INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST REVISION 

FOR 

 PARTICULATE MATTER 2.5 AMBIENT AIR MONITORING 

40 CFR PART 58 

 OMB 2007-0492, EPA ICR #

SUPPORTING STATEMENT 
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Table of Contents 

PART A OF SUPPORTING STATEMENT 

Section 1. Identification of the Information Collection 

 1(a) Title of the Information Collection ...............................................................................1 

 1(b) Short Characterization/Abstract ...................................................................................1 

Section 2. Need For and Use of the Collection 

 2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection ................................................................................2 

 2(b) Practical Utility/Users of the Data ...............................................................................3 

Section 3. Non-duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria 

 3(a) Non-duplication ............................................................................................................4 

 3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB ..........................................5 

 3(c) Consultations ................................................................................................................5 

 3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection .............................................................................5 

 3(e) General Guidelines .......................................................................................................6 

 3(f) Confidentiality ..............................................................................................................6 

 3(g) Sensitive Questions ......................................................................................................6 

Section 4. The Respondents and the Information Requested 

 4(a) Respondents/SIC Codes ...............................................................................................7 

 4(b) Information Requested .................................................................................................7 

Section 5. The Information Collected--Agency Activities, Collection Methodology, and 

Information Management 

 5(a) Agency Activities .......................................................................................................10 

 5(b) Collection Methodology and Management ................................................................11 

 5(c) Small Entity Flexibility ..............................................................................................11

 5(d) Collection Schedule ....................................................................................................12 

Section 6. Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection 

 6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden ..................................................................................13 

 6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs .....................................................................................14 

 6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Cost .........................................................................15 

 6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs ............................15 

 6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables .............................................................15 

 6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden ...................................................................................16 

 6(g) Burden Statement .......................................................................................................16 

PART B OF SUPPORTING STATEMENT 
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PART A OF SUPPORTING STATEMENT 

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION

1(a) Title of the Information Collection

 

 “Revisions to Ambient Air Monitoring Regulations for Fine Particulate Matter” 

1(b) Short Characterization/Abstract

This Information Collection Request (ICR) includes ambient air monitoring data 

reporting and recordkeeping activities associated with the 40 CFR part 58 Ambient Air Quality 

Surveillance regulations. These data and information are collected by State, local, and Tribal air 

quality management agencies and reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

EPA is taking comment on this ICR as part of the final rulemaking as an ICR was not published 

with the rule proposal. 

EPA is finalizing several updates to monitoring requirements for fine particles, including a 

requirement for monitoring along heavily traveled roads in large urban areas. Pollution can be 

higher along these roads as a result of emissions from cars, and from heavy duty diesel trucks 

and buses. Near‐roadway PM2.5 monitoring will be required at one location in each urban 

area (a core‐based statistical area, or CBSA) with a population of 1 million or more. These 

monitors, to be located at near‐road monitoring sites also measuring nitrogen dioxide or 

carbon monoxide, will have to be operational no later than Jan. 1, 2015. EPA is not increasing 

the size of the national PM2.5 monitoring network, which consists of about 900 monitors; the 

agency anticipates that states would be able to relocate existing monitors (about 52 total) to meet 

the near‐roadway requirement. For purposes of costing in this ICR, only 21 monitors will be 

moved by 2015. Data from these monitors, along with other monitors in the area, could be used 

to determine whether the area is meeting both the annual and 24‐hour standards. However, data 

from these monitors would not be available in time for use in making initial attainment and 

nonattainment designations. 

Other proposed updates to the monitoring and data handling requirements include: Updates to 

data handling requirements to reflect proposed revisions to the standards, and to clarify existing 

requirements. 

EPA is not proposing any changes to monitoring requirements for coarse particles (PM10). 

The burden estimates are for the 3-year period from 2013 through 2015. 

The data collected through this information collection consist of ambient air concentration 

measurements for the criteria air pollutants with the PM2.5 NAAQS and meteorological 

variables at a select number of monitoring sites throughout the United States. Accompanying the 
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pollutant concentration data are quality assurance/quality control data and air monitoring 

network design information. 

