Guidance on the Development, Evaluation, and Application of Environmental Models, 14551-14552 [E9-7183]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 60 / Tuesday, March 31, 2009 / Notices oei.docket@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Information Docket, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Blanding, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Acquisition Management, Mail Code 3802R, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; (202) 564–1130; fax number: (202) 565–2475; e-mail address: blanding.donna@epa.gov. EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On November 13, 2008 (73 FR 67152), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID number EPA–HQ–OARM–2008–0827, which is available for public viewing at https:// www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the EPA Docket Center (EPA/ DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the Office of Environmental Information Docket is (202) 566–1752. Use EPA’s electronic docket and comment system at https:// www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ‘‘docket search,’’ then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA’s policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at https://www.regulations.gov as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, confidential business information (CBI), or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further tjames on PRODPC61 with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:35 Mar 30, 2009 Jkt 217001 information about the electronic docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Title: Contractor Cumulative Claim and Reconciliation (Renewal). ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0246.10, OMB Control No. 2030–0016. ICR Status: This ICR is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2009. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. 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 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 in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. Abstract: At the completion of a cost reimbursement contract, contractors will report final costs incurred, including direct labor, materials, supplies, equipment, other direct charges, subcontracting, consultant fees, indirect costs, and fixed fee. Contractors will report this information on EPA Form 1900–10. EPA will use this information to reconcile the contractor’s costs. Establishment of the final costs and fixed fee is necessary to close out the contract. Responses to the information collection are mandatory for those contractors completing work under a cost reimbursement contract, and are required to receive final payment. Information submitted is protected from public release in accordance with the Agency’s confidentiality regulation, 40 CFR 2.201 et seq. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 240 minutes per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14551 information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Respondents/Affected Entities: All contractors who have completed an EPA cost reimbursement type contract will be required to submit EPA Form 1900– 10. Estimated Number of Respondents: 20. Frequency of Response: At contract completion. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 80. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $8,491 which includes $0 annual capital/ startup costs, $240 annual O&M costs, and $8,251 annual labor costs. Changes in the Estimates: In the last OMB clearance, respondent burden hours were estimated at 32 hours per year. The current estimate is 80 hours per year for an overall increase of 48 hours. The increase in burden from the previous approval is a result of the increased time needed, by the respondents’, per action due to the complexity of some of the contracts to be closed out and the timeliness of consulted subcontractors, which often increases the amount of time needed to gather the required information. Dated: March 25, 2009. John Moses, Acting Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E9–7191 Filed 3–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–ORD–2009; FRL–8787–5] Guidance on the Development, Evaluation, and Application of Environmental Models AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of Document Availability. SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of the final ‘‘Guidance Document on the Development, Evaluation, and Application of Regulatory Environmental Models,’’ EPA/100/K–09/003 (hereinafter ‘‘Models Guidance’’). EPA’s Council for Regulatory Environmental Modeling (CREM) developed the Models Guidance and its companion product, the ‘‘Models Knowledge Base’’ (hereinafter ‘‘Models KBase,’’ https://cfpub.epa.gov/crem/ knowledge_base/knowbase.cfm), to E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1 tjames on PRODPC61 with NOTICES 14552 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 60 / Tuesday, March 31, 2009 / Notices improve the practices associated with the development, evaluation, and application of models for environmental decision making. Furthermore, by providing access to its tools and methods, EPA increases transparency and can improve the public’s understanding of how science is used to make environmental decisions. While the Models Guidance does not impose legally binding requirements on EPA or the public, it provides recommendations on the principles of good modeling practice, stressing the importance of model quality, documentation, and transparency with the aim of helping to determine when and how a model can be used to inform a decision. ADDRESSES: The Models Guidance is available electronically through the CREM Web site: https://www.epa.gov/ crem. A limited number of paper copies will be available from EPA’s National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP), P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242; telephone 1– 800–490–9198 or 513–489–8190; facsimile: 301–604–3408; e-mail: NSCEP@bps-lmit.com. Please provide your name, mailing address, title, and EPA number (as given above) of the requested publication. