2019-19401. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an Existing Collection Activity; Comment Request  

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    AGENCY:

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    ACTION:

    Notice.

    SUMMARY:

    In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ICR, entitled: “School Integrated Pest Management Awards” and identified by EPA ICR No. 2531.02 and OMB Control No. 2070-0200, represents the renewal of an existing ICR that is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2020. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, 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 November 8, 2019.

    ADDRESSES:

    Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0356 by one of the following methods:

    • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://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.
    • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001.
    • Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the instructions at http://www.epa.gov/​dockets/​contacts.html. Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/​dockets.
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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Carolyn Siu, FEAD (7506P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: Insert (703) 347-Start Printed Page 472860159; email address: siu.carolyn@epa.gov.

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    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

    ICR number: EPA ICR No. 2531.02.

    OMB control number: OMB Control No. 2070-0200.

    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on May 31, 2020. 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.

    Abstract: This ICR covers the paperwork activities associated with EPA's 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 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 takes to begin, grow, and sustain an IPM program. This program has five award categories—Great Start, Leadership, Excellence, Sustained Excellence, and 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.

    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. 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.

    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:

    Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 16.5 hours per response. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

    Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this ICR are school districts or entities that represent them. Entities potentially affected by this ICR are represented by the following North American Industry Classification System (NACIS) Codes: 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.

    Obligation to respond: Voluntary.

    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 53.

    Frequency of response: On occasion.

    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: One per application.

    Estimated total annual burden hours: 875 hours.

    Estimated total annual costs: $81,000. There are no capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.

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

    EPA does not expect any changes in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. However, there is an increase in the estimated burden costs for both the Agency and the respondents. This increase reflects increases in the wage rates since the creation of the ICR. We note that in the creation of the ICR, the benefits (46.3 percent of the unloaded wage) was mistakenly excluded from the calculation of the fully loaded wages for the Agency, resulting in the latter being much lower than the actual values. Correcting this in the renewal results in an increase for the Agency's estimated burden costs that is disproportionately larger than the estimated burden cost increase for the respondents. This change is an adjustment.

    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.

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    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

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    Dated: September 3, 2019.

    Alexandra Dapolito Dunn,

    Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

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    [FR Doc. 2019-19401 Filed 9-6-19; 8:45 am]

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