The EPA and others (e.g., State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies, 

environmental groups, academic institutions, industrial groups) use the ambient air quality data 

for many purposes. Some of the more prominent uses include informing the public and other 

interested parties of an area’s air quality, judging an area’s (e.g., county, city, neighborhood) air 

quality in comparison with the established health or welfare standards (including both national 

and local standards), evaluating an air quality management agency’s progress in achieving or 

maintaining air pollutant levels below the national and local standards, developing and revising 

State Implementation Plans (SIPs) in accordance with 40 CFR part 51, evaluating air pollutant 

control strategies, developing or revising national control policies, providing data for air quality 

model development and validation, supporting enforcement actions, documenting episodes and 

initiating episode controls, air quality trends assessment, and air pollution research. 

The State, local, and tribal air quality management agencies with responsibility for 

reporting ambient air quality data and information as requested in this ICR submit these data 

electronically to the EPA’s Air Quality System (AQS) and AIRNow databases. Quality 

assurance/quality control records and monitoring network documentation are also maintained by 

each State, local, and Tribal agency, in AQS electronic format where possible. 

Although the State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies are responsible for 

the operation of the air monitoring networks, the EPA funds a portion of the total costs through 

federal grants. Some of these grants require an appropriate level of contribution, or match, from 

the State/local air quality management agencies. The costs shown in this ICR are the total costs 

incurred for the monitoring program regardless of the source of the funding. This practice of 

using the total cost is consistent with the prior ICR submittals for 40 CFR part 58. 

This Information Collection is estimated to involve 133 respondents for a total cost of 

approximately $53,211,231 (total capital, and labor and non-labor operation and maintenance) 

plus a total burden of 410,862 hours. The labor costs associated with the hours is $38,291,920. 

Included in the $53,211,231 total are other costs of non-labor operations and maintenance of 

$1,079,896 and equipment and contract costs of $13,839,415. In addition to the costs at the 

State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies, there is a burden to EPA of total of 

35,098 hours and $2,272,078. The incremental cost estimate to move the 21 monitors in 2015 to 

meet the near-road requirement is $28,570. 

2. NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION

2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection 

The information requirements included within this ICR are necessary to provide the EPA 

with ambient air quality surveillance data to determine the United States air quality status, to 

make attainment decisions with respect to the PM NAAQS, to assist in developing necessary 

control strategies to ensure attainment of the PM NAAQS, to assess national trends in air 

pollution, to inform the public of air quality, and to determine the population exposure to various 
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ambient air pollutants. The EPA’s goal of attaining the NAAQS in all areas of the United States 

is directly dependent upon the availability of ambient air quality data requested in this 

information collection. Additionally, the EPA, State, local, and Tribal air quality management 

agencies, environmental groups, industrial groups, and academic organizations use these data to 

study atmospheric chemistry, e.g., the formation of ozone, to determine the most appropriate and 

effective control strategies necessary to reduce air pollution. 

The principal legal authority for this information collection is the Clean Air Act 42 

U.S.C.A. '7403, 7410, and 7511a, from which the 40 CFR part 58 regulations were 

promulgated. 

Under ' 7403 (c), the Administrator is required to conduct a program of research, testing, 

and development of methods for sampling, measurement, monitoring, analysis, and modeling of 

air pollutants, specifically including a requirement to establish a national network to monitor, 

collect, and compile data with quantification of certainty in the status and trends of air emissions 

and air quality. This program will also include the development of improved methods and 

technologies to increase understanding of the sources of ozone precursors, ozone formation, 

ozone transport, regional influences on urban ozone, regional ozone trends, and interactions of 

ozone with other pollutants. 

Section 7410 (a) contains the SIP requirements, which include a requirement that each 

State submit a SIP that provides for the establishment and operation of appropriate devices, 

methods, systems, and procedures necessary to monitor, compile, analyze, and make available to 

the Administrator data on ambient air quality. 

