2007 Centers survey

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

OFFICE OF

ENFORCEMENT AND

COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE

MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT: Review of Compliance Assistance Centers Survey under ICR No. 1860.03 (OMB 2020-0015)

FROM: Hans Scheifele

Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance

THRU: Rick Westlund

Office of Environmental Information

TO: Cortney Higgins, OIRA Desk Officer

Office of Management and Budget

Attached for your review are two surveys for evaluating the effectiveness of the Compliance Assistance Centers. The surveys are identical except for the modification of similar questions tailored for the regulated community and the assistance provider community.

The Centers are the cornerstone of EPA’s compliance assistance program and responses collected from the Center surveys will be used for purposes of supporting a PART review of the compliance and enforcement program. There is currently one PART measure to which we contribute compliance assistance data. It is “Change in behavior as measured by the percentage of entities making improvements in management practices.” In addition, the Centers are cited as evidence in EPA’s response to PART question1.4, “Is the program design free of major flaws that would limit the program’s effectiveness or efficiency?”

In addition to supporting PART, EPA will use this information to help the Centers better target their array of resources to the specific compliance assistance needs of their customers, and ultimately, improve the environmental performance of their customers.

Note: EPA will not have access to names or addresses of individuals or facilities surveyed and will not use the information for inspection or enforcement purposes. There will be no way to link participant responses to specific facilities or individuals.

Your comments and suggestions would be much appreciated. For comments or questions on the survey, please contact Hans Scheifele at 202-564-1459.

If you have any questions about the ICR or this survey submission, please contact Rick Westlund at 202 566-1682

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Attachments (2)

Request for Approval of Information Collection Activity

I. Background:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsors partnerships with industry, academic institutions, environmental groups, and other federal and state agencies to operate fifteen Compliance Assistance Centers (Centers). The Centers provide comprehensive, easy to understand compliance information targeted specifically to the industry sectors. The Centers offer a range of services, including Web-sites, e-mail groups, fax-back systems, and telephone assistance lines. In addition to providing compliance assistance material, the Centers also provide pollution prevention ideas and techniques to help an organization come into compliance, and go beyond compliance to save resources.

II. Survey Purpose and Description:

As an in-kind service to the Centers, EPA seeks to provide information to help the Centers better target their array of tools to the specific compliance assistance needs of their customers, increase the effectiveness of their compliance assistance tools, and ultimately, improve the environmental performance of their customers. Specifically, the Centers may use the information obtained from survey respondents to:

 change compliance assistance tool marketing strategies to increase awareness;

 identify methods to improve compliance assistance tools and delivery; and

 develop new compliance assistance tools to address identified problem areas.

The information obtained through this survey event will not be used for regulatory development or to make broad generalizations or claims.

III. Survey Methodology and Use of Results

The target audience for the survey are the Center users. EPA plans to sponsor the posting of the survey instrument on-line. The survey will be accessible through each Center. Survey respondents will be anonymous to EPA. We anticipate that approximately 1,600 Center users will respond. We estimate that it will take a respondent approximately three minutes to complete the survey. The surveys will be made accessible to potential respondents through each Center for roughly three months.

Through a grantee, survey responses will be provided to each Center. In addition, the grantee will aggregate all survey responses and summarize the findings.

IV. Respondents= Burden

Number of respondents: 1,600

Minutes per response: 3 minutes

Cost per hour: $82.74 ($39.40 + 110%)*

Cost per response: $82.74 x 3/60 = $4.14

Total burden hours: 1,600 x 3/60 = 80 hours

Total burden dollar cost: 80 hours x $82.74 = $6,619.20

*These rates are from the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor

Statistics, September, 2004, ATable 2. Civilian Workers, by occupational and

Industry group.@ The rates are from column 1, ATotal compensation.@ The rates

have been increased by 110% to account for the benefit packages available to

those employed by private industry.

V. Agency Burden

EPA Staff Time: 15 hours

Cost per hour: $56.02

Total burden hours: 15 hours x $56.02 = $840.30

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

Survey Questions for the Regulated Community

1. Please choose the category that best describes you:

Respondents will choose from a list of questions specific to each Center

2. Please select one option from the following list:

I primarily use the <centername> to find information on

environmental regulations that apply to my organization.

I primarily use the <centername> in my capacity as a

provider of environmental assistance to others outside of my

organization.

3. About how often do you visit <centername>?

 This is the first time

 a few times per year

 1-2 times per month

 once a week or more

 whenever the need arises

4. <centername> helps me understand the environmental regulations that apply to <sector>.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Have never used the <center name> for this purpose

5. What actions(s) have you taken to improve environmental practices, in whole or in part, due to information you have found through the <centername>: (Select all that apply)

contacted a vendor

changed the handling of waste or emission

performed a self audit

contacted a regulatory agency

changed a process or practice

obtained a permit or certification

took an action other than listed above to comply with a

regulatory requirement

Identified a pollution prevention opportunity

other:

no action was taken

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

6. Please identify whether you reduced, treated, or eliminated pollution as a result of <centername> use: (select all that apply)

reduced or eliminated waste (solid/hazardous)

reduced or eliminated air emissions

reduced or eliminated pollution discharges to water

other, specify

none

don=t know.

