Customer Service Hotline: 1 800 438 2474 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION III 1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 2029 Richard F. Pecora, Secretary Maryland Department of the Environment 1800 Washington Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21230 Dear Mr. Pecora:

With the signing of the enclosed Washington County Early Action Compact ( EAC) agreement and this letter, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA), in partnership with the State of Maryland and Washington County, enter into a commitment to develop and implement a comprehensive air quality plan for attainment of the 8 hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard in Washington County. Through voluntary, local, enforceable measures to be approved as part of the State Implementation Plan ( SIP), the EAC is designed to achieve the 8 hour ozone standard faster than the Clean Air Act would otherwise require.

In signing the EAC, EPA recognizes the local area's commitment to early action by provisionally deferring the effective date of the nonattainment designation for participating areas that are monitoring a violation of the 8 hour ozone standard. The deferral of the effective date of the designation is contingent upon the participating area's meeting all terms and milestones of the EAC and boundary designations. EPA has not yet designated areas as attainment or nonattainment for the 8 hour ozone standard. That will take place by April, 2004. Prior to EPA's designations for the 8 hour ozone standard, EPA will go through a dialogue with interested stakeholders concerning appropriate designations, including soliciting recommendations from the states by April, 2003. The metropolitan statistical area ( MSA) is EPA's presumptive boundary for the 8 hour ozone standard, as described in EPA's March 28, 2000, boundary guidance memorandum. While the EPA cannot prejudge the 2004 designations process, States are advised that if an EAC area is determined to be part of an area that is designated nonattainment for the 8 hour ozone standard, its nonattainment designation would not be deferred.

Additionally, the Office of Management and Budget ( OMB) has announced changes for Core Based Statistical Areas ( Vol. 65, No. 249, page 82228, 12/ 27/ 2000) and plans to publish new lists of areas in June, 2003. EPA will be evaluating the impacts the new lists will have on establishing nonattainment area boundaries. At that time, EPA will also look at the nonattainment boundary guidance memo of March 28th, 2000 to see if it might need updating. These actions could potentially affect the EACs. We commend the Maryland Department of the Environment's commitment to improve air quality by pursuing alternatives to conventional controls and providing local areas with the flexibility to control air emissions from sources. We look forward to our partnership with the State of Maryland and Washington County to achieve air quality reductions earlier than would otherwise be required.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or have your staff contact Judith M. Katz, Director, Air Protection Division, at ( 215) 814 2654.

Sincerely,

Donald S. Welsh Regional Administrator Enclosure cc/ enc: Gregory I. Snook, President of the Board of Commissioners for Washington County


[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17746-17748]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7490]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2011-0045]

Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit
public comment on proposed collections of information, including
extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections.
    This document describes one collection of information for which
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited at
the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management,
Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Please
identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is
provided, by referencing its OMB clearance Number. It is requested, but
not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket
Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Culbreath, NHTSA 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SW., W51-204, NPO-400,Washington, DC 20590. Mr.
Culbreath's telephone number is<PHONE_NUMBER>. Please identify the
relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control
Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB
for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register
providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of
information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must
be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR
1320.8(d), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
    (i) 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) 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) how to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected;
    (iv) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including 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.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public
comments on the following proposed collections of information:

    (1) Title: 23 CFR, part 1345, Occupant Protection Incentive Grant-
Section 405
    OMB Number: 2127--0600.
    Affected Public: Business of other for profit organizations.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: An occupant protection incentive grant is available to
states that can demonstrate compliance with at least four of six
criteria. Demonstration of compliance requires submission of copies of
relevant seat belt and child passenger protection statutes plan and/or
reports on statewide seat belt enforcement and child seat education
programs and possibly some traffic court records. In addition, States
eligible to receive grant funds must submit a

Program Cost Summary (Form 217), allocating section 405 funds to
occupant protection programs.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,736.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 56.

