Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2011 / Notices 11243 

least ten days prior to the meeting, to 

give EPA as much time as possible to 

process your request. 

Dated: February 16, 2011. 

Anthony F. Maciorowski, 

Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Board 

Staff Office. 

[FR Doc. 2011–4502 Filed 2–28–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

AGENCY 

[FRL–9272–4] 

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities 

Committee 

AGENCY: Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA). 

ACTION: Notice of Meeting. 

SUMMARY: Under the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act, Public Law 92–463, 

EPA gives notice of a meeting of the 

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities 

Committee (FRRCC). The FRRCC is a 

policy-oriented committee that provides 

policy advice, information, and 

recommendations to the EPA 

Administrator on a range of 

environmental issues and policies that 

are of importance to agriculture and 

rural communities. 

The purpose of this meeting is to 

advance discussion of specific topics of 

unique relevance to agriculture such as 

effective approaches to addressing water 

quality issues associated with 

agricultural production, in such a way 

as to provide thoughtful advice and 

useful insights to the Agency as it crafts 

environmental policies and programs 

that affect and engage agriculture and 

rural communities. A copy of the 

meeting agenda will be posted at 

http://epa.gov/ofacmo/frrcc/ 

meetings.htm. 

DATES: The Farm, Ranch, and Rural 

Communities Committee will hold an 

open meeting on Tuesday, March 29, 

2011 from 8:30 a.m. (registration at 8 

a.m.) until 8 p.m. and on Wednesday, 

March 30, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. until 2 

p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. 

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at 

the Sheraton National Hotel, 900 South 

Orme Street, Arlington, VA 22204, 

Telephone: (703) 521–1900. The 

meeting is open to the public, with 

limited seating on a first-come, firstserved basis. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Alicia Kaiser, Designated Federal 

Officer, kaiser.alicia@epa.gov, 202–564– 

7273, US EPA, Office of the 

Administrator (1101A), 1200 

Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 

Washington, DC 20460. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Requests 

to make brief oral comments or provide 

written statements to the FRRCC should 

be sent to Alicia Kaiser, Designated 

Federal Officer, at the contact 

information above. All requests must be 

submitted no later than March 18, 2011. 

Meeting Access: For information on 

access or services for individuals with 

disabilities, please contact Alicia Kaiser 

at 202–564–7273 or 

kaiser.alicia@epa.gov. To request 

accommodation of a disability, please 

contact Alicia Kaiser, preferably at least 

10 days prior to the meeting, to give 

EPA as much time as possible to process 

your request. 

Dated: February 10, 2011. 

Alicia Kaiser, 

Designated Federal Officer. 

[FR Doc. 2011–4501 Filed 2–28–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

AGENCY 

[EPA–HQ–RCRA–2011–0185; FRL–9273–7] 

Solicitation of Input From Stakeholders 

To Inform the National Framework for 

Electronics Stewardship 

AGENCY: Environmental Protection 

Agency. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA), General Services 

Administration (GSA), and Council on 

Environmental Quality (CEQ) are 

requesting written stakeholder input to 

inform the national framework for 

electronics stewardship that is being 

developed by the Interagency Task 

Force on Electronics Stewardship. On 

November 15, 2010, President Obama 

signed a presidential proclamation 

celebrating the strides the country has 

made in recycling, while also 

highlighting the need for greater 

attention on used electronics 

management throughout the product 

lifecycle. CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley 

established an interagency task force on 

November 8, 2010 to provide a national 

strategy and recommendations for areas 

of Federal agency operational and 

managerial improvement associated 

with electronics stewardship. The Task 

Force is scheduled to deliver to CEQ a 

national framework for electronics 

stewardship by May 6, 2011. By this 

notice, the Environmental Protection 

Agency, on behalf of the Task Force, is 

soliciting public comment from 

interested parties regarding the national 

framework. 

DATES: All comments must be received 

on or before March 11, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit your 

comments, identified by EPA–HQ– 

RCRA–2011–0185, using one of the 

following methods: 

http://www.regulations.gov: Follow 

the on-line instructions for submitting 

comments. Note, while this request is 

not a federal regulation, input on the 

plan can be submitted through this 

federal Web site. 

E-mail: Comments may be sent by 

electronic mail (e-mail) to 

rcra.docket@epamail.epa.gov, Attention 

Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–RCRA–2011– 

0185. 

