This Information Collection Request
(ICR) seeks authorization for tribes to demonstrate their
eligibility to be treated in the same manner as states under the
Clean Air Act (CAA) and to submit applications to implement a CAA
program. This ICR extends the collection period of information for
determining eligibility, which expires December 31, 2007. The ICR
also is revising the estimates of burden costs for tribes in
completing a CAA application. The program regulation provides for
Indian tribes, if they so choose, to assume responsibility for the
development and implementation of CAA programs. The regulation,
Indian Tribes: Air Quality Planning and Management (Tribal
Authority Rule [TAR] 40 CFR parts 9, 35,49, 50 and 81), sets forth
how tribes may seek authority to implement their own air quality
planning and management programs. The rule establishes: 1) which
CAA provisions Indian tribes may seek authority to implement, 2)
what requirements the tribes must meet when seeking such
authorization, and 3) what Federal financial assistance may be
available to help tribes establish and manage their air quality
programs. The TAR provides tribes the authority to administer air
quality programs over all air resources, including non-Indian owned
fee lands, within the exterior boundaries of a reservation and
other areas over which the tribe can demonstrate jurisdiction. An
Indian tribe that takes responsibility for a CAA program would
essentially be treated in the same way a state would be treated for
that program. The TAR adopts EPA's "streamlined" eligibility review
and approval process for tribes to implement CAA programs. The ICR
was prepared according to the guidance contained in the Office of
Information Collection (OIC) December 1996 ICR Handbook. This
handbook is the Agency's most current guidance document for
preparing an ICR and follows the provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act (4 U.S.C. section 1320) and the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) guidelines.
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.