2023-17361. 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.

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: [e-mail].

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:

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.