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RENEWAL OF INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST FOR THE 

CONTINUOUS RELEASE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Including Analysis for Use of Continuous Release Reporting Forms
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1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION................................................... 4

1a. Title of the Information Collection.......................................................................................... 4

1b. Short Characterization/Abstract............................................................................................... 4

2. NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION.......................................................................... 6

2a. Need and Authority for the Collection .................................................................................... 6

2b. Practical Utility and Users of the Data .................................................................................... 6

3. NON DUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION CRITERIA .......... 6

3a. Non Duplication....................................................................................................................... 6

3b. Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB..................................................... 7

3c. Consultations........................................................................................................................... 8

3d. Effects of Less Frequent Collection ........................................................................................ 8

3e. General Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 8

3f. Confidentiality ......................................................................................................................... 9

3g. Sensitive Questions.................................................................................................................. 9

4. THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED............................................ 9

4a. Respondents and SIC Codes.................................................................................................... 9

4b. Information Requested............................................................................................................. 9

i. Data items, including record keeping requirements ........................................................... 9

ii. Respondent Activities....................................................................................................... 13

5. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED – AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION 

METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT.................................................. 14

5a. Agency Activities .................................................................................................................. 14

5b. Collection Methodology and Management ........................................................................... 15

5c. Small Entity Flexibility.......................................................................................................... 15

5d. Collection Schedule ............................................................................................................... 15

6. ESTIMATING THE BURDEN AND COST OF THE COLLECTION...................................... 16

6a. Estimating Respondent Burden ............................................................................................. 16

Exhibit 1 – Unit Burden Hours per Respondent Information Collection Activity... 18

Exhibit 1 (With Forms) – Unit Burden Hours per Respondent Information 

Collection Activity............................................................................................... 19

Exhibit 2 – Burden Hours for a Typical Facility ......................................................... 24

Exhibit 2 (With Forms) – Burden Hours for a Typical Facility................................. 25

6b. Estimating Respondent Costs................................................................................................ 25

i. Estimating Labor Costs..................................................................................................... 25

Exhibit 3 – Unit Labor Cost per Respondent Information Collection Activity ........ 27

Exhibit 3 (With Forms) – Unit Labor Cost per Respondent Information Collection 

Activity................................................................................................................. 28

Exhibit 4 – Annual Labor Costs for a Typical Facility ............................................... 28

Exhibit 4 (With Forms) – Annual Labor Costs for a Typical Facility....................... 29

ii. Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance Costs............................................. 29

Exhibit 5 – Unit Operating and Maintenance Costs per Respondent Information 

Collection Activity............................................................................................... 30
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Exhibit 5 (With Forms) – Unit Operating and Maintenance Costs per Respondent 

Information Collection Activity......................................................................... 31

Exhibit 6 – Operating and Maintenance Costs for a Typical Facility ....................... 31

Exhibit 6 (With Forms) – Operating and Maintenance Costs for a Typical Facility32

Exhibit 8 – Labor and Operating and Maintenance Costs for a Typical Facility .... 34

Exhibit 8 (With Forms) – Labor and Operating and Maintenance Costs for a 

Typical Facility.................................................................................................... 35

6c. Estimating Agency Burden and Cost..................................................................................... 35

Exhibit 9 – Unit Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by the Government per 

Information Collection Activity......................................................................... 36

Exhibit 9 (With Forms) – Unit Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by the 

Government per Information Collection Activity ........................................... 37

6d. Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Cost......................................... 39

Exhibit 10 – Number of Facilities and Hazardous Substance Releases Already 

Affected by the CRRR........................................................................................ 40

Exhibit 11 – Number of Facilities and Hazardous Substance Releases That Will Be 

Affected by the CRRR in the Next Three Years.............................................. 40

6e. Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables......................................................................... 41

i. Respondent Tally .............................................................................................................. 41

Exhibit 12 – Annual Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Industry ....................... 42

Exhibit 12 (With Forms) – Annual Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Industry43

ii. The Agency Tally ............................................................................................................. 44

Exhibit 13 – Annual Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Government................. 45

Exhibit 13 (With Forms) – Annual Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by 

Government......................................................................................................... 46

iii.Variations in the Annual Bottom Line.............................................................................. 47

Exhibit 14 – Summary of Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Industry............... 47

Exhibit 14 (With Forms) – Summary of Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by 

Industry................................................................................................................ 48

Exhibit 15 – Summary of Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Government ........ 48

Exhibit 15 (With Forms) – Summary of Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by 

Government......................................................................................................... 49

6f. Reasons for Change in Burden .............................................................................................. 49

6g. Burden Statement................................................................................................................... 49

APPENDIX A.................................................................................................................................... 51

ATTACHMENT A – Continuous Release Reporting Forms ....................................................... 54
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1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION

1a. Title of the Information Collection

Continuous Release Reporting Regulations (CRRR) Under CERCLA 1980 (Renewal) 

EPA No. 1445.12, OMB No. 2050-0086.

1b. Short Characterization/Abstract

This information collection request (ICR) addresses the reporting and record keeping 

activities required to comply with EPA’s continuous release reporting regulations (CRRR; 40 CFR 

302.8) implementing section 103(f)(2) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). The CRRR clarifies the types of releases that 

qualify for reporting under CERCLA section 103(f)(2) and establishes the reporting requirements 

applicable to qualifying releases. Responsibility for information collection activities of the CRRR 

reside in the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) in the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency

Response (OSWER). This ICR renews the collection activity previously approved under OMB No. 

2050-0086 and applies to the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.

1

Estimates of the burden 

placed on industry and the government to comply with the release notification requirements are 

presented on an annual basis.

The analysis also includes estimates for the burden and cost impacts of using continuous 

release reporting forms on both the industry and government in order to comply with the release 

notification requirements. Information pertaining to the use of continuous release reporting forms 

appears in “green” type. Respondents have the option to use these forms provided by EPA. If 

respondents used these forms, the amount of burden would be less and so the burden numbers 

represent a low range estimate. 

CERCLA section 103(a) requires persons in charge of a facility or vessel to immediately

notify the National Response Center (NRC) of any hazardous substance release that equals or 

exceeds its reportable quantity (RQ) and is not federally permitted. Notification under CERCLA is 

intended to ensure that Federal authorities receive prompt notification of hazardous substance 

releases for which a timely response may be necessary to protect public health or welfare or the 

environment from any adverse effects that may be associated with the release. Section 103(f)(2) of 

CERCLA provides relief from the per-occurrence notification requirements of section 103(a) for 

hazardous substance releases that are “continuous,” and “stable in quantity and rate,” provided that 

such releases are reported “annually, or at such time as there is any statistically significant increase”

in the quantity of the release. Section 103(f)(2) contemplates that, in the case of certain 

 

1

2050-0086 (EPA No. 1445.11) expires on June 30, 2015. The forms are contained in Attachment A to this document and also available at: 

www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/reporting/rqover.htm#con.
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“continuous” and “stable” releases, the notification objectives of CERCLA can be achieved with less 

frequent reporting. The regulated community is expected to:

• Gather necessary release data, such as the time, quantity, and source of the release;

• Notify the facility manager of the release;

• Consult with the environmental compliance expert regarding the release;

• Make an initial report of the release to the NRC; 

• Submit an initial written notification to the appropriate EPA Regional Office for the 

geographical area where the releasing facility or vessel is located;

• Provide follow-up notification within 30 days of the first anniversary date of the 

initial written notification;

• Make notifications to the NRC if there is a change in the release, including a 

statistically significant increase in a release;

• Make an annual evaluation of releases to determine if changes have occurred in the 

information submitted in the initial written notification, the follow-up notification 

and/or in a previous change notification - if there are no changes, submittal of a report 

is not required.

• Keep all supporting documents, materials, and other information on file for a period 

of one year to substantiate the reported normal range of releases, the basis for stating 

that the release is continuous and stable in quantity and rate, and the other 

information in the initial written report, the follow-up report, and the annual 

evaluations. 

The continuous release final rule has been in effect since September 24, 1990. This ICR 

utilizes historical data on the number of continuous release reports submitted to the Federal 

government to estimate the number of burden hours attributable to the CRRR. The statistics on the 

number of continuous release reports submitted to the Federal government are available through the 

National Response Center’s incident data base.2

 

2That data base is available at: http://www.nrc.uscg.mil/
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2. NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION

2a. Need and Authority for the Collection

The information collection required in the CRRR (40 CFR 302.8) is fully authorized under 

CERCLA section 103(f)(2) and section 104(e). CERCLA section 103(f)(2) provides relief from the 

notification requirements of CERCLA section 103(a) for hazardous substance releases that are 

“continuous,” “stable in quantity and rate,” and for which notification has been given under 

CERCLA section 103(a) “for a period sufficient to establish the continuity, quantity, and regularity”

of the release. Further, CERCLA section 103(f)(2) requires that notification of releases qualified as 

continuous under the CRRR must be provided “annually, or at such time as there is any statistically

significant increase” in the quantity of the release. The specific information provided in the required 

notifications is authorized under CERCLA section 104(e). CERCLA section 104(e) authorizes the 

collection of information, entry, and inspection and sampling activities for the purposes of 

determining the need for a response, or choosing or taking any response action under CERCLA. In 

addition, CERCLA section 103(f)(2) establishes a notification system that documents information 

provided in the respondent notifications. The information collection and management requirements 

of the CRRR are necessary to determine if a response action is needed to control or mitigate any

potential adverse effects associated with a reported hazardous substance release.

2b. Practical Utility and Users of the Data

The information collected under the CRRR is used to evaluate the acute and chronic effects 

of the continuous release to determine if a response action is necessary to prevent or mitigate any

adverse effects. Any hazardous substance release that equals or exceeds its RQ warrants a timely

evaluation of its source, emission rate, and chemical form, the proximity of sensitive populations or 

ecosystems, and the ambient conditions, to ensure the protection of public health and welfare and the 

environment. Agency responses to continuous hazardous substance release notifications may take a 

number of forms ranging from requests for more detailed information (to allow for a more detailed 

risk assessment), to the imposition of more stringent emissions limitations, to removal and/or 

remedial actions. Finally, the release notification information is used by State and local government 

emergency planners to conduct State and local emergency response planning.

3. NON DUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION CRITERIA

3a. Non Duplication

The hazardous substance release information requested under the CRRR in the initial written 

and follow-up reports is the minimum information necessary to properly evaluate a hazardous 

substance release. EPA analyzed possible areas of overlap with other regulations, concluding that 
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there are limited areas of overlap with reporting requirements under other statutes and provisions. In 

particular, some facilities may need to provide similar hazardous substance release information to 

satisfy reporting requirements for the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) report under SARA section 

313. The level of duplication, however, is limited because of differences in the list of chemicals, and 

the SIC and facility sizes affected by SARA section 313. SARA section 313 requirements only 

apply to facilities in certain SIC categories whose inventory quantities exceed 10,000 pounds; 

CERCLA section 103 affects facilities in all SIC codes regardless of inventory amounts. In addition, 

the SARA section 313 list of toxic chemicals includes only about one-fourth of the listed CERCLA 

hazardous substances. Further, the SARA section 313 list includes some substances that are not on 

the CERCLA list at all. 

To minimize any duplication in reporting, EPA allows facilities that are subject to the 

reporting requirements of both regulations to submit the SARA section 313 report (otherwise known 

as the TRI report) as a substitute for the written reports required under the CRRR, provided that 

certain additional continuous release information is included as an addendum to the TRI report. If 

the TRI report is submitted in lieu of the continuous release written report, based on each source 

release, the following continuous release information must also be included in the TRI report: (1) the 

upper and lower bounds (normal range) of the release over a 24-hour period of each hazardous 

substance; (2) the frequency of the release from each release source; (3) a signed statement 

describing the basis for asserting that the release is continuous and stable in quantity and rate; (4) the 

population density within a one-mile radius; and (5) the identity and location of any sensitive 

populations and ecosystems within a one-mile radius. These additions will provide EPA with 

information that is not available from the TRI report, but is required to properly evaluate the need for 

a government response.

Additionally, continuous release reporting under CERCLA section 103(f)(2) eliminates 

frequent and repetitive reporting under CERCLA section 103(a). If a facility with continuous 

releases were to report on a per-occurrence basis under section 103(a), the facility could be notifying 

the NRC daily. Respondents with continuous releases may be unnecessarily reporting under 

CERCLA section 103(a) because they: (1) may not be familiar with the reduced reporting option 

under section 103(f)(2), or (2) may not realize that there is a reduced burden associated with a onetime initial telephone notification and submission of an initial written report and one follow-up 

report under the CRRR. EPA’s outreach efforts to increase industry awareness are described in 

Section 5(b). As respondents become more aware of the CRRR and the ability to simplify and 

reduce expenses associated with continuous release reporting, it is possible that some reports could 

be redirected from CERCLA section 103(a) (ERNS) to CERCLA section 103(f)(2) (CR-ERNS).

