Privacy Act Regulations for EPA-100, 76999-77004 [2023-24233]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501–3520).
D. Federalism and Indian Tribal
Governments
A rule has implications for federalism
under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship
between the National Government and
the States, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. We have
analyzed this rule under that order and
have determined that it is consistent
with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements
described in Executive Order 13132.
Also, this rule does not have tribal
implications under Executive Order
13175, Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments,
because it does not have a substantial
direct effect on one or more Indian
tribes, on the relationship between the
Federal Government and Indian tribes,
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes.
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E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) requires
Federal agencies to assess the effects of
their discretionary regulatory actions. In
particular, the Act addresses actions
that may result in the expenditure by a
State, local, or tribal government, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector of
$100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or
more in any one year. Though this rule
will not result in such an expenditure,
we do discuss the effects of this rule
elsewhere in this preamble.
F. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under
Department of Homeland Security
Directive 023–01, Rev. 1, associated
implementing instructions, and
Environmental Planning COMDTINST
5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast
Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and have
determined that this action is one of a
category of actions that do not
individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human
environment. This rule involves a safety
zone lasting 2 hours that will prohibit
entry within a 1 square mile area of the
Neuse River on November 25, 2023,
from 4 to 6 p.m. It is categorically
excluded from further review under
paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table
1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023–01–
001–01, Rev. 1. A Record of
Environmental Consideration
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supporting this determination is
available in the docket. For instructions
on locating the docket, see the
ADDRESSES section of this preamble.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First
Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to call or email the
person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to
coordinate protest activities so that your
message can be received without
jeopardizing the safety or security of
people, places, or vessels.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation
(water), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Security measures,
Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33
CFR part 165 as follows:
PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION
AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
1. The authority citation for part 165
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124;
33 CFR 1.05–1, 6.04–1, 6.04–6, and 160.5;
Department of Homeland Security Delegation
No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.
2. Add § 165.T05–0512 to read as
follows:
■
76999
§ 165.23 apply to the area described in
paragraph (a) of this section.
(2) Entry into or remaining in this
safety zone is prohibited unless
authorized by the COTP North Carolina
or the COTP North Carolina’s
designated representative. Unless
permission to remain in the zone has
been granted by the COTP North
Carolina or the COTP North Carolina’s
designated representative, a vessel
within this safety zone must
immediately depart the zone when this
section becomes effective.
(3) The Captain of the Port, North
Carolina can be reached through the
Coast Guard Sector North Carolina
Command Duty Officer, Wilmington,
North Carolina, at telephone number
910–343–3882.
(4) The Coast Guard and designated
security vessels enforcing the safety
zone can be contacted on VHF–FM
marine band radio channel 13 (165.65
MHz) and channel 16 (156.8 MHz).
(d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast
Guard may be assisted in the patrol and
enforcement of the safety zone by
Federal, State, and local agencies.
(e) Enforcement period. This
regulation will be enforced from 4
through 6 p.m. on November 25, 2023.
Timothy J. List,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
Port Sector North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 2023–24713 Filed 11–7–23; 8:45 am]
§ 165.T05–0512 Safety Zone; Neuse River,
Airshow, New Bern, NC.
(a) Location. The following area is a
safety zone: all navigable waters of the
Neuse River in New Bern, North
Carolina, inside an area starting from
approximate positions: latitude
35°06′55″ N, longitude 077°02′04″ W,
then east to latitude 35°07′06″ N,
longitude 077°01′27″ W, then southeast
to latitude 35°06′49″ N, longitude
077°01′12″ W, then south to latitude
35°06′08″ N, longitude 077°01′18″ W,
then west to latitude 35°06′02″ N,
longitude 077°01′57″ W, then north to
latitude 35°06′32″ N, longitude
077°01′54″ W, then north to the point of
origin, for a total area of approximately
1 mile square.
(b) Definitions. As used in this
section—
Captain of the Port (COTP) means the
Commander, Sector North Carolina.
Designated representative means a
Coast Guard Patrol Commander,
including a Coast Guard commissioned,
warrant, or petty officer designated by
the Captain of the Port North Carolina
(COTP) for the enforcement of the safety
zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) The general
regulations governing safety zones in
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BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 16
[EPA–HQ–OMS–2023–0020; FRL–10620–03–
OMS]
Privacy Act Regulations for EPA–100
Office of Inspector General,
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is taking direct final
action to revise the Agency’s Privacy
Act regulations to exempt a new system
of records, EPA–100, OIG Data
Analytics Enterprise, from certain
requirements of the Privacy Act. In this
rulemaking, the Agency exempts
portions of this system from certain
provisions of the Privacy Act because of
law enforcement requirements and to
avoid interference during the conduct of
criminal, civil, or administrative actions
or investigations. Additionally, EPA is
taking direct final action to revise the
SUMMARY:
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Agency’s Privacy Act regulations to
update the names of systems of records
with general and specific exemptions,
change wording to reflect that the Office
of Inspector General (OIG) is an
independent component of EPA,
incorporate the revised citation for the
Inspector General Act of 1978 and to
remove specific systems of record which
are no longer exempt.
DATES: This rule is effective on February
6, 2024 without further notice, unless
EPA receives adverse comment by
December 8, 2023. If EPA receives
adverse comment, we will publish a
timely withdrawal in the Federal
Register informing the public that the
rule will not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OMS–2023–0020, at https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Once submitted, comments cannot be
edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
The EPA may publish any comment
received to its public docket. Do not
submit electronically any information
you consider to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
accompanied by a written comment.
The written comment is considered the
official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to
make. The EPA will generally not
consider comments or comment
contents located outside of the primary
submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or
other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, the full
EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on
making effective comments, please visit
https://www.epa.gov/dockets/
commenting-epa-dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Daniel Porter, Director, Data Analytics
Directorate, Office of Inspector General,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20004; telephone number: 202–309–
6449; email address: oig.data_
analytics@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Why is EPA using a direct final rule?
The EPA is publishing this rule
without a prior proposed rule because
we view this as a noncontroversial
action and anticipate no adverse
comment. However, in the ‘‘Proposed
Rules’’ section of this Federal Register,
we are publishing a separate document
that will serve as the proposed rule to
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exempt a new system of records, EPA–
100, the OIG Data Analytics Enterprise
Tracking System, from certain
requirements of the Privacy Act if
adverse comments are received on this
direct final rule. We will not institute a
second comment period on this action.
Any parties interested in commenting
must do so at this time. For further
information about commenting on this
rule, see the ADDRESSES section of this
document.
