[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5979-5980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3156]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5686-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Environmental Leadership Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this notice announces that the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Environmental Leadership 
Program, EPA ICR number 1794.01. The ICR describes the nature of the 
information collection and its expected burden and cost; where 
appropriate, it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 12, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY CALL: Sandy Farmer at EPA, (202) 260-
2740, and refer to EPA ICR no. 1794.01.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Environmental Leadership Program, EPA ICR number 1794.01. 
This is a new collection.
    Abstract: The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a voluntary 
program designed to accomplish several goals, including better 
protecting the environment and human health, encouraging environmental 
enhancement activities, and increasing identification and timely 
resolution of environmental compliance issues by ELP participants. The 
Program should foster constructive and open relationships between 
agencies, the regulated community, and the public.
    As part of the application process for the ELP, facilities will be 
asked to submit information about their environmental management 
systems (EMS), compliance and EMS auditing programs, and community 
outreach and employee involvement programs. Federal facilities applying 
to the ELP must submit a statement affirming they endorse the Code of 
Environmental Management Principles.
    EPA will assess each applicant's information and determine whether 
they meet ELP requirements. EPA will conduct a compliance screening of 
qualifying facilities and provide a 30-day public comment period. On-
site visits will be conducted at facilities that pass the initial 
eligibility requirements.
    Upon acceptance to the ELP, facilities will be required to submit 
Annual Environmental Performance Reports for each of the 6 years of 
participation. The Annual Report should contain information on EMS 
activities, objectives, goals, and measures; a table of information on 
the formal audit (EMS and compliance) for years 2 and 5 of the 6-year 
performance period; an EMS performance evaluation (results and 
measures); information on agency inspections; compliance issues and 
status summary for the year; other environmental enhancement 
activities; and highlights from community outreach/ employee 
involvement and mentoring programs.
    The submission of information for the purposes of application to 
the ELP is voluntary. The ELP will use a disclosure and confidentiality 
policy that includes 40 CFR Part 2 and reference to any State-specific 
regulations of confidentiality. Submission of the Annual Report is 
required for participation in the Program. The Annual Report will be 
made available to the public. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and 
a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB 
control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 
48 CFR Chapter 15. The Federal Register Notice required under 5 CFR 
1320.8(d), soliciting comments on this collection of information was 
published on 11/18/96 (61 FR 58750); no comments were received.
    Burden Statement: It is estimated that approximately 75 facilities 
may voluntarily apply to the ELP annually. EPA estimates that 
participating facilities may need to spend up to 85 hours to prepare 
the application and supplemental information. EPA also estimates that 
facilities that pass the initial application/compliance screening may 
need to spend 32 hours during the on-site visit. Participating 
facilities will need an estimate of 166 hours for preparing the Annual 
Report.
    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

[[Page 5980]]

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.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Public, Private, or Federal 
facilities applying to the ELP.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75 in application phase, 50 in the 
Annual Report phase.
    Frequency of Response: Yearly.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 17,070 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: Application--$293,625, On-
site review--$135,600; Annual Report--$384,550.
    Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the 
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods 
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please 
refer to EPA ICR No. 1794.01 in any correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OPPE Regulatory 
Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460
    and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: February 4, 1997.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 97-3156 Filed 2-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P