SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Supporting documents, which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting, are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/​dockets.

Abstract: EPA administers certification programs for pesticide applicators under section 11 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. FIFRA allows EPA to classify a pesticide as “restricted use” if the pesticide meets certain toxicity or risk criteria. The regulations in 40 CFR part 171 include procedures for certification programs for States, Federal agencies, Indian tribes, or U.S. territories who wish to develop and implement their own certification plans and programs, after obtaining EPA approval. This ICR addresses the information collection activities contained in the final rule revisions to 40 CFR part 171, issued in the Federal Register on January 4, 2017 (82 FR 952) (FRL-9956-70). The ICR estimates the incremental burden of the changes that were not already included in the ICR entitled “Certification of Pesticide Applicators” as approved under OMB No: 2070-0029.

The final rule revised 40 CFR part 171 to include new and revised standards for certification for commercial and private applicators, provisions for recertification of applicators, and training for noncertified applicators applying restricted use pesticides (RUPs) under the supervision of certified applicators. The rule also includes changes to improve the clarity ( printed page 10784) and organization of 40 CFR part 171 and overall program operation. The changes are intended to ensure that all persons who use RUPs— i.e., private applicators, commercial applicators, and noncertified applicators using RUPs under the direct supervision of certified applicators—are competent to use RUPs in a manner that will not result in unreasonable adverse effects to themselves, others, or the environment.

This ICR estimates the burden and costs of the rule-related information collection activities, including burden and cost estimates related to initial rule familiarization activities.

Form Numbers: None.

Respondents/affected entities: Agricultural establishments, pest control officials, pesticide registrants, pesticide dealers, and administrators of environmental protection programs, governmental pest control programs, pesticide applicator certification programs ( e.g., authorized agencies), and RUP dealers (only for EPA administrated programs).

Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory, FIFRA sections 3 and 11.

Estimated number of respondents: 1,860,974 (total).

Frequency of response: On occasion.

Total estimated burden: 2,280,849 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

Total estimated cost: $108,061,898 (per year), includes $0 annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs.

Changes in the estimates: Apart from updating the format of the ICR to meet current format standards and a few minor changes, there are no substantive changes from the ICR currently approved by OMB.

87 FR 10783