[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79083-79085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30499]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0717; FRL-8393-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Pressed Wood Manufacturing Industry Survey; EPA ICR 
No. 2328.01, OMB Control No. 2070-new

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.), this document announces that EPA is planning to 
submit a request for a new Information Collection Request (ICR) to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is entitled: ``Pressed 
Wood Manufacturing Industry Survey'' and is identified by EPA ICR No. 
2328.01 and OMB Control No. 2070-new. Before submitting the ICR to OMB 
for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects 
of the proposed information collection.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0717, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: OPPT Document Control Office (DCO), EPA 
East, Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Attention: 
Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0717. 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. Such deliveries are only accepted 
during the DCO's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements 
should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2008-0717. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change and may be made available on-line 
at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or e-
mail. The regulations.gov website is an ``anonymous access'' system, 
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, 
your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part 
of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available 
on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends 
that you include your name and other contact information in the body of 
your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read 
your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be

[[Page 79084]]

able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of 
special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects 
or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit 
the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index 
available at http://www.regulations.gov. Although listed in the index, 
some information is not publicly available, e.g, CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other 
material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only 
in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available 
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in 
hard copy, at the OPPT Docket. The OPPT Docket is located in the EPA 
Docket Center (EPA/DC) at Rm. 3334, EPA West Bldg., 1301 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room hours of 
operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
Federal holidays. The telephone number of the EPA/DC Public Reading 
Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is 
(202) 566-0280. Docket visitors are required to show photographic 
identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor 
log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray machine and 
subject to search. Visitors will be provided an EPA/DC badge that must 
be visible at all times in the building and returned upon departure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Colby 
Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division 
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: [email protected].
    For technical information contact: William Silagi, Economics, 
Exposure and Technology Division (7406M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(202) 564-8788; fax number: (202) 564-8893; e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of PRA, EPA specifically solicits 
comments and information to enable it to:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
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 burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from 
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of 
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork 
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

II. 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 and provide specific 
examples.
    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 identified 
under DATES.
    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.

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

    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this ICR are 
facilities engaged in the manufacturing of pressed wood products, 
including glued-laminated timber (glulam beams), hardboard, hardwood 
plywood (both veneer and composite core), laminated veneer lumber, 
medium density fiberboard, oriented strandboard (including waferboard), 
oriented strand lumber, particleboard, and softwood plywood. The North 
American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes associated with 
industries most likely affected by this information collection are:
     Hardwood veneer and plywood manufacturing (NAICS code 
321211).
     Softwood veneer and plywood manufacturing (NAICS code 
321212).
     Engineered wood member (except truss) manufacturing (NAICS 
code 321213).
     Reconstituted wood product manufacturing (NAICS code 
321219).
    Facilities with other primary NAICS codes may also be affected if 
they engage in pressed wood manufacturing as a secondary activity.
    Title: Pressed Wood Manufacturing Industry Survey.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2328.01, OMB Control No. 2070-new.
    ICR status: This ICR is for a new information collection activity. 
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 regulations 
in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), after appearing 
in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are 
displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other 
appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or 
form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers for certain EPA 
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: Pressed wood is an engineered wood product made from wood 
veneers, particles, or wood fibers bonded together with an adhesive 
under heat and pressure. Pressed wood includes fiberboard, glued 
laminated timber, hardboard, laminated veneer lumber, medium density 
fiberboard, oriented strand board, parallel strand lumber, 
particleboard, hardwood and softwood plywood, prefabricated I-joists, 
and waferboard. Resins serve to bind together raw wood materials, such 
as wood shavings, flakes, wafers, chips, particles, veneers, fibers, 
strands, or sawdust, to form the pressed wood product. There are 
several types of formaldehyde-based resins, as well as alternative 
resins that are not formaldehyde-based. Formaldehyde emissions are a 
concern because formaldehyde is both an irritant and a probable human 
carcinogen.

