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.