OMB Watch submitted comments March 11 on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule on burden reduction options for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). This first proposed rule for TRI burden reduction is not extremely controversial, but still poses some threat to the integrity and accessibility of the information. A larger burden reduction rule will come later this year, which will constitute a much more significant threat to the quantity and quality of TRI information. The Jan. 10 proposed rule outlines nine specific reporting requirement changes and two technical modifications. OMB Watch has concerns about the following provisions:

• removal of the latitude/longitude reporting requirement;
• removal of reporting requirements for EPA permit and program ID numbers; and
• removal of percentages for stormwater runoff.

OMB Watch is also troubled about the accuracy and transparency of the burden numbers EPA uses to support burden reduction. The agency has presented varying numbers in the past, and it is crucial that it clarify these numbers before any reporting changes are finalized, or further changes proposed. Read OMB Watch's detailed comments to EPA, and see others' comments through E-Docket.