Optional questions B

Note: To keep burden down, at most five of these questions will be used per Center

survey. These questions will be in addition to the previous six questions

7. Please rate the usefulness of these <centername> resources

A list of up to 6 Center specific resources will be provided. For each resource, respondents will choose from the following options:

Very useful

Somewhat useful

__ Not useful

Never Used

__ Unaware of resource

8. Please select the job title that best describes your position or role in your organization: (select all that apply)

environmental manager

plant manager

plant or process operator

consultant to the industry

other:

9. Are you currently a member of an industry trade association? If yes, please identify

10. How did you hear about <centername>? (select all that apply)

The Internet:

Search engine (Google, Alta-Vista; Yahoo; Go, Lycos; etc.)

Link from another web site: 

E-mail message or listserve

Trade Association:

Trade Show or Conference

Bulletins

Other:

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

Printed Material:

Brochure

Publication

Other: 

Assistance Provider:

Vendor

Small Business Assistance Program

State government

Federal government

Industry

Tribe

Other:

11. How would you like to see <centername> improved?

12. Do you have any additional comments or suggestions?

13. Do you have any additional comments, suggestions for

improvements needed, comments on improvements made?

14. In which of these areas would you like to see more information from the <centername>:

Note: the following list is representative of one Center:

Agricultural Animals

Forestry

Crops

Nurseries and Greenhouses

Pesticides

Air Emissions

Water Quality

Health and Safety

Sustainability

Air Emissions

Cultural Resources

Drinking Water

EMS

Hazardous Waste

Natural Resources

Wastewater

__ Energy conservation

__ Alternative/renewable fuels

__ Water conservation

__ Stormwater management

__ Alternative pest management/lower risk pesticides

__ Agricultural Animals

__ Forestry

__ Crops

__ Nurseries and Greenhouses

__ Pesticides

__ Air Emissions

__ Water Quality

__ Health and Safety

__ Sustainability

Other:

15. Regarding your overall Internet usage (including personal use), which of the following do you use on a regular basis? (check all that apply)

 podCasts (audio files for download to an iPod or MP3 player)

 YouTube

 RSS news feeds

 webinars (web-based seminars)

 social bookmarking (digg, del.icio.us, etc)

 blogs

 wikis

 Other: ____________________

16. Besides <centername>, what other web sites have you visited to find information about environmental compliance? (check all that apply)

 Google

 EPA's web site

 trade association web site(s)

 state agency web site

 Business.gov web site

 Other: ___________________

(For each of the above)

How does <centername> compare to other web sites used for environmental compliance information? Would you say that <centername> is

 more useful

 less useful

 about the same

 doesn't apply

17. Would you like to join the <centername> listserve. (your response will remain anonymous to EPA)

__ Yes

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

__ No

__ I am already a member of the <centername> listserve

18. What additional environmental services or unmet needs would you like <centername> to provide assistance for? (For example, training, expert advice, other information)

19. Have you realized cost savings as a result of using <centername>? (Cost includes time as well as dollars)

Yes No Don=t know

If yes, please provide details

20. If you would like a representative from <centername> to contact you to discuss your comments or suggestions, please provide your name and email address:

The contact information below is OPTIONAL. Your contact information will not be included in any aggregated reports.

Respondent Name: _______________________________________________________

Facility Name: ____________________________________________________________

Facility Address: __________________________________________________________

Contact Phone Number: _____________________________________________________

E-Mail Address: ___________________________________________________________

Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 3 minutes per

response, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering information, and

completing and reviewing the information. Send comments on the Agency’s need for

this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimate, and any suggestions for

reducing the burden, including the use of automated collection techniques, to the

Director, Office of Environmental Information, Collection Strategies Division, United

States Environmental Protection Agency (mail Code 2822), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave,

NW Washington, D.C. 20460; and to the Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs,

Office of Management & Budget, 725 17^th Street, NW, Washington D.C. 20503,

Attention: Desk Officer for EPA. Include the EPA ICR 1860.03 and the OMB control

number 2020-0015 in any correspondence. Do not send your completed survey to this

address. Approval expires March 31, 2008.

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

Survey Questions for the Assistance Provider Community

21. Please choose the category that best describes you:

Respondents will choose from a list of questions specific to each Center

22. Please select one option from the following list:

I primarily use the <centername> to find information on

environmental regulations that apply to my organization.

I primarily use the <centername> in my capacity as a provider

of environmental assistance to others outside of my

organization.