[[Page 79085]]

    EPA has initiated a proceeding to investigate whether and what type 
of regulatory or other action might be appropriate to protect against 
risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from pressed wood products as 
stated in the Federal Register document entitled Formaldehyde Emissions 
from Composite Wood Products; Disposition of TSCA Section 21 Petition 
(73 FR 36504, June 27, 2008) (FRL-8371-5). As part of this 
investigation, EPA seeks to survey U.S. pressed wood manufacturers. EPA 
plans to collect information on the categories and volume of pressed 
wood manufactured; the types of resins used in the manufacturing 
process; the formaldehyde emissions levels from the pressed wood; 
recent or planned changes to reduce formaldehyde emissions and the 
resulting costs; and any issues that may affect the ability to reduce 
formaldehyde emissions. The survey will be sent to all U.S. pressed 
wood manufacturers identified by EPA (i.e., it will be a census).
    Many pressed wood manufacturers are expected to modify their 
production processes in the coming years in response to factors 
including the growing demand for green building products, 
implementation of a California Air Resources Board (CARB) rule to 
control formaldehyde emissions, and European and Japanese standards for 
formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood. The information collected 
through the survey will allow EPA to predict a future baseline for the 
types of resins that will be used in pressed wood, and the levels of 
formaldehyde that will be emitted from them. EPA will also use this 
information to assess the incremental benefits and costs of potential 
actions at the national level on formaldehyde emissions from pressed 
wood products. This information is necessary to inform Agency 
decisionmaking about the need for and scope of regulatory or other 
actions to protect against risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from 
pressed wood products.
    EPA will use the information obtained through this industry survey 
(along with information submitted in response to EPA's Advanced Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for Formaldehyde Emissions from Pressed 
Wood Products, which published in the Federal Register on December 3, 
2008 (73 FR 73620) (FRL-8386-3), and other data sources) to develop an 
industry profile, and to assess the costs and benefits of potential 
federal actions regarding formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood 
products. EPA anticipates receiving useful information through the ANPR 
process, but it does not expect to receive the detailed plant level 
data that will be collected from across the pressed wood industry by 
this survey. EPA believes that the public comments on the ANPR will be 
informative, but will not provide information in sufficient depth, 
breadth, and uniformity to substitute for this survey.
    This survey asks for readily obtainable information, e.g., 
information known or easily accessed by technical, managerial, or 
supervisory employees of the plant who are responsible for 
manufacturing, processing, technical services, or marketing. The plant 
does not have to generate new information to complete the survey. For 
example, the survey asks for information on formaldehyde emission 
levels from pressed wood products. If the plant has not already tested 
its products for formaldehyde emissions, it does not need to test them 
in order to respond to this survey.
    EPA will request that all U.S. pressed wood manufacturers 
voluntarily complete the survey. If EPA does not achieve a sufficient 
survey response rate to accurately characterize the industry, EPA will 
consider whether to exercise the authority available to it under the 
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 11(c), 15 U.S.C. 2610(c). 
TSCA section 11(c) provides EPA with the authority to issue subpoenas 
requiring the production of reports, papers, documents, answers to 
questions, and other information that the Administrator deems 
necessary. EPA could potentially use its TSCA section 11(c) authority 
to issue subpoenas requiring recipients (i.e., non-respondents) to 
complete and return the survey.
    Respondents may elect to claim certain submitted information as CBI 
if there is a legitimate need to do so as described in EPA's 
regulations at 40 CFR part 2. These claims will be handled according to 
EPA procedures described in the regulation at 40 CFR part 2. 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, 15 U.S.C. 2613, and the regulation at 40 CFR part 2. 
EPA has a well-established system to prevent unauthorized disclosure of 
TSCA CBI, including procedures for access, tracking, photocopying, 
storing, and transmitting TSCA CBI.
    Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 19.6 
hours per response. 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. This 
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 which have subsequently changed; 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 here:
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 343.
    Frequency of response: One time.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 6,723 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $375,242. This cost is due to 
reporting burden and not capital investment or maintenance and 
operational costs.

IV. 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: December 15, 2008.
James B. Gulliford,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. E8-30499 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am]
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