Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Focus Groups as Used by EPA for Economics Projects (Renewal), 62400-62402 [2011-26087]

Download as PDF jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 62400 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2011 / Notices having a total storage capacity of 5,500 acre-feet at a normal maximum operating elevation of 7,860 feet msl; (2) a lower dam with a height of 310 feet, a crest length of 1,160 feet, and with a reservoir having a total storage capacity of 6,205 acre-feet at a normal maximum operating elevation of 6,000 feet msl; (3) a 9,750-foot-long underground conduit; (4) a powerhouse containing four 125– MW reversible pump turbines and located 450 feet below ground level, approximately midway between the upper and lower reservoirs; and (5) a 16.8- or 10.9-mile-long transmission line (including both new construction of a 230-kV line and upgrades to existing transmission lines) to either the existing Whirlwind or Windhub substations, respectively. The estimated annual generation of the Bison Peak Pumped Storage Project would be 1,533 gigawatthours. Applicant Contact: Bison Peak Pumped Storage, LLC. 9795 Cabrini Dr., Ste. 206, Burbank, CA 91504; phone: (818) 767–5554. FERC Contact: Matt Buhyoff; phone: (202) 502–6824. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, competing applications (without notices of intent), or notices of intent to file competing applications: 60 days from the issuance of this notice. Competing applications and notices of intent must meet the requirements of 18 CFR 4.36. Comments, motions to intervene, notices of intent, and competing applications may be filed electronically via the Internet. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission’s Web site https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1–866–208–3676, or for TTY, (202) 502–8659. Although the Commission strongly encourages electronic filing, documents may also be paper-filed. To paper-file, mail an original and seven copies to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. More information about this project, including a copy of the application, can be viewed or printed on the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link of Commission’s Web site at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number (P–14201–000) in the docket number VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:33 Oct 06, 2011 Jkt 226001 field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. Dated: September 30, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–25965 Filed 10–6–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OA–2008–0701; FRL–9475–7] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Focus Groups as Used by EPA for Economics Projects (Renewal) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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 March 31, 2012. 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 December 6, 2011. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OA–2008–0701, by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: oei.docket@epa.gov. • Fax: (202) 566–9744. • Mail: Office of Environmental Information, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OA–2008– 0701. 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https:// www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://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 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 special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit https:// www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathalie Simon, Office of Policy, (MC 1809T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–566–2347; fax number: 202–566–2363; e-mail address: simon.nathalie@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–OA–2008–0701 which is available for online viewing at https:// www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Office of Environmental Information (OEI) 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 8:30 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 the OEI Docket is 202–566– 1752. 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 E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2011 / Notices the docket ID number identified in this document. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 members of VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:33 Oct 06, 2011 Jkt 226001 the general public, although the target population for the focus group discussions will vary by project. Title: Focus Groups as used by EPA for Economics Projects (Renewal). ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2205.07, OMB Control No. 2090–0028. ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on March 31, 2012. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking renewal of a generic information collection request (ICR) for the conduct of focus groups and protocol interviews (hereafter jointly referred to as focus groups) related to economics projects. Over the next three years, the Agency anticipates embarking on a number of survey development efforts associated with a variety of economics projects including those related to valuation of ecosystems, children’s health risks, mortality risk reductions, improvements to coastal waters including the Chesapeake Bay, to name a few. Focus groups are an important part of any survey development process, allowing researchers to directly gauge what specific issues are important to the public and providing a means for explicitly testing draft survey materials. Through these focus groups, the Agency will be able to gain a more in-depth understanding of the public’s attitudes, beliefs, motivations and feelings regarding specific issues and will provide valuable information regarding the quality of draft survey instruments. The information collected in the focus groups will be used to develop and improve economics-related surveys. To the extent that these surveys are ultimately successfully administered, they will serve to expand the Agencies understanding of benefits and costs of a variety of actions and could provide the means to quantitatively assess the effects of others. Participation in the focus groups will be voluntary and the identity of the participants will be kept confidential. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 62401 this collection of information is estimated to average 2.4 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: 1,011. Frequency of response: Once. Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1. Estimated total annual burden hours: 2,358. Estimated total annual costs: $22,385. This includes estimated respondent burden costs only as there are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval? Burden estimates included here are based on the supporting statement submitted for the most recent renewal of the approved ICR. Burden estimates will be revised to reflect new information and will be made available for public comment at the time the ICR is submitted to OMB for approval. 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. E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1 62402 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2011 / Notices Dated: September 29, 2011. Al McGartland, Director, National Center for Environmental Economics. [FR Doc. 2011–26087 Filed 10–6–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9476–7] Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; Designation of One New Equivalent Method Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new equivalent method for monitoring ambient air quality. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of ozone (O3) in the ambient air. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Vanderpool, Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD–D205–03), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. E-mail: Vanderpool.Robert@epa.gov. SUMMARY: 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 compliance with the NAAQSs. A list of all reference or equivalent methods that have been previously designated by EPA may be found at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/ criteria.html. The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new equivalent method for measuring pollutant concentrations of O3 in the ambient air. This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on June 22, 2010 (75 FR 35597). jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:33 Oct 06, 2011 Jkt 226001 The new O3 equivalent method is an automated monitoring method (analyzer) utilizing a measurement principle based on chemiluminescence reaction of O3 with nitric oxide (NO). (Note that this is the first O3 equivalent method designated by EPA that utilizes this particular measurement principle, which is distinguished from the measurement principle of chemiluminescence reaction of O3 with ethylene specified for EPA reference methods for O3.) The newly designated equivalent method is identified as follows: EQOA–0611–199, ‘‘Teledyne—Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Inc. Model 265E or T265 Chemiluminescence Ozone Analyzer,’’ operated on any full scale range between 0–100 ppb and 0–1000 ppb, with any range mode (Single, Dual, or AutoRange), at any ambient temperature in the range of 5 °C to 40 °C, and with a TFE filter in the sample air inlet, operated with a sample flow rate of 500 ± 50 cm3/min (sea level), with the dilution factor set to 1, with Temp/Press compensation ON, and in accordance with the appropriate associated instrument manual, and with or without any of the following options: Internal or external sample pump, Sample/Cal valve option, Rack mount with or without slides, analog input option, 4–20 mA isolated current loop output. The application for an equivalent method determination for this candidate method was received by the EPA on November 7, 2010. The analyzer models are commercially available from the applicant, Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Inc., 9480 Carroll Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92121–2251. A representative test analyzer has been tested in accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR part 53 (as amended on June 22, 2010). After reviewing the results of those tests and other information submitted by the applicant, EPA has determined, in accordance with part 53, that this method should be designated as an equivalent method. The information submitted by the applicant 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 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 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 associated with the method and subject to any specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or operational settings) specified in the designated method description (see the identification of the method above). Use of the method also should be in general accordance with the guidance and recommendations of applicable sections of the ‘‘Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume I,’’ EPA/ 600/R–94/038a and ‘‘Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume II, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program,’’ EPA–454/B–08–003, December, 2008 (both available at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/ qalist.html). Vendor modifications of a designated equivalent method used for purposes of Part 58 are permitted only with prior approval of the EPA, as provided in Part 53. Provisions concerning modification of such methods by users are specified under Section 2.8 (Modifications of Methods by Users) of Appendix C to 40 CFR part 58. In general, a method designation applies to any sampler, analyzer, or method that is identical to the sampler, analyzer, or method described in the application for designation. In some cases, similar samplers or analyzers manufactured prior to the designation may be upgraded or converted (e.g., by minor modification or by substitution of the approved operation or instruction manual) so as to be identical to the designated method and thus achieve designated status. The manufacturer should be consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading or conversion. Part 53 requires that sellers of designated reference or equivalent method analyzers or samplers comply with certain conditions. These conditions are specified in 40 CFR 53.9. Aside from occasional breakdowns or malfunctions, consistent or repeated noncompliance with any of these conditions should be reported to: Director, Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD– E205–01), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. Designation of this new equivalent method is intended to assist the States in establishing and operating their air quality surveillance systems under 40 CFR Part 58. Questions concerning the commercial availability or technical E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 195 (Friday, October 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62400-62402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26087]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OA-2008-0701; FRL-9475-7]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Focus Groups as Used by EPA for Economics Projects 
(Renewal)