Mail: Comments may be submitted by 

mail to: OSWER Docket, Office of 

Resource Conservation and Recovery, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 

Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, 

Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– 

RCRA–2011–0185. Please include a total 

of two copies of your comments. 

Hand Delivery: Deliver two copies of 

your comments to: EPA Docket Center, 

Public Reading Room, Room 3334, EPA 

West Building, 1301 Constitution 

Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, 

Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– 

RCRA–2011–0185. Such deliveries are 

only accepted during the Docket’s 

normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 

4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, 

excluding legal holidays and special 

arrangements should be made for 

deliveries of boxed information. 

Instructions: Direct your comments to 

Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–RCRA–2011– 

0185. All comments must be in English 

or be accompanied by an English 

translation. EPA’s policy is that all 

comments received will be included in 

the docket without change and may be 

made available on-line at http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information provided. The 

regulations.gov Web site is an 

‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which 

means EPA will not know your identity 

or contact information unless you 

provide it in the body of your comment. 

If you send an e-mail comment directly 

to EPA without going through 

regulations.gov, your e-mail address 

will be automatically captured and 

included as part of the comment that is 

placed in the docket and made available 

on the Internet. If you submit an 

electronic comment, EPA recommends 

that you include your name and other 

contact information in the body of your 

comment and with any disk or CD–ROM 

you submit. If EPA cannot read your 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
11244 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2011 / Notices 

comment due to technical difficulties 

and cannot contact you for clarification, 

EPA may not be able to consider your 

comment. Electronic files should avoid 

the use of special characters, any form 

of encryption, and be free of any defects 

or viruses. For additional information 

about EPA’s public docket, visit the EPA 

Docket Center homepage at http:// 

www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. 

Docket: All documents in the docket 

are listed in the docket index available 

at http://www.regulations.gov. 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 the Internet and will be 

publicly available only in hard copy 

form. Publicly available docket 

materials are available either 

electronically in http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at 

the OSWER Docket in the EPA Docket 

Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 

3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., 

Washington, DC 20460. The Public 

Meeting Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 

4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

excluding legal holidays. The telephone 

number for the OSWER Docket and the 

Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744. 

Docket visitors are required to show 

photographic identification, pass 

through a metal detector, and sign the 

EPA visitor log. All visitor bags are 

processed through an X-ray machine 

and subject to search. Visitors will be 

provided an EPA/DC badge that must be 

visible at all times in the building and 

returned upon departure. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Shayla Powell, Resource Conservation 

and Sustainability Division (5306P), 

Office of Resource Conservation and 

Recovery, Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 

Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone 

number: (703) 308–0319; e-mail 

address: powell.shayla@epa.gov or visit 

http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/ 

materials/ecycling/taskforce/. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information 

A. Does this action apply to me? 

You may be interested in providing 

input if you manufacture, distribute, 

sell, label, certify, verify, refurbish, 

recycle, purchase or use consumer, 

commercial, or industrial electronics, or 

conduct research in any of these areas. 

Potentially interested entities may 

include, but are not limited to: 

• Manufacturing (NAICS code 33). 

• Wholesale trade (NAICS code 42). 

• Electronics and Appliance Stores 

(NAICS code 443). 

• Consumer Goods Rental (NAICS 

code 5322). 

• Computer System Design and 

Related Services (NAICS code 5415) 

• Waste Management and 

Remediation Services (NAICS code 562) 

• Electronic and Precision Equipment 

Repair and Maintenance (NAICS code 

8112). 

• Public Administration (NAICS code 

92). 

This listing is not intended to be 

exhaustive, but rather provides a guide 

for readers regarding entities likely to be 

interested in this action. Other types of 

entities not listed in this unit could also 

be affected. The North American 

Industrial Classification System 

(NAICS) codes have been provided to 

assist you and others in determining 

whether this applies to certain entities. 

If you have any questions regarding the 

applicability of this action to a 

particular entity, consult the technical 

person listed under FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT. 

B. What should I consider as I prepare 

my comments for EPA? 