Section 7511a (c)(1) states that the Administrator will promulgate rules requiring that 

State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies conduct enhanced monitoring of ozone 

and its precursors (oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds) in serious, severe, or 

extreme ozone nonattainment areas. 

2(b) Practical Utility/Users of the Data

The EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) uses the ambient air 

quality data included within this collection to make attainment decisions with respect to each air 

pollutant subject to NAAQS. For those areas that do not attain the NAAQS for one or more 

pollutants, the OAQPS, the affected EPA Regional Office, and the affected State or local air 

quality management agency will work to develop an appropriate SIP to address how the area’s 

air quality can be improved to meet the applicable NAAQS. 

To identify how the nation is progressing in improving air quality, the OAQPS prepares 

annually the National Air Quality and Emissions Trends report (http://www.epa.gov/airtrends) 

using the ambient air quality data collected through this ICR. The State, local, and Tribal air 

quality management agencies use these data for multiple purposes including tracking their 

progress toward achieving and maintaining air quality within the established NAAQS and any 

statewide standards they have established. 
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Using the Air Quality Index (AQI) reporting system outlined within the 40 CFR part 58 

regulations (on which this ICR is based), State, local, and Tribal air quality management 

agencies report air quality to the public in all metropolitan areas with a population greater than 

200,000. Details on the AQI system can be found at http://www.epa.gov/airnow. The AQI 

reporting mediums can vary depending upon the location; however, it is generally reported in 

newspapers, on local television news stations, through a central telephone number, and/or by 

radio. 

The EPA, State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies, the regulated 

community (e.g., industrial groups), environmental groups, and air pollution researchers (such as 

those at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Harvard School of Public Health) use 

ambient air pollutant and meteorological data to study the emission of air pollutants, the 

formation of secondary air pollutants (e.g., ozone, fine particles), the transport of these pollutants 

over large distances, and the effects of various pollutants on the public’s health and welfare. 

Given the significant impact of ambient air data upon the implementation of national and 

State air quality management programs, it is essential that the EPA provide the means for 

ensuring that the ambient air quality data measured, recorded, and reported to the Agency are of 

a high quality. The means for accomplishing this need encompasses a variety of factors, such as 

the requirements that State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies report precision 

and accuracy testing results, incorporate quality assurance/quality control procedures in their 

daily monitoring site operation, conduct equipment and procedure audits through the National 

Performance Audit Program, and work with the EPA to conduct systems audits periodically. 

Records detailing the operation and maintenance practices for each ambient air monitoring site 

are necessary in order to meet the quality assurance/quality control requirements and 

recommendations. 

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

3(a) Non-duplication

This collection is not unnecessarily duplicative of information otherwise reasonably 

accessible to the agency. The AQS and AIRNOW systems, which contain information based 

solely on this collection, are the only national air quality data repositories available to the EPA. 

The ambient air quality surveillance data and related information collected through this 

information collection are not otherwise reasonably accessible to the EPA. 

A few State and local air quality management agencies have their own data storage 

systems (e.g., the California Air Resources Board); however, most State, local, and Tribal air 

quality management agencies use the AQS and AIRNow as their primary repositories for all air 

quality data. 

3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB
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The 1995 Paperwork Reduction Act requires that any agency developing a non-rule 

related ICR must solicit public comments for a 60-day period prior to submitting the ICR to 

OMB. This section is not applicable to this ICR because this is a rule-related ICR. 

3(c) Consultations

 During the development of the ICR, the EPA consulted with State and local air quality 

management agency contacts. Through the course of planning, monitoring, and improving upon 

this collection and its associated regulation, the EPA regularly consults with affected State, local, 

and Tribal air quality management agencies through various methods including the regulatory 

process, regular meetings, and training courses. The EPA conducts work shops and training on 

the AQS reporting system, e.g., the AQS Conference. The EPA Regional Offices conduct 

annual ambient air monitoring meetings with their affected State, local, and Tribal air quality 

management agencies to assist these affected agencies with this collection and its associated 

regulation. The EPA’s OAQPS also meets regularly with leading State and local air monitoring 

