[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 235 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 62844-62845] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-29841] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-5341-2] Request for Comments: Preaward Compliance Review Report for all Applicants Requesting Federal Financial Assistance, Agency Information Collection Activities up for Renewal (OMB Control Number 2090-0014) AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the following proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting the ICRs to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collections as described below. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 5, 1996. ADDRESSES: Office of Civil Rights, USEPA Waterside Mall (WSM), 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. Interested parties may receive a copy without charge by writing to this address or by calling Mary St. Peter at (202)260-4967. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary St. Peter: phone (202) 260-4967: fax (202) 260-4580. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are grant and loan applicants, generally state and local governments, universities, etc., who must complete a simple form with the requested data. Title: Preaward Compliance Review Report, EPA form 4700-4, OMB Control Number 2090-0014, expiration date 1/31/96. Abstract: The information request and gathering is part of the requirement of 40 CFR Part 7, ``Nondiscrimination in Program Receiving Federal Assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency'', at 40 CFR Sec. 7.80. The regulation implements statutes which prohibit discrimination on the bases of race, color, national origin, sex and handicap. This information is also required, in part, by the Department of Justice regulations, 28 CFR 42.406 and 28 CFR 42.407. The information is collected on a short form from grant and loan applicants as part of the application. The EPA Director of Civil Rights manages the data collection through a regional component or delegated state, both of whom also carry out the data analysis and make the recommendation on the respondent's ability to meet the requirements of the regulation, as well as the respondent's current compliance with the regulation. The information and analysis is of sufficient value for the Director to determine whether the applicant is in compliance with the regulation. Analysis of the data allows EPA to determine: (1) Whether there appears to be discrimination in the provision of program or activity services between the minority and non-minority population. This allows EPA to determine whether any action is necessary by it before the award of the grant or loan. (2) Whether the respondent is designing grant or loan financed facilities to be accessible to handicapped individuals or whether a regulatory exemption is applicable. This allows EPA to determine whether design changes are necessary prior to the award of the grant or loan, which can save the respondent a significant amount of money, e.g., ensuring a facility is accessible to the handicapped is much less costly if this requirement is included in the design rather than after construction has begun. (3) Whether the respondent receives or has applied for financial assistance from other Federal agencies. This information allows EPA to canvass these other agencies to avoid conducting duplicate compliance audits, reviews, or complaint investigations and is a reduction of burden on respondents. Responses to the collection of information are required to obtain a grant or loan and are kept on file by the state distributing the funds. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 40 CFR Chapter 15. The EPA would like to solicit comments to: [[Page 62845]] (I) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Burden Statement: The form is part of the grant or loan application package. The information currently exists in the respondent operation. The data collected on this form is compiled and reported from the applicant's existing information. The information as gathered and reported on the form specifically applies to the grant or loan application. The only burden experienced by the respondent is that of completing the form. Our past experience has shown that it requires one half-hour to complete the form. The form is usually completed by the applicant's packager or a clerk assistant. The average salary range of the combined or single individual is $30,000.00 per year. Our information comes from direct experience in carrying out the task. Therefore the capital cost would be $0 and the labor for \1/2\ hour would be $14.41 per year. At approximately 4,000 recipients per year, the total cost would be $28,820.00. Burden means total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose, or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This estimate includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Dated: November 13, 1995. Dan Rondeau, Director, Office of Civil Rights. [FR Doc. 95-29841 Filed 12-6-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P