This information collection request
(ICR) concerns EPA's voluntary Pesticide Environmental Stewardship
Program (PESP). The program uses the information collected under
this ICR approval to establish partner membership, develop
stewardship strategies, measure progress towards stewardship goals,
and award incentives. The PESP is an EPA partnership program
implemented by the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) established
in 1994. Its goal is to promote environmental stewardship to
protect human health and the environment. PESP encourages the use
of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to reduce pests and
pesticide risks through partnerships with entities among the
pesticide user community. IPM is an approach that involves making
the best choices from among a series of pest management practices.
It allows for economical pest management, and does so with the
least possible hazard to people, property, and the
environment.
There is an increase of 4,642
hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that
identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. This increase
reflects EPA's updating of burden estimates for this collection
based upon historical information on the number of PESP members.
Members are classified as IMP Promoters, IPM Users, and National
IMP Users. Based on revised estimates, the number of IPM Promoters
has decreased, while the number of IMP users has increased, and the
number of National IPM users has not changed since the last ICR
renewal. Although the estimated burden per response has not changed
for any category, the shift in membership types has resulted in a
net increase in the overall burden. This change is an
adjustment
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.