managers to discuss the Nation’s ambient air monitoring program and this collection, via large 

monthly phone calls and smaller in person meeting two or three times per year. Starting in 1999, 

the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) established the subcommittee on fine 

particle monitoring to provide advice to EPA on various implementation aspects of the PM 

monitoring networks. In addition, CASAC also has established a monitoring strategy 

subcommittee to extend consultation to the entire network 

3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection

 State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies would collect and report ambient 

air quality data without the 40 CFR 58 regulation associated with this collection. Sanctions do 

not automatically accrue to State or local air quality management agencies that fail to meet these 

requirements. The 40 CFR part 58 regulations and this associated collection do provide for a 

consistent system for reporting and record keeping that would not exist without these 

requirements. The effects of less frequent collection include: 

• A national database that is not consistently updated and available for public 

consumption; 

• Less timely attainment designations with respect to the NAAQS; 

• More difficultly in identifying and repairing problems with an ambient air monitor--

i.e., data are used as to check a monitor’s operating condition, and reporting data less 

frequently would delay a State or local agency’s ability to recognize a problem with a 

monitor or a laboratory procedure; and 

• The EPA would not be able to consistently answer questions from the public in a 

timely fashion regarding air quality in various areas of the country. 

3(e) General Guidelines
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All of the OMB’s general guidelines for information collections in 5 CFR 1320.6 are met 

by this ICR. None of the guidelines are exceeded. 

• Data reporting on a quarterly basis is the requirement. Nearly all respondents 

voluntarily report on a monthly basis. 

• Record retention is for no more than 3 years (most records are kept by the EPA data 

repository, not the affected State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies) 

• Information is maintained and reported in the standardized electronic AQS format. 

3(f) Confidentiality

Information that is considered personal, private, proprietary, or confidential is not 

required for this collection. One purpose of collecting ambient air data through AQS and 

AIRNow is to inform the public of general air quality in ambient air (air considered generally 

accessible to the public), and as such, does not present a need for maintaining a confidential 

nature. Security measures are taken to prevent tampering with the AQS electronic database by 

limiting the access to the AQS mainframe only to authorized users 

3(g) Sensitive Questions 

 This section is not applicable to this ICR because no information involving matters of a 

sensitive nature is collected. 

4. THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED

4(a) Respondents/SIC Codes

This ICR affects State, local, and Tribal governments (SIC code 951, Administration of 

Environmental Quality Program) that are currently operating and maintaining established 

ambient air quality networks. The 40 CFR part 58 regulations associated with this request 

require that State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies conduct the ambient air 

quality surveillance and report the data to the EPA’s AQS. Although industrial, environmental, 

and research organizations may use the data available through the AQS, they are not required to 

report any information for this information collection. Data submittal to AIRNow is voluntary 

for all organizations, but most State and local agencies reporting to AQS also report to AIRNow. 

4(b) Information Requested

(i) Data items, including record keeping requirements

 These data items are submitted electronically to EPA’s AQS as required by 40 CFR part 

58. Those data marked with an asterisk are stored electronically within the EPA’s AQS, and 

separate records kept by the State or local air quality management agency are not required. 
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• Hourly ambient air pollutant concentrations of O3, SO2, NO2, and CO collected at 

SLAMS sites and PAMS*. 

• Daily (24-hour) concentration values of PM and lead collected at SLAMS sites *. 

• Ozone precursor and meteorological data collected at PAMS*. 

• Precision and accuracy data for all SLAMS sites, PAMS, and Special Purpose 

Monitors (SPM)*. (PSD air quality surveillance concentration data reporting is not 

required by the 40 CFR part 58 regulations addressed by this ICR--the submission of 

these data is required under 40 CFR part 51. However, the precision and accuracy 

information for PSD sites is reported under the authority of 40 CFR part 58.) 

• O3, CO, SO2, NO2, PM, and lead data as collected by SPMs*. This includes data 

collected by collocated samplers or concurrent monitors as appropriate. 

