[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22062-22063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11034]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5202-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

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 Information Collection Request 
(ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature 
of the information collection and its expected cost and burden; where 
appropriate, it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 5, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, or a copy of 
this ICR, contact Sandy Farmer at (202) 260-2740, please refer to ICR 
#1488.03.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

    Title: Superfund Site Evaluation and Hazard Ranking System, EPA ICR 
#1488.03. This ICR requests renewal of a currently approved collection 
(OMB #2050-0095).
    Abstract: Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, 1980 and 1986) amends the 
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP) to include 
criteria prioritizing releases throughout the U.S. before undertaking 
remedial action at uncontrolled hazardous waste before undertaking 
remedial action at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The Hazard 
Ranking System (HRS) is a model that is used to evaluate the relative 
threats to human health and the environment posed by actual or 
potential releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and 
contaminants. The HRS criteria take into account the population at 
risk, the [[Page 22063]] hazard potential of the substances, as well as 
the potential for contamination of drinking water supplies, direct 
human contact, destruction of sensitive ecosystems, damage to natural 
resources affecting the human food chain, contamination of surface 
water used for recreation or potable water consumption, and 
contamination of ambient air.
    Under this ICR the States will apply the HRS by identifying and 
classifying those releases that warrant further investigation. The HRS 
score is crucial since it is the primary mechanism used to determine 
whether a site is eligible to be included on the National Priorities 
List (NPL). Only sites on the NPL are eligible for Superfund-financed 
remedial actions.
    HRS scores are derived from the sources described in this 
information collection, including field reconnaissance, taking samples 
at the site, and reviewing available reports and documents. States 
record the collected information on HRS documentation worksheets and 
include this in the supporting reference package. States then send the 
package to the EPA region for a completeness and accuracy review, and 
the Region then sends it to EPA Headquarters for a final quality 
assurance review. If the site scores above the NPL designated cutoff 
value, and if it meets the other criteria for listing, it is then 
eligible to be proposed on the NPL.
    Burden Statement: Depending on the number and type of activities 
performed, burden for the collection of site assessment information is 
estimated to range from 130 to 2,170 hours per site. The number of 
hours required to assess a particular site depends on how far a site 
progresses through the site assessment process. Sites where only a 
Preliminary Assessment is performed will typically require 
approximately 130 hours, while sites that progress to NPL listing will 
require approximately 2,170 hours. The burden estimates include 
reporting activities and minimal recordkeeping activities. The States 
are reimbursed 100% of their costs, except for record maintenance. The 
ICR does not impose burden for HRS activities on local governments or 
private businesses.
    Respondents: State agencies requesting oversight of the site.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50 States.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 363,000 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: one time; section 116(b) requires an HRS 
evaluation within four years of the site's entry into the EPA CERCLIS 
database.
    Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of 
this information collection, including suggestions for reducing the 
burden, (please refer to EPA ICR #1488.03 and OMB #2050-0095) to:

Sandy Farmer, EPA ICR #1488.03, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Regulatory Information Division (2136), 401 M Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20460 and
Jonathan Gledhill, OMB #2050-0095, Office of Management and Budget, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 725 17th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: April 28, 1995.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 95-11034 Filed 5-3-95; 8:45 am]
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