Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Cooperative Agreements and Superfund State Contracts for Superfund Response Actions

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are those which apply for EPA assistance. Title: General Administrative Requirements for Assistance Programs. EPA ICR #0938.06, OMB Control #2030-0020, Expiration 6/30/99. Abstract: The information is collected from applicants/recipients of EPA assistance and is used to make awards, pay recipients and collect information on how Federal funds are being spent. EPA needs the information to meet its Federal stewardship. This information Collection Request (ICR) renewal request authorizes the collection of information under EPA's General Regulations for Assistance programs that establishes minimum management requirements for all recipients of EPA grants or cooperative agreements (assistance agreements). 40 CFR part 30 ``Grants with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations'' includes the management requirements for these potential grantees. 40 CFR part 31 ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments'' includes the management requirements for these potential grantees. These regulations include only those provisions mandated by statute, required by OMB Circulars or added by EPA to ensure sound and effective financial assistance management. This SF-83 combines all of these requirements under OMB Control Number 2030-0020. The information required by these regulations will be used by the EPA award official to make assistance awards, to make assistance payments, and to verify that the recipient is using Federal funds appropriately to comply with OMB Circulars. 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. The EPA would like to solicit comments to: (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 annual record keeping burden for this collection is estimated to average 31 hours per application. The estimated annual number of respondents is approximated 4,360. The estimated total burden hours on respondents: 135,160. The frequency of collection: as required. Send comments regarding these matters, or any other aspect of information collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the address listed above.

Dated: March 21, 1999. Gary M. Katz, Director, Grants Administration Division. [FR Doc. 99-7335 Filed 3-24-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P