• SLAMS monitoring network description information, including the site AQS 

identification number*, site location*, sampling and analysis method*, operating 

schedule*, monitoring objective*, site=s scale of representation*, identity of the 

urban area represented*, and quality assurance plan. 

• PAMS network description which includes an implementation schedule, 

identification of the monitoring area represented*, AQS site identification number*, 

site location*, site type*, sampling and analysis method*, operating schedule*, and 

an ozone event forecasting scheme, if appropriate. 

• Results of the annual ambient air monitoring network and quality assurance plan 

review. 

• Annual SLAMS summary report which includes the location, date, pollution source, 

and duration of each incident of air pollution during which ambient levels of a 

pollutant reached or exceeded the significant harm levels as defined in 40 CFR 

51.151*, the certification of the report=s accuracy by a designated State air pollution 

control officer, and various other summary statistics as provided by the AQS 

system*. 

• In metropolitan areas with a population greater than 200,000, the appropriate State or 

local air quality management agency must report to the public through prominent 

notice (e.g., newspaper, radio, local weather forecast, at a publicly accessible area) 

the AQI value indicating the status of the area=s air quality (i.e., good, moderate, 

unhealthful, very unhealthful, hazardous). This prominent notice must be made on at 

least 5 days per week. The AQI* is calculated using information collected in this 

request. 

In addition to those items recorded and stored in the EPA’s AQS and AIRNow systems, 

State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies maintain records on the following items: 
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• Approved PAMS network description for areas designated as serious, severe, or 

extreme ozone nonattainment areas. 

• SLAMS site information that is not maintained on the AQS or AIRNow systems 

(e.g., site maps, pictures), and any siting waiver documentation provided by the 

Regional Administrator, the Administrator, or their designee. 

• The network quality assurance plan for the measurement of the criteria pollutants. 

This includes operational procedures for the entire network, e.g., the selection of 

methods; training; equipment installation; selection and control of calibration 

standards; calibration; zero/span checks and adjustments of automated analyzers; 

control checks and their frequency; control limits for zero, span and other control 

checks, and respective corrective actions when such limits are surpassed; calibration 

and zero/span checks for multiple range analyzers; preventive and remedial 

maintenance; quality control procedures for air pollution episode monitoring; 

recording and validating data; data quality assessment (precision and accuracy); and 

quality control documentation. 

(ii) Respondent Activities

A model respondent would engage in the following activities to comply with this 

information request: 

• Read the 40 CFR part 58 regulatory provisions and other EPA guidance (for example, 

please reference our Internet site at www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic.) 

• Plan ambient air monitoring activities, such as developing a quality assurance plan 

for the network operation and maintenance, developing and reviewing the ambient air 

quality surveillance network design, planning where to locate sites, plan how to 

maintain and operate each site, develop a data reporting and validation plan. 

• Write the quality assurance plan for network operation and maintenance, the ambient 

air quality surveillance network plan, and the data reporting and validation plan. 

Submit these plans to the EPA Regional or Headquarters office for review, and 

approval if appropriate. 

• Obtain on-site leases or agreements to locate ambient air quality surveillance 

equipment. 

• Investigate vendors, and procure equipment necessary to meet the ambient air quality 

network plan. 

• Receive training for site operation and maintenance, quality assurance procedures, 

and data processing and reporting. 
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• Make arrangements for appropriate utility hookups for each ambient air quality 

surveillance site, i.e., electricity, telephones, data lines for electronic submission of 

concentrations from automated analyzers. 

• Install ambient air quality surveillance equipment and equipment shelter. Ensure 

security of the site. 

• Conduct ambient air quality monitoring, incorporating all appropriate quality 

assurance procedures such as calibrations, precision and accuracy checks, and, if 

necessary, concurrent monitoring. 

• For particulate matter and lead, conduct necessary filter collection and analyses to 

obtain concentration data. 

• Report ambient air pollutant concentration data electronically if from an automated 

analyzer (generally, this includes ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon 

monoxide measurements), and from a central location, such as a laboratory, if for 

particulate matter, ozone precursors, or lead samplers. 

• Validate the ambient air data for quality assurance considerations. 

• Electronically submit the complete and validated ambient air data to the AQS and/or 

AIRNow data repositories. 

• Prepare and submit to EPA annually the SLAMS sites summary report. 

Each of these activities are conducted using existing reporting and recordkeeping 

practices, including electronic submittal to the AQS and to AIRNow . If the 40 CFR part 58 

regulations did not exist, and presumably the related AQS and AIRNow, the quality assurance 

procedures, and the siting guidance did not exist, the State, local, and Tribal air quality 

management agencies would in a majority of cases conduct monitoring; however, methods used 

by each agency would vary and data would not be readily available to EPA and the public. The 

influence of the 40 CFR part 58 regulations has been to provide a nationally consistent 

mechanism for collecting ambient air quality data including uniform quality assurance 

procedures, data collection and storage mediums (AQS), and uniform methodology. Without 

this regulations and associated ICR, managing and maintaining a national air quality program 

would be extremely difficult, if possible. 

5. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED--AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION 

METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

5(a) Agency Activities

The EPA conducts the following activities to implement this ICR and associated 

regulation: 
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• Periodically review the 40 CFR part 58 regulations to update the information 

collection and monitoring requirements in light of new technological developments 

or new air pollutant standards. Develop revisions to the regulations in response to 

legislative action and program changes. 

• Establish, maintain, and support the AQS and AIRNow as the national repositories 

for all State, local, and Tribal air quality management agency ambient air quality data 

and monitoring information. Periodically evaluate and improve upon this system as 

new technologies, and new regulatory requirements would dictate. 

• Answer respondent (generally State, local, and Tribal air quality management 

agencies, but also industrial organizations, environmental groups, and others) 

questions about ambient air monitoring, the 40 CFR part 58 regulatory requirements, 

and the AQS and AIRNow. This includes the establishment of the Ambient 

Monitoring Technology Information Center bulletin board, the AQS toll-free hotline, 

and other written or verbal communication. 

• Support the quality assurance program by working within the EPA and with the 

respondents to evaluate precision and accuracy data, oversee the National 

Performance Audit Program, participate in systems audits, and conduct weekly data 

validation checks on the AQS data submittal. 

• Provide within the AQS mechanisms for statistical calculations, such as the number 

of times a particular ambient air quality monitoring site exceeds the NAAQS. 

Distribute the AQS data in various ways including upon written request, by Freedom 

of Information Act request, by press release, and in the annual National Air Quality 

and Emissions Trends Report. 

• Provide adequate electronic storage space within the AQS for all ambient air quality 

surveillance data and information. 

• Provide various reports and graphics for users of AIRNow. 

5(b) Collection Methodology and Management 

All State, local, and Tribal ambient air monitoring networks have access to and use wellestablished quality assurance procedures as defined in the Quality Assurance Handbook for Air 

Pollution Measurement Systems, Volumes I and II, EPA/600/R-94/038a & b. These documents 

ensure that all ambient air quality data are accurate and reliable. 

The EPA has provided and will continue to provide resources for the maintenance and 

operation of the AQS and AIRNow national data repositories. All data required by this 

collection are submitted electronically to reduce the burden of the collection and to improve data 

quality, agency efficiency, and responsiveness to the public. Various statistical and graphical 

summaries are also provided by the AQS and AIRNow systems which enhance the utility of the 

information for consumption by the public and all affected State, local, and Tribal air quality 
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management agencies. In submitting ambient air data into the AQS and AIRNow national 

repositories, we ensure that the data are publicly available, electronically stored, and 

electronically retrievable. State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies and the EPA 

have been submitting data to the AQS since its inception in 1987. 

