Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

[Federal Register: July 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 129)]

[Notices]

[Page 40901-40902]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr07jy04-82]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[RCRA-2004-0006; FRL-7782-7]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Hazardous Waste Generator Standards, EPA ICR Number 0820.09, OMB Control Number 2050-0035

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. This ICR is scheduled to expire on October 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 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number RCRA- 2004-0006, to EPA online using EDOCKET (our preferred method), by e- mail to rcra-docket@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, OSWER Docket, mail code 5305T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Tschursin, Office of Solid Waste, Mail Code 5304W, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 308-8805; fax number: (703) 308-0514; e-mail address: tschursin.anna@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID number RCRA-2004-0006. Documents in the official public docket are listed in the index list in EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EDOCKET. Documents may be available either electronically or in hard copy. Electronic documents may be viewed through EDOCKET. Hard copy documents may be viewed at the OSWER Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OSWER Docket is (202) 566-0270. You may use EDOCKET at http://www.epa.gov/edocket to

obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number identified above.

Certain types of information will not be placed in EDOCKET. Information claimed as CBI, and other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public docket, will not be available for public viewing in EDOCKET. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be placed in EDOCKET but will be available only in printed, paper form in the official public docket. Publicly available docket materials that are not available electronically may be viewed at the docket facility identified above.

Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA within 60 days of this notice. For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EPA's EDOCKET as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EDOCKET. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.

Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be transferred to EDOCKET. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the Docket will be scanned and placed in EDOCKET. Where practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph will be placed in EDOCKET along with a brief description written by the docket staff.

You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket identification number in the subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider these late comments in formulating a final decision.

If you submit an electronic comment as prescribed below, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EDOCKET. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.

Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. Go directly to EDOCKET at http://www.epa.gov/edocket, and follow the

online instructions for submitting comments. Once in the system, select ``search,'' and then key in Docket ID No. RCRA-2004-0006. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. Electronic comments may also be sent through the federal wide eRulemaking Web site at http://www.regulations.gov .

Comments may be sent by electronic mail (e-mail) to rcra-docket@epa.gov, Attention Docket ID No. RCRA-2004-0006. In contrast to

EDOCKET, EPA's e-mail system is not an ``anonymous access'' system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the Docket without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system

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automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EDOCKET.

You can mail your comments to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 5305T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC, 20460, Attention Docket ID No. RCRA-2004-0006. You may submit comments on paper, or on a disk or CD ROM. These electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.

You can deliver your comments to: EPA Docket Center, Room B102, EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Ave NW., Washington, DC, Attention Docket ID No. RCRA-2004-0006. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation as identified above.

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are generators of hazardous wastes; transporters who commingle wastes with different Department of Transportation descriptions; and importers or exporters of hazardous wastes.

Title: Hazardous Waste Generator Standards (OMB Control Number 2050-0035; EPA ICR No. 0820.09) expiring 10/31/04.

Abstract: In the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, Congress directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a comprehensive program for the safe management of hazardous waste. The core of the national waste management program is the regulation of hazardous waste from generation to transport to treatment and eventual disposal, or from ``cradle to grave.'' Section 3001(d) of RCRA requires EPA to develop standards for small quantity generators. Section 3002 of RCRA among other things states that EPA shall establish requirements for hazardous waste generators regarding recordkeeping practices. Section 3002 also requires EPA to establish standards on appropriate use of containers by generators.

Finally, Section 3017 of RCRA specifies requirements for individuals exporting hazardous waste from the United States, including a notification of the intent to export, and an annual report summarizing the types, quantities, frequency, and ultimate destination of all exported hazardous waste (additional reporting requirements for exporters and importers of recyclable materials are covered under ICR Number 1647.01).

This ICR addresses five categories of informational requirements in part 262 of the Code of Federal Regulations: pre-transport requirements for both large quantity generators (LQG) and small quantity generators (SQG); air emission standards requirements for LQGs (referenced in 40 CFR Part 265, Subparts I and J); recordkeeping and reporting requirements for LQGs and SQGs; and export requirements for LQGs and SQGs (i.e., notification of intent to export and annual reporting). This collection of information is necessary to help generators and EPA: (1) Identify and understand the waste streams being generated and the hazards associated with them; (2) determine whether employees have acquired the necessary expertise to perform their jobs; and (3) determine whether LQGs have developed adequate procedures to respond to unplanned sudden or non-sudden releases of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents to air, soil, or surface water. This information is also needed to help EPA determine whether tank systems are operated in a manner that is fully protective of human health and the environment and to ensure that releases to the environment are managed quickly and efficiently. Additionally, this information contributes to EPA's goal of preventing contamination of the environment from hazardous waste accumulation practices, including contamination from equipment leaks and process vents. Export information is needed to ensure that: (1) foreign governments consent to U.S. exported wastes; (2) exported waste is actually managed at facilities listed in the original notifications; and (3) documents are available for compliance audits and enforcement actions. In general, these requirements contribute to EPA's goal of preventing contamination of the environment.

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.

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 average annual public reporting burden per response for LQGs under this collection of information is estimated to range from 21 minutes to 32.6 hours, and the average annual public reporting burden per response for SQGs is estimated to range from 21 minutes to 7.2 hours. The average annual recordkeeping burden per response for LQGs under this collection of information is estimated to range from 2.5 to 3.2 hours, and the average annual recordkeeping burden per response for SQGs is estimated to range from 1.2 to 1.6 hours.

Respondents/Affected Entities: Hazardous Waste Generators, Hazardous Waste Transporters who commingle waste with different Department of Transportation descriptions; and Importers or Exporters of Hazardous Waste.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 130,511.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 475,802 hours.

Estimated Total Annualized Capital and O&M Cost Burden: $54,288. 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 20, 2004. Robert Springer, Director, Office of Solid Waste.

[FR Doc. 04-15346 Filed 7-6-04; 8:45 am]

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