[Federal Register: July 16, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 136)]
[Notices]               
[Page 46663-46664]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jy02-88]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7246-1]

 
Agency Information Collection Activities

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 EPA is planning to submit the 
following proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Requests 
(ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting 
the renewal package to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting 
comments on specific aspects of the collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue NW., Mail Code 2225A, OECA/OC/AgD, Washington, DC 20460. A copy 
of this ICR may be obtained from Stephen Howie tel: (202) 564-4146; e-
mail: howie.stephen@epa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Howie, tel: (202) 564-4146; 
FAX: (202) 564-0085; e-mail: howie.stephen@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected Entities: This action affects entities which import 
pesticides or devices into the United States.
    Title: Notice of Arrival of Pesticides and Devices (EPA Form 3540-
1), OMB Number 2070-0020, EPA ICR Number 0152.07, Expiration Date: 
December 31, 2002.
    Abstract: The U.S. Customs regulations at 19 CFR 12.112 require 
that an importer desiring to import pesticides into the United States 
shall, prior to the shipment's arrival, submit a Notice of Arrival of 
Pesticides and Devices (EPA Form 3540-1) to EPA who will determine the 
disposition of the shipment. After completing the form, EPA returns the 
form to the importer, or his agent, who must present the form to 
Customs upon arrival of the shipment at the port of entry. This is 
necessary to insure that EPA is notified of the arrival of pesticides 
and devices as required by

[[Page 46664]]

the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 
17(c) and has the ability to examine such shipments to determine that 
they are in compliance with FIFRA.
    The form requires identification and address information of the 
importer or his agent and information on the identity and location of 
the imported pesticide or device shipment.
    When the form is submitted to EPA regional personnel for review it 
is examined to determine whether the shipment should be released for 
entry upon arrival or alternatively whether it should be detained for 
examination. The responsible EPA official returns the form to the 
respondent with EPA instructions to the U.S. Customs Service as to the 
disposition of the shipment.
    Upon the arrival of the shipment, the importer presents the 
completed NOA to the District Director of U.S. Customs at the port of 
entry. U.S. Customs compares entry documents for the shipment with the 
Notice of Arrival and notifies the EPA Regional Office of any 
discrepancies which the EPA will resolve with the importer or broker. 
At this point the shipment may be retained for examination. If there 
are no discrepancies Customs follows instructions regarding release or 
detention. If EPA inspects the shipment and it appears from examination 
of a sample that it is adulterated, or misbranded or otherwise violates 
the provisions of FIFRA, or is otherwise injurious to health or the 
environment, the pesticide or device may be refused admission into the 
United States.
    This reporting requirement is needed to inform the Agency of 
pesticides arriving in the customs territory of the United States and 
to ensure compliance with FIFRA by the responsible party importing 
pesticides. This reporting requirement is needed to meet direct 
statutory requirements of FIFRA regarding notification of the Agency of 
such arrivals.
    The information collected is used by EPA Regional pesticide 
enforcement and compliance staff and the Headquarters Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance and Office of Pesticide Programs. 
The U.S. Treasury Department (Customs), the Department of Agriculture, 
the Food and Drug Administration, and other Federal agencies may also 
make use of this information.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments 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;
    (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 automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Burden Statement: The average annual burden to the industry over 
the next three years is estimated to be 0.3 person hours per response.
    Respondents/affected entities: 7,000.
    Estimated number of respondents: 7,000.
    Frequency of responses: 1.
    Estimated total annual hour burden: 2,100.
    There are no capital/startup costs or operating and maintenance 
(O&M) costs associated with this ICR since all equipment associated 
with this ICR is present as part of ordinary business practices.
    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.

    Dated: July 3, 2002.
Richard Colbert,
Director, Agriculture Division.
[FR Doc. 02-17874 Filed 7-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P