    (2) Title: 49 CFR 556, Petitions for Inconsequentiality.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0045.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit.
    Abstract: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's
statue at 49 U.S.C. 30113 General exemptions at subsection (b)
Authority to exempt and procedures, authorizes the Secretary of
Transportation upon application of a manufacturer, to exempt the
applicant from the notice and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Charter
301, if the Secretary determines that the defect or noncompliance is
inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. The notice and
remedy requirements of Chapter 301 are set forth in 49 U.S.C. 30120
Remedies for defects and noncompliance. Those sections require a
manufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment to notify
distributors, dealers, and purchasers if any of the manufacturer's
products are determined either to contain a safety-related defect or to
fail to comply with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety
standard. The manufacturer is under a concomitant obligation to remedy
such defects or noncompliance. NHTSA exercised this statutory authority
to excuse inconsequential defects or noncompliance when it promulgated
49 CFR Part 556, Petitions for Inconsequentiality--this regulation
establishes the procedures for manufacturers to submit such petitions
to the agency will use un evaluating those petitions. Part 556 allows
the agency to ensure that petitions filed under 15 U.S.C. 30113 (b) are
both properly substantiated and efficiently processed.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 200 hours.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.
    (3) Title: 49 CFR 571.125, Warning Devices.
    OMB Number: 2127-0506.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations.
    Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 30111, 30112, and 30117 of the National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1996, authorizes the issuance of
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The Secretary is
authorized to issue, amend, and revoke such rules and regulations as
she/he deems necessary.
    Using this authority, the agency issued FMVSS no. 125, ``Warning
Devices'' (Appendix 2), which applies to devices, without self
contained energy sources, that are designed to be carried mandatory in
buses and trucks that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater
than 10,000 pounds and voluntarily in other vehicles. These devices are
used to warn approaching traffic of the presence of a stopped vehicle,
except for devices designed to be permanently affixed to the vehicles.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3.

    (4) Title: 49 CFR 571.218, Motorcycle Helmets (Labeling).
    OMB Number: 2127-0518.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Federal, Local, State, and Tribal Government,
Business, or other for-profit organizations.
    Abstract: The National Traffic Vehicle Safety statute at 49 U.S.C.
subchapter II standards and compliance, sections 30111 and 30117
authorizes the issuance of Federal motor vehicle safety standards
(FMVSS). The Secretary is authorized to issue, amend, and revoke such
rules and regulations as he/she deems necessary. The Secretary is also
authorized to require manufacturers to provide information to first
purchasers or motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment when the
vehicle equipment is purchased, in a printed matter placed in the
vehicle or attached to our accompanying the equipment. Using this
authority, the agency issued the initial FMVSS No. 218, Motorcycle
Helmets, in 1974. Motorcycle helmets are the devices used for
protecting motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users in motor vehicle
accidents. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 requires that
each helmet shall be labeled permanently and legibly (S5.6), in a
manner such that the label(s) can be read easily without removing
padding or any other permanent part.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 5,333.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 32.

    (5) Title: Evaluation of State Motorcycle Safety Programs.
    OMB Number: 2127-0652.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations.
    Abstract: NHTSA will conduct a survey of State Motorcycle Safety
Administrators and/or State Highway Safety Offices in all 50 States and
the District of Columbia to gather data on State-level motorcycle
safety programs. This survey will consist of a questionnaire in mail
(paper and pencil) format, which will allow a telephone follow-up for
further details as necessary. The study will use the State Motorcycle
Safety Administrator and State Highway Safety Office survey to gather
comprehensive data on what each of the 50 States and the District of
Columbia are doing to promote and ensure safe riding behavior.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 26.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 51.

    (6) Title: 23 CFR Parts Uniform Safety Program Cost Summary Form
for Highway Safety Plan.
    OMB Number: 2127-0003.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations.
    Abstract: Each State shall have a highway safety program approved
by the Secretary, designed to reduce traffic accidents and deaths,
injuries, and property damage resulting there from. Such program shall
be in accordance with uniform guidelines promulgated by the Secretary
to improve driver performance, and to improve pedestrian performance,
motorcycle safety and bicycle safety. Under this program, States submit
the Highway Safety Program and other documentation explaining how they
intend to use the grant funds. In order to account for funds expended
under these priority areas and other program areas, States are required
to submit a Program Cost Summary. The Program Cost Summary is completed
to reflect the State's proposed Allocation of funds (including carry-
forward funds) by program area, based on the projects and activities
identified in the Highway Safety Plan.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 570.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 57.
    Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the Department, including whether the information will have practical
utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.

    Issued on: March 25, 2011.
Dan Pitton,
Director Office of Mission, Architect, and Planning.
[FR Doc. 2011-7490 Filed 3-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P