This ICR covers the following: the
collection of information under 40 CFR part 35, subpart O, which
establishes the administrative requirements for cooperative
agreements funded under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for state,
federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and political
subdivision response actions; the application of the Hazard Ranking
System (HRS) by states as outlined by section 105 of CERCLA (1980
and 1986) that amends the National Oil and Hazardous Substances
Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) to include criteria prioritizing
releases throughout the U.S. before undertaking remedial action at
uncontrolled hazardous waste sites; and the remedial portion of the
Superfund program as specified in the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 as amended
(CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP). For Cooperative Agreements and Superfund
State Contracts for Superfund Response Actions, the information is
collected from applicants and/or recipients of EPA assistance and
is used to make awards, pay recipients, and collect information on
how federal funds are being utilized. EPA requires this information
to meet its federal stewardship responsibilities. Recipient
responses are required to obtain a benefit (federal funds) under 2
CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost principles,
and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and under 40 CFR part 35,
State and Local Assistance. For the Superfund Site Evaluation and
Hazard Ranking System, the states will apply the HRS by identifying
and classifying those releases or sites that warrant further
investigation. The HRS score is crucial since it is the primary
mechanism used to determine whether a site is eligible to be
included on the National Priorities List (NPL). Only sites on the
NPL are eligible for Superfund-financed remedial actions. For the
NCP information collection, some community involvement activities
covered by this ICR are not required at every site (e.g., Technical
Assistance Grants) and depend very much on the community and the
nature of the site and cleanup. All community activities seek to
involve the public in the cleanup of the sites, gain the input of
community members, and include the community's perspective on the
potential future reuse of Superfund NPL sites. Community
involvement activities can enhance the remedial process and
increase community acceptance and the potential for productive and
beneficial reuse of the sites.
The decrease in respondent
burden for the Cooperative Agreements and Superfund State Contracts
for Superfund Response Actions from the previous ICR of $88,806.38
and 2,966 hours reflects a decrease in the estimated number of
respondents from the previous ICR. The burden hours were increased
as respondents and the Agency directed.
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.
Form 6200-11 NCP - States
COMBINED 1487.14_Form_6200-11 final 03-06-2020.docx
Cooperative Agreements and Superfund State Contracts for Superfund Response Actions