If EPA receives adverse comment, we
will publish a timely withdrawal in the
Federal Register informing the public
that this direct final rule will not take
effect. We would address all public
comments in any subsequent final rule
based on the proposed rule.
EPA is also revising the Agency’s
Privacy Act regulations to update the
names of systems of records with
general and specific exemptions.
Specifically, 40 CFR 16.11, will be
modified to update the name of EPA–17
from OCEFT Criminal Investigative
Index and Files to Online Criminal
Enforcement Activities Network
(OCEAN) and EPA–40 from Inspector
General’s Operation and Reporting
(IGOR) System Investigative Files to
Inspector General Enterprise
Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module and to add EPA–
100 OIG Data Analytics Enterprise.
Likewise, 40 CFR 16.12 will also be
modified to update the names of EPA–
17 from OCEFT Criminal Investigative
Index and Files to Online Criminal
Enforcement Activities Network
(OCEAN), EPA–21 from External
Compliance Program Discrimination
Complaint Files to External Compliance
Case Tracking System (EXCATS), EPA–
30 from OIG Hotline Allegation System
to Inspector General Enterprise
Management System (IGEMS) Hotline
Module and EPA–40 from Inspector
General’s Operation and Reporting
(IGOR) System Investigative Files to
Inspector General Enterprise
Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module. Additionally,
§ 16.12 will be modified to add EPA–
100 OIG Data Analytics Enterprise and
to remove reference to EPA–41 because
the system of records is no longer
exempt.
II. General Information
The EPA will use this system of
records to develop data models and
analyses in order to identify fraud,
waste and abuse, and programmatic
problems and deficiencies. This system
of records will allow the EPA OIG to
identify correlations between existing
EPA data sets and other government
agency data sets so as to identify
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patterns and correlations that indicate
fraud and issues of program waste and
abuse. EPA OIG will apply analytics and
data modeling principles within this
system of records to identify problems
or failures in the implementation or
performance of internal controls within
the EPA. The records may be used in the
course of performing audits,
evaluations, and inspections;
investigating individuals and entities
suspected of criminal, civil, or
administrative misconduct and in
supporting related judicial and
administrative proceedings; or in
conducting preliminary inquiries
undertaken to determine whether to
commence an audit, evaluation,
inspection, or investigation.
The EPA compiles and maintains the
records in the OIG Data Analytics
Enterprise for use in criminal and civil
investigations and actions. This system
of records, EPA–100, is maintained by
the Office of Inspector General. This
component of EPA performs as its
principal function, activities pertaining
to the enforcement of criminal laws.
The Privacy Act allows Federal
agencies to exempt eligible records in a
system of records from certain
provisions of the Act, including those
that provide individuals with a right to
request access to and amendment of
their own records. If an agency intends
to exempt a particular system of records,
it must first go through the rulemaking
process pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1)–
(3), (c), and (e). This rule explains why
an exemption is being claimed for this
system of records and invites public
comment, which EPA will consider.
Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), the head of
any agency may exempt any system of
records within the agency from certain
provisions of the Privacy Act, if the
agency or component that maintains the
system performs as its principal
function any activities pertaining to the
enforcement of criminal laws. The
Inspector General Act mandates that the
Inspector General recommend policies
for, and conduct, supervise, and
coordinate activities in the Agency and
between the Agency and other Federal,
State, and local government agencies
with respect to all matters relating to the
prevention and detection of fraud in
programs and operations administered
or financed by the Agency, and to the
identification and prosecution of
participants in such fraud. Under the
Inspector General Act, whenever the
Inspector General has reasonable
grounds to believe that there has been
a violation of Federal criminal law, the
Inspector General must report the matter
expeditiously to the Attorney General.
In addition to these principal functions
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pertaining to the enforcement of
criminal laws, the Inspector General
may receive and investigate complaints
on information from various sources
concerning the possible existence of
activities constituting violations of law,
rules, or regulations, or
mismanagement, gross waste of funds,
abuses of authority, or substantial and
specific danger to the public health and
safety. To the extent criminal law
enforcement information is contained in
the system as enumerated in 5 U.S.C.
552a(j)(2), the provisions of the Privacy
Act from which exemptions are claimed
under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) are as follows:
5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (4); 5 U.S.C.
552a(d); 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), (2) and (3);
5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G) and (H); 5 U.S.C.
552a(e)(5) and (8); 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(2)
through (5); and 5 U.S.C. 552a(g).
EPA is claiming the above exemptions
for the following reasons:
(1) From subsection (c)(3), because
making available to a named individual
an accounting of disclosures of records
concerning him/her/them could reveal
investigative interest on the part of EPA
and/or the Department of Justice. This
could allow record subjects to impede
the investigation, e.g., destroy evidence,
intimidate potential witnesses, or flee
the area to avoid inquiries or
apprehension by law enforcement
personnel. More broadly, the
application of this provision could
reveal the OIG’s investigative interests,
which could compromise those
investigative interests. Further, such a
disclosure could reveal the identity of a
confidential source and hamper the
Agency’s investigation.
(2) From subsection (c)(4), which
concerns providing notice to others
regarding corrections or disputed
information in accordance with
subsection (d) of the Privacy Act,
because no access to these records is
available under subsection (d) of the
Act.
(3) From subsection (d), which
requires an agency to permit an
individual to access, contest or request
amendment of records pertaining to
him/her/them, because the records
contained in this system relate to
official Federal investigations.
Individual access to these records could
compromise ongoing investigations,
reveal confidential informants and/or
sensitive investigative techniques used
in particular investigations, or
constitute unwarranted invasions of the
personal privacy of third parties who
are involved in a certain investigation.
(4) From subsection (e)(1), which
requires an agency to maintain only
relevant and necessary information
about an individual, because the
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relevance or necessity of information
obtained in the course of a law
enforcement investigation is not always
known when collected. Material that
may seem unrelated, irrelevant, or
incomplete when collected may take on
added meaning or significance as the
investigation progresses. Also, in the
interest of effective law enforcement, it
is appropriate to retain all information
that may aid in establishing patterns of
criminal activity. Therefore, it would
impede the investigative process if it
were necessary to assure the relevance
and necessity of all information
obtained.
(5) From subsection (e)(2), which
requires an agency to collect
information to the greatest extent
practicable directly from the subject
individual when the information may
result in adverse determinations about
the individual’s rights, benefits, or
privileges under Federal programs.
Application of this provision could
impair investigations and law
enforcement by alerting the subject of
the investigation to the existence of the
investigation. Further, compliance with
the requirements of this subsection
during the course of an investigation
could impede the information gathering
process or cause the destruction of
evidence, thus hampering the
investigation.
