[Federal Register: May 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 89)]
[Notices]               
[Page 25038]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10my99-67]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6338-7]

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; the 1999 National Survey of Local Emergency 
Planning Committees

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this document announces that the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: The 1999 National Survey of 
Local Emergency Planning Committees. The ICR describes the nature of 
the information collection and its expected burden and cost; where 
appropriate, it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 9, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone at (202) 
260-2740, by email at farmer.sandy@epa.gov, or download a copy of the 
ICR off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 
1903.01.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: The 1999 National Survey of Local Emergency Planning 
Committees, (EPA ICR No. 1903.01). This is a new collection.
    Abstract: The Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Chemical 
Emergency Preparedness and Prevention (CEPPO) proposes to conduct a 
nationwide survey of Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs). The 
information will be used to assess the general progress, status, and 
activity level of LEPCs. This collection also addresses reporting 
requirements under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 
1993, which stipulates that agencies focus on evaluating their program 
activities in terms of outputs and outcomes. This ICR is necessary to 
evaluate whether CEPPO is successfully providing national leadership 
and assistance to local communities in preparing for and preventing 
chemical emergencies.
    In general, LEPCs provide local citizens an opportunity to 
participate actively in understanding chemical hazards, planning for 
emergency response, and reducing the risk of chemical emergencies. To 
be judged effective, LEPCs must be compliant with the requirements of 
EPCRA and actively carry out these responsibilities. LEPC's level of 
satisfaction with the information, guidance, and support they receive 
will heavily influence their ability to fulfill their duties. The 1999 
National Survey of LEPCs will collect information to evaluate the 
status and activity level of these planning bodies and their 
satisfaction with CEPPO products and services.
    This proposed information collection builds upon previous 
assessments conducted by CEPPO. In 1994, a nationwide survey of LEPCs 
revealed various strengths and weaknesses among LEPCs. Since that time, 
no systematic nationwide measurement of the progress of LEPCs has been 
conducted. Over the past five years, local emergency planning has 
evolved, most notably, in the amount of information that is now 
available to assist LEPCs in preparing for and preventing chemical 
emergencies. Moreover, in June 1999, this information will expand 
further with the addition of facility specific chemical hazards data 
and risk management plans made available under amendments to the Clean 
Air Act in 1990 (Section 112(r)--the Risk Management Program Rule for 
the prevention of chemical accidents).
    The primary goals of this research are to: (1) track the progress 
of LEPCs by updating the 1994 baseline data on a series of key 
performance indicators; and (2) probe current LEPC practices and 
preferences regarding several important sets of issues--including: 
communications with local citizens, proactive accident prevention 
efforts, and the effectiveness of selected CEPPO products and services.
    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.
    The Federal Register document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), 
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 
02/12/99 (64 FR 7189-7190); two (2) comments were received.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.25 
hours per response. 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.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Chairs or other leaders on Local 
Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,300.
    Frequency of Response: This is a one-time survey.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 825 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Capital, Operating/Maintenance Cost 
Burden: $0.
    Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the 
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods 
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please 
refer to EPA ICR No. 1903.01 in any correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of 
Policy, Regulatory Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20460;

      and

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: May 4, 1999.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 99-11713 Filed 5-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P