Document ID: EPA-HQ-RCRA-2011-0280-0001
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: 2011 Hazardous Waste Report, Notification of Regulated Waste Activity, etc.
Posted Date: 2011-03-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17414-17416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7331]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-RCRA-2011-0280, FRL-9287-5]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; 2011 Hazardous Waste Report, Notification of Regulated 
Waste Activity, and Part A Hazardous Waste Permit Application and 
Modification

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to 
submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is 
scheduled to expire on November 30, 2011. Before submitting the ICR to 
OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific 
aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
RCRA-2011-0280, by one of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: rcra-docket@epa.gov.
     Fax: 202-566-9744.
     Mail: RCRA Docket (28221T), U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Room 3334, 
Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during the 
Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be 
made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-
2011-0280. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site 
is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your 
identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of 
your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without 
going through http://www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you 
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name 
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any 
disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to 
technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA 
may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid 
the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of 
any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public 
docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Vyas, Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone

[[Page 17415]]

number: 703-308-5477; fax number: 703-308-8433; e-mail address: 
vyas.peggy@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How can I access the docket and/or submit comments?

    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2011-0280, which is available for online viewing at 
http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the RCRA Docket in 
the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 
8 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 RCRA Docket is (202) 566-0270.
    Use http://www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft 
collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the 
index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those 
documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once 
in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number 
identified in this document.

What information is EPA particularly interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically 
solicits comments and information to enable it to:
    (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from 
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of 
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork 
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.
    In addition, EPA is requesting comments on some proposed changes to 
the Hazardous Waste Report form and instructions designed to clarify 
long-standing points of confusion. Some of these changes are scheduled 
for the 2011 booklet, some for the 2013 booklet. The proposed changes 
can be found in a draft Hazardous Waste Report From and Instructions 
booklet in the docket for this notice.

What should I consider when I prepare my comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific 
examples.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
    6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified 
under DATES.
    7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page 
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal 
Register citation.

What information collection activity or ICR does this apply to?

    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
business or other for-profit as well as State, Local, or Tribal 
governments.
    Title: Hazardous Waste Report, Notification of Regulated Waste 
Activity, and Part A Hazardous Waste Permit Application and 
Modification.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0976.15, OMB Control No. 2050-0024.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on November 
30, 2011. 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 in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal 
Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed 
either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate 
means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if 
applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA 
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: This ICR will combine two separate ICRs into one: the 
``Notification of Regulated Waste Activity and 2011 Hazardous Waste 
Report'' ICR and the ``RCRA Hazardous Waste Permit Application and 
Modification, Part A'' ICR (currently EPA ICR number 0262.11, OMB 
control number 2050-0034).
    Both Sections 3002 and 3004 of RCRA require EPA to establish 
standards for recordkeeping and reporting of hazardous waste generation 
and management. Section 3002 applies to hazardous waste generators and 
Section 3004 applies to hazardous waste treatment, storage, and 
disposal facilities. In addition, Sections 3002 and 3004 require the 
submission of a report, at least every 2 years, of the quantity and 
nature of hazardous waste generated and managed during one year. This 
is mandatory reporting. The information for the required reporting year 
(every odd year) is collected via a mechanism known as the Hazardous 
Waste Report (EPA Form 8700-13 A/B). This form is also known as the 
``Biennial Report'' form.
    Section 3010 of RCRA requires any person who generates or 
transports regulated waste or who owns or operates a facility for the 
treatment, storage, or disposal of regulated waste to notify EPA of 
their activities, including the location and general description of 
activities and the regulated wastes handled. The facility is then 
issued an EPA Identification number. The facilities are required to use 
the Notification Form (EPA Form 8700-12) to notify EPA of their 
hazardous waste activities. This form is also known as the 
``Notification'' form.
    Section 3005 of RCRA requires treatment, storage, and disposal 
facilities (TSDFs) to obtain a permit. To obtain the permit, the TSDF 
must submit an application describing the facility's operation. There 
are two parts to the RCRA permit application--Part A and Part B. The 
RCRA Hazardous Waste Part A Permit Application form (EPA Form 8700-23) 
defines the processes to be used for treatment, storage, and disposal 
of hazardous wastes; the design capacity of such processes; and the 
specific hazardous wastes to be handled at the facility. This form is 
also known as the ``Part A'' form. [Part B requires detailed site 
specific information such as geologic, hydrologic, and engineering 
data. There is no form for Part B, and the burden is covered under a 
separate ICR.]
    The information from all three forms is entered into a national 
database. EPA uses the information to identify the universe of 
regulated waste generators,

[[Page 17416]]

handlers, and managers and their specific regulated waste activities. 
EPA also uses this information to ensure that regulated waste is 
managed properly, that statutory provisions are upheld, and that 
regulations are adhered to by facility owners or operators.
    Burden Statement: The annual reporting burden for the 2011 
Hazardous Waste Report is estimated to average 17 hours per respondent, 
and includes time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, 
completing and reviewing the forms, and submitting the report. The 
recordkeeping requirement is estimated to average 4 hours per response 
and includes the time for filing and storing the 2011 Hazardous Waste 
Report submission for three years.
    The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for the 
Notification of Regulated Waste Activity is estimated to average 2 
hours per response for the initial notification, and 1 hour per 
response for any subsequent notifications.
    The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for the Part A 
Permit Application is estimated to average 25 hours per response for an 
initial application and 13 hours per response for a revised 
application.
    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 
which have subsequently changed; 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.
    The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, 
which is only briefly summarized here:
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 56,800.
    Frequency of response: Biennially, and on occasion.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 
Varies.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 422,633 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $16,540,823. This includes an 
estimated burden cost of $16,339,984 in annualized labor cost and 
$200,839 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.

What is the next step in the process for this ICR?

    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 pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will 
issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 
1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the 
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any 
questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the 
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Dated: March 11, 2011.
Sandra L. Connors,
Acting Director, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery.
[FR Doc. 2011-7331 Filed 3-28-11; 8:45 am]
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