(6) From subsection (e)(3), which
requires an agency to inform those
supplying information of its authority to
collect the information, its plans for
using or sharing that information, and
the effects of not providing the
requested information. The application
of this provision could provide the
subject of the investigation with
substantial information about the nature
of the investigation, which could
interfere with the investigation. To
comply with the requirements of this
subsection during the course of an
investigation could impede the
information gathering process especially
when undercover operations or
confidential sources are used, thus
hampering the investigation.
(7) From subsections (e)(4)(G) and (H),
which require an agency to publish—in
the Federal Register—procedures
concerning access to records, because
no access to these records is available
under subsection (d) of the Privacy Act,
for the reasons explained above in the
discussion of subsection (d).
(8) From subsection (e)(5), which
requires an agency to maintain its
records with accuracy, relevance,
timeliness, and completeness as is
reasonably necessary to assure fairness
to the individual, because it is not
possible to determine in advance what
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information is accurate, relevant, timely,
and complete. Facts are first gathered
and then placed into a logical order to
prove or disprove objectively the
criminal behavior of an individual.
Material that may seem unrelated,
irrelevant, or incomplete when collected
may take on added meaning or
significance as the investigation
progresses. The restrictions of this
provision could interfere with the
preparation of a complete investigative
report, thereby impeding effective law
enforcement.
(9) From subsection (e)(8), which
requires notice to an individual
whenever a record on such individual is
made available to others under
compulsory legal process, because
complying with this provision could
prematurely reveal an ongoing criminal
investigation to the subject of the
investigation.
(10) From subsections (f)(2), (f)(3),
(f)(4), and (f)(5), concerning agency rules
for obtaining access to records under
subsection (d), because this system is
exempt from the access and amendment
provisions of subsection (d). Since EPA
is exempting this system of records from
subsection (d) of the Act, concerning
access to records, the requirements of
subsections (f)(2) through (5) of the Act,
concerning agency rules for obtaining
access to such records, are inapplicable
and are exempted to the extent that this
system of records is exempted from
subsection (d) of the Act.
(11) From subsection (g), which
provides for civil remedies if an agency
fails to comply with certain
requirements of the Act applicable to a
nonexempt system of records, because
EPA is exempting this system of records
from subsections (c)(3) and (4); (d);
(e)(1), (2), (3), (4)(G), and (H), (5), and
(8); and (f)(2) through (5) of the Act. The
provisions of subsection (g) of the Act
are inapplicable to the extent that this
system of records is exempted from
those subsections of the Act.
The EPA also compiles and maintains
the records in the OIG Data Analytics
Enterprise for use in civil and
administrative investigations and
actions. In those cases, the system again
is maintained by the Office of Inspector
General. 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) states that
the head of an agency may promulgate
regulations to exempt the system from
certain provisions of the Act if the
system ‘‘is investigatory material
compiled for law enforcement purposes,
other than material within the scope of
subsection (j)(2)’’ of 5 U.S.C. 552a.
Accordingly, to the extent investigatory
records are not covered under the
exemptions in subsection (j)(2), the
following provisions of the Privacy Act
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are exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
552a(k)(2): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), 5 U.S.C.
552a(d), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), 5 U.S.C.
552a(e)(4)(G) and (H) and 5 U.S.C.
552a(f)(2) through (5):
(1) From subsection (c)(3) because
making available to named individual
an accounting of disclosures of records
concerning him/her/them could reveal
investigative interest on the part of EPA
and/or the Department of Justice. This
could allow record subjects to impede
the investigation, e.g., destroy evidence,
intimidate potential witnesses, or flee
the area to avoid inquiries or
apprehension by law enforcement
personnel. More broadly, the
application of this provision could
reveal the OIG’s investigative interests,
which could compromise those
investigative interests. Further, such a
disclosure could reveal the identity of a
confidential source and hamper the
Agency’s investigation.
(2) From subsection (d), which
requires an agency to permit an
individual to access, contest or request
amendment of records pertaining to
him/her/them, because the records
contained in this system relate to
official Federal investigations.
Individual access to these records could
compromise ongoing investigations,
reveal confidential informants and/or
sensitive investigative techniques used
in particular investigations, or
constitute unwarranted invasions of the
personal privacy of third parties who
are involved in a certain investigation.
(3) From subsection (e)(1), which
requires each agency to maintain only
such information about an individual as
is relevant and necessary to accomplish
a purpose of the agency, because in the
course of law enforcement
investigations information may
occasionally be obtained or introduced
the accuracy of which is unclear or
which is not strictly relevant or
necessary to a specific investigation. In
the interests of effective law
enforcement, it is appropriate to retain
all information that may aid in
establishing patterns of criminal
activity. Moreover, it would impede any
investigative process, whether civil or
criminal, if it were necessary to assure
the relevance, accuracy, timeliness and
completeness of all information
obtained.
(4) From subsections (e)(4)(G) and (H),
which require an agency to publish—in
the Federal Register—procedures
concerning access to records, because
no access to these records is available
under subsection (d) of the Privacy Act,
for the reasons explained above in the
discussion of subsection (d).
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(5) From subsection (f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(4),
and (f)(5), concerning agency rules for
obtaining access to records under
subsection (d), because this system is
exempt from the access and amendment
provisions of subsection (d). Since EPA
is exempting this system of records from
subsection (d) of the Act, concerning
access to records, the requirements of
subsections (f)(2) through (5) of the Act,
concerning agency rules for obtaining
access to such records, are inapplicable
and are exempted to the extent that this
system of records is exempted from
subsection (d) of the Act.
The EPA also compiles and maintains
the records in the OIG Data Analytics
Enterprise, EPA–100, for the purpose of
determining suitability, eligibility, or
qualifications for Federal civilian
employment, military service, Federal
contracts, or access to classified
information. In those cases, the system
again is maintained by the Office of
Inspector General. The statute at 5
U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) states that the head of
any agency may by rule exempt any
system of records within the agency
from certain provisions of the Privacy
Act, if the system of records is
investigatory material compiled solely
for the purpose of determining
suitability, eligibility, or qualifications
for Federal civilian employment,
military service, Federal contracts, or
access to classified information, but
only to the extent that the disclosure of
such material would reveal the identity
of a source who furnished information
to the Government under an express
promise that the identity of the source
would be held in confidence.