3b. Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), EPA has 

notified the public through the Federal Register notice on the renewal of this ICR (See 80 FR 7460, 
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Feb. 10, 2015). The Docket ID No. for the notice is EPA-HQ-SFUND-2015-0100, and can be 

accessed at www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received.

3c. Consultations

EPA consulted with a number of Federal and State government agencies in the development 

of the information collection activities described in this ICR. To develop the CRRR, EPA formed a 

Workgroup to address the comments received on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) 

published on April 19, 1988 (53 FR 12868). The Workgroup consisted of representatives from 

various EPA program offices, the ten EPA Regions, and the NRC. EPA Regional offices were 

responsible for the implementation of the final rule. Participation by these parties in the Workgroup 

was sufficient to address and resolve all outstanding issues. The comments received on the NPRM 

are addressed in the Response to Comments Document and in the preamble to the final rule. 

EPA sponsored several workshops throughout the country for industry and Federal, State, 

and local government officials on the release notification requirements under CERCLA and SARA 

Title III, including the requirements under the CRRR. The workshops were held to educate the 

regulated community as well as those Federal and State agencies required to implement the 

regulations. In addition, the workshops provided an opportunity for the public to comment on the 

implementation of the regulation. No workshops were conducted or planned during the period 

covered by ICR 1445.12. The forms are contained in Attachment A to this document and are also 

available at www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/reporting/rqover.htm#con. 

For this renewal, several individuals (fewer than 9) responsible for making notifications to 

the NRC and submitting written follow-up reports were consulted regarding the process and burden 

this collection imposes. Brief summaries of those consultations are contained in Appendix A to this 

renewal supporting statement.

3d. Effects of Less Frequent Collection

The frequency of information collection established in the CRRR is the minimum level 

necessary for proper evaluation of continuous releases. If the information collected under the 

CRRR, such as the source, frequency, and composition of the release, the environmental media 

affected, and the identity and location of any sensitive populations or ecosystems, were collected less 

frequently than stipulated under the CRRR, the Federal government’s ability to properly evaluate the 

threat posed by the release and the need for a response action would be jeopardized.

3e. General Guidelines

The regulations imposed by CERCLA section 103(f)(2) adhere fully to OMB’s general 

guidelines concerning the collection of information and the control of paperwork burdens on the 
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public.

3f. Confidentiality

The regulations implementing CRRR do not require the submittal of any proprietary, trade 

secret, or other confidential information.

3g. Sensitive Questions

The regulations implementing CRRR do not require the submission of any sensitive business 

information. In addition, the information collection requested under these regulations is in 

compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB Circular A-108.

4. THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED

4a. Respondents and SIC Codes

This section is not applicable. The usage and release of hazardous substances are pervasive 

throughout industry. EPA expects a number of different industrial categories to report hazardous 

substance releases under the provisions of the CRRR. No one industry sector or group of sectors is 

disproportionately affected by the information collection burden.

4b. Information Requested

i. Data items, including record keeping requirements

To ensure that government authorities receive timely and sufficient information to evaluate 

potentially dangerous hazardous substance releases reported under CERCLA section 103(f)(2), the 

CRRR requires seven types of information collection activities:

(1) An initial telephone call to the NRC;

(2) An initial written report to the EPA Region;

(3) A one-time follow-up written report to the EPA Region on or before the first-year 

anniversary of the submission of an initial written report;

(4) An annual evaluation of a release beginning the year after the submission of the onetime follow-up written report;

(5) Notification to the NRC and EPA Regions of a change in the sources, composition, or 

frequency of a release;

(6) Notification to the EPA Region of a change in other information previously

submitted; and

(7) Immediate notification to the NRC of any statistically significant increase (SSI) in the 
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quantity of a release.

The time required by a facility to complete the seven information collection activities varies 

and is largely contingent on the nature of the reported releases and the facility’s information 

collection procedures. However, EPA estimated the average amount of time that is needed to 

perform these seven information collection activities and the average unit burden hours. The 

estimates are presented in section 6(a). The unit burden hours used in this ICR are based upon 

estimates from the CRRR economic analysis. The CRRR Economic Impact is available in 

rulemaking Superfund Docket Number 103(f)CR - 4-8.

Reporting continuous releases represents a reduction in burden for facilities that would 

otherwise report releases on a per-occurrence basis. EPA believes that the notification system 

developed under the CRRR represents the minimum level of reporting necessary for the Federal OnScene Coordinator (OSC) to evaluate whether a response action is needed to prevent or mitigate any 

hazards to public health and welfare and the environment. The following paragraphs briefly 

describe the purpose and timing of each information collection activity and list the data items that 

comprise each notification.

Initial Telephone Notification to the NRC – The initial telephone call to the NRC serves to 

notify government authorities of the facility’s intent to report a hazardous substance release under 

CERCLA section 103(f)(2). All such releases must be released in a continuous and stable manner. 

The initial telephone call, in conjunction with the initial written report, fulfills the statutory

requirement that the release be reported under CERCLA section 103(a) for a period sufficient to 

establish the continuity, quantity, and regularity of the release. The information provided in the 

initial telephone notification must include:

(8) The name and location of the facility; and

(9) The name(s) and identity(ies) of the hazardous substance(s) being released.

Initial Written Report and the Follow-up Written Report – The initial written report and 

the follow-up written report, which are sent to the EPA Region, provide a full description of the 

release. The initial written report and follow-up written report serve as the basis for a 

comprehensive evaluation of the hazards posed by the release. Based on this comprehensive 

evaluation, government authorities determine if a response action is necessary to prevent or mitigate 

any adverse effects. The initial written report must be submitted within 30 days of the initial 

telephone call. This 30-day period does not necessarily provide enough time to collect all relevant 

and appropriate data, but does allow for an initial evaluation of the release. The follow-up written 

report, due one year after submission of the initial written report, serves to verify the information 

provided on the initial written report (NOTE: there cannot be any form of change in source, 

composition, or frequency of release without going through the process again). The follow-up 

written report helps ensure that the information used to evaluate the hazards posed by the release is 

current and provides accurate information.
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The data elements requested in the initial written and follow-up report are identical and 

consist of:

(10) The name of the facility or vessel; the location, including the longitude and latitude; 

the case number assigned by the National Response Center or Environmental 

Protection Agency; the Dun and Bradstreet number of the facility (if available); the 

port of registration of the vessel (if applicable); and the name and telephone number 

of the person in charge of the facility or vessel. [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(i)]

(11) A signed statement that the hazardous substance release described is continuous and 

stable in quantity and rate under the definitions of 40 CFR 302.8(b) and that all 

reported information is accurate and current to the best knowledge of the person in 

charge. [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iv)(H)]

(12) The population density within a one-mile radius of the facility or vessel, described in 

terms of the following ranges: 0-50 persons, 51-100 persons, 101-500 persons, 501-

1,000 persons, and more than 1,000 persons. [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(ii)]

(13) The identity and location of sensitive populations and ecosystems within a one-mile 

radius of the facility or vessel (e.g., elementary schools, hospitals, retirement 

communities, or wetlands). [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iii)]

In addition, facilities must provide the following substance-specific information for each 

continuous release:

(14) The sources of the release, including specific source information (e.g., valves, pump 

seals, storage tank vents, stacks). [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iv)(C)]

(15) The environmental medium(a) affected by the release: if air, provide stack height or 

surface area affected; if surface water, the name of the surface water body; if a 

stream, the stream order or average flow rate and designated use; if a lake, the surface

area and average depth; if on or under ground, the location of public water supply

wells within two miles. [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iv)(G)(1-4)]

(16) The frequency of the release and the fraction of the release from each release source 

and the period over which it occurs. [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iv)(D)]

(17) A brief statement describing the basis for stating that the release is continuous and 

stable in quantity and rate. [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iv)(E)]

(18) The name and identity of the hazardous substance; and the Chemical Abstracts 
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Service Registry Number for the substance. If the release is a mixture, the hazardous 

substance components of the mixture and their approximate concentrations and 

quantities, by weight. [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iv)(A)]

(19) The upper and lower bounds of the normal range of the release over the previous 

year. [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iv)(B)]

(20) An estimate of the total annual amount of the hazardous substance released in the 

previous year (in pounds or kilograms). [40 CFR 302.8(e)(1)(iv)(F)]

Annual Evaluation of a Release – Although a reporting facility is no longer required to 

submit a written report on its continuous releases after submitting a one-time written follow-up 

report verifying the information provided on the initial written report remained the same, the 

reporting facility must conduct and document an annual assessment of its continuous releases 

beginning the year after the submission of the follow-up written report. The purpose of the annual 

evaluation is to identify any changes that may have occurred in the release situation over the 

preceding year. The annual evaluation of a continuous release helps ensure that the information used 

to evaluate the hazards posed by the release is current and accurate information.

Change in the Source, Composition, or Frequency of a Release Report – If there is a 

change in the source, composition, or frequency of a release, the release must be reported and treated 

as a new continuous release. An initial telephone notification and written change report must be 

provided as described above. The person in charge also must submit a follow-up report within one 

year of the change report. 

Other Changes in Information – Facilities experiencing a change in a continuous release 

that invalidates information previously submitted on the continuous release must notify the 

appropriate EPA Region by letter within 30 days of the change. The letter regarding the change in 

the release should explicitly identify the new (or changed) information and include an explanation 

for the change. For example, a facility must notify EPA if any schools, hospitals, retirement homes, 

or other developments housing sensitive populations are open within one mile of the facility.

Statistically Significant Increase Report – The CRRR defines a SSI as a release of a 

hazardous substance that exceeds the upper bound of the normal range of the release as established 

by the facility. The normal range of a release is defined by the range of release weights (in pounds 

or kilograms) recorded during the preceding year under normal operating conditions (that is, 

conditions that prevail during the period establishing the predictability and regularity of the release). 

Therefore, a SSI does not include releases within the reported normal range of release. An SSI 

release is considered an episodic release because it is a release above the RQ. Thus, SSIs must be 

immediately reported to the NRC by telephone pursuant to the notification requirements of 

CERCLA section 103(a). The information collected by the NRC in a SSI report includes the same 

information supplied when reporting any other episodic release (e.g., quantity of the release, source 
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of the release, and a description of any response actions taken).

The person in charge of a facility with a SSI may modify the previously established normal 

range as an alternative to reporting multiple SSIs. To modify the normal range of the release over a 

24-hour period under normal operating procedures, the person in charge of the facility must report at 

least one SSI to the NRC as an episodic release (to facilitate immediate evaluation), and then must 

submit a written change report of the release information to the appropriate EPA Region describing 

the new normal range and reasons for the change; thus treating the SSI as a new release. Thus, for 

example, if a facility doubles its production level thereby doubling its release level, the facility may

want to double its reported normal range of the continuous release, rather than reporting multiple 

SSIs. The person in charge also must submit a follow-up report within one year of the submission of 

the change report.

Record keeping – Facilities may maintain a log or some other record of each hazardous 

substance release reported under CERCLA section 103(f)(2). The information documented in the 

record can be used to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of the CRRR, including the 

requirement to demonstrate the continuity and stability of the release and the requirement to conduct 

an annual evaluation of the release. Additionally, facilities may find it useful to document daily

release quantities for use in substantiating and modifying the normal range of the release.

ii. Respondent Activities

To comply with the provisions of the CRRR, the regulated community performs the 

following information collection activities:

(1) Provides an initial telephone call to the NRC;

(2) Provides an initial written report to the EPA Region;

(3) Prepares a one-time follow-up written report for the EPA Region on or before the 

first-year anniversary of the submission of an initial written report;

(4) Conducts an annual evaluation of a release beginning the year after the submission of 

the one-time follow-up written report;

(5) Prepares change in the sources, composition, or frequency of a release reports;

(6) Prepares change in other information reports;

(7) Provides immediate notifications of SSIs; and 

(8) Maintains a log or other formal record to document compliance with the CRRR.

Each of these notification and record keeping activities is listed and described in detail in 

section 4(b)(i), above. In addition to these activities, persons in charge of a facility may be required 

to perform supplemental collection activities in response to the Federal government’s evaluation of 

the facility’s continuous release reports. In situations where EPA’s evaluation of release reports 

engenders concern over potential adverse effects, EPA may require the person in charge of the 
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facility in question to submit the additional information or clarify and refine information previously

submitted. EPA may use this additional information to better assess the risks associated with the 

release. Finally, in response to a release report or additional information, EPA may conduct a site 

inspection. Industry personnel accompany EPA personnel during the site inspection to address any 

questions, concerns, or information requests that may arise. Thus, the following other activities are 

included within the information collection activities performed by the regulated community:

(9) Provision of additional information; and

(10) Site inspection.

Estimates of the burden hours incurred by industry as a result of reporting continuous 

releases were developed based on estimates of the time expended in providing a specific report (e.g., 

the initial telephone call, the initial written report, the follow-up written report) as opposed to 

developing estimates for each work element (e.g., gathering information, reviewing report formats, 

completing reports) involved in completing all of the required activities. The burden estimates for 

each information collection and record keeping activity performed by the regulated community

under the CRRR are presented in Section 6(a) of this ICR.

5. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED – AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION 

METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

5a. Agency Activities

Each of the notification reports submitted by industry is processed and evaluated by Federal 

authorities. For some continuous releases evaluated under the CRRR, EPA may request additional 

(supplemental) information or clarification of information previously submitted by a facility. EPA 

may use this information to conduct a more in-depth risk assessment of the release. In some extreme 

cases, the in-depth risk assessment may not allay EPA’s concerns and EPA may decide to conduct a 

site inspection to review the circumstances associated with the release first-hand. Additionally, site 

inspections may be conducted periodically as a compliance and enforcement measure. Thus, the 

Agency performs the following other activities as a result of continuous releases reported under 

CERCLA section 103(f)(2):

• Request additional information; and 

• Conduct site inspections.

Estimates of the burden hours incurred by the Federal government are developed based on 

estimates of the time expended in processing the notification reports required under the CRRR (e.g., 

the initial written report, SSI notification) or completing another activity (e.g., additional 

information, site inspection) as opposed to developing estimates for each work element (e.g., 

reviewing data, entering data, filing, evaluating a release, storing evaluation results) involved in 

completing all of the required activities. The burden estimates developed for each of the processing, 
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evaluating, and other activities performed by the Federal government are presented in Section 6(c) of 

this ICR.

5b. Collection Methodology and Management

To facilitate collection and storage of information on continuous releases, EPA developed 

CR-ERNS. CR-ERNS is an information management system that serves as the depository for 

continuous release information received by the EPA Regions. CR-ERNS is designed to assist EPA 

Regional personnel in managing continuous release information and establishing priorities with 

respect to the review and evaluation of continuous release reports. The reports submitted to the EPA 

Regions include the initial written report, the follow-up report, and changes in release reports. 

Additionally, the NRC immediately notifies the appropriate EPA Region of any SSI reports.

5c. Small Entity Flexibility

The notification requirements under section 103(a) of CERCLA and the reporting relief 

available under section 103(f)(2) apply equally to all firms regardless of size. There are no special 

information collection or record keeping requirements on small businesses. EPA believes that the 

notification system developed under the CRRR represents the minimum level of reporting necessary

for the Federal OSC to evaluate whether a response action is needed to prevent or mitigate any 

hazards to public health and welfare and the environment. A reduction in the reporting requirements 

facing small businesses is not possible without jeopardizing the quality of the information needed to 

evaluate the threat posed by the release and the need for a Federal response.

5d. Collection Schedule

The facility must provide an initial telephone call to the NRC as soon as the person in charge 

has knowledge of a hazardous substance release that equals or exceeds its RQ. The caller must 

decide whether to report the release under CERCLA section 103(a) (i.e., as an episodic release) or 

CERCLA section 103(f)(2) (i.e., as a continuous release). The reporting and record keeping 

activities associated with reporting an episodic release under CERCLA section 103(a) are presented 

in EPA ICR No. 1049.11. If the caller reports a continuous release, the initial written report required 

by CERCLA section 103(f)(2) must be provided within 30 days of the initial telephone call. In the 

second year of reporting, the facility must submit a written follow-up report to the EPA Region 

within 30 days of the anniversary date of submission of the initial written report. This report is 

sometimes called the First Anniversary Report. Thereafter, the reporting facility is responsible for 

reevaluating the release annually, but no reports are required unless there is a change in the sources 

or composition of a release, a change in release information previously submitted, or an SSI in the 

release.
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SSIs in a release are considered to be episodic releases and must be reported as soon as the 

person in charge is aware that an SSI has occurred. If there is a change in the information submitted 

in the initial written or follow-up report, other than a change in sources, composition, or frequency

of the release, the person in charge must submit a letter detailing the change to the EPA Region 

within 30 days of determining that a change has occurred.

6. ESTIMATING THE BURDEN AND COST OF THE COLLECTION

6a. Estimating Respondent Burden

The burden amounts represented in green text are for the use of the continuous release 

reporting form provided by EPA. The amounts in green are a low range of estimates, whereas the 

amounts in black represent a high range of estimates. If the forms are used then EPA expects a lower 

burden. For the purposes of this collection, EPA is using the high range estimates for the public 

notice. 

In the first year of the three-year period covered by this ICR, it is estimated that 4,038 

facilities will be affected by the CRRR. Of the 4,038 facilities affected in the first year, it is assumed 

that 6 will be reporting continuous releases for the first time and the remaining 4,032 will be meeting 

information collection requirements for ongoing releases. In the second and third years, it is 

estimated that 7 and 7 additional facilities, respectively, will generate reportable continuous releases. 

When calculating the burdens and costs in this ICR it has been assumed that the typical facility

participates in information collection activities for each release. For example, the typical facility

will provide an initial telephone notification and written report for each of its continuous releases. In 

fact, it is likely that many facility operators will consolidate collection activities for releases at their 

facilities (e.g., provide one telephone notification for several releases). Assuming eight releases per 

facility per year, and thus 8 information collection activities per facility per year, the total number of 

continuous release information collection activities in the first year of the three-year period covered 

by this ICR is estimated to be 32,308 (52 initial notification activities and 32,256 ongoing 

notification activities). In the second and third years of the period covered by this ICR, it is 

estimated that 55 and 60 information collection activities, respectively, will take place. The total 

estimated burden to respondents is approximately 324,928, 325,566, and 326,251 hours in years 1, 2, 

and 3, respectively. For the regulated community, the estimated information collection activity costs 

(including labor and O&M costs) are $17,738,906, $17,773,533 and $17,810,974 in years 1, 2, and 

3, respectively. The total estimated burden to the government is approximately 29,046, 29,072, and 

29,140 hours in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The estimated total cost to the government is 

$1,369,100, $1,370,356, and $1,373,530, in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

We estimate that the use of continuous release reporting forms will reduce overall burden to 

respondents by approximately 52, 55, and 60 hours in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

3

 For the 

 

3The burden reduction is estimated to be one hour/initial notification activity and information collection activity which is 
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regulated community, the we estimate that the information collection activity costs (including labor 

and O&M costs) will be reduced by $2,601, $2,796, and $3,005 in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 

The estimated burden reduction to the government is approximately 6,927, 6,931, and 6,947 hours in 

years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The estimated reduction in cost to the government is $326,519, 

$326,685, and $327,471, in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

To report a continuous release, the regulated community performs the following activities 

(outlined in Section 4(b) of this ICR): (1) provides an initial telephone notification to the NRC; (2) 

prepares an initial written report for the EPA Region; (3) prepares follow-up written report for the 

EPA Region on the first-year anniversary of the submission of the initial written report; (4) conducts 

an annual evaluation of the release beginning the year after the submission of the one-time follow-up 

written report; (5) reports a change in the sources, composition, or frequency of the release; (6) 

reports a change in other information; (7) reports SSIs in the release; (8) complies with other 

activities; and (9) keeps records on the release, including documentation of the annual evaluation. 

Activities (5), (6), (7), and (8) are conditional activities and are necessary for only a small fraction of 

all the continuous releases reported each year. For example, SSIs are defined in the CRRR as 

hazardous substance releases whose quantity exceeds the upper bound of the normal range, where 

the normal range includes all releases of the hazardous substance reported or occurring during the 

previous year. Thus, only a small fraction of facilities experience SSIs in their continuous releases 

in a given year.

When calculating the burden and costs in this ICR it is assumed that the typical facility 

participates in all the necessary information collection activities for each release. For example, the 

typical facility will provide an initial telephone notification and written report for each of its 

continuous releases. In fact, it is likely that many facility operators will consolidate collection 

activities for releases at their facility (e.g., provide one telephone notification for several releases).

The estimated burden hours for each of the activities listed in the paragraph above are 

presented in Exhibit 1. The burden estimates are taken from the CRRR economic impact analysis 

and are based on CERCLA reporting experience, SARA section 313 reporting experience, and 

professional judgment. A description of the basis for each burden estimate, as well as the percentage 

of continuous releases for which the burden is expected to be incurred, is provided in the remainder 

of this section.

 

why these numbers are the same as the paragraph above.
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Exhibit 1 – Unit Burden Hours per Respondent Information Collection Activity

The estimated burden hours for each of the activities listed in the paragraph above are 

presented in Exhibit 1 (With Forms). The burden estimates are taken from the CRRR economic 

impact analysis and are based on CERCLA reporting experience, SARA section 313 reporting 

experience, and professional judgment. A description of the basis for each burden estimate 

(including where there might be some savings due to the use of the continuous release reporting 

forms), as well as the percentage of continuous releases for which the burden is expected to be 

Mgt Tech Clerical Total

Providing an Initial 

Telephone Notification

When first reporting a 

release

100% of new

releases 1.0 2.0 0.0 3.0

Preparing an Initial 

Written Report

 Within 30 days of an 

initial telephone

notification

100% of new

releases 3.0 4.0 1.0 8.0

Preparing a Follow-up 

Written Report

A year after the

submission of an initial 

written report

100% of all second 

year releases 3.0 1.0 1.0 5.0

Conducting an Annual 

Evaluation of a Release

Each year beginning the 

year after the submission 

of a written follow-up 

report

100% of all third

year and 

subsequent year

releases 3.0 1.0 1.0 5.0

Reporting a Change in the

Sources, Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release

When the sources, 

composition, or frequency 

of a release changes

5% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 4.0 4.0 1.0 9.0

Reporting Other Changes 

in Information

Changes in other 

information 

10% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 1.0 1.0 0.5 2.5

Reporting an SSI in a 

Release

Immediately after an SSI 

event is noticed

5% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 1.0 1.0 0.0 2.0

Other Activities –

Providing Additional

Information Upon EPA request

30% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 4.0 0.0 0.0 4.0

Other Activities –

Facilitating a Site 

Inspection Upon EPA request

1% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 4.0 4.0 0.0 8.0

Record keeping Each year of a release

100% of all new and 

current releases 0.0 4.0 0.0 4.0

Collection Activity

When Collection Activity

is Performed

Percentage of 

Continuous

Releases that Will 

Require a 

Collection Activity

Unit Burden Hours
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incurred, is provided in the remainder of this section. 

Exhibit 1 (With Forms) – Unit Burden Hours per Respondent Information Collection Activity

Providing an Initial Telephone Notification to the NRC – In providing the initial 

telephone notification, facilities incur a one-time, first-year burden of notifying the NRC that a 

hazardous substance release is reported under CERCLA section 103(f)(2). Providing the required 

information by telephone to the NRC is estimated to require 15 minutes (0.25 hours) of management 

time. Prior to the telephone call, however, the facility must determine if the release is continuous 

and stable in quantity and rate as defined in the CRRR. This determination is estimated to require 45 

minutes (0.75 hours) of management time and two hours of technical time. Forty-five minutes (0.75 

hours) of management time and two hours of technical time should be sufficient to determine if a 

Mgt Tech Clerical Total

Providing an Initial 

Telephone Notification

When first reporting a 

release

100% of new

releases 1.0 2.0 0.0 3.0

Preparing an Initial 

Written Report

 Within 30 days of an 

initial telephone

notification

100% of new

releases 3.0 3.0 1.0 7.0

Preparing a Follow-up 

Written Report

A year after the

submission of an initial 

written report

100% of all second 

year releases 3.0 1.0 1.0 5.0

Conducting an Annual 

Evaluation of a Release

Each year beginning the 

year after the submission 

of a written follow-up 

report

100% of all third

year and 

subsequent year

releases 3.0 1.0 1.0 5.0

Reporting a Change in the

Sources, Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release

When the sources, 

composition, or frequency 

of a release changes

5% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 4.0 4.0 1.0 9.0

Reporting Other Changes 

in Information

Changes in other 

information 

10% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 1.0 1.0 0.5 2.5

Reporting an SSI in a 

Release

Immediately after an SSI 

event is noticed

5% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 1.0 1.0 0.0 2.0

Other Activities –

Providing Additional

Information Upon EPA request

30% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 4.0 0.0 0.0 4.0

Other Activities –

Facilitating a Site 

Inspection Upon EPA request

1% each year of all 

new and current 

releases 4.0 4.0 0.0 8.0

Record keeping Each year of a release

100% of all new and 

current releases 0.0 4.0 0.0 4.0

Collection Activity

When Collection Activity

is Performed

Percentage of 

Continuous

Releases that Will 

Unit Burden Hours
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release is continuous because facilities likely to be affected by the CRRR should be familiar with the 

reporting requirements of CERCLA section 103. In total, the burden associated with the initial 

telephone call is three hours. 

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with the initial telephone notification to the NRC.

Preparing an Initial Written Report – The burden associated with providing the initial 

written report is also a one-time, first-year cost. Much of the information required for the initial 

written report (e.g., facility identification, hazardous substance identification, frequency and source 

of the release) is readily available to the facility. Information such as the composition of the release 

and the environmental media affected, however, may require more extensive consideration and 

analysis. In addition, some time is needed to organize and format the required information into a 

report suitable for submission to the government. It is assumed that many facilities will use EPA’s 

prepared report format to minimize report organization and formatting efforts. Preparation of the 

initial written report that uses EPA’s prepared report format is estimated to require three hours of 

managerial time, three hours of technical time, and one hour of clerical time. To account for the 

burden experienced by the facilities that do not use EPA’s prepared report format, EPA has 

increased the technical burden to four hours. The costs of photocopying and mailing this report and 

all other reports to the appropriate EPA Region are computed in Section 6(b). Preparation of the 

initial written report is estimated to require three hours of managerial time (including one-hour of 

legal review), four hours of technical time, and one hour of clerical time. Thus, the total burden 

associated with the initial written report is eight hours. 

Estimated savings for use of continuous release reporting forms is found in the reduction of 

technical time from four hours to three hours, thus the total burden associated with the initial written 

report is seven hours.

Preparing a Follow-up Written Report – Within one year of submitting the initial written 

report, facilities must submit a one-time follow-up written report to the appropriate EPA Region. 

The follow-up report requires the same information as the initial written report but serves to confirm, 

update, and refine the information provided in the initial report based on release data from the 

previous operating year. Because some of the technical information gathered for preparation of the 

initial written report, such as the source of the release and specific information describing the 

environmental media affected remains unchanged, preparation of the follow-up report requires less 

technical time than preparation of the initial written report. EPA estimates that preparation of the 

follow-up report requires three hours of managerial time, one hour of technical time, and one hour of 

clerical time. In total, the burden associated with the follow-up written report is five hours. The 

burden associated with the follow-up written report is incurred in the second year of reporting.

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with the follow-up written report.
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Conducting an Annual Evaluation of the Release – Although the written follow-up report 

is prepared and submitted only once, facilities are required to conduct and document an annual 

evaluation of each hazardous substance release reported under section 103(f)(2) beginning the year 

after submitting the follow-up written report. This annual evaluation is comparable to the review 

and information collection necessary for preparation of the follow-up report. The burden associated 

with the annual evaluation, therefore, is assumed to be the same as the burden of preparing the 

written follow-up report (five hours). The burden associated with the annual evaluation is incurred 

in the third and all subsequent years. 

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with the annual evaluation of the release.

Reporting a Change in the Sources, Composition, or Frequency of the Release – When a 

facility experiences a change in the sources, composition, or frequency of a release, the release is 

considered a new release because the associated hazard may have changed significantly. Changes in 

the sources, composition, or frequency of a release are expected to result only from significant 

changes in the production process, such as the installation of new equipment or a change in the 

chemical nature of the process. While such significant changes are expected over the long-term, the 

likelihood of such a change occurring in a particular year is small. EPA estimates that the number of 

already reported continuous releases that experience a change in sources, composition, or frequency 

is equal to 5 percent of the total number of hazardous substance releases being reported under the 

CRRR in any given year.

 Facilities experiencing a change in the sources, composition, or frequency of a continuous 

release must complete the initial notification process for the release (i.e., an initial telephone call to 

the NRC and an initial written report and follow-up report to the EPA Region). For facilities 

experiencing a change in the sources, composition, or frequency of a continuous release, much of the 

information from the previous initial written report (e.g., facility identifiers, the media affected) 

should not have changed. It is assumed that the technical time required evaluating the release, 

determining whether it is stable in quantity and rate, and accurately document the composition of the 

release and the environmental media affected would take four hours. The number of management 

and clerical hours required to report a new continuous release are assumed to be four hours and one 

hour respectively. Thus, the total burden associated with reporting a change in the sources, 

composition, or frequency of a continuous release is nine hours. 

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with reporting a change in the sources, composition, or frequency of a total 

continuous release.

Reporting Other Changes in Information – For changes other than a change in the sources, 

composition, or frequency of a release, the person in charge must notify the EPA Region by letter 
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that the information previously submitted in support of a continuous release notification is no longer 

valid. For example, the population density in the vicinity of the facility would be reported by

submitting a letter detailing the change and its cause. Such changes in information previously

submitted are likely to occur over an extended period of time, but are much less likely to occur every 

year. EPA estimates that, on an annual basis, approximately 10 percent of the releases reported 

under CERCLA section 103(f)(2) will experience a change that requires submission of a letter to the 

EPA Region. Gathering and reporting the change in the release by a letter to the EPA Region is 

estimated to require one hour of managerial time, one hour of technical time, and one-half hour of 

clerical time for a total burden of 2 and one-half hours. 

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with reporting other changes in information.

Reporting a Statistically Significant Increase in the Release – As soon as the person in 

charge of a facility has knowledge that the quantity of a continuous release being reported under 

CERCLA section 103(f)(2) exceeds the upper bound of its previously established normal range of 

release weights, the person in charge must notify the NRC. SSIs are episodic release events because 

the release has not been previously reported or evaluated. To avoid underestimating the burden, this 

ICR includes the burden for reporting an SSI, even though the burden may be captured in the ICR 

for episodic releases (EPA 1409.11). The estimated burden of reporting an SSI is based on 

interviews with chemical industry personnel and the burden associated with reporting similar 

episodic releases under CERCLA section 103(a). EPA estimates that reporting of an SSI requires 

one hour of managerial time and one hour of technical time for a total burden of two hours. The 

technical time consists of determining if the release is reportable, briefing management, and 

collecting the information required for NRC reporting. The managerial time includes alerting 

appropriate personnel and transmitting the information required in the telephone call.

Because SSIs are defined as releases that exceed the normal range, and the normal range is 

defined to include all release quantities recorded during the previous operating year, EPA estimates 

that no more than 5 percent of the hazardous substance releases reported under the CRRR will 

experience an SSI in a given year.

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with reporting a statistically significant increase in the release.

Other Activities – In response to the government’s processing and evaluating the initial and 

follow-up reports, persons in charge of facilities may be required to: (1) provide additional 

information or clarify information previously submitted; and (2) accompany EPA personnel during a 

site inspection.

(1) Providing Additional Information – For some percentage of the continuous releases 
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reported under the CRRR, the information provided in the initial and/or follow-up reports will be 

incomplete, incorrect, or worrisome, prompting EPA to request additional information regarding the 

nature and extent of the release. For example, EPA may seek additional information concerning 

release activity in order to better assess the risk posed by the release. EPA estimates that 

approximately 30 percent of the initial/follow-up reports could require submission of additional 

information or some level of interaction with EPA in the first and second years of reporting. 

Beginning in the third year of reporting, requests for additional information and further clarification 

of release information are assumed to be necessary only for newly reported releases. However, this 

analysis conservatively assumes that the percentage of reportable releases for which additional 

information is necessary will remain at 30 percent for all years of reporting. For each hazardous 

substance report that requires additional communication with EPA, industry is estimated to expend 

four hours of managerial time.

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with reporting other activities.

(2) Facilitating a Site Inspection – In extreme cases, the preliminary risk assessment of 

a release will indicate the need for a site inspection, allowing EPA to directly assess and evaluate the 

circumstances of a release and the population and environment potentially affected by the release. In 

addition, site inspections are conducted periodically as a compliance and enforcement measure. Site 

inspections are estimated to be necessary for no more that one percent of the reported continuous 

releases. EPA estimates that facility participation in a site inspection requires four hours of 

managerial time and four hours of technical time for a total burden of eight hours.

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with facilitating a site inspection.

Record keeping – EPA assumes many facilities maintain a log or some other record of each 

hazardous substance release reported under the CRRR. Facilities may find it useful to collect and 

record the following information for use in demonstrating compliance with the provisions of 

CERCLA section 103(f)(2): (1) estimates of daily release quantities to demonstrate the continuity

and stability of the release, and to establish and modify the normal range of the release; (2) 

documentation of the methodology and calculations used in estimating required information; and (3) 

documentation of the annual assessment required each year subsequent to submission of the followup written report. Much of the time necessary to gather these records has already been attributed to 

the preparation of the initial and follow-up reports, however, it is estimated that an additional four 

hours of technical time is necessary for keeping records on each hazardous substance release 

reported under the CRRR.

We do not expect that use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the total 

burden associated with record keeping.
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The estimated annual burden hours incurred by a “typical” facility are presented in Exhibit 2. 

A typical respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one 

and to experience a change in one release in the second and third years of reporting (e.g., the 

frequency of the release increases from three to five times a week, causing a modification in the 

estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities (e.g., SSI reporting and facilitating 

a site inspection) are assumed to be required of the typical respondent; the inclusion of burden 

estimates associated with any additional conditional activities may result in a significant 

overestimation of the burden incurred by a typical facility. 

Exhibit 2 – Burden Hours for a Typical Facility

Collection 

Activity First Year Burden Hours Second Year Burden Hours Third Year Burden Hours

Mgt Tech Clerical Total Mgt Tech Clerical Total Mgt Tech Clerical Total

Providing an 

Initial Telephone 

Notification 8.0 16.0 0.0 24.0 NA NA NA 0.0 NA NA NA 0.0

Preparing an 

Initial Written 

Report 24.0 32.0 8.0 64.0 NA NA NA 0.0 NA NA NA 0.0

Preparing a 

Follow–up

Written Report NA NA NA 0.0 24.0 8.0 8.0 40.0 NA NA NA 0.0

Conducting an 

Annual 

Evaluation of a 

Release NA NA NA 0.0 NA NA NA 0.0 24.0 8.0 8.0 40.0

Reporting Other 

Changes in 

Information NA NA NA 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 2.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 2.5

Record keeping 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0

Total Burden 

Hours for a 

Typical Facility 32.0 80.0 8.0 120.0 25.0 41.0 8.5 74.5 25.0 41.0 8.5 74.5

A “typical” respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one and to 

experience a change in one release in the second and third years (e.g., the frequency of the release per week 

changes each year, causing a modification in the estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities 

are assumed to be required of the typical respondent.

NA = Not Applicable

The estimated annual burden hours incurred by a “typical” facility are presented in Exhibit 2 (With 

Forms). A typical respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in 

year one and to experience a change in one release in the second and third years of reporting (e.g., 
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the frequency of the release increases from three to five times a week, causing a modification in the 

estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities (e.g., SSI reporting and facilitating 

a site inspection) are assumed to be required of the typical respondent; the inclusion of burden 

estimates associated with any additional conditional activities may result in a significant 

overestimation of the burden incurred by a typical facility.

Exhibit 2 (With Forms) – Burden Hours for a Typical Facility

Collection 

Activity First Year Burden Hours Second Year Burden Hours Third Year Burden Hours

Mgt Tech Clerical Total Mgt Tech Clerical Total Mgt Tech Clerical Total

Providing an 

Initial Telephone 

Notification 8.0 16.0 0.0 24.0 NA NA NA 0.0 NA NA NA 0.0

Preparing an 

Initial Written 

Report 24.0 24.0 8.0 56.0 NA NA NA 0.0 NA NA NA 0.0

Preparing a 

Follow–up 

Written Report NA NA NA 0.0 24.0 8.0 8.0 40.0 NA NA NA 0.0

Conducting an 

Annual 

Evaluation of a 

Release NA NA NA 0.0 NA NA NA 0.0 24.0 8.0 8.0 40.0

Reporting Other 

Changes in 

Information NA NA NA 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 2.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 2.5

Record keeping 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0 0.0 32.0

Total Burden 

Hours for a 

Typical Facility 32.0 72.0 8.0 112.0 25.0 41.0 8.5 74.5 25.0 41.0 8.5 74.5

A “typical” respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one and to 

experience a change in one release in the second and third years (e.g., the frequency of the release per week 

changes each year, causing a modification in the estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities 

are assumed to be required of the typical respondent.

N/A – Not Applicable

6b. Estimating Respondent Costs

i. Estimating Labor Costs

The estimated cost to complete various continuous release reports required under the CRRR is a 
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function of the time expended by industry personnel (i.e., the burden estimates presented in section 

6(a)), and the hourly wage rates for the appropriate categories of labor. The hourly wage rates used 

for industry in this ICR are from December 2014 and were obtained from the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics.4 For purposes of this analysis, EPA estimates an average hourly respondent labor cost of 

$65.50 for managerial staff, $50.40 for technical staff, and $24.76 for clerical staff.

These rates reflect the employer costs for employee compensation in the United States as of 

December 2014 and include both employer costs for legally required benefits (e.g., social security, 

worker’s compensation, and unemployment insurance), other important fringe benefit categories 

(e.g., insurance, paid leave, retirement, and savings), and overhead and general and administrative 

costs. Costs associated with the burden hours presented in Section 6(a) of this ICR are shown in 

Exhibit 3.

Exhibit 3 presents the unit costs to industry of performing the notification, record keeping, 

and other activities that may be required in reporting a continuous release. The unit cost of each 

collection activity is calculated by multiplying the annual burden hour estimates in Exhibit 2 by the 

hourly wage rate for the appropriate labor category (listed above). 

 

4 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ news release dated, March 11, 2015, entitled, “Employer Costs for Employee 

Compensation - December 2014” listed hourly compensation (wages and salaries plus fringe benefits) rates for civilian 

managerial, technical, and clerical workers. Therefore the wage rates used in this ICR (1445.12) include salaries, fringe 

benefits, overhead costs and general and administrative costs as of December 2014.
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Exhibit 3 – Unit Labor Cost per Respondent Information Collection Activity

Exhibit 3 (With Forms) presents the unit costs to industry of performing the notification, 

record keeping, and other activities that may be required in reporting a continuous release. The unit 

cost of each collection activity is calculated by multiplying the annual burden hour estimates in 

Exhibit 2 (With Forms) by the hourly wage rate for the appropriate labor category (listed above).

Managerial/hr Technical/hr Clerical/hr

$65.50 $50.40 $24.76 

Providing an Initial Telephone 

Notification 1.0 2.0 0.0 $166.30 

Preparing an Initial Written 

Report 3.0 4.0 1.0 $422.86 

Preparing a Follow-up Written 

Report 3.0 1.0 1.0 $271.66 

Conducting an Annual 

Evaluation of a Release 3.0 1.0 1.0 $271.66 

Reporting a Change in the 

Sources, Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release 4.0 4.0 1.0 $488.36 

Reporting Other Changes in

Information 1.0 1.0 0.5 $128.28 

Reporting an SSI in a Release 1.0 1.0 0.0 $115.90 

Other Activities – Providing 

Additional Information 4.0 0.0 0.0 $262.00 

Other Activities – Facilitating a 

Site Inspection 4.0 4.0 0.0 $463.60 

Record keeping 0.0 4.0 0.0 $201.60 

Collection Activity

Unit Labor

Cost

Burden Hours
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Exhibit 3 (With Forms) – Unit Labor Cost per Respondent Information Collection Activity

Exhibit 4 presents the annual labor cost estimated to be incurred by a typical facility. (The 

reporting pattern assumed for a typical facility is discussed in Section 6(a) above.)

Exhibit 4 – Annual Labor Costs for a Typical Facility

Collection Activity

Annual Burden Hours Annual Labor Costs

Managerial/hr Technical/hr Clerical/hr First 

Year

Second 

Year

Third 

$65.50 $50.40 $24.76 Year

Providing an Initial 

Telephone Notification 8 16 0 $1,330.40 NA NA

Preparing an Initial 

Written Report 24 32 8 $3,382.88 NA NA

Preparing a Follow-up 

Written Report 24 8 8 NA $2,173.28 NA

Conducting an Annual 

Evaluation of a Release 24 8 8 NA NA $2,173.28

Reporting Other Changes 

in Information 1 1 0.5 NA $128.28 $128.28 

Record keeping 0 32 0 $1,612.80 $1,612.80 $1,612.80

Managerial/hr Technical/hr Clerical/hr

$65.50 $50.40 $24.76 

Providing an Initial Telephone 

Notification 1.0 2.0 0.0 $166.30 

Preparing an Initial Written 

Report 3.0 3.0 1.0 $372.46 

Preparing a Follow-up Written 

Report 3.0 1.0 1.0 $271.66 

Conducting an Annual 

Evaluation of a Release 3.0 1.0 1.0 $271.66 

Reporting a Change in the 

Sources, Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release 4.0 4.0 1.0 $488.36 

Reporting Other Changes in

Information 1.0 1.0 0.5 $128.28 

Reporting an SSI in a Release 1.0 1.0 0.0 $115.90 

Other Activities – Providing 

Additional Information 4.0 0.0 0.0 $262.00 

Other Activities – Facilitating a 

Site Inspection 4.0 4.0 0.0 $463.60 

Record keeping 0.0 4.0 0.0 $201.60 

Collection Activity

Burden Hours

Unit Labor

Cost
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Total Labor Costs for a 

Typical Facility $6,326.08 $3,914.36 $3,914.36

A “typical” respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one and to 

experience a change in one release in the second and third years (e.g., the frequency of the release per week 

changes each year, causing a modification in the estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities are 

assumed to be required of the typical respondent.

N/A = Not Applicable

Exhibit 4 (With Forms) presents the annual labor cost estimated to be incurred by a typical 

facility using the continuous release reporting forms (The reporting pattern assumed for a typical 

facility is discussed in Section 6(a) above.)

Exhibit 4 (With Forms) – Annual Labor Costs for a Typical Facility

Collection Activity

Annual Burden Hours Annual Labor Costs

Managerial/hr Technical/hr Clerical/hr First 

Year

Second 

Year

Third 

$65.50 $50.40 $24.76 Year

Providing an Initial 

Telephone Notification 8 16 0 $1,330.40 NA NA

Preparing an Initial 

Written Report 24 24 8 $2,979.68 NA NA

Preparing a Follow-up 

Written Report 24 8 8 NA $2,173.28 NA

Conducting an Annual 

Evaluation of a Release 24 8 8 NA NA $2,173.28

Reporting Other Changes 

in Information 1 1 0.5 NA $128.28 $128.28 

Record keeping 0 32 0 $1,612.80 $1,612.80 $1,612.80

Total Labor Costs for a 

Typical Facility $5,922.88 $3,914.36 $3,914.36

A “typical” respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one and to 

experience a change in one release in the second and third years (e.g., the frequency of the release per week 

changes each year, causing a modification in the estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities are 

assumed to be required of the typical respondent.

N/A = Not Applicable

ii. Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance Costs

Capital costs usually include any produced physical good needed to provide the needed 

information, such as machinery, computers, and other equipment. EPA does not anticipate that 

respondents will incur capital costs in carrying out the information collection requirements of the 

CRRR.
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Operating and Maintenance (O&M) costs are those costs associated with a paperwork requirement 

incurred continually over the life of the ICR. They are defined by the PRA as “the recurring dollar 

amount of cost associated with O&M or purchasing services.” The O&M costs that are incurred by 

industries are shown in Exhibit 5. For this ICR, O&M costs cover photocopying of report templates 

to be filled out for each release source (25 cents per page) and postage and an envelope for reports 

sent to the Agency. There are no O&M costs associated with providing the initial telephone 

notification to the Agency or reporting an SSI under the CRRR. Each written report, the initial 

written report, the follow-up written report, changes in sources, composition, or frequency of release 

report, and other changes in information report, are assumed to require five (5) pages. Requests for 

additional information by the Agency will vary considerably in scope and length, depending on the 

nature of the request, however, it is estimated that it will take industry approximately 10 pages to 

complete the Agency’s request. The postage and mailing costs are assumed to be equal for all 

documents, and are calculated as $6.91 postage and $0.30 per envelope, totaling $7.21 per report.

5

 

Exhibit 5 – Unit Operating and Maintenance Costs per Respondent Information Collection 

Activity

Exhibit 5 (With Forms) shows the O&M costs that are incurred by industries that are using 

the continuous release reporting forms. We are not making changes to the assumption that each 

written report, the initial written report, and other changes in information report will require five 

pages; however, this assumption will be reviewed during the next renewal. There is no difference 

realized in O&M unit costs when the continuous release reporting forms are used.

 

5

Postage includes $0.91 (3oz), certified $3.30, and return receipt $2.70. Certified and return receipt are not required, 

however, we expect most respondents to incur these costs.

Photocopying

($/pg)

Mailing 

($/report)

$0.25 $7 

Providing an Initial Telephone Notification $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

Preparing an Initial Written Report (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 $8.46 

Preparing a Follow-up Written Report (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 $8.46 

Conducting an Annual Evaluation of a Release $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

Reporting a Change in the Sources, Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $0.00 $1.25 

Reporting Other Changes in Information (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 $8.46 

Reporting an SSI $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

Other Activities – Providing Additional Information 

(10pgs/1rpt) $2.50 $7.21 $9.71 

Other Activities – Facilitating a Site Inspection $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

Record keeping (5pgs) $1.25 $0.00 $1.25 

Unit O&M Costs

Collection Activity

Total Unit 

O&M Cost per 

Report
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Exhibit 5 (With Forms) – Unit Operating and Maintenance Costs per Respondent Information 

Collection Activity

In Exhibit 6, O&M costs for a typical facility are presented.

Exhibit 6 – Operating and Maintenance Costs for a Typical Facility

Collection Activity

Unit O&M Costs Total Unit Cost

Photocopying 

($/pg)

Mailing 

($/rpt)

First Year

Second 

Year

Third 

$0.25 $7 Year

Providing an Initial Telephone 

Notification $0.00 $0.00 NA NA NA

Preparing an Initial Written Report - 8 

rpts @ (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 $67.68 NA NA

Preparing a Follow-up Written Report -

8 rpts @ (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 NA $67.68 NA

Reporting Other Changes in 

Information - 1 rpt @ (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 NA $8.46 $8.46 

Record keeping - 8 rpts @ (5pgs/1 rpt) $1.25 $0.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 

Total O&M Costs for a Typical 

Facility $77.68 $86.14 $18.46 

A “typical” respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one and to 

experience a change in one release in the second and third years (e.g., the frequency of the release per week changes 

each year, causing a modification in the estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities are assumed 

to be required of the typical respondent.

NA = Not Applicable

Photocopying

($/pg)

Mailing 

($/report)

$0.25 $7 

Providing an Initial Telephone Notification $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

Preparing an Initial Written Report (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 $8.46 

Preparing a Follow-up Written Report (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 $8.46 

Conducting an Annual Evaluation of a Release $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

Reporting a Change in the Sources, Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $0.00 $1.25 

Reporting Other Changes in Information (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 $8.46 

Reporting an SSI $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

Other Activities – Providing Additional Information 

(10pgs/1rpt) $2.50 $7.21 $9.71 

Other Activities – Facilitating a Site Inspection $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 

Record keeping (5pgs) $1.25 $0.00 $1.25 

Collection Activity

Unit O&M Costs

Total Unit 

O&M Cost per 

Report
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In Exhibit 6 (With Forms), O&M costs for a typical facility that will use continuous release 

reporting forms are presented. There is no difference in O&M unit costs for a typical facility.

Exhibit 6 (With Forms) – Operating and Maintenance Costs for a Typical Facility

Collection Activity

Unit O&M Costs Total Unit Cost

Photocopying 

($/pg)

Mailing 

($/rpt)

First Year

Second 

Year

Third 

$0.25 $7 Year

Providing an Initial Telephone 

Notification $0.00 $0.00 NA NA NA

Preparing an Initial Written Report - 8 

rpts @ (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 $67.68 NA NA

Preparing a Follow-up Written Report -

8 rpts @ (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 NA $67.68 NA

Reporting Other Changes in 

Information - 1 rpt @ (5pgs/1rpt) $1.25 $7.21 NA $8.46 $8.46 

Record keeping - 8 rpts @ (5pgs/1 rpt) $1.25 $0.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 

Total O&M Costs for a Typical 

Facility $77.68 $86.14 $18.46 

A “typical” respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one and to 

experience a change in one release in the second and third years (e.g., the frequency of the release per week changes 

each year, causing a modification in the estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities are assumed 

to be required of the typical respondent.
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Annual labor and O&M costs incurred by the regulated community are summarized in 

Exhibit 7.

Exhibit 7 – Unit Labor and Operating and Maintenance Costs per Respondent Information 

Collection Activity

Annual labor and O&M costs incurred by the regulated community that will use continuous 

release reporting forms are summarized in Exhibit 7 (With Forms).

Exhibit 7 (With Forms) – Unit Labor and Operating and Maintenance Costs per Respondent 

Information Collection Activity

In Exhibit 86, annual labor and O&M costs for a typical facility are presented.

 

6 Exhibit 8 does not include capital costs because there is no capital costs associated with implementing the 

Collection Activity Unit Labor Cost Unit O&M Cost Total Unit Costs

Providing an Initial Telephone Notification $166.30 $0.00 $166.30 

Preparing an Initial Written Report $422.86 $8.46 $431.32 

Preparing a Follow-up Written Report $271.66 $8.46 $280.12 

Conducting an Annual Evaluation of a Release $271.66 $0.00 $271.66 

Reporting a Change in the Sources, Composition,

or Frequency of a Release $488.36 $1.25 $489.61 

Reporting Other Changes in Information $128.28 $8.46 $136.74 

Reporting an SSI in a Release $115.90 $0.00 $115.90 

Other Activities – Providing Additional 

Information $262.00 $9.71 $271.71 

Other Activities – Facilitating a Site Inspection $463.60 $0.00 $463.60 

Record keeping $201.60 $1.25 $202.85 

Collection Activity Unit Labor Cost Unit O&M Cost Total Unit Costs

Providing an Initial Telephone Notification $166.30 $0.00 $166.30 

Preparing an Initial Written Report $372.46 $8.46 $380.92 

Preparing a Follow-up Written Report $271.66 $8.46 $280.12 

Conducting an Annual Evaluation of a Release $271.66 $0.00 $271.66 

Reporting a Change in the Sources, Composition,

or Frequency of a Release $488.36 $1.25 $489.61 

Reporting Other Changes in Information $128.28 $8.46 $136.74 

Reporting an SSI in a Release $115.90 $0.00 $115.90 

Other Activities – Providing Additional 

Information $262.00 $9.71 $271.71 

Other Activities – Facilitating a Site Inspection $463.60 $0.00 $463.60 

Record keeping $201.60 $1.25 $202.85 
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Exhibit 8 – Labor and Operating and Maintenance Costs for a Typical Facility

Collection 

Activity

Total Labor Costs Total O&M Costs Total Costs

First 

Year

Second 

Year

Third 

Year

First 

Year

Second 

Year

Third 

Year

First 

Year

Second 

Year

Third 

Year

Providing an 

Initial 

Telephone 

Notification $1,330.40 NA NA NA NA NA $1,330.40 NA NA

Preparing an 

Initial Written 

Report $3,382.88 NA NA $67.68 NA NA $3,450.56 NA NA

Preparing a 

Follow-up 

Written 

Report NA $2,173.28 NA NA $67.68 NA NA $2,240.96 NA

Conducting 

Annual 

Evaluations NA NA $2,173.28 NA NA NA NA NA $2,173.28

Reporting 

Other 

Changes in 

Information NA $128.28 $128.28 NA $8.46 $8.46 NA $136.74 $136.74 

Record 

keeping $1,612.80 $1,612.80 $1,612.80 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $1,622.80 $1,622.80 $1,622.80

Total Costs 

for a Typical 

Facility $6,326.08 $3,914.36 $3,914.36 $77.68 $86.14 $18.46 $6,403.76 $4,000.50 $3,932.82

A “typical” respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one and to 

experience a change in one release in the second and third years (e.g., the frequency of the release per week 

changes each year, causing a modification in the estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities 

are assumed to be required of the typical respondent.

NA = Not Applicable

In Exhibit 8 (With Forms)7, annual labor and O&M costs for a typical facility are presented.

 

regulations of the CRRR.

7 Exhibit 8 (With Forms) does not include capital costs because there is no capital costs associated with 

implementing the regulations of the CRRR.
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Exhibit 8 (With Forms) – Labor and Operating and Maintenance Costs for a Typical Facility

Collection 

Activity

Total Labor Costs Total O&M Costs Total Costs

First 

Year

Second 

Year

Third 

Year

First 

Year

Second 

Year

Third 

Year

First 

Year

Second 

Year

Third 

Year

Providing an 

Initial 

Telephone 

Notification $1,330.40 NA NA NA NA NA $1,330.40 NA NA

Preparing an 

Initial Written 

Report $2,979.68 NA NA $67.68 NA NA $3,047.36 NA NA

Preparing a 

Follow-up 

Written 

Report NA $2,173.28 NA NA $67.68 NA NA $2,240.96 NA

Conducting 

Annual 

Evaluations NA NA $2,173.28 NA NA NA NA NA $2,173.28

Reporting 

Other 

Changes in 

Information NA $128.28 $128.28 NA $8.46 $8.46 NA $136.74 $136.74 

Record 

keeping $1,612.80 $1,612.80 $1,612.80 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $1,622.80 $1,622.80 $1,622.80

Total Costs 

for a Typical 

Facility $5,922.88 $3,914.36 $3,914.36 $77.68 $86.14 $18.46 $6,000.56 $4,000.50 $3,932.82

A “typical” respondent is assumed to report eight continuous hazardous substance releases in year one and to 

experience a change in one release in the second and third years (e.g., the frequency of the release per week 

changes each year, causing a modification in the estimated annual release amount). No other conditional activities 

are assumed to be required of the typical respondent.

N/A = Not Applicable

6c. Estimating Agency Burden and Cost

To comply with the provisions of the CRRR, Federal government authorities perform the 

following activities (see also Section 5(a) of this ICR): (1) process initial telephone notification; (2) 

process initial written report; (3) process follow-up written report; (4) process change in the sources, 

composition or frequency of release reports; (5) process other changes in information; (6) process 

SSI reports; and (7) conduct other necessary activities (obtain additional information, conduct site 

inspection). The estimated burden to the Federal government for completing each of these CRRRmandated activities is based on the CRRR economic impact analysis. The CRRR Economic Impact 

is available in rule making Superfund Docket Number 103(f)CR - 4-8.

Exhibit 9 presents the estimated burden-hours and unit cost associated with the Federal 
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government’s processing and evaluation of the various continuous release reports, as well as the 

burden and cost associated with any other government initiated activities that may involve the 

collection of information. The unit cost estimates presented in Exhibit 9 are derived by multiplying 

the applicable burden estimates by the average hourly wage rate for government employees. Based 

on the 2015 GS pay schedule, EPA estimates an average hourly labor cost of $47.14 for the average 

Federal government employee.8 A full description of the basis for each government burden estimate 

is provided in the remainder of this section.

Exhibit 9 – Unit Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by the Government per Information 

Collection Activity

We believe that submission of continuous release reporting forms will increase efficiencies in 

processing reports by the Federal government. For the purposes of this analysis, we are assuming 

that processing forms will save approximately 1/3rd of estimated average times for each activity that

requires processing a report. This assumption will be reviewed during the next renewal. Exhibit 9 

(With Forms) presents the estimated burden-hours and unit cost associated with the Federal 

government’s processing and evaluation of the various continuous release reports, as well as the 

burden and cost associated with any other government initiated activities that may involve the 

collection of information when continuous release reporting forms are submitted by industries.

 

8

This hourly wage estimate was calculated by summing the basic hourly wage rate for a GS-12 step 1 government 

employee in 2015 ($29.46) and the hourly monetary value of the representative employee’s fringe benefits (assumed to 

be the basic hourly wage rate multiplied by 60 percent).

Burden Hours 

($/hr)

$47.14

Process Initial Telephone Notification 0.50 $23.57 

Process Initial Written Report 1.50 $70.70 

Process Follow-up Written Report 1.50 $70.70 

Process a Change in the Sources, 

Composition, or Frequency of a Release 

Report 2.00 $94.27 

Process Other Changes in Information 0.50 $23.57 

Process an SSI Report 1.25 $58.92 

Other Activities – Obtaining Additional 

Information 2.00 $94.27 

Other Activities – Conducting a Site 

Inspection

8.00 $377.09 

Collection Activity Unit Cost
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Exhibit 9 (With Forms) – Unit Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by the Government per 

Information Collection Activity

Process Initial Telephone Notification – EPA estimates that the NRC requires 30 minutes (0.5 

hours) to process the information provided in the initial telephone call. The first year unit cost 

associated with processing the initial telephone call is $23.57.

We do not expect that the use of the continuous release reporting forms will reduce the 

burden associated with processing the initial telephone call.

Process Initial Written Report – Government authorities review initial written and follow-up 

reports to become familiar with the nature and extent of the release, to determine if the release 

qualifies for reduced reporting under CERCLA section 103(f)(2), and to assess the hazards to public 

health and welfare and the environment. EPA estimates that the preliminary evaluation of the 

release requires on average, one and one half hour of government time. The costs of processing and 

evaluating the initial written report are incurred in the first year of reporting. Therefore, the unit cost 

for processing and evaluating the initial written report is $70.70.

We estimate that the preliminary evaluation of the release will require on average, one hour of 

government time to process continuous release forms. Thus the unit cost for processing and 

evaluating the initial written report forms is $47.14.

Process Follow-up Written Report -- Within one year of submitting the initial written report, 

facilities must submit a written follow-up report to update and confirm previously submitted 

information. The follow-up report provides EPA with a more accurate baseline against which to 

evaluate both the threat posed by the release and the impact that SSIs in the release may have on 

public health and welfare and the environment. The activities necessary to reevaluate the continuous 

Burden Hours 

($/hr)

$47.14

Process Initial Telephone Notification 0.50 $23.57 

Process Initial Written Report 1.00 $47.14 

Process Follow-up Written Report 1.00 $47.14 

Process a Change in the Sources, 

Composition, or Frequency of a Release 

Report 1.50 $70.70 

Process Other Changes in Information 0.25 $11.78 

Process an SSI Report 1.00 $47.14 

Other Activities – Obtaining Additional 

Information 1.50 $70.70 

Other Activities – Conducting a Site 

Inspection

8.00 $377.09 

Collection Activity Unit Cost
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release with the newly submitted follow-up report are assumed to be identical to those required to 

process and evaluate the initial written report, one and a half hour. The costs associated with the 

follow-up written report, however, are incurred in the second year of reporting. Therefore, the unit 

cost for processing and evaluating the follow-up written report is $70.70.

We estimate that the activities necessary to reevaluate the continuous release with the newly 

submitted follow-up report of the release will require on average, one hour of government time to 

process continuous release forms. Thus the unit cost for processing and evaluating the follow-up 

written report forms is $47.14.

Process a Change in the Sources, Composition, or Frequency of a Release Report – After initial 

notification reports have been submitted for a release and reporting under section 103(f)(2) has 

commenced, EPA must be notified of any changes in release information previously submitted. Any 

change in the sources, composition, or frequency of a hazardous substance release constitutes a new 

release. Thus, any facility experiencing a change in the sources, composition, or frequency of a 

continuous release must complete the initial notification process for the new release. Government 

activities associated with new release reports consist of the processing and evaluation of the initial 

telephone and initial written reports, 2 hours. The applicable unit cost is $97.27 per new continuous 

release report.

We estimate that the government activities associated with new release reports to process a 

change in the sources, composition, or frequency of a release report will be reduced to one and onehalf hours. The applicable unit cost is $70.70 per new continuous release report using the 

continuous release reporting forms.

Process Other Changes in Information – For changes in a release other than a change in the 

sources, composition, or frequency, the person in charge must notify the EPA Region by submitting 

a letter presenting the updated information and explaining the reasons for the change. EPA estimates 

that processing a letter of changed information requires approximately 30 minutes (i.e., 0.50 hours)

of government time. This estimate consists of the time necessary evaluate the release in light of the 

changed information. The shorter evaluation time is assumed because it is necessary to evaluate 

only the incremental change in the risk using previous assessments of the release (assumed to be on 

file) as a baseline. The applicable unit cost is $23.57 per changes in a release report.

We estimate that the government activities associated with processing other changes in information 

will be reduced to fifteen minutes. The applicable unit cost is $11.78 per report of changed 

information.

Process an SSI (Statistically Significant Increase) Report – SSIs are episodic releases and must 

be reported immediately to the NRC. Release quantities in excess of the normal range have not been 

previously reported and evaluated and, thus, warrant immediate reporting. Upon receiving 

notification of an SSI, the NRC will record the SSI information in the NRC data base (15 minutes) 
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and notify the appropriate EPA Region of the SSI report (15 minutes). Upon notification from the 

NRC (15 minutes), EPA will evaluate the potential hazard posed by the release in light of the SSI

(30 minutes). Thus, the Federal government is estimated to require one hour and fifteen minutes 

(1.25 hours) of government time to process and evaluate each SSI reported under the CRRR. The 

applicable cost is $58.92 per SSI Report.

We estimate that EPA’s activities associated with processing an SSI report will be reduced to fifteen 

minutes. This will reduce the overall Federal government’s time to process and evaluate each SSI

reported under the CRRR to one hour. The applicable unit cost is $47.14 per SSI Report.

Other Activities – For some percentage of continuous releases, the information provided in the 

initial and/or follow-up reports will be incomplete, incorrect, or worrisome, prompting EPA to 

request additional information concerning the release and its associated hazard. For example, 

additional information may be necessary to confirm the continuity and stability of the release or to 

better assess the risk posed by the release. EPA estimates that the process of requesting and 

reviewing additional information concerning a continuous release requires 2.0 hours of government 

time. The applicable unit cost is $94.27 per request and review of additional information.

We estimate that the government activities associated with reviewing additional information 

concerning a continuous release will be reduced to one and one half hours of government time. The 

applicable unit cost is $70.70 per request and review of additional information.

In extreme cases, the preliminary risk assessment of a release will suggest the need for a site 

inspection, allowing EPA to directly assess and evaluate the circumstances of a release and the 

population and environment potentially affected by the release. In addition, site inspections are 

conducted periodically as a compliance and enforcement measure. EPA estimates that site 

inspections will require eight hours of government time, including one hour allocated for the EPA 

Region to communicate its concerns and findings to the appropriate SERC and LEPC, and will cost

$377.09.

We do not believe that submission of continuous release reporting forms will change the 

estimate for government time for site inspections.

6d. Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Cost

The estimates presented in this ICR regarding the number of facilities and hazardous 

substance releases affected by the CRRR were computed using the number of CR-ERNS 

notifications made by the NRC to each respective region over the years 2012, 2013, and 2014 as 

reported by the NRC. The number of reports to be filed in the next three years is computed from the 

total number of reports already filed and reflects the number of annual reports in recent years. EPA 

has estimated that each affected facility has 8 continuous releases above the releases’ RQs. Exhibit 
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10 summarizes the estimated number of facilities and hazardous substance releases already affected 

by the CRRR. The change report adjustment reflects 10% of the total number of facilities and 

reports for all regions. The same number of facilities is assumed for use of continuous release 

reporting forms.

Exhibit 10 – Number of Facilities and Hazardous Substance Releases Already Affected by the 

CRRR

Exhibit 11 presents the estimate for the number of facilities and hazardous substance releases 

that will be affected by the CRRR in the next three years. The estimate is based on an expected 

7.5% average annual percent increase in facilities (see 6(f)) adjusted from the number of continuous 

release notifications reported by the NRC for 2012. The same estimate is assumed for the use of 

continuous release reporting forms.

Exhibit 11 – Number of Facilities and Hazardous Substance Releases That Will Be Affected by 

the CRRR in the Next Three Years

Total Estimated Number of Facilities with 

Continuous Releases

Estimated Number of Reportable 

Continuous Releases (3 years)

EPA Region 1 152 1,216

EPA Region 2 165 1,320

EPA Region 3 304 2,432

EPA Region 4 934 7,472

EPA Region 5 691 5,528

EPA Region 6 817 6,536

EPA Region 7 618 4,944

EPA Region 8 269 2,152

EPA Region 9 325 2,600

EPA Region 10 205 1,640

Minus Change Reports (10%) -448 -3,584

Total in CR-ERNS 4,032 32,256

Total Estimated Number of 

Facilities with Continuous

Releases

Estimated Number of Reportable 

Continuous Releases

Estimated New Releases in the First Year 6 52

Estimated New Releases in the Second Year 7 55

Estimated New Releases in the Third Year 7 60

Total Over Next Three Years 21 167

Total in CR-ERNS After Three Years 4,053 32,423
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6e. Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables

i. Respondent Tally

The total estimated and annual burden hours and costs incurred by industry affected by the 

CRRR are presented in Exhibit 12. The total and annual hours and costs incurred by industry are 

calculated over a three year period. 
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Exhibit 12 – Annual Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Industry

1st 

Year

2nd

Year

3rd

Year

1st 

Year

2nd 

Year

3rd 

Year

1st 

Year

2nd

Year

3rd 

Year

1st 

Year

2nd

Year

3rd 

Year

Providing Initial 

Telephone Notification

52 55 60 3.00 $166.30 $0.00 155 166 179 $8,581 $9,225 $9,917 $0 $0 $0 

Preparing Initial Written 

Report

52 55 60 8.00 $422.86 $8.46 413 444 477 $21,820 $23,456 $25,215 $437 $469 $504 

Preparing Follow-up

Written Report

72 52 55 5.00 $271.66 $8.46 360 258 277 $19,560 $14,018 $15,069 $609 $437 $469 

Conducting Annual 

Evaluations

25,514 25,586 25,638 5.00 $271.66 $0.00 127,570 127,930 128,188 $6,931,133 $6,950,693 $6,964,710 $0 $0 $0 

Reporting a Change in 

the Sources, 

Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release

1,615 1,618 1,621 9.00 $488.36 $1.25 14,538 14,563 14,590 $788,887 $790,241 $791,697 $2,019 $2,023 $2,026 

Reporting Changes in 

Other Information

3,231 3,236 3,242 2.50 $128.28 $8.46 8,077 8,091 8,106 $414,442 $415,153 $415,918 $27,332 $27,379 $27,430 

Reporting an SSI 1,615 1,618 1,621 2.00 $115.90 $0.00 3,231 3,236 3,242 $187,223 $187,544 $187,890 $0 $0 $0 

Other Activities–– 

Additional Information

9,692 9,709 9,727 4.00 $262.00 $9.71 38,769 38,836 38,907 $2,539,377 $2,543,737 $2,548,424 $94,112 $94,274 $94,447 

Other Activities–– Site 

Inspection

323 324 324 8.00 $463.60 $0.00 2,585 2,589 2,594 $149,778 $150,035 $150,312 $0 $0 $0 

Record keeping 32,308 32,363 32,423 4.00 $201.60 $1.25 129,230 129,452 129,691 $6,513,212 $6,524,395 $6,536,416 $40,385 $40,454 $40,528 

Total 324,928 325,566 326,251 $17,574,012 $17,608,497 $17,645,569 $164,894 $165,035 $165,405 

Unit

Burden

Hours

Unit

Labor 

Costs

Unit

O&M 

Collection Activity Costs

O&M Costs 

Over Three Years

# of Reported Releases 

that Require the Collection

Activity 

Over Three Years

Labor Cost

Over Three Years

Burden Hours 

Over Three Years
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Exhibit 12 (With Forms) – Annual Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Industry

1st 

Year

2nd

Year

3rd

Year

1st 

Year

2nd 

Year

3rd 

Year

1st 

Year

2nd

Year

3rd 

Year

1st 

Year

2nd

Year

3rd 

Year

Providing Initial 

Telephone Notification

52 55 60 3.00 $166.30 $0.00 155 166 179 $8,581 $9,225 $9,917 $0 $0 $0 

Preparing Initial Written 

Report

52 55 60 7.00 $372.46 $8.46 361 388 417 $19,219 $20,660 $22,210 $437 $469 $504 

Preparing Follow-up

Written Report

72 52 55 5.00 $271.66 $8.46 360 258 277 $19,560 $14,018 $15,069 $609 $437 $469 

Conducting Annual 

Evaluations

25,514 25,586 25,638 5.00 $271.66 $0.00 127,570 127,930 128,188 $6,931,133 $6,950,693 $6,964,710 $0 $0 $0 

Reporting a Change in 

the Sources, 

Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release

1,615 1,618 1,621 9.00 $488.36 $1.25 14,538 14,563 14,590 $788,887 $790,241 $791,697 $2,019 $2,023 $2,026 

Reporting Changes in 

Other Information

3,231 3,236 3,242 2.50 $128.28 $8.46 8,077 8,091 8,106 $414,442 $415,153 $415,918 $27,332 $27,379 $27,430 

Reporting an SSI 1,615 1,618 1,621 2.00 $115.90 $0.00 3,231 3,236 3,242 $187,223 $187,544 $187,890 $0 $0 $0 

Other Activities–– 

Additional Information

9,692 9,709 9,727 4.00 $262.00 $9.71 38,769 38,836 38,907 $2,539,377 $2,543,737 $2,548,424 $94,112 $94,274 $94,447 

Other Activities–– Site 

Inspection

323 324 324 8.00 $463.60 $0.00 2,585 2,589 2,594 $149,778 $150,035 $150,312 $0 $0 $0 

Record keeping 32,308 32,363 32,423 4.00 $201.60 $1.25 129,230 129,452 129,691 $6,513,212 $6,524,395 $6,536,416 $40,385 $40,454 $40,528 

Total 324,876 325,510 326,192 $17,571,412 $17,605,702 $17,642,563 $164,894 $165,035 $165,405 

Unit

Burden

Collection Activity Hours

# of Reported Releases 

that Require the Collection

Activity 

Over Three Years Unit

Labor 

Costs

Burden Hours 

Over Three Years

O&M Costs 

Unit Over Three Years

O&M 

Costs

Labor Cost

Over Three Years
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ii. The Agency Tally

Exhibit 13 presents the total and annual estimated burden hours and costs incurred by 

government authorities as a result of the CRRR over a three year period.
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Exhibit 13 – Annual Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Government

1st 

Year

2nd 

Year

3rd

Year

1st 

Year

2nd 

Year

3rd 

Year

1st 

Year

2nd 

Year

3rd

Year

Processing Initial 

Telephone Notification

52 55 60 0.50 $23.57 26 28 30 $1,216 $1,307 $1,405 

Processing Initial 

Written Report

52 55 60 1.50 $70.70 77 83 89 $3,648 $3,922 $4,216 

Processing Follow-up 

Written Report

72 52 55 1.50 $70.70 108 77 83 $5,091 $3,648 $3,922 

Processing a Change in

the Sources, 

Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release 

Report

1,615 1,618 1,621 2.00 $94.27 3,231 3,236 3,242 $152,285 $152,547 $152,828 

Processing Other

Change in Information

3,231 3,236 3,242 0.50 $23.57 1,615 1,618 1,621 $76,143 $76,273 $76,414 

Processing an SSI 

Report

1,615 1,618 1,621 1.25 $58.92 2,019 2,023 2,026 $95,178 $95,342 $95,517 

Other Activities–– 

Obtaining Additional 

Information

9,692 9,709 9,727 2.00 $94.27 19,385 19,418 19,454 $913,711 $915,279 $916,966 

Other Activities–– Site 

Inspection

323 324 324 8.00 $377.09 2,585 2,589 2,594 $121,828 $122,037 $122,262 

Total 29,046 29,072 29,140 $1,369,100 $1,370,356 $1,373,530

Collection Activity

Unit

Burden

Hours

Unit

Cost

Cost 

Over Three Years

# of Reported Releases 

Estimated to Require the

Collection Activity 

Over Three Years

Burden Hours

Over Three Years
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Exhibit 13 (With Forms) – Annual Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Government

1st 

Year

2nd 

Year

3rd

Year

1st 

Year

2nd 

Year

3rd 

Year

1st 

Year

2nd 

Year

3rd

Year

Processing Initial 

Telephone Notification

52 55 60 0.50 $23.57 26 28 30 $1,216 $1,307 $1,405 

Processing Initial 

Written Report

52 55 60 1.00 $47.14 52 55 60 $2,432 $2,615 $2,811 

Processing Follow-up 

Written Report

72 52 55 1.00 $47.14 72 52 55 $3,394 $2,432 $2,615 

Processing a Change in

the Sources, 

Composition, or 

Frequency of a Release 

Report

1,615 1,618 1,621 1.50 $70.70 2,423 2,427 2,432 $114,214 $114,410 $114,621 

Processing Other

Change in Information

3,231 3,236 3,242 0.25 $11.78 808 809 811 $38,071 $38,137 $38,207 

Processing an SSI 

Report

1,615 1,618 1,621 1.00 $47.14 1,615 1,618 1,621 $76,143 $76,273 $76,414 

Other Activities–– 

Obtaining Additional 

Information

9,692 9,709 9,727 1.50 $70.70 14,538 14,563 14,590 $685,283 $686,460 $687,724 

Other Activities–– Site 

Inspection

323 324 324 8.00 $377.09 2,585 2,589 2,594 $121,828 $122,037 $122,262 

Total 22,119 22,142 22,192 $1,042,581 $1,043,671 $1,046,059

Collection Activity

# of Reported Releases 

Estimated to Require the

Collection Activity 

Over Three Years Unit

Burden

Hours

Unit

Cost

Burden Hours

Over Three Years

Cost 

Over Three Years
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iii. Variations in the Annual Bottom Line

Exhibit 14 summarizes the estimated burden hours and costs incurred by industry

if the respondents do not use the forms provided by EPA. This is the higher range 

estimate that will be posted in the public notice. The bottom line burden to industry is 

approximately 324,928 hours for the first year and 325,566, and 326,251 hours for the 

second and third years, respectively. The bottom line industry labor costs are 

approximately $17,574,012, $17,608,497 and $17,645,569 for the first, second, and third 

years, respectively. The bottom line industry O&M costs are approximately$164,894, 

$165,035, and $165,405 for the first, second, and third years, respectively. The average 

burden for industry over a three year period is 325,582 hours at an average labor cost of 

$17,609,360 and O&M cost of $165,111.

