Notice2021-18835
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an Existing Collection and Request for Comment; Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools and Asbestos Model Accreditation Plans
Primary source
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Published
September 1, 2021
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on an Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ICR, entitled: "Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools and Asbestos Model Accreditation Plans" and identified by EPA ICR No. 1365.12 and OMB Control No. 2070-0091, represents the renewal of an existing ICR that is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2022. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 167 (Wednesday, September 1, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 167 (Wednesday, September 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49025-49027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18835]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0319; FRL-8770-01-OCSPP]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an
Existing Collection and Request for Comment; Asbestos-Containing
Materials in Schools and Asbestos Model Accreditation Plans
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
an Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ICR, entitled:
``Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools and Asbestos Model
Accreditation Plans'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 1365.12 and OMB
Control No. 2070-0091, represents the renewal of an existing ICR that
is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2022. Before submitting the ICR to
OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments
on specific aspects of the proposed information collection that is
summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are
available in the docket for public review and comment.
[[Page 49026]]
DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 1, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0319, through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
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 <a href="http://www.epa.gov/dockets">http://www.epa.gov/dockets</a>.
Due to the public health concerns related to COVID-19, the EPA
Docket Center (EPA/DC) and Reading Room is closed to visitors with
limited exceptions. The staff continues to provide remote customer
service via email, phone, and webform. For the latest status
information on EPA/DC and docket access, visit <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets">https://www.epa.gov/dockets</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Putt, Existing Chemicals Risk
Management Division (7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-3703; email address:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5d5d0d1d18bcfc0c3c3d7c0dce5c0d5c48bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6d1d1819194307080b0b1f08142d081d0c430a021b">[email protected]</span></a>.
For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill,
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202)
554-1404; email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d286819193ff9abda6bebbbcb792b7a2b3fcb5bda4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8cd8dfcfcda1c4e3f8e0e5e2e9cce9fceda2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a>.
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: Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools and Asbestos Model
Accreditation Plans.
ICR number: EPA ICR No. 1365.12.
OMB control number: OMB Control No. 2070-0091.
ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on May 31,
2022. 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: This Information Collection Request (ICR) addresses
reporting and recordkeeping requirements found in the Asbestos-
Containing Materials in Schools Rule (``AHERA Rule'' a.k.a. ``Schools
Rule'') and the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) Rule.
Section 203 of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA,
15 U.S.C. 2641-2656), authorizes the EPA Administrator to promulgate
regulations ``for determining whether asbestos-containing material is
present in a school building under the authority of a local education
agency (LEA).'' Accordingly, the Agency developed regulations in 40 CFR
part 763, subpart E to require LEAs to conduct inspections, develop
management plans, and design or conduct response actions. Records must
be maintained by all LEAs on inspections and response action activity,
and current management plans must be provided upon request to EPA and
state reviewers for examination.
Section 206 of AHERA, as amended, authorized the EPA Administrator,
in consultation with affected organizations, to develop a model
accreditation plan for states. The MAP provides accreditation criteria
for persons who inspect for asbestos, develop management plans, and
design or conduct response actions. States are required to adopt an
accreditation plan at least as stringent as the EPA model plan. The
accreditation requirements apply to persons who work in public and
commercial buildings as well as schools. Accreditation of laboratories
that analyze asbestos bulk samples and asbestos air samples is also
required by AHERA.
This ICR estimates the paperwork burden for LEAs to inspect for
asbestos and update management plans to protect all school building
occupants from exposure to asbestos. This collection also estimates the
paperwork burden for the accreditation of persons who inspect for
asbestos, develop management plans, and design or conduct response
actions and the paperwork burden associated with state accreditation
programs.
Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to annual
average 19.7 hours per response for schools, 140 hours per response for
states, and 5.5 hours per response for training providers. 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:
Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by
this ICR are elementary and secondary school districts North American
Industry Classification System ((NAICS) code 61111) and all states
(NAICS code 92311). Additionally, under the Asbestos School Hazard
Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA), the Model Accreditation Plan
affects training providers (NAICS code 61143) and State Asbestos
Accreditation Programs (NAICS code 92312).
Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory, as per 40 CFR 763
subpart E.
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 138,945, which
represents 137,621 local education agencies (LEAs), 1,268 training
providers, and 56 States/Territories.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 2,600,679 hours.
Estimated total annual costs: $106,858,522, which includes an
estimated burden cost of $106,858,522 and an estimated cost of $0 for
capital
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investment or maintenance and operational costs.
III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?
There is an increase in total annual costs compared with that
identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. This is an increase of
45,766 hours (from 2,554,913 hours to 2,600,679 hours). The increase in
the respondent burden and agency costs were caused by an increase in
the hourly wages and a change in the methodology to calculate loaded
wages (wages plus fringe benefits and overhead). 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. The Agency does not expect this 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: August 26, 2021.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2021-18835 Filed 8-31-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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