1. Tips for preparing your comments. 

When submitting comments, remember 

to: 

i. Identify the document by docket ID 

number and other identifying 

information (subject heading, Federal 

Register date and page number). 

ii. Submit all comments in English or 

have them be accompanied by an 

English translation. 

iii. Follow directions. The Agency 

may ask you to respond to specific 

questions or organize comments by 

referencing a Code of Federal 

Regulations (CFR) part or section 

number. 

iv. Explain why you agree or disagree; 

suggest alternatives and substitute 

language for your requested changes. 

v. Describe any assumptions and 

provide any technical information and/ 

or data that you used. 

vi. If you estimate potential costs or 

burdens, explain how you arrived at 

your estimate in sufficient detail to 

allow for it to be reproduced. 

vii. Explain your views as clearly as 

possible. 

viii. Make sure to submit your 

comments by the comment period 

deadline identified. 

II. Background 

The increased use of electronics and 

technology in society brings the 

challenge of protecting human health 

and the environment from potentially 

harmful effects of the improper 

handling and disposal of these products. 

Discarded electronics comprise a small, 

but rapidly growing part of our 

municipal waste. 

Currently, there are no federal 

mandates that require electronics 

recycling or restrict unwanted 

electronics equipment from solid waste 

landfills in the United States. EPA does, 

however, control how cathode ray tube 

(CRT) monitors (e.g., from TV and 

computers) that are subject to hazardous 

waste regulation are managed 

domestically and requires notifications 

if CRT monitors are exported for 

recycling. A growing number of states 

are mandating collection and recycling 

of used electronics. In addition, there 

are now two electronics recycling 

standards and accredited certification 

programs that address the handling of 

used electronics throughout the 

recycling chain. (Basel Action Network; 

e-Stewards Certification; http://estewards.org/. R2 Solutions; R2 

certification; http:// 

www.r2solutions.org/.) 

Unwanted or discarded electronics 

not reused or recycled represents a lost 

opportunity to reuse functioning 

electronic equipment and components, 

such as cell phone and computers/ 

laptops or recover valuable resources, 

such as precious metals, plastics or 

minerals that are found in scarce or 

critical supply. Additionally, used 

electronics may be exported to 

developing countries that lack capacity 

to manage them appropriately and result 

in negative impacts to human health 

and the environment. The majority of 

electronics recyclers in the United 

States refurbish, repair, or pre-process 

(demanufacture, shred, sort) used 

electronics to prepare them for the final 

recovery step. Facilities that further 

recover raw materials, through smelting 

and refining (end-processing), are 

mostly located outside the United 

States. These facilities convert 

electronics scrap into: (1) High grade 

copper and precious metals (e.g., gold, 

silver, and palladium); (2) new CRTs; or 

(3) new plastics, all materials that can 

be reused in the marketplace. 

To address the problems related to 

used electronics both here and abroad, 

American businesses, government, and 

citizens must work together to manage 

these electronics throughout the product 

lifecycle—from design and 

manufacturing through their use and 

eventual recycling, recovery, and 

disposal. On November 8, 2010, CEQ 

Chair Nancy Sutley established an 

interagency working group that is cochaired by EPA, GSA and CEQ to 

develop a national strategy and 

recommendations for improving Federal 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2011 / Notices 11245 

stewardship of used electronics. By May 

6, 2011, the Task Force will deliver to 

CEQ a national framework for: 

1. Directing Federal agencies to 

exercise all appropriate authorities to 

achieve the electronic stewardship 

goals, consistent with domestic and 

international law; 

2. Developing a system-based 

approach to the long-term design, 

management and disposal of Federal 

used electronics; 

3. Information gathering and tracking, 

regulatory options, and best 

management practices for used 

electronics that can be used by the 

Federal agencies and leveraged to the 

private sector; 

4. Building partnerships in the public 

and private sector for sustainable 

electronics management nationwide; 

5. Reducing exports of used 

electronics to developing countries that 

lack the capacity to properly manage 

them, and assess how federal agencies 

can improve their ability to deter these 

exports; and, 

6. Building capacity within and share 

best practices with developing 

countries, so they can improve their 

ability to safely handle used electronics, 

while promoting economic 

development. 

A. What action is the Agency taking? 

EPA and the Interagency Task Force 

are soliciting input from individuals 

and organizations to inform the 

electronics stewardship national 

framework. More specifically, EPA and 

the Interagency Task Force would 

appreciate your individual views 

regarding the following questions: 

1. What actions should the federal 

government take to further encourage 

the design, manufacture, procurement, 

and use of greener electronics? 