23. I am a first time visitor to the <centername> website.

Yes No

24. <centername> helps me understand the environmental regulations that apply to <sector>.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Have never used the <centername> for this purpose

25. What actions(s) have your client taken to improve or influence environmental practices, in whole or in part, due to information you have found through the <centername>: (Select all that apply)

contacted a vendor

changed the handling of waste or emission

performed a self audit

contacted a regulatory agency

changed a process or practice

obtained a permit or certification

took an action other than listed above to comply with a

regulatory requirement

Identified a pollution prevention opportunity

other:

No action was taken by my clients

26. Please identify whether your client reduced, treated, or eliminated pollution as a result of <centername> use. (select

all that apply)

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

reduced or eliminated waste (solid/hazardous)

reduced or eliminated air emissions

reduced or eliminated pollution discharges to water

Other, specify

none

don=t know.

Optional questions B

Note: To keep burden down, at most, five of these questions will be used per Center

survey. These questions will be in addition to the previous six questions

27. Please rate the usefulness of these <centername> resources

A list of up to 6 Center specific resources will be provided. For each resource, respondents will choose from the following options:

Very useful

Somewhat useful

__ Not useful

Never Used

__ Unaware of resource

28. Are you currently a member of an industry trade

association? If yes, please identify

29. How did you hear about <centername>? (select all that apply)

The Internet:

Search engine (Google, Alta-Vista; Yahoo; Go, Lycos; etc.)

Link from another web site:

E-mail message or listserve

Trade Association:

Trade Show or Conference

Bulletins

Other:

Printed Material:

Brochure

Publication

Other:

Assistance Provider:

Vendor

Small Business Assistance Program

State government

Federal government

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

Industry

Tribe

Other:

30. Regarding your overall Internet usage (including personal use), which of the following do you use on a regular basis? (check all that apply)

 podCasts (audio files for download to an iPod or MP3 player)

 YouTube

 RSS news feeds

 webinars (web-based seminars)

 social bookmarking (digg, del.icio.us, etc)

 blogs

 wikis

 Other: ____________________

31. Besides <centername>, what other web sites have you visited to find information about environmental compliance? (check all that apply)

 Google

 EPA's web site

 trade association web site(s)

 state agency web site

 Business.gov web site

 Other: ____________________

(For each of the above)

How does <centername> compare to other web sites used for environmental compliance information? Would you say that <centername> is

 more useful

 less useful

 about the same

 doesn't apply

32. How would you like to see <centername> improved?

33. Do you have any additional comments or suggestions?

34. In which of these areas would you like to see more information from the <centername>:

Note: the following list is representative of two Centers:

Center 1

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

Agricultural Animals

Forestry

Crops

Nurseries and Greenhouses

Pesticides

Air Emissions

Water Quality

Health and Safety

Sustainability

Other:

Center 2

Air Emissions

Cultural Resources

Drinking Water

EMS

Hazardous Waste

Natural Resources

Wastewater

Other:

Center 3

__ Energy conservation

__ Alternative/renewable fuels

__ Water conservation

__ Stormwater management

__ Alternative pest management/lower risk pesticides

__ Agricultural Animals

__ Forestry

__ Crops

__ Nurseries and Greenhouses

__ Pesticides

__ Air Emissions

__ Water Quality

__ Health and Safety

__ Sustainability

35. Would you like to join the <centername> listserve. (your response will remain anonymous to EPA)

Yes

No

I am already a member of the <centername> listserve

36. What additional environmental services or unmet needs would you like <centername> to provide assistance for? (For example, training, expert advice, other information) ____________________________________________________

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

37. What parts of the <centername> web site do you find most useful?

38. What fact sheet topics would you like the <centername=s> staff to develop?

19. Have your clients realized cost savings as a result of using <centername>? (Cost includes time as well as dollars)

__ Yes __No __ Don=t know

If yes, please provide details_________________________

20. Which one area would you find most helpful to the sector for which you provide compliance assistance.

__ Energy conservation

__ Alternative/renewable fuels

__ Water conservation

__ Stormwater management

__ Pesticides

__ Air emissions

__ Guidance on regulatory requirements

__ Water Pollution

__ Solid Waste

__ Hazardous Waste

__ Others

For the selection above, please explain:­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­______________________________

21. If you would like a representative from <centername> to contact you to discuss your comments or suggestions, please provide your name and email address:

The contact information below is OPTIONAL. Your contact information will not be included in

any aggregated reports.

Respondent Name: _______________________________________________________

Facility Name: ____________________________________________________________

Facility Address: __________________________________________________________

Contact Phone Number: _____________________________________________________

E-Mail Address: ___________________________________________________________

OMB control number 2020-0015 Expires 3/31/08

Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 3 minutes per

response, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering information, and

completing and reviewing the information. Send comments on the Agency’s need for

this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimate, and any suggestions for

reducing the burden, including the use of automated collection techniques, to the

Director, Office of Environmental Information, Collection Strategies Division, United

States Environmental Protection Agency (mail Code 2822), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave,

NW Washington, D.C. 20460; and to the Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs,

Office of Management & Budget, 725 17^th Street, NW, Washington D.C. 20503,

Attention: Desk Officer for EPA. Include the EPA ICR 1860.03 and the OMB control

number 2020-0015 in any correspondence. Do not send your completed survey to this

address. Approval expires March 31, 2008.