[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53789-53791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20992]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPT-2002-0036; FRL-7188-2]


Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under EPA's Hospitals 
for a Healthy Environment (H2E) Program; Request for Comment on New 
Information Collection Activity

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), EPA is seeking public comment on the following 
Information Collection Request (ICR): Reporting and Recordkeeping 
Requirements under EPA's Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) 
Program (EPA ICR No. TBD; OMB Control No. 2070-TBD). This ICR involves 
a new collection activity not currently approved by OMB. The 
information collected under this ICR relates to recordkeeping and 
reporting as part of a voluntary program to help hospitals enhance work 
place safety, reduce waste and waste disposal costs, and become better 
environmental stewards and neighbors. 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 ID number OPPT-2002-
0036, must be received on or before October 18, 2002.

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 ID 
number OPPT-2002-0036 in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: 
Barbara

[[Page 53790]]

Cunningham, Acting Director, Environmental Assistance Division (7408M), 
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: [email protected].
    For technical information contact: Laura Nazef, Pollution 
Prevention Division (7409M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-7523; fax number: 
(202) 564-8899; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
establishment or organization engaged in furnishing medical, surgical, 
or other health services to individuals. Potentially affected 
categories and entities may include, but are not limited to:

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             Type of business                        NAICS codes
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Offices of physicians                       6211
Offices of dentists                         6212
Outpatient care centers                     6214
Medical and diagnostic laboratories         6215
Home health care services                   6216
General medical and surgical hospitals      6221
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals   6222
Nursing care facilities                     6231
Residential mental retardation, mental      6232
 health, and substance abuse facilities
Community care facilities for the elderly   6233
Grantmaking and giving services             8132
Social advocacy organizations               8133
Civic and social organizations              8134
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
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) 564-3119 and select item 4097 for a 
copy of the ICR.

C. In Person

    The Agency has established an official record for this action under 
docket ID number OPPT-2002-0036. 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 the 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 ID number OPPT-2002-0036 on the subject line on the 
first page of your response.
    1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Document Control Office 
(7407M), 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 EPA East Building Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution 
Ave., NW., 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) 564-8930.
    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 ID number 
OPPT-2002-0036. 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.

[[Page 53791]]

    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 
ID 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.

D. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 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: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under EPA's 
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) Program.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. TBD, OMB No. 2070-TBD.
    ICR status: This ICR is a new proposed information collection that 
has not been approved by OMB. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and 
a person is not required to respond to a collection of information that 
is subject to approval under PRA, 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 Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) program is 
a voluntary partnership program jointly administered by EPA and the 
American Hospital Association (AHA) that helps hospitals enhance work 
place safety, reduce waste and waste disposal costs, and become better 
environmental stewards and neighbors. The program is based on a 1998 
Memorandum of Understanding signed by AHA and EPA to provide health 
care professionals with the tools and information necessary to reduce 
mercury waste, reduce the overall volume of waste, and identify 
pollution prevention opportunities.
    The H2E program has two elements, the Partners for Change Program 
and the Champions for Change Program. The Partners for Change Program 
recognizes health care facilities that pledge support to the H2E 
mission and develop goals for reducing waste and mercury in their own 
facilities. The Champions for Change Program recognizes organizations 
that encourage and aid health care facilities to participate as H2E 
partners, provide on-going promotional or technical assistance 
information, or make changes that support the goals of the H2E program 
in their own institutions. An organization's decision to participate in 
the H2E program is completely voluntary.
    This information collection addresses reporting and recordkeeping 
activities that support the administration of the H2E program. 
Responses to the collection of information are voluntary. 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 range between 0.5 and 20 
hours per response, depending upon the type of information the 
respondent provides. The following is a summary of the estimates taken 
from the ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: 550.
    Frequency of response: Annually.
    Estimated average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 10,110.
    Estimated total annual burden costs: $343,765.

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

    No. This is a new proposed ICR.

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: August 8, 2002.
Susan B. Hazen,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 02-20992 Filed 8-16-02; 8:45 am]
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