Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program; EPA ICR No. 0370.19; OMB Control No. 2040-0042, 8983-8985 [E7-3516]

Download as PDF sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 39 / Wednesday, February 28, 2007 / Notices to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission’s rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest. Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commentors will be placed on the Commission’s environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission’s environmental review process. Environmental commentors will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commentors will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission’s final order. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments protests and interventions via the internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a) (1) (iii) and the instructions on the VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:08 Feb 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 Commission’s web (www.ferc.gov) site under the ‘‘e-Filing’’ link. Comment Date: March 15, 2007. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–3487 Filed 2–27–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP06–421–000] Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of Public Meeting for the Proposed Potomac Expansion Project February 22, 2007. The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) is holding a public meeting for Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation’s (Transco’s) proposed Potomac Expansion Project. The project would consist of the construction of about 20 miles of new 42-inch-diameter pipeline in three loops located in Campbell, Pittsylvania, and Fairfax Counties, Virginia; and various aboveground facilities, including a proposed pig launcher/receiver facility at milepost 1,586.17 in Fairfax County, Virginia. The meeting will be on Friday, March 2, 2007, at 7 p.m. (EST) in the Virginia Run Community Center, 15355 Wetherburn Court, Centreville, VA 20120. This event is posted on the Commission’s calendar located at https:// www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/ EventsList.aspx along with other related information. For additional information, please contact the Commission’s Office of External Affairs at 1–866–208–FERC. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–3490 Filed 2–27–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OW–2003–0017; FRL–8282–3] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program; EPA ICR No. 0370.19; OMB Control No. 2040–0042 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION: 8983 Notice. 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 April 30, 2007. 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 April 30, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OW–2003–0017, by each item in the text, by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: OW-Docket@epa.gov. • Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: MC 4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2003–0017 identified by the Docket ID. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at https:// 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 https:// www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://www.regulations.gov website 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 https:// 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 E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1 8984 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 39 / Wednesday, February 28, 2007 / Notices 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 https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert E. Smith, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Drinking Water Protection Division/Underground Injection Control Program, Mailcode: 4606M, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–564–3895; fax number: 202–564–3756; e-mail address: smith.robert-eu@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 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–OW–2003–0017, which is available for online viewing at https:// www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Water Docket, 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 for the Water Docket is 202–566–2426. Use https://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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:08 Feb 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 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. 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 owners and operators underground injection wells, State Underground Injection Control (UIC) primacy agencies, and in some instances, U.S. EPA Regional offices and staff. Title: Information Collection Request for the Underground Injection Control Program. ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0370.19, OMB Control No. 2040–0042. ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on April 30, 2007. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. Abstract: The Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program under the Safe Drinking Water Act established a Federal and State regulatory system to protect underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from contamination by injected fluids. Injected fluids include over 9 billion gallons of hazardous waste per year and over two billion gallons of brine from oil and gas operations every day as well as automotive, industrial, sanitary and other wastes. Owners/operators of underground injection wells must obtain permits, conduct environmental monitoring, maintain records, and report results to EPA or the State UIC primacy agency. States must report to EPA on permittee compliance and related information. The mandatory information is reported using standardized forms and annual reports, and the regulations are codified at 40 CFR Parts 144 through 148. The data are used by UIC authorities to ensure the protection of underground sources of drinking water. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.35 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 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: 38,824. Frequency of response: yearly, semiannually, quarterly, and other. Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 10.96. Estimated total annual burden hours: 1,000,648 hours. Estimated total annual costs: $117,142,617. This includes an E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 39 / Wednesday, February 28, 2007 / Notices estimated burden cost of $34,934,361 and an estimated cost of $82,208,255 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs. In its ‘‘Terms of Clearance’’ for the current ICR, OMB asked EPA to report on its efforts to reduce burden on owners and operators of UIC injection wells. In response to this request, the Agency has undertaken an effort to study where further paperwork burden reduction is feasible. The UIC Program is reviewing UIC regulations requiring paperwork reporting/recordkeeping and then evaluating potential for burden reduction. Past efforts to reduce burden focused on analyzing data needs of the UIC Program and identifying ways to reduce burden on State primacy agencies that submit information to EPA. This effort resulted in reduced frequency with which states must submit several 7520 Federal reporting forms. Current efforts focus on how to reduce burden on owners and operators that submit specific 7520 owner/ operator reporting forms. Areas of consideration are combining/revising some 7520 reporting forms, eliminating certain reporting requirements, eliminating data elements from the 7520 forms submitted by operators, reducing frequency and using options such as electronic data entry and transfer systems. EPA prepared a report that summarizes these efforts. This report can be found in the Water Docket for the UIC Program ICR under Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2003–0017 and is available for viewing in person at the EPA/DC Public Reading Room which is in the EPA Headquarters Library, Room Number 3334 in the EPA West Building, located at 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval? There is a decrease of 333,406 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease primarily reflects abatement of permitting and closure under the 1999 Class V Rule; reduced Class V well inventory activities; and a reduction in the Class II inventory, particularly the number of Class II permit applications that operators will submit during the clearance period. These changes are adjustments. 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:08 Feb 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 8985 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. made under the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as amended on December 18, 2006 (71 FR 61271). The new equivalent method is an automated method (analyzer) that utilizes a measurement principle based on absorption of ultraviolet light by ozone at a wavelength of 254 nm. The newly designated equivalent method is identified as follows: Dated: February 23, 2007. Cynthia C. Dougherty, Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. [FR Doc. E7–3516 Filed 2–27–07; 8:45 am] EQSA–0207–164, ‘‘SIR S.A. Model S–5014 Photometric O3 Analyzer,’’ operated on the 0–500 ppb measurement range, within an ambient temperature range of 20 to 30 degrees C, with a sample inlet particulate filter, and with or without an optional PCMCIA card. BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8282–4] Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of a New Equivalent Method Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of the designation of a new equivalent method for monitoring ambient air quality. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, a new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of ozone (O3) in the ambient air. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Hunike, Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD– D205–03), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. Phone: (919) 541–3737, e-mail: Hunike.Elizabeth@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with regulations at 40 CFR Part 53, the EPA evaluates various methods for monitoring the concentrations of those ambient air pollutants for which EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQSs) as set forth in 40 CFR Part 50. Monitoring methods that are determined to meet specific requirements for adequacy are designated by the EPA as either reference methods or equivalent methods (as applicable), thereby permitting their use under 40 CFR Part 58 by States and other agencies for determining attainment of the NAAQSs. The EPA hereby announces the designation of a new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of O3 in the ambient air. This designation is PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 An application for an equivalent method determination for the candidate method based on this ozone analyzer was received by the EPA on August 4, 2006. The sampler is commercially available from the applicant, SIR USA, 1775 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20006 or from SIR Spain, Avda. de la Industria, 3, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain. A test analyzer representative of this method has been tested in accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR Part 53 (as amended on December 18, 2006). After reviewing the results of those tests and other information submitted by the applicant in the application, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part 53, that this method should be designated as an equivalent method. The information submitted by the applicant in the application will be kept on file, either at EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 or in an approved archive storage facility, and will be available for inspection (with advance notice) to the extent consistent with 40 CFR Part 2 (EPA’s regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act). As a designated reference or equivalent method, this method is acceptable for use by states and other air monitoring agencies under the requirements of 40 CFR Part 58, Ambient Air Quality Surveillance. For such purposes, the method must be used in strict accordance with the operation or instruction manual associated with the method and subject to any specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or operational settings) specified in the applicable designation method description (see the identifications of the method above). Use of the method should also be in general accordance with the guidance and recommendations of applicable sections of the ‘‘Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8983-8985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3516]


=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0017; FRL-8282-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program; EPA ICR 
No. 0370.19; OMB Control No. 2040-0042

