Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Critical Use Exemption From the Phaseout of Methyl Bromide (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 2031.03, OMB Control No. 2060-0482, 43751-43753 [E8-17218]

Download as PDF 43751 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 145 / Monday, July 28, 2008 / Notices listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above-referenced proceeding are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive E-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please E-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. or call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–17173 Filed 7–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P These motor vehicle emissions budgets are effective August 12, 2008. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DATES: [EPA–R01–OAR–2008–0485; A–1–FRL– 8698–4] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald O. Cooke, Environmental Scientist, Air Quality Planning Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (CAQ), Boston, MA 02114–2023, (617) 918– 1668, cooke.donald@epa.gov. Adequacy Status of the Submitted 2009 VOC and NOX Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets for Transportation Conformity Purposes; New Hampshire; Boston-Manchester-Portsmouth (SE), New Hampshire, 8-Hour Ozone Area. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of adequacy. AGENCY: SUMMARY: EPA is notifying the public that EPA has found that the 2009 motor vehicle emissions budgets in the May 28, 2008 New Hampshire State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision are adequate for transportation conformity purposes. The submittal includes MOBILE 6.2 motor vehicle emission budgets for 2009 for the BostonManchester-Portsmouth (Southeast), New Hampshire; 8-hour ozone area. As a result of our finding, the State of New Hampshire must use these motor vehicle emission budgets for future conformity determinations for the Boston-Manchester-Portsmouth (Southeast), New Hampshire; 8-hour ozone area. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, whenever ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean EPA. Today’s notice is simply an announcement of a finding that we have already made. EPA New England sent a letter to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on July 9, 2008, stating that the 2009 MOBILE6.2 motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) in the May 28, 2008 SIP are adequate for transportation conformity purposes. This submittal will also be announced on EPA’s conformity Web site: https://www.epa.gov/otaq/ stateresources/transconf/adequacy.htm, (once there, click on ‘‘What SIP submissions has EPA already found adequacy or inadequate?’’). The adequate 2009 MVEBs are provided in the following table: ADEQUATE MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS BUDGETS VOC (tons per summer day) jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Year 2009 MVEBs for the Boston-Manchester-Portsmouth (Southeast), New Hampshire; 8-Hour Ozone Area. Transportation conformity is required by section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act. EPA’s conformity rule requires that transportation plans, programs, and projects conform to state air quality implementation plans and establishes the criteria and procedures for determining whether or not they do. Conformity to a SIP means that transportation activities will not produce new air quality violations, worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the national ambient air quality standards. The criteria by which we determine whether a SIP’s motor vehicle emissions budgets are adequate for conformity purposes are outlined in 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4). We have described our process for determining the adequacy of submitted SIP budgets in our July 1, 2004, preamble starting at 69 FR 40038, and we used the information in these resources while making our adequacy determination. Please note that an adequacy review is separate from EPA’s VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:35 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 completeness review, and it also should not be used to prejudge EPA’s ultimate approval of the SIP. Even if we find a budget adequate, the SIP could later be disapproved. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401–7671 q. Dated: July 21, 2008. Robert W. Varney, Regional Administrator, EPA New England. [FR Doc. E8–17223 Filed 7–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P PO 00000 NOX (tons per summer day) 15.31 28.53 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0153; FRL–8698–2] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Critical Use Exemption From the Phaseout of Methyl Bromide (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 2031.03, OMB Control No. 2060–0482 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28JYN1.SGM 28JYN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 43752 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 145 / Monday, July 28, 2008 / Notices which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before August 27, 2008. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2008–0153, to (1) EPA online using https://www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by e-mail to a-andr-Docket@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation Docket, Mail Code 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremy Arling, Stratospheric Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (6205J), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 343–9055; fax number: (202) 343–2338; e-mail address: arling.jeremy@epa.gov. You may also visit the Ozone Depletion Web site of EPA’s Stratospheric Protection Division at https://www.epa.gov/ozone/ strathome.html for further information about EPA’s Stratospheric Ozone Protection regulations, the science of ozone layer depletion, and related topics. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On March 10, 2008 (73 FR 12725), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received two comments during the comment period, which are addressed in the ICR. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPAHQ-OAR–2008–0153, which is available for online viewing at https:// www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air and Radiation 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 Air and Radiation Docket is 202–566–1742. Use EPA’s electronic docket and comment system at https:// VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:35 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ‘‘docket search,’’ then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA’s policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at https://www.regulations.gov as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, confidential business information (CBI), or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Title: Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Critical Use Exemption from the Phaseout of Methyl Bromide (Renewal). ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 2031.03, OMB Control No. 2060–0482. ICR Status: EPA ICR 2031.02 is currently scheduled to expire on August 31, 2008. In addition, EPA ICR 2179.03 is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2008. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. 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 and 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: EPA is seeking to renew EPA ICR 2031.02, which allows EPA to collect Critical Use Exemption (CUE) applications from regulated entities on an annual basis. EPA is also seeking to transfer the burden from EPA ICR 2179.03, which requires the submission of data from regulated industries to the EPA and requires recordkeeping of key documents to ensure compliance with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol) and the Clean Air Act (CAA). Thus, the program for the critical use exemption of methyl bromide would operate under a single ICR. Entities applying for this exemption are asked to submit to EPA applications with data necessary to evaluate the need for a critical use exemption. This PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 information collection is conducted to meet U.S. obligations under Article 2H of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol). The information collection request is required to obtain a benefit under Section 604(d)(6) of the CAA, added by Section 764 of the 1999 Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 105–277; October 21, 1998). Since 2002, entities have applied to EPA for a critical use exemption that would allow for the continued production and import of methyl bromide after the phaseout in January 2005. These exemptions are for consumption only in those agricultural sectors that have demonstrated that there are no technically or economically feasible alternatives to methyl bromide. The applications are rigorously assessed and analyzed by EPA staff, including experts from the Office of Pesticide Programs. On an annual basis, EPA uses the data submitted by end users to create a nomination of critical uses which the U.S. Government submits to the Protocol’s Ozone Secretariat for review by an international panel of experts and advisory bodies. These advisory bodies include the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) and the Technical and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). The uses authorized internationally by the Parties to the Protocol are made available in the U.S. on an annual basis. The applications will enable EPA to: (1) Maintain consistency with the Protocol by supporting critical use nominations to the Parties to the Protocol, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Decision IX/6 of the Protocol; (2) ensure that critical use exemptions comply with Section 604(d)(6); and (3) provide EPA with necessary data to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of methyl bromide alternatives in the circumstance of the specific use, as presented in an application for a critical use exemption. The reported data will enable EPA to: (1) Ensure that critical use exemptions comply with Section 604(d)(6); (2) maintain compliance with the Protocol requirements for annual data submission on the production of ozone depleting substances; (3) analyze technical use data to ensure that exemptions are used in accordance with requirements included in the annual authorization rulemakings. EPA informs respondents that they may assert claims of business confidentiality for any of the information they submit. Information claimed confidential will be treated in accordance with the procedures for E:\FR\FM\28JYN1.SGM 28JYN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 145 / Monday, July 28, 2008 / Notices handling information claimed as confidential under 40 CFR part 2, subpart B, and will be disclosed only if EPA determines that the information is not entitled to confidential treatment. If no claim of confidentiality is asserted when the information is received by EPA, it may be made available to the public without further notice to the respondents (40 CFR 2.203). Individual reporting data may be claimed as sensitive and will be treated as confidential information in accordance with procedures outlined in 40 CFR part 2. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2 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. Respondents/Affected Entities: Producers, importers, distributors, and custom applicators of methyl bromide, organizations, consortia, and associations of methyl bromide users, as well as individual methyl bromide users. Estimated Number of Respondents: 2179. Frequency of Response: Quarterly for producers and importers, annually for distributors and applicators, periodically (at the time of purchase) for end users. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 4918. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $993,622, which includes no capital or O&M costs. Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 82 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the burden currently approved by OMB. This estimate for total burden hours includes updated burden estimates from this ICR as well as ICR 2060–0564, which is being transferred into this ICR. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:35 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 The reason for the decrease in burden hours is that the Agency has six years of experience managing the critical use exemption program, which has led to efficiency and greater accuracy in estimating future burden. Over the last four years, EPA has received on average 65 applications each year, rather than the 100 estimated in the previous ICR. EPA continues to encourage users with similar circumstances to utilize grower and user organizations to aid in completion of the application, thereby reducing both the burden on applicants (particularly small businesses) and the Agency. The registration of additional alternatives since 2002 in the U.S. may also result in fewer applications received. Furthermore, stakeholders are more familiar with the critical use exemption program and have already organized associations to apply on behalf of multiple growers. Other reasons for burden reduction include the encouragement of electronic submission of applications and other data and very frequent EPA communication with methyl bromide stakeholders. Dated: July 22, 2008. Sara Hisel-McCoy, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E8–17218 Filed 7–25–08; 8:45 am] 43753 substances from the Chino Airport Site and completing that removal action. DATES: EPA will receive written comments relating to the settlement for a period of 30 days from the date of publication of this notice. EPA will consider all comments it receives during this period, and may modify or withdraw its consent to the Agreement if any comments disclose facts or considerations indicating that the Agreement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The deadline for requesting a public meeting is two weeks from the date of publication of this Notice. Requests for a public meeting may be made by calling Taly Jolish, Esq. at (415) 972–3925, or emailing her at Jolish.Taly@epa.gov, or by facsimile at (415) 947–3570. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to John Jaros, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street (mail code SFD–9–4), San Francisco, California 94105–3901. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information about the Chino Airport Site and about the proposed settlement may be obtained by calling Taly Jolish, Esq. at (415) 972–3925. BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Dated: July 16, 2008. Dan Meer, Acting Director, Superfund Division, U.S. EPA, Region IX. [FR Doc. E8–17235 Filed 7–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P [FRL–8697–7] Chino Airport Radium Dials Site; Notice of Proposed CERCLA Settlement Agreement for Recovery of Past Response Costs Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice; request for public comment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (‘‘CERCLA’’), 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), the EPA is hereby providing notice of a proposed settlement agreement (‘‘Agreement’’) concerning the Chino Airport Radium Dials Site in San Bernardino County, California (‘‘the Chino Airport Site’’). Section 122(h) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C 9622(h), provides EPA with the authority to enter into administrative settlements. Pursuant to this Agreement, San Bernardino County will reimburse the EPA for $481,677.18 in costs that the EPA incurred while overseeing the removal of hazardous PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [Report No. 2870] Petitions for Reconsideration of Action in Rulemaking Proceeding July 21, 2008. Petitions for Reconsideration have been filed in the Commission’s Rulemaking proceeding listed in this Public Notice and published pursuant to 47 CFR Section 1.429(e). The full text of these documents is available for viewing and copying in Room CY–B402, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC or may be purchased from the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI) (1–800– 378–3160). Oppositions to these petitions must be filed by September 11, 2008. See Section 1.4(b)(1) of the Commission’s rules (47 CFR 1.4(b)(1). Replies to oppositions must be filed within 10 days after the time for filing oppositions has expired. Subject: In the Matter of Amendment Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of E:\FR\FM\28JYN1.SGM 28JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 145 (Monday, July 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43751-43753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17218]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0153; FRL-8698-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for 
Review and Approval; Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric 
Ozone: Critical Use Exemption From the Phaseout of Methyl Bromide 
(Renewal); EPA ICR No. 2031.03, OMB Control No. 2060-0482