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 March 31, 2012. 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 December 6, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OA-
2008-0701, by one of the following methods:
     https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: oei.docket@epa.gov.
     Fax: (202) 566-9744.
     Mail: Office of Environmental Information, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OA-2008-
0701. 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 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 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 special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of 
any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public 
docket visit https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathalie Simon, Office of Policy, (MC 
1809T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-566-2347; fax number: 202-
566-2363; e-mail address: simon.nathalie@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-OA-2008-0701 which is available for online viewing at https://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Office of 
Environmental Information (OEI) 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 8:30 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 the 
OEI Docket is 202-566-1752.
    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

[[Page 62401]]

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 
members of the general public, although the target population for the 
focus group discussions will vary by project.
    Title: Focus Groups as used by EPA for Economics Projects 
(Renewal).
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2205.07, OMB Control No. 2090-0028.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on March 31, 
2012. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking 
renewal of a generic information collection request (ICR) for the 
conduct of focus groups and protocol interviews (hereafter jointly 
referred to as focus groups) related to economics projects. Over the 
next three years, the Agency anticipates embarking on a number of 
survey development efforts associated with a variety of economics 
projects including those related to valuation of ecosystems, children's 
health risks, mortality risk reductions, improvements to coastal waters 
including the Chesapeake Bay, to name a few. Focus groups are an 
important part of any survey development process, allowing researchers 
to directly gauge what specific issues are important to the public and 
providing a means for explicitly testing draft survey materials. 
Through these focus groups, the Agency will be able to gain a more in-
depth understanding of the public's attitudes, beliefs, motivations and 
feelings regarding specific issues and will provide valuable 
information regarding the quality of draft survey instruments.
    The information collected in the focus groups will be used to 
develop and improve economics-related surveys. To the extent that these 
surveys are ultimately successfully administered, they will serve to 
expand the Agencies understanding of benefits and costs of a variety of 
actions and could provide the means to quantitatively assess the 
effects of others. Participation in the focus groups will be voluntary 
and the identity of the participants will be kept confidential.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.4 
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: 1,011.
    Frequency of response: Once.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 2,358.
    Estimated total annual costs: $22,385. This includes estimated 
respondent burden costs only as there are no capital costs or operating 
and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.

Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

    Burden estimates included here are based on the supporting 
statement submitted for the most recent renewal of the approved ICR. 
Burden estimates will be revised to reflect new information and will be 
made available for public comment at the time the ICR is submitted to 
OMB for approval.

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.


[[Page 62402]]


    Dated: September 29, 2011.
Al McGartland,
Director, National Center for Environmental Economics.
[FR Doc. 2011-26087 Filed 10-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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