Alternative Threshold for Low Annual Reportable Amounts; Toxic Chemical Release Reporting Under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA): Renewal
ICR 200211-2070-004
OMB: 2070-0143
Federal Form Document
⚠️ Notice: This information collection may be outdated. More recent filings for OMB 2070-0143 can be found here:
Alternative Threshold for Low
Annual Reportable Amounts; Toxic Chemical Release Reporting Under
Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know
Act (EPCRA): Renewal
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
This ICR is
approved until Oct 31, 2003. OMB is providing a shorter than usual
clearance for several reasons. First, at EPA's request, OMB is
adjusting the clearance cycle to better harmonize with the TRI
"business cycle" by moving future OMB review periods from a
December/January time frame to a September/October time frame.
Second, the shortened clearance will provide EPA an opportunity to
examine in more detail several issues that were not adequately
addressed during the current reveiw cycle. These include both the
TRI burden estimates and opportunities for reducing burden and
enhancing the practical utility of the data. In the current ICR
submission, EPA suggested revising the burden estimates for the
Form A downward, from 644,761 hours per year to 172,313 hours per
year. This revision does not reflect changes in program
requirements, but rather changes in assumptions underlying the
burden calculations. These include: 1) a downward revision in the
number of forms to reflect historical experience rather than
analytical projections, 2) a revision to the estimate of the number
of first-time filers, 3) a revision to the average time needed for
form completion, from 30.2 to 9.3 hours, and 4) an additional
reduction of 25% per form to reflect projected time savings from
the use of the new TRI-ME software. OMB agrees that the first two
revisions are appropriate, but needs further information before
approving the latter two. OMB has therefore approved part of the
suggested burden reduction, for a total burden of 463,670 hours. If
EPA continues to believe that further adjustments are appropriate,
they should provide additional documentation during the next ICR
review cycle. This documentation should specifically address the
issue of whether the revised estimates account for all categories
of burden, including time for data tracking and assembly; creation,
operation and maintenance of data tracking systems; and
training.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2004
01/31/2004
03/31/2003
5,121
0
14,793
463,670
0
644,761
0
0
0
This ICR extends approval to collect
information under the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) section 313 and section 6607 of the
Pollution Prevention Act(PRA) 1990. Respondents submit information
concerning toxic chemical releases into the air, land and
water.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.