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility 

This collection contains a minimum amount of information in order to manage the air 

quality program for the United States. The smallest entities affected by this collection are local 

air quality management agencies, typically consisting of the governing agencies for a county or 

group of counties, or a smaller metropolitan area (e.g., cities with a population of 100,000). This 

collection reduces to the extent practicable and appropriate the burden on entities that provide 

ambient air quality data and information to or for the EPA, including with respect to small 

entities, as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601(6)), the use of such 

techniques as: 

• Establishing differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that 

account for the resources available to those who are to respond (e.g., the monitoring 

and reporting requirements decrease as the population of an area decreases, and 

various timetables for deploying ambient air monitoring stations are negotiated 

between the affected State or local air quality management agency and the EPA with 

consideration of the respondent=s resources); 

• Clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance and reporting 

requirements (e.g., by establishing, maintaining, and improving as needed the AQS 

and AIRNow national repositories for ambient air quality data and information); 

• Exemption from coverage of the collection of information, or any part thereof (e.g., 

the EPA negotiates with State, local, and Tribal air quality management agencies to 

determine the most effective and most efficient ambient air quality networks with 

respect to the monitoring needs, technical abilities, and resources available to each 

affected agency). 

5(d) Collection Schedule

Ambient air quality surveillance data and precision and accuracy data for criteria air 

pollutants are submitted according to the schedule defined in 40 CFR 58.16. These current 

regulations require that State and local air quality management agencies report their data within 

90 days after the end of the quarter during which the data were collected. Volatile organic 

compound (VOC), carbonyl, NH3, and NH03 data measured by PAMS are reported within 6 

months following the end of each quarterly reporting period as in 40 CFR 58.45. 

The annual SLAMS report is submitted by July 1 of each year for data collected from 

January 1 through December 31 of the previous year in accordance with 40 CFR 58.15. This 

certification applies to all SLAMS and all SPM monitoring data that have been submitted by July 

1. 
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The annual air quality surveillance network reviews are conducted and reports are 

submitted to the EPA on a schedule that is determined by the affected State or local air quality 

management agency and the EPA Regional Office. 

Ambient air quality data and information are made available to the public at any time in 

various ways, including: 

• Upon request to the appropriate EPA Regional office, or to the OAQPS; 

• By Freedom of Information Act Request to the appropriate EPA Regional Office or 

the OAQPS; 

• From the State or local air quality management agency responsible for collecting the 

ambient air quality data and information; 

• By obtaining access, through appropriate EPA channels, to the AQS and AIRNow to 

obtain the data electronically; 

• Through EPA public reports, such as the annual ANational Air Quality and Emissions 

Trends Report; or 

• Through the AIRNow data base and the AQI reporting mechanisms which include 

newspaper, television, Internet and other publicly available notices (see 

www.epa.gov/airnow). 

6. ESTIMATING THE BURDEN AND COST OF THE COLLECTION

6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden 

All activities listed with section 4 (b) (ii) of this ICR Supporting Statement are presented 

in the Table 1 of the Appendix. As discussed in Section 1, this ICR reflects revised burden and 

cost estimates updating the most recent OMB approved ICR (2002). 

 The detailed burden and cost estimates for the different types of monitors with the 

exception of PM10-2.5 monitors are based on information provided in the updated version of 

Guidance for Estimating Ambient Air Monitoring Costs for Criteria Pollutants and Selected Air 

Toxic Pollutants (prepared by Desert Research Institute for the EPA Office of Air Quality 

Planning and Standards, Air Quality Assessment Division, Ambient Air Monitoring Group, 

January 2005). The cost estimates presented in this guidance document are based on existing 

literature and direct monitoring experience. The costs for equipment and supplies were verified 

with vendors. The monitoring costs for PM10-2.5 are based on vendor quotes for the monitor type 

that EPA expects respondents to use to comply with the requirements and assuming that the 

labor hour factors associated with installing, operating, and maintaining these monitors are same 

as those factors for PM2.5 monitors that are presented in the guidance document. Costs for level 

of effort estimates are verified with selected State and local agencies. All cost values presented 
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in the guidance document are adjusted to 2004 dollars, based on the average of the first two 

quarters. 

 For use in preparing the burden estimates for this ICR, costs were inflated to 2013, 2014, 

or 2015 dollars using the appropriate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) price indices as reported in 

the report available at http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/bu2/inflateGDP.html . Tables showing the 

detailed burden estimate calculations are presented in the Appendix. A summary of the average 

annual respondent burden costs follows. 