Accordingly, to the extent any records
would disclose source-identifying
information, all such information in the
OIG Data Analytics Enterprise, EPA–
100, are exempt from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3)
and 5 U.S.C. 552a(d):
(1) From subsection (c)(3) because
making available to named individual
an accounting of disclosures of records
concerning him/her/them could reveal
investigative interest on the part of EPA
and/or the Department of Justice. This
could allow record subjects to impede
the investigation, e.g., destroy evidence,
intimidate potential witnesses, or flee
the area to avoid inquiries or
apprehension by law enforcement
personnel. More broadly, the
application of this provision could
reveal the OIG’s investigative interests,
which could compromise those
investigative interests. Further, such a
disclosure could reveal the identity of a
confidential source and hamper the
Agency’s investigation.
(2) From subsection (d), which
requires an agency to permit an
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individual to access, contest or request
amendment of records pertaining to
him/her/them, because the records
contained in this system relate to
official Federal investigations.
Individual access to these records could
compromise ongoing investigations,
reveal confidential informants and/or
sensitive investigative techniques used
in particular investigations, or
constitute unwarranted invasions of the
personal privacy of third parties who
are involved in a certain investigation.
III. Statutory and Executive Orders
Reviews
Additional information about these
statutes and Executive orders can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
This action was submitted to the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and reviewed without
comment.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
PRA. This action contains no provisions
constituting a collection of information
under the PRA.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the RFA. This action will not
impose any requirements on small
entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
This action does not contain any
unfunded mandate as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does
not significantly or uniquely affect small
governments.
E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
This action does not have federalism
implications. It will not have substantial
direct effects on the states, on the
relationship between the National
Government and the states, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order
13175 does not apply to this action.
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G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern
environmental health or safety risks that
the EPA has reason to believe may
disproportionately affect children, per
the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory
action’’ in section 2–202 of the
Executive order. This action is not
subject to Executive Order 13045
because it does not concern an
environmental health risk or safety risk.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, because it is not a
significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
This rulemaking does not involve
technical standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
The EPA believes that this action does
not have disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority populations, lowincome populations and/or indigenous
peoples, as specified in Executive Order
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 16
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Confidential business information,
Government employees, Privacy.
Kimberly Y. Patrick,
Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Office of Mission Support.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part 16
as follows:
PART 16—IMPLEMENTATION OF
PRIVACY ACT OF 1974
1. The authority citation for part 16
continues to read as follows:
■
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Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 552a (as revised).
2. Amend § 16.11 by:
a. Revising paragraph (a) and (c)(2);
b. Adding paragraph (c)(6); and
c. Revising paragraph (d) and the
introductory text of paragraph (e).
The revisions and addition read as
follows:
■
■
■
■
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§ 16.11
General exemptions.
(a) Systems of records affected. (1)
EPA–17 Online Criminal Enforcement
Activities Network (OCEAN).
(2) EPA–40 Inspector General
Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module.
(3) EPA–63 eDiscovery Enterprise
Tool Suite.
(4) EPA–79 NEIC Master Tracking
System.
(5) EPA–100 OIG Data Analytics
Enterprise.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(2) The Agency’s system of records,
EPA–40 is maintained by the Office of
Inspector General (OIG), an independent
component of EPA that performs as its
principal function activities pertaining
to the enforcement of criminal laws.
Authority for the criminal law
enforcement activities of the OIG’s
Office of Investigations is the Inspector
General Act of 1978, as amended, 5
U.S.C. 401–424.
*
*
*
*
*
(6) The Agency’s system of records,
EPA–100 system of records is
maintained by the Office of Inspector
General, an independent component of
EPA which performs as its principal
function activities pertaining to the
enforcement of criminal laws. Authority
for the criminal law enforcement
activities of the Office of Inspector
General is the Inspector General Act of
1978, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 401–424.
(d) Scope of exemption. EPA systems
of records 17, 40, 63, 79, and 100 are
exempted from the following provisions
of the PA: 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (4);
(d); (e)(1), (2), (3), (4)(G), and (H), (5),
and (8); (f)(2) through (5); and (g). To the
extent that the exemption for EPA
systems of records 17, 40, 63, 79 and
100 claimed under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) is
held to be invalid, then an exemption
under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) is claimed for
these systems of records from (c)(3), (d),
(e)(1), (e)(4)(G) and (H), and (f)(2)
through (5). For Agency’s system of
records, EPA system 40, an exemption
is separately claimed under 5 U.S.C.
552(k)(5) from (c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G),
(4)(H), and (f)(2) through (5). For
Agency’s system of records, EPA system
100, an exemption is separately claimed
under 5. U.S.C. 552(k)(5) from (c)(3) and
(d).
(e) Reasons for exemption. EPA
systems of records 17, 40, 63, 79, and
100 are exempted from the provisions of
the PA in paragraph (d) of this section
for the following reasons:
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. Amend § 16.12 by revising
paragraph (a)(1), the first sentence in
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
77003
paragraph (a)(4)(i), paragraph (a)(4)(iii),
the introductory text of paragraph (a)(5),
paragraphs (b)(1) and (4), and the
introductory text of paragraph (b)(5) to
read as follows:
§ 16.12
Specific exemptions.
(a) * * *
(1) Systems of records affected. (i)
EPA–17 Online Criminal Enforcement
Activities Network (OCEAN).
(ii) EPA–21 External Compliance Case
Tracking System (EXCATS).
(iii) EPA–30 Inspector General
Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Hotline Module.
(iv) EPA–40 Inspector General
Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module.
(v) EPA–63 eDiscovery Enterprise
Tool Suite.
(vi) EPA–79 NEIC Master Tracking
System.
(vii) EPA–100 OIG Data Analytics
Enterprise.
*
*
*
*
*
(4) * * *
(i) EPA systems of records 17, 30, 40,
63, 79, and 100 are exempted from the
following provisions of the PA, subject
to the limitations set forth in 5 U.S.C.
552a(k)(2): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d);
(e)(1), (4)(G) and (4)(H); and (f)(2)
through (5). * * *
*
*
*
*
*
(iii) EPA–17 Online Criminal
Enforcement Activities Network
(OCEAN), EPA–40 Inspector General
Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module, EPA–79 NEIC
Master Tracking System, and EPA–100
OIG Data Analytics Enterprise are
exempted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), and
these systems are exempted under 5
U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) only to the extent that
the (j)(2) exemption is held to be
invalid.
(5) Reasons for exemption. EPA
systems of records 17, 21, 30, 40, 63, 79,
and 100 are exempted from the
provisions of the PA in paragraph (a)(4)
of this section for the following reasons:
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(1) Systems of records affected. (i)
EPA 36 Research Grant, Cooperative
Agreement, and Fellowship Application
Files.
(ii) EPA 40 Inspector General
Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module.
(iii) EPA 100 OIG Data Analytics
Enterprise.
*
*
*
*
*
(4) Scope of exemption. (i) EPA 36
and 100 are exempted from 5 U.S.C.
552a(c)(3) and (d). EPA 40 is exempted
from the following provisions of the PA,
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
subject to the limitations of 5 U.S.C.
552a(k)(5); 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d);
(e)(1), (4)(H); and (f)(2) through (5).
(ii) To the extent that records in EPA
40 and 100 reveal a violation or
potential violation of law, then an
exemption under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) is
also claimed for these records. EPA 40
and 100 are also exempt under 5 U.S.C.
552a(j)(2).
(5) Reasons for exemption. EPA 36,
40, and 100 are exempted from the
above provisions of the PA for the
following reasons:
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2023–24233 Filed 11–7–23; 8:45 am]
General Information
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 1074
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2022–0985; FRL–8952.1–
01–OAR]
RIN 2060–AW12
Locomotives and Locomotive Engines;
Preemption of State and Local
Regulations
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is finalizing revisions to
its regulations addressing preemption of
State and local regulation of
locomotives and engines used in
locomotives. This rule implements a
policy change to no longer categorically
preempt certain State regulations of
non-new locomotives and engines,
aligning with the plain text of the Clean
Air Act (CAA), and better achieving the
legislative intent of providing for
exclusive Federal regulation of new
locomotives and new locomotive
engines while preserving the ability of
California and other States to adopt and
enforce certain State standards
regulating non-new locomotives and
engines.
DATES: This final rule is effective on
December 8, 2023.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2022–0985. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the https://www.regulations.gov
website. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., confidential business
information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
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SUMMARY:
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the internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available electronically through https://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian Nelson, Assessment and
Standards Division, Office of
Transportation and Air Quality,
Environmental Protection Agency, 2000
Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
48105; telephone number: (734) 214–
4278; email address: nelson.brian@
epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Does this action apply to me?
This action does not directly apply to
any regulated industry classified by the
North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) Association.1 This
action relates to State and local
governments. The revisions we are
finalizing do not impose any
requirements that State and local
governments must meet, but rather
implement the Clean Air Act
preemption provisions for locomotives.
To determine whether your entity could
be impacted by this action, you should
carefully examine the applicability
criteria found in 40 CFR part 1074. If
you have questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a
particular entity, consult the person
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
What action is the Agency taking?
The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is finalizing revisions to its
regulations addressing preemption of
State regulation of new locomotives and
new engines used in locomotives, to
align with language in the Clean Air
Act.
What is the Agency’s authority for
taking this action?
Clean Air Act (CAA) section
209(e)(2)(B), 42 U.S.C. 7543(e)(2)(B),
requires EPA to promulgate regulations
implementing section 209(e) of the Act.
CAA section 209(e)(1) addresses the
prohibition of State standards regarding
certain classes of new nonroad engines
or new nonroad vehicles including new
locomotives and new engines used in
locomotives.2 CAA section 209(e)(2)(A)
1 NAICS Association. NAICS & SIC Identification
Tools. Available online: https://www.naics.com/
search.
2 Section 209(e) pertains to the inability of State
and political subdivisions to adopt and enforce
standards and other requirements for certain
nonroad engines and nonroad vehicles. EPA’s
reference to ‘‘State’’ herein includes political
subdivisions unless otherwise noted.
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Fmt 4700
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specifies the criteria relevant to EPA’s
evaluation of California authorization
requests (requests for a waiver of CAA
preemption) for standards relating to the
control of emissions from nonroad
engines or nonroad vehicles other than
those prohibited under section
209(e)(1). EPA’s regulations
implementing these provisions for
locomotives and locomotive engines
were first adopted in 1998 at 40 CFR
part 85 and transcribed in 2008 at 40
CFR part 1074.3
I. Summary
As part of its 1998 rule finalizing
Emission Standards for Locomotives
and Locomotive Engines at 40 CFR part
92, which applied to new locomotives
and new engines used in locomotives,
EPA also adopted regulations in 40 CFR
part 85 defining a broad preemption of
certain State and local controls of new
or other locomotives and engines used
in locomotives, which we determined to
be appropriate based on our
understanding of the information
available at the time. Recently, there has
been interest in obtaining greater
emissions reductions from the
locomotive sector, including possibly
adopting programs to achieve greater
emission reductions from non-new
locomotives that are not required by
EPA’s emission standards for new
locomotives and engines under CAA
section 213(a)(5).4 On April 27, 2023,
EPA published a notice of proposed
rulemaking which, among other things,
proposed revisions to our locomotive
preemption regulations.5 Specifically,
we proposed to delete 40 CFR
1074.12(b), which preempted the State
control of non-new locomotives for
certain categories of State control
measures for a period of 133 percent of
the useful life of a new locomotive or
engine,6 along with conforming edits.
3 See Emission Standards for Locomotives and
Locomotive Engines, Final Rule, 63 FR 18978,
18994 (April 16, 1998). See also, Control of
Emissions From Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines
and Equipment, 73 FR 59034 (Oct. 8, 2008); See
also Control of Air Pollution: Emission Standards
for New Nonroad Compression-Ignition Engines at
or Above 37 Kilowatts; Preemption of State
Regulation for Nonroad Engine and Vehicle
Standards; Amendments to Rules, 62 FR 67733,
67734–67735 (December 30, 1997). See also Air
Pollution Control; Preemption of State Regulation
for Nonroad Engine and Vehicle Standards, July 20,
1994 (59 FR 36969).
4 Throughout this document, references to the
regulation of locomotives generally refer the
regulation of both locomotives and engines used in
locomotives.
5 See, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for
Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3; Proposed Rule, April
27, 2023, 88 FR 25926.
6 Including but not limited to emission standards,
mandatory fleet average standards, certification
requirements, retrofit and aftermarket equipment
E:\FR\FM\08NOR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 8, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76999-77004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24233]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 16
[EPA-HQ-OMS-2023-0020; FRL-10620-03-OMS]
Privacy Act Regulations for EPA-100
AGENCY: Office of Inspector General, Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct
final action to revise the Agency's Privacy Act regulations to exempt a
new system of records, EPA-100, OIG Data Analytics Enterprise, from
certain requirements of the Privacy Act. In this rulemaking, the Agency
exempts portions of this system from certain provisions of the Privacy
Act because of law enforcement requirements and to avoid interference
during the conduct of criminal, civil, or administrative actions or
investigations. Additionally, EPA is taking direct final action to
revise the
[[Page 77000]]
Agency's Privacy Act regulations to update the names of systems of
records with general and specific exemptions, change wording to reflect
that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent component
of EPA, incorporate the revised citation for the Inspector General Act
of 1978 and to remove specific systems of record which are no longer
exempt.
DATES: This rule is effective on February 6, 2024 without further
notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by December 8, 2023. If EPA
receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the
Federal Register informing the public that the rule will not take
effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OMS-2023-0020, at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot
be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any
comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA
will generally not consider comments or comment contents located
outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other
file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA
public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions,
and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Porter, Director, Data
Analytics Directorate, Office of Inspector General, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004;
telephone number: 202-309-6449; email address:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Why is EPA using a direct final rule?
The EPA is publishing this rule without a prior proposed rule
because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no
adverse comment. However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of this
Federal Register, we are publishing a separate document that will serve
as the proposed rule to exempt a new system of records, EPA-100, the
OIG Data Analytics Enterprise Tracking System, from certain
requirements of the Privacy Act if adverse comments are received on
this direct final rule. We will not institute a second comment period
on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this
time. For further information about commenting on this rule, see the
ADDRESSES section of this document.
If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely
withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that this
direct final rule will not take effect. We would address all public
comments in any subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule.
EPA is also revising the Agency's Privacy Act regulations to update
the names of systems of records with general and specific exemptions.
Specifically, 40 CFR 16.11, will be modified to update the name of EPA-
17 from OCEFT Criminal Investigative Index and Files to Online Criminal
Enforcement Activities Network (OCEAN) and EPA-40 from Inspector
General's Operation and Reporting (IGOR) System Investigative Files to
Inspector General Enterprise Management System (IGEMS) Investigative
Module and to add EPA-100 OIG Data Analytics Enterprise. Likewise, 40
CFR 16.12 will also be modified to update the names of EPA-17 from
OCEFT Criminal Investigative Index and Files to Online Criminal
Enforcement Activities Network (OCEAN), EPA-21 from External Compliance
Program Discrimination Complaint Files to External Compliance Case
Tracking System (EXCATS), EPA-30 from OIG Hotline Allegation System to
Inspector General Enterprise Management System (IGEMS) Hotline Module
and EPA-40 from Inspector General's Operation and Reporting (IGOR)
System Investigative Files to Inspector General Enterprise Management
System (IGEMS) Investigative Module. Additionally, Sec. 16.12 will be
modified to add EPA-100 OIG Data Analytics Enterprise and to remove
reference to EPA-41 because the system of records is no longer exempt.
II. General Information
The EPA will use this system of records to develop data models and
analyses in order to identify fraud, waste and abuse, and programmatic
problems and deficiencies. This system of records will allow the EPA
OIG to identify correlations between existing EPA data sets and other
government agency data sets so as to identify patterns and correlations
that indicate fraud and issues of program waste and abuse. EPA OIG will
apply analytics and data modeling principles within this system of
records to identify problems or failures in the implementation or
performance of internal controls within the EPA. The records may be
used in the course of performing audits, evaluations, and inspections;
investigating individuals and entities suspected of criminal, civil, or
administrative misconduct and in supporting related judicial and
administrative proceedings; or in conducting preliminary inquiries
undertaken to determine whether to commence an audit, evaluation,
inspection, or investigation.
The EPA compiles and maintains the records in the OIG Data
Analytics Enterprise for use in criminal and civil investigations and
actions. This system of records, EPA-100, is maintained by the Office
of Inspector General. This component of EPA performs as its principal
function, activities pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws.
The Privacy Act allows Federal agencies to exempt eligible records
in a system of records from certain provisions of the Act, including
those that provide individuals with a right to request access to and
amendment of their own records. If an agency intends to exempt a
particular system of records, it must first go through the rulemaking
process pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1)-(3), (c), and (e). This rule
explains why an exemption is being claimed for this system of records
and invites public comment, which EPA will consider.
Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), the head of any agency may exempt any
system of records within the agency from certain provisions of the
Privacy Act, if the agency or component that maintains the system
performs as its principal function any activities pertaining to the
enforcement of criminal laws. The Inspector General Act mandates that
the Inspector General recommend policies for, and conduct, supervise,
and coordinate activities in the Agency and between the Agency and
other Federal, State, and local government agencies with respect to all
matters relating to the prevention and detection of fraud in programs
and operations administered or financed by the Agency, and to the
identification and prosecution of participants in such fraud. Under the
Inspector General Act, whenever the Inspector General has reasonable
grounds to believe that there has been a violation of Federal criminal
law, the Inspector General must report the matter expeditiously to the
Attorney General. In addition to these principal functions
[[Page 77001]]
pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws, the Inspector General
may receive and investigate complaints on information from various
sources concerning the possible existence of activities constituting
violations of law, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste
of funds, abuses of authority, or substantial and specific danger to
the public health and safety. To the extent criminal law enforcement
information is contained in the system as enumerated in 5 U.S.C.
552a(j)(2), the provisions of the Privacy Act from which exemptions are
claimed under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) are as follows: 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3)
and (4); 5 U.S.C. 552a(d); 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), (2) and (3); 5 U.S.C.
552a(e)(4)(G) and (H); 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(5) and (8); 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(2)
through (5); and 5 U.S.C. 552a(g).
EPA is claiming the above exemptions for the following reasons:
(1) From subsection (c)(3), because making available to a named
individual an accounting of disclosures of records concerning him/her/
them could reveal investigative interest on the part of EPA and/or the
Department of Justice. This could allow record subjects to impede the
investigation, e.g., destroy evidence, intimidate potential witnesses,
or flee the area to avoid inquiries or apprehension by law enforcement
personnel. More broadly, the application of this provision could reveal
the OIG's investigative interests, which could compromise those
investigative interests. Further, such a disclosure could reveal the
identity of a confidential source and hamper the Agency's
investigation.
(2) From subsection (c)(4), which concerns providing notice to
others regarding corrections or disputed information in accordance with
subsection (d) of the Privacy Act, because no access to these records
is available under subsection (d) of the Act.
(3) From subsection (d), which requires an agency to permit an
individual to access, contest or request amendment of records
pertaining to him/her/them, because the records contained in this
system relate to official Federal investigations. Individual access to
these records could compromise ongoing investigations, reveal
confidential informants and/or sensitive investigative techniques used
in particular investigations, or constitute unwarranted invasions of
the personal privacy of third parties who are involved in a certain
investigation.
(4) From subsection (e)(1), which requires an agency to maintain
only relevant and necessary information about an individual, because
the relevance or necessity of information obtained in the course of a
law enforcement investigation is not always known when collected.
Material that may seem unrelated, irrelevant, or incomplete when
collected may take on added meaning or significance as the
investigation progresses. Also, in the interest of effective law
enforcement, it is appropriate to retain all information that may aid
in establishing patterns of criminal activity. Therefore, it would
impede the investigative process if it were necessary to assure the
relevance and necessity of all information obtained.
