[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 204 (Friday, October 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63071-63073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27013]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPTS-00298; FRL-6746-9]


Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule and Revised 
Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan Rule; Request for Comment on Renewal 
of Information Collection Activities

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), EPA is 
seeking public comment and information on the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR): Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule 
and Revised Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan Rule (EPA ICR No. 
1365.05, OMB No. 2070-0091). This ICR involves a collection activity 
that is currently approved and scheduled to expire on May 31, 2001. The 
information collected under this ICR relates to the detection and 
management of asbestos in school buildings, thereby protecting the 
environment and public health. The ICR describes the nature of the 
information collection activity and its expected burden and costs. 
Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on 
specific aspects of the collection.

DATES:  Written comments, identified by the docket control number 
OPPTS-00298 and administrative record number AR-227, must be received 
on or before December 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in 
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as 
provided in Unit III. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket 
control number OPPTS-00298 and administrative record number AR-227 in 
the subject line on the first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  For general information contact: 
Barbara Cunningham, Director, Office of Program Management and 
Evaluation, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (7401), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    For technical information contact: Tony Baney, National Program 
Chemicals Division (7404), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 260-3933; fax number: 
(202) 260-1724; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 63072]]

I. Does this Action Apply to Me?

     You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a local 
education agency (LEA), e.g., an elementary or secondary school 
district); an asbestos training provider to schools and educational 
systems; a state education department or commission; or administer 
public health programs. Potentially affected categories and entities 
may include, but are not limited to:


 
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             Type of business                         SIC codes
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Elementary and secondary schools            8211
Schools and educational services, not       8299
 elsewhere classified (training providers)
Administration of educational programs      9411
 (State education departments,
 commissions, and similar educational
 organizations)
Administration of public health programs    9431
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     This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in this table could also be 
affected. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are 
provided to assist you and others in determining whether or not this 
action might apply to certain entities. If you have any questions 
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, 
consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

II. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Documents?

A. Electronically

    You may obtain electronic copies of this document, and certain 
other related documents that might be available electronically, from 
the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page 
select ``Laws and Regulations,'' ``Regulations and Proposed Rules,'' 
and then look up the entry for this document under the ``Federal 
Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also go directly to the 
Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

B. Fax-on-Demand

     Using a faxphone call (202) 401-0527 and select item 4083 for a 
copy of the ICR.

C. In Person

    The Agency has established an official record for this action under 
docket control number OPPTS-00298 and administrative record number AR-
227. The official record consists of the documents specifically 
referenced in this action, any public comments received during an 
applicable comment period, and other information related to this 
action, including any information claimed as Confidential Business 
Information (CBI). This official record includes the documents that are 
physically located in the docket, as well as the documents that are 
referenced in those documents. The public version of the official 
record does not include any information claimed as CBI. The public 
version of the official record, which includes printed, paper versions 
of any electronic comments submitted during an applicable comment 
period, is available for inspection in the TSCA Nonconfidential 
Information Center, North East Mall Rm. B-607, Waterside Mall, 401 M 
St., SW., Washington, DC. The Center is open from noon to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number 
for the Center is (202) 260-7099.

III. How Can I Respond to this Action?

A. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

     You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or 
electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that 
you identify docket control number OPPTS-00298 and administrative 
record number AR-227 on the subject line on the first page of your 
response.
     1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Document Control Office 
(7407), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
     2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: OPPT 
Document Control Office (DCO) in East Tower Rm. G-099, Waterside Mall, 
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC. The DCO is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number 
for the DCO is (202) 260-7093.
     3. Electronically. Submit your comments and/or data electronically 
by e-mail to: [email protected], or mail your computer disk to the 
address identified in Units III.A.1. and 2. Do not submit any 
information electronically that you consider to be CBI. Electronic 
comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data will also be 
accepted on standard disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. 
All comments in electronic form must be identified by docket control 
number OPPTS-00298 and administrative record number AR-227. Electronic 
comments may also be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

B. How Should I Handle CBI that I Want to Submit to the Agency?

     Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to 
be CBI. You may claim information that you submit to EPA in response to 
this document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as 
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance 
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete 
version of the comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a 
copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as 
CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public version of the 
official record. Information not marked confidential will be included 
in the public version of the official record without prior notice. If 
you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, 
please consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

C. What Should I Consider when I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

     You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
     1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
     2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
     3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you 
used that support your views.
     4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
     5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
     6. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
     7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this 
notice.
     8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
control number and administrative record number assigned to this action 
in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also 
provide the name, date, and Federal Register citation.

[[Page 63073]]

D. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

     Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A), EPA specifically solicits 
comments and information to enable it to:
     1. Evaluate whether the proposed collections of information are 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
     2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burdens 
of the proposed collections of information.
     3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
     4. Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
or electronic collection technologies or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

IV. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action 
Apply to?

     EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR:
    Title: Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule and Revised 
Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan Rule.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1365.05, OMB No. 2070-0091.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on May 31, 
2001. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
information collections appear on the collection instruments or 
instructions, in the Federal Register notices for related rulemakings 
and ICR notices, and, if the collection is contained in a regulation, 
in a table of OMB approval numbers in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) 
requires LEAs to conduct inspections, develop management plans, and 
design or conduct response actions with respect to the presence of 
asbestos-containing materials in school buildings. AHERA also requires 
States to develop model accreditation plans for persons who perform 
asbestos inspections, develop management control plans, and design or 
conduct response actions. This information collection addresses the 
burden associated with recordkeeping requirements imposed on LEAs by 
the asbestos in schools rule, and reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements imposed on States and training providers related to the 
model accreditation plan rule. Responses to the collection of 
information are mandatory (see 40 CFR part 763, subpart E). Respondents 
may claim all or part of a notice confidential. EPA will disclose 
information that is covered by a claim of confidentiality only to the 
extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in TSCA 
section 14 and 40 CFR part 2.

V. What are EPA's Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR?

     Under the PRA, ``burden'' means the total time, effort, or 
financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, 
or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal Agency. For this 
collection it includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, 
acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes 
of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and 
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; 
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable 
instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to 
a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review 
the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the 
information.
     The ICR provides a detailed explanation of this estimate, which is 
only briefly summarized in this notice. The annual public burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average in range between 
5.5 hours per respondent and 140 hours per respondent, depending upon 
the category of respondent. The following is a summary of the estimates 
taken from the ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: 107,759.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 107,759.
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 
One.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 2,212,151 hours.
    Estimated total annual burden costs: $58,860,737.

VI. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

     There is a net decrease of 155,142 hours (from 2,367,293 hours to 
2,212,151 hours) in the total estimated respondent burden compared with 
that identified in the information collection request most recently 
approved by OMB. This change reflects changes in the numbers of school 
buildings containing friable asbestos (adjustment), offset slightly by 
an increase in the burden that applies to training providers 
(adjustment).

VII. What is the Next Step in the Process for this ICR?

     EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as 
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for 
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another 
Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce 
the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit 
additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or 
the approval process, please contact the technical person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.


    Dated: October 11, 2000.
Susan H. Wayland,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 00-27013 Filed 10-19-00; 8:45 am]
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