 
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Worksheet 1: Annual Average Respondent Burden Estimates 

Collection 

Activities 

Total Labor Hours 

Per Respondent Per Year 

(133 respondents) 

1. Network design 3 

2. Site installation 42 

3. Sampling & analysis 146 

4. Maintenance & repairs 400 

5. Data management 1453 

6. Quality assurance 446 

7. Supervision 600 

TOTAL 3090 

6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs

All activities listed with section 4 (b) (ii) of this ICR Supporting Statement are included 

in the Table 1 of the Appendix. A summary of the average annual respondent burden costs 

follows. 

Worksheet 2: Annual Average Respondent Cost Estimates 

Collection 

Activities 

Total Labor Cost 

Per Respondent Per Year 

(133 respondents) 

1. Network design $195 

2. Site installation $3,046 

3. Sampling & analysis $114,844 

4. Maintenance & repairs $22,522 

5. Data management $83,832 

6. Quality assurance $25,271 

7. Supervision $38,200 

TOTAL $287,910 
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6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Cost 

We estimated the Agency burden and cost by using current burden and cost of the 

ambient air monitoring program related to this collection. We included burden and cost for the 

OAQPS, the ten Regional Offices, and associated contract activities. The in-house activities for 

this collection are completed by a variety of individuals with a variety of salaries; therefore, we 

used the actual salary as an average for computing the program costs. Actual contractor 

expenses were used for those activities completed using extramural resources. We estimated a 

total of 35,098 hours and $2,272,078 total agency burden. 

6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs 

Worksheet 3 shows the total respondent hourly burdens and costs which was taken from 

section 6(b) above for the estimated 133 respondents. The total labor burden for the respondents 

was estimated to be 410,862 hours at a total cost of $38,291,920. 

Worksheet 3: Annual Total Respondent Labor Burden/Cost Estimates 

Collection 

 Activities 

Total Labor Hours 

Per Year 

Total Labor Cost 

Per Year 

1. Network design 399 $25,879 

2. Site installation 5,625 $405,123 

3. Sampling & analysis 19,392 $15,274,202 

4. Maintenance & repairs 53,138 $2,995,438 

5. Data management 193,215 $11,149,627 

6. Quality assurance 59,263 $3,361,085 

7. Supervision 79,830 $5,080,565 

TOTAL 410,862 $38,291,920 

6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables

(i) Respondent Tally 

Respondent Total Annual Burden = 410,862 hours 

Respondent Total Annual Labor Cost for O & M = $38,291,920 

Respondent Total Annual Cost for Non-labor O & M = $1,079,896 

Respondent Total Equipment/Contract Dollars = $13,839,415 

Total Respondent Tally = $53,211,231 
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(ii) The Agency Tally 

Agency Total Annual Burden = 35,098 hours 

Agency Total Annual Cost = $2,272,078 

(iii) Variations In The Annual Bottom Line. 

We do not expect any significant variations in the annual bottom line for the ambient air 

monitoring networks for the clearance period requested. 

6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden

 The previously approved ICR estimate of burden hours is 410,862. There is no change in 

this estimate. The total number of monitors that the respondents would need to operate and 

maintain under the requirements of this regulation is not increasing or decreasing. 

6(g) Burden Statement

The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information 

is estimated to average 67 hours per respondent. 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 allow 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 established a public docket for this 

ICR under Docket ID No. OAR-2007-0492 which has been available for public viewing at the 

Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), 

EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The EPA Docket 

Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and 

the telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center Docket is (202) 

566-1742. An electronic version of the public docket was made available through EPA Dockets 

(EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. The public was able to use EDOCKET 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 have been available electronically. The public 
17 

was also advised to send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office 

of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk 

Office for EPA. 
18 

 PART B OF SUPPORTING STATEMENT 

 

This section is not applicable to this ICR because statistical methods are not used in the 

data collection associated with the rule amendments.