### 25079 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 82 / Monday, April 29, 2013 / Notices

renewal for the Ambient Air Quality Surveillance ICR will incorporates the requirements and burden currently approved under the Nitrogen Oxides Ambient Monitoring ICR (OMB# 2060– 0638, EPA ICR Number 2358.03) and the Sulfur Dioxides Ambient Monitoring ICR (OMB# 2060–0642, EPA ICR Number 2370.02). Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (78 FR 12052) on February 21, 2013 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. A fuller description of the ICR is given below, including its estimated burden and cost to the public. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond
to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control
number.

**DATES :**  Additional comments may be submitted on or before May 29, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID number EPA– HQ–OAR–2002–0091, to (1) EPA online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by Email to a-and-rdocket@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation Docket, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503.

EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats,
information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Laurie Trinca, Air Quality Analysis Division (C304–06), Environmental Protection Agency; telephone number (919) 541–0520; fax number: 919–541– 1903; email address: trinca.laurie@epa.gov

.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Supporting documents which explain in
detail the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the public
docket for this ICR. The docket can be
viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center,
EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The telephone number for the
Docket Center is 202–566–1744. For
additional information about EPA’s public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/
dockets

.

Abstract: This Information Collection Request (ICR) includes ambient air monitoring data and other supporting measurements reporting and recordkeeping activities associated with the 40 CFR part 58 Ambient Air Quality
Surveillance rule. These data and information are collected by various State and local air quality management agencies, and Tribal entities and reported to the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards within the Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. EPA.

The data collected through this
information collection consist of
ambient air concentration
measurements for the seven air pollutants with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (i.e., ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, carbon monoxide, PM 2.5 and PM–10), ozone precursors, meteorological variables at a
select number of sites and other supporting measurements. Accompanying the pollutant concentration data are quality assurance/quality control data and air monitoring network design information.

The U.S. EPA and others (e.g., State and local air quality management agencies, tribal entities, environmental groups, academic institutions, industrial groups) use the ambient air quality data for many purposes, including informing the public and other interested parties of an area’s air quality, judging an area’s (e.g., county, city, neighborhood) air quality in comparison with the
established health or welfare standards (including both national and local standards), evaluating an air quality management agency’s progress in achieving or maintaining air pollutant
levels below the national and local standards, developing and revising State Implementation Plans (SIPs) in accordance with 40 CFR part 51, evaluating air pollutant control strategies, developing or revising national control policies, providing data for air quality model development and validation, supporting enforcement actions, documenting episodes and initiating episode controls, air quality trends assessment, and air pollution
research.

The State and local agencies and tribal entities with responsibility for reporting ambient air quality data and information as requested in this ICR submit these data electronically to the U.S. EPA’s Air Quality System (AQS) database. Quality assurance/quality control records and monitoring network documentation are also maintained by each State and local agency, in AQS electronic format where possible. Respondents/Affected Entities: State and local air pollution agencies and
Tribal entities.

Respondent’s obligation to respond: Mandatory.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

142.

Frequency of Response: Quarterly, but may occur more frequently.

Total Estimated Annual Hour Burden: 49,474 hours. Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

Total Estimated Annual Cost: $3,261,007. This includes an estimated labor cost of $2,737,485 and an estimated cost of $523,522 for operations and maintenance and capital

costs.

John Moses, Director, Collection Strategies Division.

[FR Doc. 2013–10009 Filed 4–26–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6560–50–P**

**ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION**
**AGENCY**

**[FRL–9807–1]**

**Forum on Environmental**
**Measurements Announcement of Competency Policy for Assistance**  **Agreements**

**AGENCY :**  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

**ACTION :**  Announcement of Competency Policy for Assistance Agreements.

**SUMMARY :**  The Environmental Protection Agency’s Forum on Environmental Measurements (FEM) is implementing an Agency-wide policy requiring organizations generating or using
environmental data under certain Agency-funded assistance agreements to
submit documentation of their competency prior to award of the agreement, or if that is not practicable, prior to beginning any work involving the generation or use of environmental data under the agreement. The Policy was originally approved on December 12, 2012 by the Science Technology Policy Council (STPC) and will be effective on May 15, 2013. The Policywill apply to all competitive and noncompetitive assistance agreements expected to exceed a total maximum value of $200,000 (in federal funding)
and awarded based on solicitations issued after May 14, 2013. The Policy will be reviewed against frequently asked questions within two years after
its effective data and will either be reissued without revision, reissued with revisions, or rescinded.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Comments or questions should be sent


### 25080 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 82 / Monday, April 29, 2013 / Notices

1 While this Policy does not apply to existing awards, or awards under the dollar threshold, offices are encouraged to apply this Policy to those awards as deemed appropriate. 2 See http://www.epa.gov/fem/lab

_ comp.html

.

