Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) creates a comprehensive program for the safe management of hazardous waste. Section 3004 of RCRA requires owners and operators of facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste to comply with standards established by EPA that are "necessary to protect human health and the environment." Section 3005 provides for implementation of these standards under permits issued to owners and operators by EPA or authorized States. Section 3005 also allows owners and operators of facilities in existence when the regulations came into effect to comply with applicable notice requirements to operate until a permit is issued or denied. This statutory authorization to operate prior to permit determination is commonly known as "interim status." Owners and operators of interim status facilities also must comply with standards set under Section 3004.
This ICR examines the ground-water monitoring standards for permitted and interim status facilities at 40 CFR Parts 264 and 265, as specified. Sections 1 through 5 of this ICR describe the ground-water monitoring information collection requirements. In Section 6, EPA estimates the annual hour and cost burden to respondents and the Agency in carrying out these requirements.
This current ICR estimates a total annual respondent burden of 104,861 hours. The previous ICR estimated a total annual respondent burden of 117,027 hours, which is a decrease of 12,166 hours. The reason for the decrease in hourly burden is a decrease in the respondent universe. EPA believes this decrease in universe is due to a change in waste management that does not require the usage of as many of units that require ground-water monitoring.
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.