National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan Regulation, Subpart J (40 CFR 300.900) (Final Rule)

This Information Collection Request (ICR) renewal supports activities to implement the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), Subpart J (40 CFR 300.900, “Use of Dispersants and Other Chemicals”). The use of bioremediation agents, dispersants, surface washing agents, surface collecting agents and miscellaneous oil spill control agents in response to oil spills in U.S. waters or adjoining shorelines is governed by Subpart J of the NCP regulation (40 CFR 300.900). Subpart J requirements include criteria for listing oil spill mitigating agents on the NCP Product Schedule, hereafter referred to as the Schedule. EPA’s regulation, which is codified at 40 CFR 300.00, requires that EPA prepare a schedule of “dispersants, other chemicals, and other spill mitigating devices and substances, if any, that may be used in carrying out the NCP.” The Schedule is required by section 311(d)(2)(G) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The Schedule is used by Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSCs), Regional Response Teams (RRTs), and Area Planners to identify spill mitigating agents in preparation for and response to oil spills. Under Subpart J, respondents who want to add a product to the Schedule must submit technical product data to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) as stipulated in 40 CFR 300.915. Specifically, Subpart J requires the manufacturer to conduct specific toxicity and effectiveness tests and submit the corresponding technical product data along with other detailed information to the EPA Office of Emergency Management, Office of Land and Emergency Management. For example, a dispersant must exceed the 50-percent (±5 percent) efficacy threshold in order to be listed on the Schedule. EPA places oil spill mitigating agents on the Schedule if all the required data are submitted and the product satisfies all requirements and meets or exceeds testing thresholds. The Product Schedule is available to FOSCs, RRTs, and Area Committees for determining the most appropriate products to use in various spill scenarios. Products currently listed on the Schedule are divided into five basic categories: dispersants, surface washing agents, surface collecting agents, bioremediation agents, and miscellaneous oil spill control agents. As of June 2016, 117 products are listed on the Schedule. It is estimated that 11 products per year will be submitted to EPA for listing on the Schedule. Over the three-year period covered by this ICR, an estimated 33 products may be listed. Additionally, EPA estimates that approximately 10 manufacturers will submit information to obtain sorbent certifications. The annual public reporting burden will be 315 hours. The total annual cost (including labor and non-labor) to manufacturers under Subpart J is estimated to be $89,590. Under 40 CFR 300.920(c), respondents are allowed to assert that certain information in the technical product data submissions is confidential business information. EPA will handle such claims pursuant to the provisions in 40 CFR Part 2, Subpart B. Such information must be submitted separately from non-confidential information, clearly identified, and clearly marked “Confidential Business Information.” If the applicant fails to make such a claim at the time of submittal, EPA may make the information available to the public without further notice.

The latest form for National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan Regulation, Subpart J (40 CFR 300.900) (Final Rule) expires 2021-01-31 and can be found here.