessment approach may require up to 1,900 hours. The
burden estimates include reporting activities and minimal record
keeping activities. The States are reimbursed 100 percent of their
costs, except for record maintenance. The ICR does not impose burden
for HRS activities on local governments or private businesses.
    Respondents: State agencies performing Superfund site evaluation
activities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60 (States, U.S. Territories, and
Indian Tribes).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 247,680.
    Frequency of Collection: One time; section 116(b) requires an HRS
evaluation within four years of the site's entry into the EPA CERCLIS
database.
    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: EPA estimates 60 States, Indian Tribes, and U.S.
Territories will likely respond, each averaging 24 actions per year.
EPA further estimates the average hours per action will require 172
hours (based on historic data for the type of site assessment
activities to be conducted). Thus, the burden for all respondents is
estimated at 247,680 hours and approximately $18,075,686 each year.
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: April 12, 2001.
Larry G. Reed,
Acting Director, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
[FR Doc. 01-10433 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

 
 

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