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

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 April 30, 2007. 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 April 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2003-0017, by each item in the text, by one of the following methods:
     https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: OW-Docket@epa.gov.
     Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: MC 4101T, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2003-
0017 identified by the Docket ID. EPA's policy is that all comments 
received will be included in the public docket without change and may 
be made available online at https://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 
https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://www.regulations.gov 
website 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 https://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

[[Page 8984]]

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 https://www.epa.gov/epahome/
dockets.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert E. Smith, Office of Ground 
Water and Drinking Water, Drinking Water Protection Division/
Underground Injection Control Program, Mailcode: 4606M, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: 202-564-3895; fax number: 202-564-3756; e-mail 
address: smith.robert-eu@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-OW-2003-0017, which is available for online viewing at 
https://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Water Docket, 
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 for the Water Docket is 202-566-2426.
    Use https://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.

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 
owners and operators underground injection wells, State Underground 
Injection Control (UIC) primacy agencies, and in some instances, U.S. 
EPA Regional offices and staff.
    Title: Information Collection Request for the Underground Injection 
Control Program.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0370.19, OMB Control No. 2040-0042.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on April 30, 
2007. 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: The Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program under the 
Safe Drinking Water Act established a Federal and State regulatory 
system to protect underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from 
contamination by injected fluids. Injected fluids include over 9 
billion gallons of hazardous waste per year and over two billion 
gallons of brine from oil and gas operations every day as well as 
automotive, industrial, sanitary and other wastes. Owners/operators of 
underground injection wells must obtain permits, conduct environmental 
monitoring, maintain records, and report results to EPA or the State 
UIC primacy agency. States must report to EPA on permittee compliance 
and related information. The mandatory information is reported using 
standardized forms and annual reports, and the regulations are codified 
at 40 CFR Parts 144 through 148. The data are used by UIC authorities 
to ensure the protection of underground sources of drinking water.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.35 
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 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: 38,824.
    Frequency of response: yearly, semi-annually, quarterly, and other.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 
10.96.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 1,000,648 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $117,142,617. This includes an

[[Page 8985]]

estimated burden cost of $34,934,361 and an estimated cost of 
$82,208,255 for capital investment or maintenance and operational 
costs.
    In its ``Terms of Clearance'' for the current ICR, OMB asked EPA to 
report on its efforts to reduce burden on owners and operators of UIC 
injection wells. In response to this request, the Agency has undertaken 
an effort to study where further paperwork burden reduction is 
feasible. The UIC Program is reviewing UIC regulations requiring 
paperwork reporting/recordkeeping and then evaluating potential for 
burden reduction. Past efforts to reduce burden focused on analyzing 
data needs of the UIC Program and identifying ways to reduce burden on 
State primacy agencies that submit information to EPA. This effort 
resulted in reduced frequency with which states must submit several 
7520 Federal reporting forms. Current efforts focus on how to reduce 
burden on owners and operators that submit specific 7520 owner/operator 
reporting forms. Areas of consideration are combining/revising some 
7520 reporting forms, eliminating certain reporting requirements, 
eliminating data elements from the 7520 forms submitted by operators, 
reducing frequency and using options such as electronic data entry and 
transfer systems. EPA prepared a report that summarizes these efforts. 
This report can be found in the Water Docket for the UIC Program ICR 
under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0017 and is available for viewing in 
person at the EPA/DC Public Reading Room which is in the EPA 
Headquarters Library, Room Number 3334 in the EPA West Building, 
located at 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC.

Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval?

    There is a decrease of 333,406 hours in the total estimated 
respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently 
approved by OMB. This decrease primarily reflects abatement of 
permitting and closure under the 1999 Class V Rule; reduced Class V 
well inventory activities; and a reduction in the Class II inventory, 
particularly the number of Class II permit applications that operators 
will submit during the clearance period. These changes are adjustments.

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: February 23, 2007.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
 [FR Doc. E7-3516 Filed 2-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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