Environmental Protection Agency.
Notice.
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
Comments must be submitted on or before April 10, 2012.
Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–SFUND–2012–0104 by one of the following methods:
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Rachel Lentz, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, (5105T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 566–2745; fax number (202) 566–1476; email address:
EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–SFUND–2012–0104, which is available for online viewing at
Use
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 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 estimate 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; and
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,
You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments:
1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific examples.
2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views.
4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide.
5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES.
7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and
Under subtitle A of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, States, tribes, local governments, and other eligible entities can receive assessment cooperative agreements to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement related to brownfields properties; cleanup cooperative agreements to carry out cleanup activities at brownfields properties; cooperative agreements to capitalize revolving loan funds and provide subgrants for cleanup activities; and job training cooperative agreements to support the creation and implementation of environmental job training and placement programs. Under subtitle C of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, State and tribes can receive cooperative agreements to establish and enhance their response programs. The cooperative agreements support activities necessary to establish or enhance four elements of state and tribal response programs and to meet the public record requirements under the statute. The four elements eligible for funding include: (a) Timely survey and inventory of brownfield sites in the State or in the tribal land; (b) oversight and enforcement authorities or other mechanisms and resources; (c) mechanisms and resources to provide meaningful opportunities for public participation; and (d) mechanisms for approval of a cleanup plan and verification and certification that cleanup is complete. States and tribes that receive funding under subtitle C must establish a public record system during the funding period unless an adequate public record system is already established.
Cooperative agreement recipients (recipients) have general reporting and record keeping requirements as a condition of their cooperative agreement that result in burden. A portion of this reporting and record keeping burden is authorized under 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31 and identified in the EPA's general grants ICR (OMB Control Number 2030–0020). EPA requires Brownfields program recipients to maintain and report additional information to EPA on the uses and accomplishments associated with the funded brownfields activities. EPA uses several forms to assist recipients in reporting the information and to ensure consistency of the information collected. EPA uses this information to meet Federal stewardship responsibilities to manage and track how program funds are being spent, to evaluate the performance of the Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment Program, to meet the Agency's reporting requirements under the Government Performance Results Act, and to report to Congress and other program stakeholders on the status and accomplishments of the program.
This ICR addresses the burden imposed on recipients that are associated with those reporting and recordkeeping requirements that are specific to cooperative agreements awarded under the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. This ICR renewal modifies the annual reporting and recordkeeping burden under the previous ICR. The modified burden reflects an increase in the number of respondents subject to the reporting and recordkeeping requirements, lower number of responses based on previous three years of data submissions, and improvements to the reporting forms based on EPA's experience. By using the same form to report information on recipient activities, EPA is adopting a streamlined approach that avoids potential confusion among recipients and allows the Agency to collect and report program information consistently across all brownfields cooperative agreements. EPA is also modifying the reporting form to simplify and clarify the reporting requirements, which will improve the accuracy of information reported and minimize the burden to recipients.
The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:
There is a decrease of one hour in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease reflects EPA's updating of burden estimates for this collection based on an, increase in number of experienced recipients familiar with reporting requirements, a lowered
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. At that time, EPA will issue another