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Noha Gaber, Council for Regulatory Environmental Modeling, Office of the Science Advisor, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Mail Code: 8105R, Washington, DC 20460; by telephone/ voice mail at 202–564–2179; Fax: 202– 564–2070; or via e-mail at gaber.noha@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To achieve its mission of protecting human health and safeguarding the natural environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) often employs mathematical models to study environmental systems and processes. These modeling analyses often provide input for the development of regulatory decisions. EPA established the Council for Regulatory Environmental Modeling (CREM) in 2000 in an effort to improve the quality, consistency and transparency of EPA models. In 2003, the EPA Administrator directed the CREM to provide guidance for the development, assessment, and use of environmental models and to develop a publicly-accessible inventory of EPA’s most frequently used models. The Models Guidance and Models KBase were developed in close collaboration with members of the CREM, who represent EPA’s program and regional offices. This document represents the consensus view among EPA offices. The VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:35 Mar 30, 2009 Jkt 217001 Models Guidance was also evaluated and approved by the EPA’s Science Policy Council, the Agency’s forum for senior level policy deliberation and coordination on significant science issues. Both the Models Guidance and the Models KBase were issued in draft form in January 2004. In addition to internal review, the CREM products have undergone an external review process through EPA’s Science Advisory Board (the report may be found at https:// www.epa.gov/sab/panels/ cremgacpanel.html). The CREM also commissioned the National Academy of Science’s (NAS) National Research Council to assess evolving scientific and technical issues related to the selection and use of computational and statistical models in decision making processes at EPA. The NRC report, entitled ‘‘Models of Environmental Regulatory Decision Making,’’ was released in 2007 and provides advice on the management, evaluation, and use of models at the EPA. The report may be found at https://www.nap.edu/ catalog.php?record_id=11972. A revised draft of the Models Guidance, which built on the recommendations of the Science Advisory Board review panel and the NRC report, was issued for public comment in August 2008. Dated: March 5, 2009. Kevin Teichman, Acting EPA Science Advisor. [FR Doc. E9–7183 Filed 3–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8787–4] Meeting of the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92–463, notice is hereby given that the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee (MSTRS) will meet in May 2009. The MSTRS is a subcommittee under the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee. This is an open meeting. The meeting will include discussion of current topics and presentations about activities being conducted by EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. The preliminary agenda for the meeting and any notices about change in venue will PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 be posted on the Subcommittee’s Web site: https://www.epa.gov/air/caaac/ mobile_sources.html. MSTRS listserver subscribers will receive notification when the agenda is available on the Subcommittee Web site. To subscribe to the MSTRS listserver, send a blank email to lists-mstrs@lists.epa.gov. DATES: Wednesday May 13, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Loews Madison Hotel, 1177 15th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005. Phone 202–862–1600. The hotel is located about four blocks from both the Farragut North and McPherson Square Metro stations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Technical Information: John Guy, Designated Federal Officer, Transportation and Regional Programs Division, Mailcode 6405J, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; Ph: 202–343– 9276; e-mail: guy.john@epa.gov. For Logistical and Administrative Information: Ms. Cheryl Jackson, U.S. EPA, Transportation and Regional Programs Division, Mailcode 6405J, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; 202–343–9653; e-mail: jackson.cheryl@epa.gov. Background on the work of the subcommittee is available at: https:// www.epa.gov/air/caaac/ mobile_sources.html . Individuals or organizations wishing to provide comments to the subcommittee should submit them to Mr. Guy at the address above by April 24, 2009. The subcommittee expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted oral or written statements. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the meeting, the subcommittee may also hear progress reports from some of its workgroups as well as updates and announcements on activities of general interest to attendees. For Individuals With Disabilities: For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Mr. Guy or Ms. Jackson (see above). To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Mr. Guy or Ms. Jackson, preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: March 25, 2009. Margo Tsirigotis Oge, Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality. [FR Doc. E9–7177 Filed 3–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14551-14552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7183]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-ORD-2009; FRL-8787-5]