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 an Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an 
existing approved collection. The ICR,

[[Page 43752]]

which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information 
collection and its estimated burden and cost.

DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before August 27, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2008-0153, to (1) EPA online using https://www.regulations.gov (our 
preferred method), by e-mail to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov, or by mail to: 
EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation 
Docket, Mail Code 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20460, and (2) OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer 
for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremy Arling, Stratospheric 
Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (6205J), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 343-9055; fax number: 
(202) 343-2338; e-mail address: arling.jeremy@epa.gov. You may also 
visit the Ozone Depletion Web site of EPA's Stratospheric Protection 
Division at https://www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html for further 
information about EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Protection regulations, the 
science of ozone layer depletion, and related topics.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB 
for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 
1320.12. On March 10, 2008 (73 FR 12725), EPA sought comments on this 
ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received two comments during the 
comment period, which are addressed in the ICR. Any additional comments 
on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this 
notice.
    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0153, which is available for online viewing at 
https://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air and 
Radiation 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 Air and Radiation Docket is 
202-566-1742.
    Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at https://
www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the 
index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those 
documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the 
system, select ``docket search,'' then key in the docket ID number 
identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public 
comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made 
available for public viewing at https://www.regulations.gov as EPA 
receives them and without change, unless the comment contains 
copyrighted material, confidential business information (CBI), or other 
information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For 
further information about the electronic docket, go to https://
www.regulations.gov.
    Title: Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Critical Use Exemption 
from the Phaseout of Methyl Bromide (Renewal).
    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 2031.03, OMB Control No. 2060-0482.
    ICR Status: EPA ICR 2031.02 is currently scheduled to expire on 
August 31, 2008. In addition, EPA ICR 2179.03 is scheduled to expire on 
November 30, 2008. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to 
conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission 
is pending at OMB. 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 and 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: EPA is seeking to renew EPA ICR 2031.02, which allows EPA 
to collect Critical Use Exemption (CUE) applications from regulated 
entities on an annual basis. EPA is also seeking to transfer the burden 
from EPA ICR 2179.03, which requires the submission of data from 
regulated industries to the EPA and requires recordkeeping of key 
documents to ensure compliance with the Montreal Protocol on Substances 
that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol) and the Clean Air Act (CAA). 
Thus, the program for the critical use exemption of methyl bromide 
would operate under a single ICR.
    Entities applying for this exemption are asked to submit to EPA 
applications with data necessary to evaluate the need for a critical 
use exemption. This information collection is conducted to meet U.S. 
obligations under Article 2H of the Montreal Protocol on Substances 
that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol). The information collection 
request is required to obtain a benefit under Section 604(d)(6) of the 
CAA, added by Section 764 of the 1999 Omnibus Consolidated and 
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 105-277; October 
21, 1998).
    Since 2002, entities have applied to EPA for a critical use 
exemption that would allow for the continued production and import of 
methyl bromide after the phaseout in January 2005. These exemptions are 
for consumption only in those agricultural sectors that have 
demonstrated that there are no technically or economically feasible 
alternatives to methyl bromide. The applications are rigorously 
assessed and analyzed by EPA staff, including experts from the Office 
of Pesticide Programs. On an annual basis, EPA uses the data submitted 
by end users to create a nomination of critical uses which the U.S. 
Government submits to the Protocol's Ozone Secretariat for review by an 
international panel of experts and advisory bodies. These advisory 
bodies include the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) 
and the Technical and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). The uses 
authorized internationally by the Parties to the Protocol are made 
available in the U.S. on an annual basis.
    The applications will enable EPA to: (1) Maintain consistency with 
the Protocol by supporting critical use nominations to the Parties to 
the Protocol, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Decision IX/6 of the 
Protocol; (2) ensure that critical use exemptions comply with Section 
604(d)(6); and (3) provide EPA with necessary data to evaluate the 
technical and economic feasibility of methyl bromide alternatives in 
the circumstance of the specific use, as presented in an application 
for a critical use exemption. The reported data will enable EPA to: (1) 
Ensure that critical use exemptions comply with Section 604(d)(6); (2) 
maintain compliance with the Protocol requirements for annual data 
submission on the production of ozone depleting substances; (3) analyze 
technical use data to ensure that exemptions are used in accordance 
with requirements included in the annual authorization rulemakings.
    EPA informs respondents that they may assert claims of business 
confidentiality for any of the information they submit. Information 
claimed confidential will be treated in accordance with the procedures 
for

[[Page 43753]]

handling information claimed as confidential under 40 CFR part 2, 
subpart B, and will be disclosed only if EPA determines that the 
information is not entitled to confidential treatment. If no claim of 
confidentiality is asserted when the information is received by EPA, it 
may be made available to the public without further notice to the 
respondents (40 CFR 2.203). Individual reporting data may be claimed as 
sensitive and will be treated as confidential information in accordance 
with procedures outlined in 40 CFR part 2.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2 
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.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Producers, importers, distributors, 
and custom applicators of methyl bromide, organizations, consortia, and 
associations of methyl bromide users, as well as individual methyl 
bromide users.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2179.
    Frequency of Response: Quarterly for producers and importers, 
annually for distributors and applicators, periodically (at the time of 
purchase) for end users.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 4918.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $993,622, which includes no capital or 
O&M costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 82 hours in the 
total estimated respondent burden compared with the burden currently 
approved by OMB. This estimate for total burden hours includes updated 
burden estimates from this ICR as well as ICR 2060-0564, which is being 
transferred into this ICR.
    The reason for the decrease in burden hours is that the Agency has 
six years of experience managing the critical use exemption program, 
which has led to efficiency and greater accuracy in estimating future 
burden. Over the last four years, EPA has received on average 65 
applications each year, rather than the 100 estimated in the previous 
ICR. EPA continues to encourage users with similar circumstances to 
utilize grower and user organizations to aid in completion of the 
application, thereby reducing both the burden on applicants 
(particularly small businesses) and the Agency. The registration of 
additional alternatives since 2002 in the U.S. may also result in fewer 
applications received. Furthermore, stakeholders are more familiar with 
the critical use exemption program and have already organized 
associations to apply on behalf of multiple growers. Other reasons for 
burden reduction include the encouragement of electronic submission of 
applications and other data and very frequent EPA communication with 
methyl bromide stakeholders.

    Dated: July 22, 2008.
Sara Hisel-McCoy,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. E8-17218 Filed 7-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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