(5) From subsection (e)(2), which requires an agency to collect
information to the greatest extent practicable directly from the
subject individual when the information may result in adverse
determinations about the individual's rights, benefits, or privileges
under Federal programs. Application of this provision could impair
investigations and law enforcement by alerting the subject of the
investigation to the existence of the investigation. Further,
compliance with the requirements of this subsection during the course
of an investigation could impede the information gathering process or
cause the destruction of evidence, thus hampering the investigation.
(6) From subsection (e)(3), which requires an agency to inform
those supplying information of its authority to collect the
information, its plans for using or sharing that information, and the
effects of not providing the requested information. The application of
this provision could provide the subject of the investigation with
substantial information about the nature of the investigation, which
could interfere with the investigation. To comply with the requirements
of this subsection during the course of an investigation could impede
the information gathering process especially when undercover operations
or confidential sources are used, thus hampering the investigation.
(7) From subsections (e)(4)(G) and (H), which require an agency to
publish--in the Federal Register--procedures concerning access to
records, because no access to these records is available under
subsection (d) of the Privacy Act, for the reasons explained above in
the discussion of subsection (d).
(8) From subsection (e)(5), which requires an agency to maintain
its records with accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness as
is reasonably necessary to assure fairness to the individual, because
it is not possible to determine in advance what information is
accurate, relevant, timely, and complete. Facts are first gathered and
then placed into a logical order to prove or disprove objectively the
criminal behavior of an individual. Material that may seem unrelated,
irrelevant, or incomplete when collected may take on added meaning or
significance as the investigation progresses. The restrictions of this
provision could interfere with the preparation of a complete
investigative report, thereby impeding effective law enforcement.
(9) From subsection (e)(8), which requires notice to an individual
whenever a record on such individual is made available to others under
compulsory legal process, because complying with this provision could
prematurely reveal an ongoing criminal investigation to the subject of
the investigation.
(10) From subsections (f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(4), and (f)(5),
concerning agency rules for obtaining access to records under
subsection (d), because this system is exempt from the access and
amendment provisions of subsection (d). Since EPA is exempting this
system of records from subsection (d) of the Act, concerning access to
records, the requirements of subsections (f)(2) through (5) of the Act,
concerning agency rules for obtaining access to such records, are
inapplicable and are exempted to the extent that this system of records
is exempted from subsection (d) of the Act.
(11) From subsection (g), which provides for civil remedies if an
agency fails to comply with certain requirements of the Act applicable
to a nonexempt system of records, because EPA is exempting this system
of records from subsections (c)(3) and (4); (d); (e)(1), (2), (3),
(4)(G), and (H), (5), and (8); and (f)(2) through (5) of the Act. The
provisions of subsection (g) of the Act are inapplicable to the extent
that this system of records is exempted from those subsections of the
Act.
The EPA also compiles and maintains the records in the OIG Data
Analytics Enterprise for use in civil and administrative investigations
and actions. In those cases, the system again is maintained by the
Office of Inspector General. 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) states that the head
of an agency may promulgate regulations to exempt the system from
certain provisions of the Act if the system ``is investigatory material
compiled for law enforcement purposes, other than material within the
scope of subsection (j)(2)'' of 5 U.S.C. 552a. Accordingly, to the
extent investigatory records are not covered under the exemptions in
subsection (j)(2), the following provisions of the Privacy Act
[[Page 77002]]
are exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), 5
U.S.C. 552a(d), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1), 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G) and (H) and
5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(2) through (5):
(1) From subsection (c)(3) because making available to named
individual an accounting of disclosures of records concerning him/her/
them could reveal investigative interest on the part of EPA and/or the
Department of Justice. This could allow record subjects to impede the
investigation, e.g., destroy evidence, intimidate potential witnesses,
or flee the area to avoid inquiries or apprehension by law enforcement
personnel. More broadly, the application of this provision could reveal
the OIG's investigative interests, which could compromise those
investigative interests. Further, such a disclosure could reveal the
identity of a confidential source and hamper the Agency's
investigation.
(2) From subsection (d), which requires an agency to permit an
individual to access, contest or request amendment of records
pertaining to him/her/them, because the records contained in this
system relate to official Federal investigations. Individual access to
these records could compromise ongoing investigations, reveal
confidential informants and/or sensitive investigative techniques used
in particular investigations, or constitute unwarranted invasions of
the personal privacy of third parties who are involved in a certain
investigation.
(3) From subsection (e)(1), which requires each agency to maintain
only such information about an individual as is relevant and necessary
to accomplish a purpose of the agency, because in the course of law
enforcement investigations information may occasionally be obtained or
introduced the accuracy of which is unclear or which is not strictly
relevant or necessary to a specific investigation. In the interests of
effective law enforcement, it is appropriate to retain all information
that may aid in establishing patterns of criminal activity. Moreover,
it would impede any investigative process, whether civil or criminal,
if it were necessary to assure the relevance, accuracy, timeliness and
completeness of all information obtained.
(4) From subsections (e)(4)(G) and (H), which require an agency to
publish--in the Federal Register--procedures concerning access to
records, because no access to these records is available under
subsection (d) of the Privacy Act, for the reasons explained above in
the discussion of subsection (d).
(5) From subsection (f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(4), and (f)(5), concerning
agency rules for obtaining access to records under subsection (d),
because this system is exempt from the access and amendment provisions
of subsection (d). Since EPA is exempting this system of records from
subsection (d) of the Act, concerning access to records, the
requirements of subsections (f)(2) through (5) of the Act, concerning
agency rules for obtaining access to such records, are inapplicable and
are exempted to the extent that this system of records is exempted from
subsection (d) of the Act.
The EPA also compiles and maintains the records in the OIG Data
Analytics Enterprise, EPA-100, for the purpose of determining
suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for Federal civilian
employment, military service, Federal contracts, or access to
classified information. In those cases, the system again is maintained
by the Office of Inspector General. The statute at 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5)
states that the head of any agency may by rule exempt any system of
records within the agency from certain provisions of the Privacy Act,
if the system of records is investigatory material compiled solely for
the purpose of determining suitability, eligibility, or qualifications
for Federal civilian employment, military service, Federal contracts,
or access to classified information, but only to the extent that the
disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source who
furnished information to the Government under an express promise that
the identity of the source would be held in confidence. Accordingly, to
the extent any records would disclose source-identifying information,
all such information in the OIG Data Analytics Enterprise, EPA-100, are
exempt from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and 5 U.S.C. 552a(d):
(1) From subsection (c)(3) because making available to named
individual an accounting of disclosures of records concerning him/her/
them could reveal investigative interest on the part of EPA and/or the
Department of Justice. This could allow record subjects to impede the
investigation, e.g., destroy evidence, intimidate potential witnesses,
or flee the area to avoid inquiries or apprehension by law enforcement
personnel. More broadly, the application of this provision could reveal
the OIG's investigative interests, which could compromise those
investigative interests. Further, such a disclosure could reveal the
identity of a confidential source and hamper the Agency's
investigation.
(2) From subsection (d), which requires an agency to permit an
individual to access, contest or request amendment of records
pertaining to him/her/them, because the records contained in this
system relate to official Federal investigations. Individual access to
these records could compromise ongoing investigations, reveal
confidential informants and/or sensitive investigative techniques used
in particular investigations, or constitute unwarranted invasions of
the personal privacy of third parties who are involved in a certain
investigation.
III. Statutory and Executive Orders Reviews
Additional information about these statutes and Executive orders
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
This action was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and reviewed without comment.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the PRA. This action contains no provisions constituting a collection
of information under the PRA.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
I certify that this action will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This
action will not impose any requirements on small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect
small governments.
E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between
the National Government and the states, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal implications as specified in
Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to
this action.
[[Page 77003]]
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in
section 2-202 of the Executive order. This action is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an environmental
health risk or safety risk.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
The EPA believes that this action does not have disproportionately
high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority
populations, low-income populations and/or indigenous peoples, as
specified in Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 16
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Confidential business information, Government employees, Privacy.
Kimberly Y. Patrick,
Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Mission Support.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part
16 as follows:
PART 16--IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIVACY ACT OF 1974
0
1. The authority citation for part 16 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 552a (as revised).
0
2. Amend Sec. 16.11 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a) and (c)(2);
0
b. Adding paragraph (c)(6); and
0
c. Revising paragraph (d) and the introductory text of paragraph (e).
The revisions and addition read as follows:
Sec. 16.11 General exemptions.
(a) Systems of records affected. (1) EPA-17 Online Criminal
Enforcement Activities Network (OCEAN).
(2) EPA-40 Inspector General Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module.
(3) EPA-63 eDiscovery Enterprise Tool Suite.
(4) EPA-79 NEIC Master Tracking System.
(5) EPA-100 OIG Data Analytics Enterprise.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(2) The Agency's system of records, EPA-40 is maintained by the
Office of Inspector General (OIG), an independent component of EPA that
performs as its principal function activities pertaining to the
enforcement of criminal laws. Authority for the criminal law
enforcement activities of the OIG's Office of Investigations is the
Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 401-424.
* * * * *
(6) The Agency's system of records, EPA-100 system of records is
maintained by the Office of Inspector General, an independent component
of EPA which performs as its principal function activities pertaining
to the enforcement of criminal laws. Authority for the criminal law
enforcement activities of the Office of Inspector General is the
Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 401-424.
(d) Scope of exemption. EPA systems of records 17, 40, 63, 79, and
100 are exempted from the following provisions of the PA: 5 U.S.C.
552a(c)(3) and (4); (d); (e)(1), (2), (3), (4)(G), and (H), (5), and
(8); (f)(2) through (5); and (g). To the extent that the exemption for
EPA systems of records 17, 40, 63, 79 and 100 claimed under 5 U.S.C.
552a(j)(2) is held to be invalid, then an exemption under 5 U.S.C.
552a(k)(2) is claimed for these systems of records from (c)(3), (d),
(e)(1), (e)(4)(G) and (H), and (f)(2) through (5). For Agency's system
of records, EPA system 40, an exemption is separately claimed under 5
U.S.C. 552(k)(5) from (c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (4)(H), and
(f)(2) through (5). For Agency's system of records, EPA system 100, an
exemption is separately claimed under 5. U.S.C. 552(k)(5) from (c)(3)
and (d).
(e) Reasons for exemption. EPA systems of records 17, 40, 63, 79,
and 100 are exempted from the provisions of the PA in paragraph (d) of
this section for the following reasons:
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec. 16.12 by revising paragraph (a)(1), the first sentence
in paragraph (a)(4)(i), paragraph (a)(4)(iii), the introductory text of
paragraph (a)(5), paragraphs (b)(1) and (4), and the introductory text
of paragraph (b)(5) to read as follows:
Sec. 16.12 Specific exemptions.
(a) * * *
(1) Systems of records affected. (i) EPA-17 Online Criminal
Enforcement Activities Network (OCEAN).
(ii) EPA-21 External Compliance Case Tracking System (EXCATS).
(iii) EPA-30 Inspector General Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Hotline Module.
(iv) EPA-40 Inspector General Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module.
(v) EPA-63 eDiscovery Enterprise Tool Suite.
(vi) EPA-79 NEIC Master Tracking System.
(vii) EPA-100 OIG Data Analytics Enterprise.
* * * * *
(4) * * *
(i) EPA systems of records 17, 30, 40, 63, 79, and 100 are exempted
from the following provisions of the PA, subject to the limitations set
forth in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2): 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d); (e)(1), (4)(G)
and (4)(H); and (f)(2) through (5). * * *
* * * * *
(iii) EPA-17 Online Criminal Enforcement Activities Network
(OCEAN), EPA-40 Inspector General Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module, EPA-79 NEIC Master Tracking System, and EPA-100
OIG Data Analytics Enterprise are exempted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2),
and these systems are exempted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) only to the
extent that the (j)(2) exemption is held to be invalid.
(5) Reasons for exemption. EPA systems of records 17, 21, 30, 40,
63, 79, and 100 are exempted from the provisions of the PA in paragraph
(a)(4) of this section for the following reasons:
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) Systems of records affected. (i) EPA 36 Research Grant,
Cooperative Agreement, and Fellowship Application Files.
(ii) EPA 40 Inspector General Enterprise Management System (IGEMS)
Investigative Module.
(iii) EPA 100 OIG Data Analytics Enterprise.
* * * * *
(4) Scope of exemption. (i) EPA 36 and 100 are exempted from 5
U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (d). EPA 40 is exempted from the following
provisions of the PA,
[[Page 77004]]
subject to the limitations of 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5); 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3);
(d); (e)(1), (4)(H); and (f)(2) through (5).
(ii) To the extent that records in EPA 40 and 100 reveal a
violation or potential violation of law, then an exemption under 5
U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) is also claimed for these records. EPA 40 and 100 are
also exempt under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2).
(5) Reasons for exemption. EPA 36, 40, and 100 are exempted from
the above provisions of the PA for the following reasons:
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2023-24233 Filed 11-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P