Response to Public Comments

February 13, 2012
Dear Commenters:
Several commenters requested an extension to the comment period of the Federal Register notice
entitled “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of Several Currently Approved
Collections; Comment Request” (76 FR 77817, December 14, 2011). The Federal Register notice
sought public comment on the renewal of three Information Collection Requests (ICRs) (OMB Control
No.’s 2070–0032, 2070–0020, and 2070–0060) that are currently approved under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The approval for two ICRs (OMB Control No.’s 20700032 and 2070-0060) is currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2012, and the approval for the third
ICR (OMB Control No. 2070-0020) is currently scheduled to expire on August 31, 2012.
We have carefully considered these requests to extend the comment period. However, the timeframe
established under the PRA to renew ICRs before they expire are such that we are unable to allow for an
extension of the comment period.
Please be advised that there are two opportunities for public comments during the renewal of currently
approved ICRs under the PRA, and that the current comment period is the first. The EPA comment
period closes on February 13, 2012. Once the comment period closes, we will consider the comments
received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the PRA and OMB
implementing regulations (5 CFR part 1320). The EPA will issue another notice in the Federal Register
pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity
to submit additional comments.
Martha Shimkin, Chief
Policy and Regulatory Services Branch
Office of Pesticide Programs