In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2024
36 Months From Approved
72
0
0
1,806
0
0
0
0
0
On January 17, 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final revisions to the radon emission standards for 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart W (82 FR 5142). Included in the final revisions is a requirement that owners and operators of uranium recovery facilities maintain specific records pertaining to the design, construction and operation of the uranium tailings impoundments, both conventional and non-conventional, and heap leach piles. These records will be retained at the facility and contain information regarding the approved design of the impoundments and/or heap leach pile, including, but not limited to, all tests performed that prove the liner is compatible with the material(s) being placed on the liner. For non-conventional impoundments this requirement also includes written and digital photographic records showing compliance with the requirement to maintain liquid in the impoundment such that any solid materials in the impoundment are not visible above the liquid level.
Information collected as part of this ICR is used by the EPA to ensure that public health continues to be protected from the hazards of airborne radionuclides. If the information were not collected, it is unlikely that a violation of these standards would be identified and, thus, there would be no corrective action initiated to bring the facilities back into compliance. Compliance is demonstrated through inspection. All facilities are required to maintain their records for the operational lifetime of the facility, as specified in 40 CFR 61.255. In some cases, they also report their results to EPA.
The decrease in burden from the previously approved ICR is mainly attributable to a reduction in the number of estimated respondents. The initial ICR identified a larger universe of respondents that could potentially be subject to the newly defined requirements, many of which were (and remain) in the process of licensing and development. It is estimated that no additional facilities will become subject to these requirements in the next few years. The Agency has also made a minor adjustment, based on consultations and public comments received, in the estimated number of hours to read and become familiar with the requirements resulting from the transition of the SWIPR system from a start-up to an operations-and-maintenance mode.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
2464ss03.docx
NESHAP for Radon Emissions from Operating Mill Tailings