[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 155 (Monday, August 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55039-55040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17361]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0335; FRL-10664-01-OCSPP]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an 
Existing ICR Collection and Request for Comment; School Integrated Pest 
Management Awards Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this 
document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on 
the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning 
to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): ``School 
Integrated Pest Management Awards Program,'' identified by EPA ICR No. 
2531.03 and OMB Control No. 2070-0200. This ICR represents a renewal. 
This ICR will expire on May 31, 2024. Before submitting the ICR to OMB 
for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on 
specific aspects of the information collection that is summarized in 
this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the 
docket for public review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0335, through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information 
you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional 
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more 
information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nora Stoner, Mission Support Division 
(7101M), Office of Program Support, Office of Chemical Safety and 
Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(202) 564-0355; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. What information is EPA particularly interested in?

    Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
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 information collection activity or ICR does this action apply 
to?

    Title: School Integrated Pest Management Awards Program.
    EPA ICR No.: 2531.03.
    OMB Control No.: 2070-0200.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently approved through May 31, 2024. 
Under the PRA, 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 
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: This is a renewal information collection request (ICR) 
that will cover the paperwork activities associated with the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency's new program to encourage the use of 
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the preferred approach to pest 
control in the nation's schools. IPM is a smart, sensible, and 
sustainable approach to pest control that emphasizes the remediation of 
pest conducive conditions. IPM combines a variety of pest management 
practices to provide effective, economical pest control with the least 
possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. These 
practices involve exclusion of pests, maintenance of sanitation, and 
the judicious use of pesticides.
    The EPA's vision is that all students in the U.S. will experience 
the benefits provided by an IPM program in their school district. The 
Agency's IPM implementation efforts are based on a wholesale approach 
aimed at kindergarten through 12th grade public and Tribal schools. The 
Agency intends to use the information collected through this ICR to 
encourage school districts to implement IPM programs and to recognize 
those that have attained a notable level of success. Since IPM 
implementation occurs along a continuum, the School IPM (SIPM) 
incentive program will recognize each milestone step a school district 
must take to begin, grow, and sustain an IPM program.
    This program has five award categories (1) Great Start, (2) 
Leadership, (3) Excellence, (4) Sustained Excellence, and (5) 
Connector. The first four categories are stepwise levels that are 
reflective of the effort, experience, and, ultimately, success that 
results from implementing EPA-recommended IPM tactics that protect 
human health and the environment. Schools with pest infestations are 
not only exposed to potential harm to health and property, but also to 
stigmatization. The School IPM recognition program will give districts 
across the nation the opportunity to receive positive reinforcement 
through public recognition of their efforts in implementing pest 
prevention and management strategies.
    Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 914 
hours per response. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
    The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related 
materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities 
and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized here:

[[Page 55040]]

    Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this ICR are school districts or entities that represent them. Entities 
potentially affected by this ICR are the following corresponding North 
American Industry Classification System (NACIS) Codes for respondents 
which include: 6111-Elementary and Secondary Schools, 6244-Child Day 
Care Services, 56172-Janitorial Services, 56173-Landscaping Services, 
56171-Exterminating and Pest Control Services, and 5617-Services to 
Buildings and Dwellings.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary, required to retain a 
benefit.
    Forms: EPA Form No. 9600-054.
    Frequency of response: Occasional.
    Total estimated number of potential respondents: 53.
    Total estimated average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Total estimated annual burden hours: 914 hours.
    Total estimated annual costs: $ 98,358. This includes an estimated 
burden cost of $ 98,358 and an estimated cost of $ 0 for capital 
investment or maintenance and operational costs.

III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

    There are minor corrections to the burden from the last renewal for 
the Great Start, Sustained Excellence and the Connector Award which 
were miscalculated in error but still reflect no change in the actual 
burden. There were no changes in the number of respondents and the 
respondent and Agency burden hours over the previous renewal cycle. The 
only change from the last renewal cycle is that the cost estimates were 
updated using the latest May 2022 wage rates. This change is an 
adjustment.
    In addition, OMB has requested that EPA move towards using the 18-
question format for ICR Supporting Statements used by other federal 
agencies and departments and is based on the submission instructions 
established by OMB in 1995, replacing the alternate format developed by 
EPA and OMB prior to 1995. EPA intends to update this Supporting 
Statement during the comment period to reflect the 18-question format, 
and has included the questions in an attachment to this Supporting 
Statement. In doing so, the Agency does not expect the change in format 
to result in substantive changes to the information collection 
activities or related estimated burden and 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 document 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 person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

    Dated: July 30, 2023.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2023-17361 Filed 8-11-23; 8:45 am]
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