2. What are the challenges to 

designing and manufacturing products 

in which rare and valuable materials are 

100% recyclable, and are recycled at 

end of product life? What can the 

federal government do to help address 

those challenges? 

3. What are best practices for used 

electronics management that the federal 

government should adopt? What 

examples of best management practices 

of used electronics have been 

implemented in your community, 

organization or institution? 

4. How can the amount of electronics 

that are recycled in the United States be 

increased, while ensuring that they are 

managed safely and properly? 

5. What additional infrastructure is 

needed, and what can be done to 

encourage its development, in the 

United States to responsibly reuse and 

recycle used electronics from 

governments, businesses and private 

consumers? 

6. What innovations in electronic 

design exist that would enable 

electronics to be tracked until disposal? 

7. What information would be most 

helpful to you when deciding how to 

dispose of used electronics? 

8. What projects, practices or efforts, 

are you aware of that addresses the 

problem of used electronics from the 

United States being exported and being 

handled in a way that causes harm to 

health and the environment? 

9. How could public-private 

partnerships help resolve any or all the 

questions above? 

The framework that is released on 

May 6, 2011 will include additional 

follow on steps to engage all 

stakeholders. 

For your convenience the questions 

above are also available for viewing at 

http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/ 

materials/ecycling/taskforce/. 

B. What is the Agency’s authority for 

taking this action? 

Executive Order (E.O.) 13514 specifies 

Federal Leadership in Environmental, 

Energy, and Economic Performance. An 

overall goal of EO 13514 is ‘‘to establish 

an integrated strategy towards 

sustainability in the Federal 

Government.’’ Section 2(i) of E.O. 13514 

establishes electronics stewardship 

goals. In the spirit of E.O. 13514, the 

government will lead by example in this 

effort by ensuring that the departments 

and agencies of the federal government, 

some of the largest consumers of 

electronics in the country, are also the 

most responsible consumers. 

Comments Consideration 

The EPA and the Interagency Task 

Force on Electronics Stewardship will 

consider stakeholder input received 

from written comments in developing 

the Framework. There will be another 

opportunity to comment on the 

Framework developed by the Task Force 

after it is delivered to the Council on 

Environmental Quality. 

List of Subjects 

Environmental protection, Electronics 

stewardship, Sustainability, E-waste. 

Dated: February 23, 2011. 

Lisa Feldt, 

Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of 

Solid Waste and Emergency Response. 

[FR Doc. 2011–4505 Filed 2–28–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

AGENCY 

[FRL–9273–3] 

Science Advisory Board Staff Office; 

Notification of Two Public 

Teleconferences of the Science 

Advisory Board Ecological Processes 

and Effects Committee Augmented for 

Ballast Water 

AGENCY: Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA). 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA or Agency) Science 

Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office 

announces two public teleconferences 

of the SAB Ecological Processes and 

Effects Committee (EPEC). The SAB 

EPEC, augmented with other experts, 

will discuss their draft advisory report 

about the effectiveness of shipboard 

ballast water treatment processes and 

ways to improve future assessments of 

ballast water treatment systems to 

minimize the impacts of invasive 

species in vessel ballast water discharge. 

DATES: The teleconference dates are 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 12 p.m. 

to 3 p.m. and Wednesday, March 16, 

2011 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Eastern 

Time). 

ADDRESSES: The public teleconferences 

will be conducted by telephone only. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Members of the public who wish to 

obtain further information about this 

meeting may contact Ms. Iris Goodman, 

Designated Federal Officer (DFO). Ms. 

Goodman may be contacted at the EPA 

Science Advisory Board (1400F), U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 

Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 

Washington, DC 20460; or via 

telephone/voice mail; (202) 564–2164 

fax, (202) 265–2098; or e-mail at 

goodman.iris@epa.gov. General 

information concerning the EPA Science 

Advisory Board can be found on the 

EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ 

sab. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SAB 

was established by 42 U.S.C. 4365 to 

provide independent scientific and 

technical advice to the Administrator on 

the technical basis for Agency positions 

and regulations. The SAB is a Federal 

Advisory Committee chartered under 

the Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C., App. 2. 

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act, Public Law 92–463, 

notice is hereby given that the SAB 

EPEC augmented with other experts will 

hold a public meeting to discuss their 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES