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###### Environmental Protection Agency

          - [EPA-HQ-OEI-2006-0037; FRL-9921-68-OEI]

# AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

                        The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), “Exchange Network Grants Progress Reports (Renewal)” (EPA ICR No. 2207.06, OMB Control No. 2025-0006) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501*et seq.*). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through April 30, 2015. 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.                    

# DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before March 16, 2015.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OEI-2006-0037 referencing the Docket ID numbers provided for each item in the text, online using                         *www.regulations.gov*                         (our preferred method), by email to                         *oei.docket@epa.gov,*                         or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460.                    

EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Michael Kaufman, Information Exchange and Services Division, Office of Information Collection, (2823T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-4499; fax number: 202-566-1684; email address:                         *kaufman.michael@epa.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                    Supporting documents which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at                     *www.regulations.gov*                     or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit                     *http://www.epa.gov/​dockets.*

                    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments and information to enable it to: (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary                           ( print page 2100)                        for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology,                     *e.g.,*                     permitting electronic submission of responses. EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval. At that time, EPA will issue another                     **Federal Register**                     notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB.                

*Abstract:*                     This notice announces the collection of information related to the U.S. EPA National Environmental Information Exchange Network (NEIEN) Grant Program. EPA proposes to collect information from the NEIEN grantees on assistance agreements EPA has awarded. Specifically, for each project, EPA proposes to have grantees submit semi-annual reports on the progress and current status of each goal and output, completion dates for outputs, and any problems encountered. This information will help EPA ensure projects are on schedule to meet their goals and produce high quality environmental outputs. The Quality Assurance Reporting Form provides a simple means for grant recipients to describe how quality will be addressed throughout their projects. Additionally, the Quality Assurance Reporting Form is derived from guidelines provided in the NEIEN 2011 Grant Solicitation Notice.                

*Form numbers:*                     EPA Form 5300-26 (Semi-Annual Progress Report Form) and EPA Form 5300-27 (Quality Assurance Reporting Form).                

*Respondents/affected entities:*                     State, tribal, and territorial environmental government offices.                

*Respondent's obligation to respond:*                     Mandatory (40 CFR part 31).                

*Estimated number of respondents:*                     200 (total).                

*Frequency of response:*                     Twice per year for the Semi-Annual Progress Report Form; one time per grant for the Quality Assurance Reporting Form.                

*Total estimated burden:*                     340 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b)

*Total estimated cost:*                     $17,979 (per year), includes $0 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.                

*Changes in estimates:*                     There is a decrease of 5 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease is due to a decrease in the number of grants that are awarded annually.                

Dated: January 8, 2015.

Charles Freeman,

Associate Director, Information Exchange and Services Division.

[FR Doc. 2015-00545 Filed 1-14-15; 8:45 am]

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