[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 198 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 60662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26188]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6884-5]


Announcement of an Analysis of Oversight and Review of EPA 
Information Products

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to announce EPA's intent to perform an analysis 
of oversight and review mechanisms for EPA information products. 
Oversight and review of EPA information products is an aspect of 
accountability, which EPA is considering as the Agency develops its 
public access strategy. The analysis will provide useful background for 
EPA's strategy. Specifically, the analysis will focus on mechanisms to 
address concerns if inaccurate or misleading information products are 
published by EPA. The analysis will look at the scope and adequacy of 
various oversight mechanisms.
    EPA will provide detailed issue papers prepared by independent 
experts from the fields of law, economics and public administration for 
each of the following issues:
    1. What current mechanisms exist to address concerns about 
inaccurate or misleading information products published by the 
government? The analysis will address judicial and non-judicial 
mechanisms for review in both pre-publication and post-publication 
stages.
    2. Generally, what types of additional pre-publication or post-
publication mechanisms could be developed under existing law to ensure 
there is accountability for correcting errors?
    3. Assuming the availability of judicial review, what are the costs 
and benefits (e.g., to the government, to private parties, and to 
society in general)?
    4. When considering the feasibility of new mechanisms to ensure 
accountability for accurate and clear information or data, what 
economic and social costs and benefits should be considered (e.g., 
likelihood for abuse, timeliness of resolution, completeness of 
information disclosure, effectiveness for resolving issues)?
    5. What are some pertinent case histories that show the costs and 
benefits for judicial and non-judicial review options?
    These issue papers are intended to be neutral in tone; they will 
explain the range of opinions on each issue without advocating any 
specific position. EPA anticipates that the issue papers will be ready 
in January 2001. When they are complete, EPA will announce their 
availability in the Federal Register and on the EPA Website, and will 
post the full texts on the EPA Website. The Agency will open a 30-day 
public comment period on-line to solicit public input. EPA is 
interested in obtaining comments from a broad spectrum of its 
stakeholders, but is particularly interested in hearing from experts in 
the legal and administrative aspects of judicial and non-judicial 
review. The Agency would prefer that commenters use the EPA Website to 
send comments, but will also accept written comments by mail.

ADDRESSES: There will be a 30-day public comment period, announced on 
the EPA Website (www.epa.gov) and in the Federal Register when the 
issue papers are available. Written comments can be sent by mail to 
Kevin Donovan, Office of Environmental Information, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Mail Code 2843, 
Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more detailed information on 
specific aspects of the issue papers, contact Kevin Donovan 
([email protected]) or Vipul Bhatt ([email protected]), Office 
of Environmental Information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Mail Code 2843, Washington, DC 20460.

    Dated: October 6, 2000.
Elaine Stanley,
Director, Office of Information and Analysis and Access, Office of 
Environmental Information.
[FR Doc. 00-26188 Filed 10-11-00; 8:45 am]
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