This ICR revises the most recent ICR for 40 CFR part 58 approved by OMB (OMB #2060-0084, EPA ICR #940.18) to present an estimate of the change to the total annual reporting and recordkeeping hour and cost burden that will result from a final rule revising the ambient air monitoring requirements for criteria air pollutants with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (i.e., ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM)). This rule revises requirements for existing monitoring stations, mostly to provide more flexibility to their operators, as well as requiring each State to operate one to three new (or expanded) monitoring stations that take an integrated, multipollutant approach to ambient air monitoring, including requirements for measurements of PM10-2.5 (PM with an aerodynamic diameter greater than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers but less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers). The amendments modify the requirements for ambient air monitors by focusing requirements on populated areas with air quality problems and significantly reducing the requirements for criteria pollutant monitors that have measured ambient air concentrations well below the applicable NAAQS. Other amendments to 40 CFR part 58 revise the requirements for monitoring network descriptions and periodic assessments, quality assurance, and data certification. The purpose of the amendments is to enhance ambient air quality monitoring to better serve current and future air quality management and research needs.
This ICR also encompasses information collection associated with EPA grants to state, local, and tribal agencies for ambient monitoring of hazardous air pollutants. Such monitoring is not required by 40 CFR part 58 or any other rule. Agreement to submit data from monitoring conducted under such grants is a condition for receiving a grant. This grant program has two components, the National Air Toxics Trends Stations (NATTS) and the Community Scale Air Toxics Monitoring Program (CSATMP). The NATTS program consists of 22 grantees operating 23 sites over multiple years. The SCATMP consists of 1-year grants to about 15 grantees each fiscal year. The burden estimates are for the 3-year period from 2007 through 2009.
The data collected through this information collection consist of ambient air concentration measurements for the criteria air pollutants with NAAQS, ozone precursors, hazardous air pollutants, and meteorological variables at a select number of monitoring sites throughout the United States. Accompanying the pollutant concentration data are quality assurance/quality control data and air monitoring network design information.
The previously approved ICR estimate of burden hours is 2,105,714. The revised ICR burden hour estimate is 2,057,168 hours which is 48,546 hours lower than the approved ICR level. One reason for the reduced burden is a reduction in the total number of monitors that the respondents would need to operate and maintain under the requirements of the amendments. Under the amendments, monitoring stations would be selected to measure multiple pollutants where as the monitoring site requirements under the existing regulations are based on measurement of a single pollutant. A second reason for the reduced burden is the improvements and use of microprocessors in monitor technologies allowing the automation of many data analysis tasks than previously needed to be performed manually.
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.
Ambient Air Monitor Network for Hazardous Air Pollutants