Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA Actions (Renewal), 50032-50033 [2019-20645]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 50032 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2019 / Notices of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. Availability of the Meeting Materials: Prior to the meeting, the following materials will be posted on the SAB website (https://www.epa.gov/sab): The meeting agenda, charge questions, EPA presentations, the link to the AALM 2.0 software, technical documentation, and user manual. To locate meeting materials, go to www.epa.gov/sab and click on ‘‘Upcoming and Recent Meetings’’ to get to the SAB calendar. From the calendar, click on October 17, 2019. For questions concerning EPA’s AALM materials to be reviewed, please contact Dr. James Brown, EPA Office of Research and Development, at brown.james@epa.gov. Procedures for Providing Public Input: Public comment for consideration by EPA’s federal advisory committees and panels has a different purpose from public comment provided to the EPA program offices. The process for submitting comments to a federal advisory committee is thus different from the process used to submit comments to an EPA program office. Federal advisory committees and panels, including scientific advisory panels, provide independent advice to the EPA. Members of the public can submit relevant comments pertaining to the EPA’s charge, meeting materials, or the group providing the advice. Input from the public to the SAB will have the most impact if it provides specific scientific or technical information or analysis for the SAB to consider or if it relates to the clarity or accuracy of the technical information. Members of the pubic wishing to provide comment should follow the instructions below to submit comments. Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting to make an oral presentation at the meeting will be limited to five minutes during a public comment period. Interested parties wishing to provide comments should contact Iris Goodman, DFO, in writing (preferably via email), at the contact information noted above by October 10, 2019, to be placed on the list of public speakers. Written Statements: Written statements will be accepted throughout the advisory process; however, for timely consideration by the AALM Review Panel, statements should be supplied to the DFO (preferably via email) at the contact information above by October 10, 2019 (7 days prior to meeting). It is the SAB Staff Office general policy to post written comments on the web page for the advisory meeting or teleconference. Submitters are requested to provide a signed and VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:37 Sep 23, 2019 Jkt 247001 unsigned version of each document because the SAB Staff Office does not publish documents with signatures on its websites. Members of the public should be aware that their personal contact information, if included in any written comments, may be posted to the SAB website. Copyrighted material will not be posted without explicit permission of the copyright holder. Accessibility: For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Iris Goodman at 202–564–2164, or goodman.iris@ epa.gov, preferably at least ten days prior to the meeting to give the EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: September 16, 2019. Khanna Johnston, Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office. [FR Doc. 2019–20677 Filed 9–23–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OA–2019–0296; FRL–9046–9] Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA Actions (Renewal) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ‘‘Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA Actions’’ (EPA ICR No. 2243.08, OMB Control No. 2020–0033) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Before doing so, the EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through January 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. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 25, 2019. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 OA–2019–0296, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method) or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460. The EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candi Schaedle, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities, Mail Code 2203A, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–564–6121; fax number: 202–564–0070; email address: schaedle.candi@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202–566–1744. For additional information about the EPA’s public docket, visit https://www.epa.gov/ dockets. Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, the EPA is soliciting comments and information to enable it to: (i) 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; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) 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. The 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. At that time, the EPA will issue another Federal Register E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2019 / Notices notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. Abstract: The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347 establishes a national policy for the environment. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) oversees the NEPA implementation. CEQ’s Regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508 set the standard for NEPA compliance. They also require agencies to establish their own NEPA implementing procedures. The EPA’s procedures for implementing NEPA are found in 40 CFR part 6. Through this part, the EPA adopted the CEQ Regulations and supplemented those regulations for actions proposed by the EPA that are subject to NEPA requirements. The EPA actions subject to NEPA include the award of wastewater treatment construction grants under Title II of the Clean Water Act, the EPA’s issuance of new source National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits under section 402 of the Clean Water Act, certain research and development projects, development and issuance of regulations, the EPA actions involving renovations or new construction of EPA facilities, and certain grants awarded for projects authorized by Congress through the agency’s annual appropriations act. The EPA is collecting information from certain applicants as part of the process of complying with either NEPA or Executive Order 12114 (‘‘Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions’’). The EPA’s NEPA regulations apply to actions of the EPA that are subject to NEPA in order to ensure that environmental information is available to the agency’s decision-makers and the public before decisions are made and before actions are taken. When the EPA conducts an environmental assessment pursuant to its Executive Order 12114 procedures, the agency generally follows its NEPA procedures. Compliance with the procedures is the responsibility of the EPA’s Responsible Officials, and for applicant proposed actions applicants may be required to provide environmental information to the EPA as part of the environmental review process. For this ICR, applicantproposed projects subject to either NEPA or Executive Order 12114 (and that are not addressed in other EPA programs’ ICRs) are addressed through the NEPA process. Form Numbers: None. Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are certain grant or permit applicants who must submit environmental information VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:37 Sep 23, 2019 Jkt 247001 documentation to the EPA for their projects to comply with NEPA or Executive Order 12114, including Wastewater Treatment Construction Grants Program facilities, State and Tribal Assistance Grant recipients, and new source National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permittees. Respondent’s Obligation to Respond: Voluntary. Estimated Number of Respondents: 26 (total). Frequency of Response: On occasion. Total Estimated Burden: 4,720 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b). Total Estimated Cost: $394,461 (per year), includes $0 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs. Changes in Estimates: There is a decrease of 8,957 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease is due to an adjustment change in the size of the respondent universe. Dated: September 19, 2019. Robert Tomiak, Director, Office of Federal Activities. [FR Doc. 2019–20645 Filed 9–23–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9999–24–OA] National Environmental Education Advisory Council Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education is soliciting applications for environmental education professionals for consideration to serve on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council (NEEAC). There are two vacancies on the Advisory Council that must be filled. We are seeking applications to fill one State Department of Education and/or Natural Resources position and one Business and Industry position. Additional avenues and resources may be utilized in the solicitation of applications. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, EPA encourages nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups. DATES: Applications should be submitted by October 11, 2019. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50033 Submit non-electronic application materials to Javier Araujo, Designated Federal Officer, National Environmental Education Advisory Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education (MC 1704A), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Room 1426 (WJCN), Washington, DC 20460, Phone: (202) 564–2642, Fax (202) 564–2753, email: araujo.javier@epa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this Request for Nominations, please contact Mr. Javier Araujo, Designated Federal Officer, araujo.javier@epa.gov, 202–564–2642, U.S. EPA, Office of Environmental Education, William Jefferson Clinton North Room 1426, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. General Information concerning NEEAC can be found on the EPA website at: https://www2.epa.gov/education/ national-environmental-educationadvisory-council. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Environmental Education Act requires that the council be comprised of (11) members appointed by the Administrator of the EPA. Members represent a balance of perspectives, professional qualifications, and experience. The Act specifies that members must represent the following sectors: Primary and secondary education (one of whom shall be a classroom teacher), two members; colleges and universities, two members; business and industry, two members; non-profit organizations, two members; state departments of education and/or natural resources, two members, and one member to represent senior Americans. Members are chosen to represent various geographic regions of the country, and the Council strives for a diverse representation. The professional backgrounds of Council members should include education, science, policy, or other appropriate disciplines. Each member of the Council shall hold office for a one (1) to three (3) year period. Members are expected to participate in up to two (2) meetings per year and monthly or more conference calls per year. Members of the council shall receive compensation and allowances, including travel expenses at a rate fixed by the Administrator. Expertise Sought: The NEEAC staff office seeks candidates with demonstrated experience and or knowledge in any of the following environmental education issue areas: (a) Integrating environmental education into state and local education reform and improvement; (b) state, local and ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50032-50033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20645]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OA-2019-0296; FRL-9046-9]


Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; 
Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and 
Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA Actions (Renewal)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an 
information collection request (ICR), ``Procedures for Implementing the 
National Environmental Policy Act and Assessing the Environmental 
Effects Abroad of EPA Actions'' (EPA ICR No. 2243.08, OMB Control No. 
2020-0033) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Before doing 
so, the EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the 
proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed 
extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through January 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.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 25, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OA-
2019-0296, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method) or 
by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail 
Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
    The EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in 
the public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candi Schaedle, NEPA Compliance 
Division, Office of Federal Activities, Mail Code 2203A, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: 202-564-6121; fax number: 202-564-0070; email 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail 
the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the 
public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at 
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone 
number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional 
information about the EPA's public docket, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, the EPA is soliciting 
comments and information to enable it to: (i) 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; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of 
the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (iv) 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. The 
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. At that time, the EPA will issue another Federal 
Register

[[Page 50033]]

notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity 
to submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 
U.S.C. 4321-4347 establishes a national policy for the environment. The 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) oversees the NEPA 
implementation. CEQ's Regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508 set 
the standard for NEPA compliance. They also require agencies to 
establish their own NEPA implementing procedures. The EPA's procedures 
for implementing NEPA are found in 40 CFR part 6. Through this part, 
the EPA adopted the CEQ Regulations and supplemented those regulations 
for actions proposed by the EPA that are subject to NEPA requirements. 
The EPA actions subject to NEPA include the award of wastewater 
treatment construction grants under Title II of the Clean Water Act, 
the EPA's issuance of new source National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System (NPDES) permits under section 402 of the Clean Water 
Act, certain research and development projects, development and 
issuance of regulations, the EPA actions involving renovations or new 
construction of EPA facilities, and certain grants awarded for projects 
authorized by Congress through the agency's annual appropriations act. 
The EPA is collecting information from certain applicants as part of 
the process of complying with either NEPA or Executive Order 12114 
(``Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions''). The EPA's 
NEPA regulations apply to actions of the EPA that are subject to NEPA 
in order to ensure that environmental information is available to the 
agency's decision-makers and the public before decisions are made and 
before actions are taken. When the EPA conducts an environmental 
assessment pursuant to its Executive Order 12114 procedures, the agency 
generally follows its NEPA procedures. Compliance with the procedures 
is the responsibility of the EPA's Responsible Officials, and for 
applicant proposed actions applicants may be required to provide 
environmental information to the EPA as part of the environmental 
review process. For this ICR, applicant-proposed projects subject to 
either NEPA or Executive Order 12114 (and that are not addressed in 
other EPA programs' ICRs) are addressed through the NEPA process.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this action are certain grant or permit applicants who must submit 
environmental information documentation to the EPA for their projects 
to comply with NEPA or Executive Order 12114, including Wastewater 
Treatment Construction Grants Program facilities, State and Tribal 
Assistance Grant recipients, and new source National Pollutant 
Discharge Elimination System permittees.
    Respondent's Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 26 (total).
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Burden: 4,720 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).
    Total Estimated Cost: $394,461 (per year), includes $0 annualized 
capital or operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in Estimates: There is a decrease of 8,957 hours in the 
total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently 
approved by OMB. This decrease is due to an adjustment change in the 
size of the respondent universe.

    Dated: September 19, 2019.
Robert Tomiak,
Director, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 2019-20645 Filed 9-23-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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