The National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) states national environmental objectives and imposes upon
each Federal agency the duty to consider the environmental effects
of its actions. NEPA requires the preparation of an environmental
impact statement (EIS) for every major Federal action that will
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Firms
wishing to manufacture and market substances regulated under
statutes for which FDA is responsible must, in most instances,
submit applications requesting approval. Environmental information
must be included in such applications for the purpose of
determining whether the proposed action may have a significant
impact on the environment. Where significant adverse effects cannot
be avoided, the agency uses the submitted information as the basis
for preparing and circulating to the public an EIS, made available
through a Federal Register notices also filed for comment at the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If the agency finds that no
significant environmental effects are expected, the agency prepares
a finding of no significant impact. This collection of information
is used by FDA to assess the environmental impact of agency
actions. The final EIS, including the comments received, is
reviewed by the agency to weigh environmental costs and benefits in
determining whether to pursue the proposed action or some
alternative that would reduce expected environmental
impact.
US Code:
42 USC 4321-4347 Name of Law: National Environmental Policy
Act
Our estimated burden for the
information collection reflects an overall decrease of 10,566 hours
(currently approved 231,224) and a corresponding increase of 1,325
annual responses (currently approved 15,527). The new estimated
totals are 220,658 hours and 4,163 annual responses (as shown in
table 6). We attribute this adjustment to the number of EA
submissions, and categorical exclusions we received since the last
extension, and the adjustment of burden for the agencies centers.
In reporting burden for Human Foods, CFSAN is no longer a part of
this information collection. The burden has now been incorporated
into OMB control number 0910-0541.
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.