[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 97 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29635-29636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11973]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2003-0004; FRL-9349-8]


Access to Confidential Business Information by Several Student 
Services Contractors

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA will be authorizing several Student Services contractors 
to access information which has been submitted to EPA under all 
sections of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Some of the 
information may be claimed or determined to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI).

DATES: Access to the confidential data occurred on or about April 30, 
2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: 
Pamela Moseley, Information Management Division (7407M), Office of 
Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(202) 564-8956; fax number: (202) 564-8955; email address: 
[email protected]. For specific information about this clearance 
contact Scott M. Sherlock, Environmental Assistance Division (7408M), 
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; 
telephone number: (202) 564-8257; fax number: (202) 564-8251; email 
address: [email protected].
    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 
554-1404; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this notice apply to me?

    This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, 
however, be of interest to all who manufacture, process, or distribute 
industrial chemicals. Since other entities may also be interested, the 
Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may 
be affected by this action. 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.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    EPA has established a docket for this action under docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2003-0004. 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) in 
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 legal 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.

II. What action is the agency taking?

    Under Order Number EP-12-H-000389, a Student Services contractor 
will assist the Office of Science Policy (OSCP), Office of Research and 
Development (ORD) in the research on hydraulic fracturing impact on 
drinking water. This includes data analysis of data from nine hydraulic 
fracturing companies and nine well owner/operators. In time several 
other Student Services contractors will be involved in this activity 
under different order numbers. No further notice will be given for 
these persons clearances.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 2.306(j), EPA has determined that under 
Order Number EP-12-H-000389, Student Services contractors will require 
access to CBI submitted to EPA under all sections of TSCA to perform 
successfully the duties specified under the contract. Student Services 
contractors personnel will be given access to information submitted to 
EPA under all sections of TSCA. Some of the information may be claimed 
or determined to be CBI.
    EPA is issuing this notice to inform all submitters of information 
under all

[[Page 29636]]

sections of TSCA that EPA may provide Student Services contractors 
access to these CBI materials on a need-to-know basis only. All access 
to TSCA CBI under this contract will take place at EPA Headquarters in 
accordance with EPA's TSCA CBI Protection Manual.
    Access to TSCA data, including CBI, will continue until August 30, 
2014. If the contracts are extended, this access will also continue for 
the duration of the extended contracts without further notice.
    The Student Services contractors personnel will be required to sign 
nondisclosure agreements and will be briefed on appropriate security 
procedures before they are permitted access to TSCA CBI.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Confidential business information.

    Dated: May 5, 2012.
Mario Caraballo,
Acting Director, Information Management Division, Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics.
[FR Doc. 2012-11973 Filed 5-17-12; 8:45 am]
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