Exhibit 14 – Summary of Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Industry (High 

Range)

Exhibit 14 (With Forms) summarizes the low estimate burden hours and costs 

incurred by industry if the respondents used the forms provided by EPA. The revised 

bottom line burden to industry is approximately 324,876 hours for the first year and 

325,510, and 326,192 hours for the second and third years, respectively. The revised 

bottom line industry labor costs are approximately $17,571,412, $17,605,702, and 

$17,642,563 for the first, second, and third years, respectively. The bottom line industry

O&M costs remain the same. The revised average burden hour for industry over a three 

year period is $164,894, a revised average labor cost of $165,035. The O&M average 

cost of $165,405 remains unchanged. The average burden hour for industry over a three 

year period is 325,526, an average labor cost of $17,606,559 and O&M cost of $165,111.

First Year Second Year Third Year

Average (over a 

three year period)

Total Number of Respondents 4,038 4,045 4,053 4,046

Reporting Burden Hours 195,697 196,113 196,560 196,124

Record Keeping Burden Hours 129,230 129,452 129,691 129,458

Total Burden Hours 324,928 325,566 326,251 325,582

Total Labor Costs (thousand $) $17,574 $17,608 $17,646 $17,609 

O&M Costs Reporting 

(thousand $)

$125 $125 $125 $125 

O&M Costs Record Keeping 

(thousand $)

$40 $40 $41 $40 

Total O&M Costs (thousand $) $165 $165 $165 $165 
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Exhibit 14 (With Forms) – Summary of Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by 

Industry (Low Range)

Exhibit 15 summarizes the estimated burden hours and costs incurred by

government. This is the high range estimate. The bottom line burden to the government is 

approximately 29,046 hours for the first year, 29,072 for the second, and 29,140 for the 

third year. The bottom line cost to the government is approximately $1,369,100, 

$1,370,356, and $1,373,530, respectively. The average burden hour for the government 

over a three year period is 29,086 hours, at an average annual cost of $1,370,995.

Exhibit 15 – Summary of Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by Government (High 

Range)

Exhibit 15 (With Forms) summarizes the estimated burden hours and costs 

incurred by government. This is the low range estimate. The revised bottom line burden 

to the government is approximately 22,119 hours for the first year, 22,142 for second, 

and 22,192 for the third year. The revised bottom line cost to the government is 

approximately $1,042,581, $1,043,671, and $1,046,059, respectively. The revised 

average burden hour for the government over a three year period is 22,151 hours, at an 

average annual cost of $1,044,103.

First Year Second Year Third Year

Average (over a 

three year period)

Total Number of Respondents 4,038 4,045 4,053 4,046

Reporting Burden Hours 195,646 196,058 196,501 196,068

Record Keeping Burden Hours 129,230 129,452 129,691 129,458

Total Burden Hours 324,876 325,510 326,192 325,526

Total Labor Costs (thousand $)

$17,571 $17,606 $17,643 $17,607 

O&M Costs Reporting 

(thousand $)

$125 $125 $125 $125 

O&M Costs Record Keeping 

(thousand $)

$40 $40 $41 $40 

Total O&M Costs (thousand $)

$165 $165 $165 $165 

First Year Second Year Third Year Annual Average

Total Burden Hours 29,046 29,072 29,140 29,086

Total Cost (thousand $) $1,369 $1,370 $1,374 $1,371 
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Exhibit 15 (With Forms) – Summary of Burden Hours and Costs Incurred by 

Government (Low Range)

6f. Reasons for Change in Burden

This ICR increases the burden incurred by industry, as a result of compliance with the 

CRRR, from 315,966 to 325,582 estimated average burden hours. This increase in 

burden results primarily from use of data on the actual number of continuous release 

reports from several regions and applying a growth rate consistent with prior years 

reporting. The average annual percent increase in facilities in the previous ICR was 

approximately 7.5%. The same percent increase was assumed for this ICR. The unit 

burden hours per respondent information collection activity (Exhibit 1) remains the same 

as the previous ICR. 

For the low range estimate, EPA estimates that the use of the continuous release reporting 

forms will reduce the estimated average burden hours for industry from 325,582 to 

325,526, an overall estimated savings of 56 hours.

6g. Burden Statement

The annual reporting and record keeping burden for this collection of information is 

estimated to average 10 hours per response. EPA estimates 80

9

hours per affected facility

(325,582 total burden hours/4,046 affected facilities), or 10.110 hours per response 

(where we estimate 8 responses/facility - see note to Exhibit 6), including determining if 

the hazardous substance release qualifies for reporting under the CRRR, gathering and 

maintaining the required information, and completing and reviewing the written reports. 

We estimate that the revised reporting and record keeping burden for this collection of 

information is estimated to average approximately 8011per affected facility (325,526 

revised total burden hours/4,046 affected facilities), or 10.112 hours per response (where 

we estimate 8 response/facility – see note to Exhibit 6), including determining if the 

 

9

80 hrs/facility is further broken out to 48 hours for reporting (196,124 reporting burden 

hours/4,046 affected facilities) and 32 hours for record keeping (129,458 record keeping 

hours/4,046 affected facilities)

10 6.1 hours for reporting and 4.0 for record keeping.

11 80 hrs/facility is further broken out to 48 hours for reporting (196,068 reporting burden 

hours/4,046 affected facilities) and 32 hours for record keeping (129,458 record keeping 

hours/4,046 affected facilities).

12 6.1 hours for reporting and 4.0 for record keeping.

First Year Second Year Third Year Annual Average

Total Burden Hours 22,119 22,142 22,192 22,151

Total Cost (thousand $) $1,043 $1,044 $1,046 $1,044 
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hazardous substance release qualifies for reporting under the CRRR, gathering and 

maintaining the required information, and completing and reviewing the written reports.

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. 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. 

To comment on the Agency’s need for this information, the accuracy of the provided 

burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, 

including the use of automated collection techniques, EPA has established a public 

docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-SFUND-2015-0100, which is 

available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the 

Superfund (SFUND) docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 

3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 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 superfund docket is (202) 566-0276. An electronic version of 

the public docket is available at www.regulations.gov. This site can be used to 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. When in 

the system, select “search,” then key in the Docket ID Number identified above. Also, 

you can send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 

Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention: 

Desk Officer for EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-SFUND2015-0100 and OMB Control Number 2050-0086 in any correspondence. 
EPA-HQ-SFUND-2015-0100

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APPENDIX A

Phone-Log Summaries

The following calls were made between March 9, 2015 and March 11, 2015. The 

companies were selected from the universe of facilities for which a continuous release 

notification was made. Persons responsible for making notifications were queried about 

the internal process and procedures taken at the facility between the time a release is 

observed and a call is made to the NRC and through the 30 day follow-up report, one 

year anniversary report and any additional reports required that resulted from changes to 

the continuous release. 

Dominion

Public Utility

Glen Allen, VA

Incident Report #1098812

On October 20, 2014, Dominion called the NRC to report a continuous release of acrolein 

into the atmosphere. On March 9, 2015, the HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst spoke with the 

person responsible for reporting releases. The company representative indicated that they

called back to retract that report, but that they have reported other continuous releases, so 

would be happy to speak with the HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst. The company

representative indicated that they don’t have internal procedures in place for determining 

and reporting a continuous release, but that they are currently putting them in place. They

are aware and have submitted copies of the continuous release reports to the appropriate 

SERCs and LEPCs, and they do not have any questions regarding reporting continuous 

releases. The HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst let the company representative know that EPA 

now has the continuous release forms on its web site at: 

www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/release/faciliti.htm and that there is also a file that 

provides the contact information for submitting the continuous release reports to the 

Agency.

Weyerhaeuser

Private Enterprise

Oglethrope, GA

Incident Report #1087715

On July 1, 2014, Weyerhaeuser called the NRC to report an initial continuous release of 

hydrogen sulfide from a waste water treatment facility and an air emission stack. On 
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March 11, 2015, the HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst spoke with the person responsible for 

reporting releases. The individual indicated that the company does have procedures in 

place for continuous release reporting, but she said that they are not currently written 

down. They also know to make their reports to the SERCs and LEPCs. The individual 

asked questions about where to find more information on continuous release reporting.

The HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst let the company representative know that EPA now has 

the continuous release forms on its web site at: 

www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/release/faciliti.htm and that there is also a file that 

provides the contact information for submitting the continuous release reports to the 

Agency. This was well received. 

BP-Husky Refining, LLC

Private Enterprise 

Oregon, OH

Incident Report #1073924

On February 13, 2014, BP-Husky Refining, LLC called the NRC to make a report of an 

air release of nitrogen oxide from combustion emissions. On March 9, 2015, the HQ EPA 

CR-ERNS analyst spoke with the person responsible for reporting releases. The 

individual indicated that the company does have procedures in place for continuous 

release reporting. They are aware and have submitted copies of the continuous release 

reports to the appropriate SERCs and LEPCs, and they do not have any questions 

regarding reporting continuous releases. The HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst let the company 

representative know that EPA now has the continuous release forms on its web site at: 

www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/release/faciliti.htm and that there is also a file that 

provides the contact information for submitting the continuous release reports to the 

Agency. This was well received. 

Mears Fertilizer Inc.

Private Enterprise 

Lavant, KS

Incident Report #1078814

On April 4, 2014, Mears Fertilizer, Inc., called the NRC to make a report of a continuous 

release of anhydrous ammonia from a portable pipe reactor, which is used to make liquid 

fertilizer. On March 9, 2015, the HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst spoke with the person 

responsible for reporting releases. The individual indicated that the company does have 

procedures in place for continuous release reporting. They are aware and have submitted 

copies of the continuous release reports to the appropriate SERCs and LEPCs, and they
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do not have any questions regarding reporting continuous releases. The HQ EPA CRERNS analyst let the company representative know that EPA now has the continuous 

release forms on its web site at: www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/release/faciliti.htm and 

that there is also a file that provides the contact information for submitting the continuous 

release reports to the Agency. The representative indicated that she was already aware of 

this. 

CHS, Inc.

Private Enterprise

Laurel, MT

Incident Report #1073644

On February 11, 2014, CHS, Inc., called the NRC to make a report of ammonia, nitrogen 

oxide, and NO2 into the atmosphere. The caller stated that the release was due to normal 

plant operations. On March 9, 2015, the HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst spoke with the 

person responsible for reporting releases. The individual indicated that the company has 

procedures in place for making continuous release reports. The HQ EPA CR-ERNS 

analyst let the company representative know that EPA now has the continuous release 

forms on its web site at: www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/release/faciliti.htm and that there 

is also a file that provides the contact information for submitting the continuous release 

reports to the Agency.

Ultramar Refinery

Private Enterprise

Wilmington, CA

Incident Report #1087724

On July 2, 2014, Ultramar Refinery called the NRC to make a report of a continuous 

release of hydrogen cyanide from an exhaust stack. On March 9, 2015, the HQ EPA CRERNS analyst spoke with the person responsible for reporting releases. The individual 

indicated that the company has procedures in place for making reports. He is aware that 

reports for continuous release reporting (written reports) as also sent to the SERCs and 

LEPCs. The individual did not have any questions regarding continuous release 

reporting. The HQ EPA CR-ERNS analyst let the company representative know that 

EPA now has the continuous release forms on its web site at: 

www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/release/faciliti.htm and that there is also a file that 

provides the contact information for submitting the continuous release reports to the 

Agency. The individual said that he was already aware of where the forms were located 

online. 
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ATTACHMENT A – Continuous Release Reporting Forms

The following pages contain the Continuous Release Reporting Forms that are also 

available at: http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/reporting/rqover.htm#con. 
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ATTACHMENT A – Continuous Release Reporting Forms

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