[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48859-48860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24548]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

(FRL-5893-1)


Draft Report of the National Performance Measures Strategy 
(``Measures Strategy'')

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft report of the National 
Performance Measures Strategy and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) announces the availability 
of and requests for comment on, the Draft Report of the National 
Performance Measures Strategy (``Measures Strategy''). The Measures 
Strategy was initiated by OECA in January of 1997 ``to develop and 
implement an enhanced set of performance measures for EPA's enforcement 
and compliance assurance program.'' Since January, public meetings and 
roundtable sessions, consultations with experts, and reviews of studies 
and articles have occurred. Ideas were offered by representatives of 
regulated industries or companies, national and local environmental 
organizations, environmental justice advocates, state environmental 
protection agencies and associations, state Attorneys General offices, 
federal oversight and management agencies, federal regulatory and law 
enforcement agencies, environmental policy institutes, Congressional 
staff, academic experts, DOJ representatives, and EPA regional and 
headquarters managers and staff. EPA has reviewed the ideas and 
suggestions that have been offered from these sources, and from that 
review a proposed set of performance measures has been developed.
    The report describes the need for enhanced measures, key ideas from 
interested parties, general findings about performance measurement, a 
proposed measurement framework, and a set of performance measures and 
possible implementation steps. Stakeholders are invited and encouraged 
to offer comment on the draft report through written submission. EPA 
will review these comments, revise the report and the proposed measures 
(if necessary), and distribute a final report by the end of October 
with the performance measures OECA intends to implement. In some cases, 
EPA may initiate further steps to study alternative measures that 
require more analysis or

[[Page 48860]]

have more complex implementation strategies.

DATES: The Measures Strategy announced today will be available on or 
about September 17, 1997. Written comments must be received by EPA (see 
address below for contact person) the close of business on October 17, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: The draft report is available at the following Internet 
address: http://es.inel.gov/oeca/perfmeas. It is also available by 
contacting Mary Woods at Science Applications International 
Corporation; telephone 703-645-6958. Hard copies of the draft report 
are available at EPA's Information Resource Center, which is located at 
401 M St. SW (Room #M2904); Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 260-
5921. The Information Resource Center is open for business Monday-
Friday between 8:00 am--5:00 pm, except legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional documents relating to the 
Measures Strategy may also be obtained by contacting James McDonald, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Enforcement and 
Compliance Assurance (2201-A); 401 M St. SW; Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone (202) 564-4043; fax (202) 501-0701; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft report released today will be the 
subject of a conference in Alexandria, VA on October 7, 1997. It will 
take place at the Holiday Inn Historic District Alexandria, 625 First 
Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone 703-548-6300. The purpose 
of the conference is to review and discuss with stakeholders and 
regulatory partners the alternative performance measures contained in 
the draft report and which EPA is considering adopting for its 
enforcement and compliance assurance program. At that conference, 
panels of stakeholders and interested parties will be asked to provide 
comments and suggestions about the measures or other aspects of the 
report. Anyone interested in attending the conference and/or interested 
in being considered for participation on a panel should contact: James 
McDonald at the address listed above, or Mary Woods, Science 
Applications International Corporation, 2222 Gallows Road, Suite 300, 
Dunn Lorying, VA 22027; telephone 703-645-6958; fax 703-903-1373.

    Dated: September 10, 1997.
Sylvia Lowrance,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Enforcement and Compliance 
Assurance.
[FR Doc. 97-24548 Filed 9-16-97; 8:45 am]
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