EPA Seeks OMB Renewal of Two RCRA Information Collection Requests; Comments Due July 22

Two RCRA Information Collections Submitted to OMB

The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted two separate information collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act, both carrying a public comment deadline of July 22, 2026. Each is a proposed extension of an ICR currently approved through June 30, 2026. Both notices open an additional 30-day comment window; the agency had previously solicited public comments via the Federal Register during earlier 60-day comment periods.

RCRA Expanded Public Participation (ICR No. 1688.11)

The first ICR covers RCRA Expanded Public Participation (EPA ICR Number 1688.11, OMB Control Number 2050-0149). The document explains that Section 7004(b) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act gives EPA broad authority to provide for, encourage, and assist public participation in the development, revision, implementation, and enforcement of any regulation, guideline, information, or program under RCRA. The statute also specifies certain public notices — including radio, newspaper, and a letter to relevant agencies — that EPA must provide before issuing any RCRA permit, and establishes a process by which the public can dispute a permit and request a public hearing. EPA carries out much of its RCRA public involvement at 40 CFR parts 124 and 270.

The agency estimates 58 respondents, all businesses and other for-profit enterprises, with a mandatory obligation to respond under RCRA Section 7004(b). The total estimated burden is 4,853 hours per year, and the total estimated cost is $372,194 per year, which includes $5,278 in annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs. The notice reports an increase of 379 hours in the burden estimate compared to the previously approved ICR, attributed to an increase in the number of respondents. Public comments for this ICR were previously requested on December 11, 2025 (90 FR 57466) during a 60-day period.

State Program Adequacy Determination for Landfills (ICR No. 1608.10)

The second ICR covers the State Program Adequacy Determination for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills and Non-Municipal, Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal Units That Receive Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Hazardous Waste (EPA ICR Number 1608.10, OMB Control Number 2050-0152). The document explains that Section 4010(c) of RCRA requires EPA to revise landfill criteria, and that Section 4005(c) of RCRA, as amended by the Hazardous Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, requires states to develop and implement permit programs ensuring that municipal solid waste landfills and non-municipal, non-hazardous waste disposal units receiving household hazardous waste or conditionally exempt small quantity generator hazardous waste comply with the revised federal criteria under 40 CFR part 257, subpart B and 40 CFR part 258.

The document further explains that Section 4005(c) mandates the EPA Administrator to determine the adequacy of state permit programs. In response, EPA developed 40 CFR part 239 — commonly referred to as the State Implementation Rule — which describes the state application and EPA review procedures and defines the elements of an adequate state permit program. The document notes that the EPA Administrator has delegated authority to make adequacy determinations to EPA Regional Administrators, who use the information provided by each state to determine whether the state's permit program satisfies the statutory test. The document states that a state program deemed adequate may afford flexibility to owners or operators in the approaches they use to meet federal requirements, significantly reducing the burden associated with compliance.

Respondents are state, local, or tribal governments, with an estimated 12 respondents and a mandatory obligation to respond under Section 4005(c) of RCRA. The total estimated burden is 993 hours per year, and the total estimated cost is $45,881 per year, which includes $0 in annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs. The notice reports no change in burden between this request and the previously approved ICR. Public comments were previously requested on November 28, 2025 (90 FR 54678) during a 60-day period.

What to Watch

Both ICRs share the same comment deadline of July 22, 2026. Supporting documents for each ICR are available in the public docket at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC; the Docket Center telephone number is 202-566-1744.