Guidance on the Development, Evaluation, and Application of 
Environmental Models

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Document Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 
the availability of the final ``Guidance Document on the Development, 
Evaluation, and Application of Regulatory Environmental Models,'' EPA/
100/K-09/003 (hereinafter ``Models Guidance''). EPA's Council for 
Regulatory Environmental Modeling (CREM) developed the Models Guidance 
and its companion product, the ``Models Knowledge Base'' (hereinafter 
``Models KBase,'' https://cfpub.epa.gov/crem/knowledge_base/knowbase.cfm), to

[[Page 14552]]

improve the practices associated with the development, evaluation, and 
application of models for environmental decision making. Furthermore, 
by providing access to its tools and methods, EPA increases 
transparency and can improve the public's understanding of how science 
is used to make environmental decisions.
    While the Models Guidance does not impose legally binding 
requirements on EPA or the public, it provides recommendations on the 
principles of good modeling practice, stressing the importance of model 
quality, documentation, and transparency with the aim of helping to 
determine when and how a model can be used to inform a decision.

ADDRESSES: The Models Guidance is available electronically through the 
CREM Web site: https://www.epa.gov/crem. A limited number of paper 
copies will be available from EPA's National Service Center for 
Environmental Publications (NSCEP), P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 
45242; telephone 1-800-490-9198 or 513-489-8190; facsimile: 301-604-
3408; e-mail: lmit.com">NSCEP@bps-lmit.com. Please provide your name, mailing 
address, title, and EPA number (as given above) of the requested 
publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Noha Gaber, Council for Regulatory 
Environmental Modeling, Office of the Science Advisor, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Mail Code: 8105R, Washington, DC 20460; by 
telephone/voice mail at 202-564-2179; Fax: 202-564-2070; or via e-mail 
at gaber.noha@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To achieve its mission of protecting human 
health and safeguarding the natural environment, the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) often employs mathematical models to study 
environmental systems and processes. These modeling analyses often 
provide input for the development of regulatory decisions. EPA 
established the Council for Regulatory Environmental Modeling (CREM) in 
2000 in an effort to improve the quality, consistency and transparency 
of EPA models. In 2003, the EPA Administrator directed the CREM to 
provide guidance for the development, assessment, and use of 
environmental models and to develop a publicly-accessible inventory of 
EPA's most frequently used models. The Models Guidance and Models KBase 
were developed in close collaboration with members of the CREM, who 
represent EPA's program and regional offices. This document represents 
the consensus view among EPA offices. The Models Guidance was also 
evaluated and approved by the EPA's Science Policy Council, the 
Agency's forum for senior level policy deliberation and coordination on 
significant science issues.
    Both the Models Guidance and the Models KBase were issued in draft 
form in January 2004. In addition to internal review, the CREM products 
have undergone an external review process through EPA's Science 
Advisory Board (the report may be found at https://www.epa.gov/sab/panels/cremgacpanel.html). The CREM also commissioned the National 
Academy of Science's (NAS) National Research Council to assess evolving 
scientific and technical issues related to the selection and use of 
computational and statistical models in decision making processes at 
EPA. The NRC report, entitled ``Models of Environmental Regulatory 
Decision Making,'' was released in 2007 and provides advice on the 
management, evaluation, and use of models at the EPA. The report may be 
found at https://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11972.
    A revised draft of the Models Guidance, which built on the 
recommendations of the Science Advisory Board review panel and the NRC 
report, was issued for public comment in August 2008.

    Dated: March 5, 2009.
Kevin Teichman,
Acting EPA Science Advisor.
[FR Doc. E9-7183 Filed 3-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.