3 See http://www.epa.gov/quality

. to Ms. Lara P. Phelps, US EPA (E243– 05), 109 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709;
emailed to phelps.lara@epa.gov; or call (919) 541–5544.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  For purposes of this Policy, the following definitions apply:

Accreditation —As defined in various International Organization for Standardization (ISO) publications and glossaries, accreditation is a procedure by which an authoritative body gives formal recognition that an entity is competent to carry out specific tasks.

Assistance agreement —As described
in the U.S. EPA Grants and Debarment Glossary ( http://www.epa.gov/ogd/ recipient/glossary.htm ), an assistance agreement is the legal instrument that the U.S. EPA uses to transfer money, property, services, or anything of value to a recipient to accomplish a public purpose. It is either a grant or a cooperative agreement and will specify certain things including: budget and project periods; the federal share of eligible project costs; a description of the work to be accomplished, and any terms and conditions/special
conditions.

Competence—As defined in ISO 9000, competence is the demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills.

Certification —As similarly defined in various ISO publications and glossaries, certification is the recognition provided by an independent body related to products, processes, systems or persons.

Environmental data —As defined in the U.S. EPA Quality Policy (CIO 2106.0; 10/20/08), environmental data include any measurements or
information that describe environmental processes, location or conditions; ecological or health effects and consequences; or the performance of environmental technology.

Applicability

This Policy applies to all U.S. EPA programs (e.g., Program Offices, Regional Offices, and Laboratories) responsible for evaluating, issuing, and/ or managing Agency assistance agreements involving organizations generating or using environmental data through environmental sample collection, field measurements and/or laboratory analyses. It applies to new competitive and non-competitive
awards that at the time of solicitation issuance or award are expected to exceed $200,000 (in federal funding) in total maximum value (including any amendments). 1 This is an additional award requirement to be implemented by the project officer(s) and overseen by the project officer(s) or their technical designee(s). This Policy does not replace any existing requirements (e.g., general information, quality system requirements documentation) or prohibit an Agency program from placing additional requirements or stipulations on an organization receiving an award. Project officers are responsible for implementing the requirements under this Policy and ensuring that appropriate solicitation provisions and programmatic terms and conditions, if necessary, are included in solicitations and assistance agreements.

As mentioned above, this Policy applies to:

• Awards made under competitive solicitations issued after May 14, 2013 that are expected to exceed $200,000 (in federal funding) in maximum total value and involve the use or generation of environmental data; and

• Non-competitive assistance agreements awarded after May 14, 2013 that are expected to exceed $200,000 (in federal funding) in total maximum value and involve the use or generation of
environmental data.

Background/Authority

The U.S. EPA Science Policy Council (now U.S. EPA Science and Technology Policy Council) established the Forum on Environmental Measurements (FEM) as a standing committee of senior U.S. EPA managers who provide the Agency and the public with a focal point for addressing measurement, monitoringand laboratory issues with multiprogram impact. Since the inception of the FEM in April 2004, an action item
has existed for the FEM to assure the competency of organizations funded by the Agency under acquisition and/or assistance agreements to generate environmental data through measurement activities. The goal is to assure that, nationwide, organizations performing environmental data operations have effective quality management systems and technical competence, and thus have the capability to generate valid
environmental data.

In 2004, the Agency issued a policy to assure the competency of U.S. EPA laboratories. In 2011, the Agency issued a second policy to assure the competency of organizations (e.g., laboratories, field sampling and measurement) generating environmental data under Agency-funded acquisitions (i.e., contracts). The Policy announced today was developed to ensure the use of competent organizations for performing activities involving the use or generation of environmental data under Agency-funded assistance agreements. As explained below, these organizations will have to demonstrate competency either prior to award or prior to beginning such activities. Project officers are responsible for implementing this requirement.

A Frequently Asked Question
document is available with further details on implementing this Policy. 2 This will be revised and updated as necessary. Questions as to whether activities involve the use or generation
of environmental data and are covered by this Policy should be referred to the FEM ( http://www.epa.gov/fem/
lab

_ comp.htm ).

Requirements

Organizations performing activities involving the use or generation of
environmental data under covered assistance agreements shall provide the Agency with:

• Quality documentation such as a quality management plan (QMP), and/or
other documentation that demonstrates conformance to U.S. EPA quality program requirements; 3 and

• Demonstration of competency in the field(s) of expertise.

Demonstration of competency may include (but not be limited to):

• Current participation in accreditation or certification programs that are applicable to the environmentaldata generated under the Agencyfunded assistance;

• Ongoing participation by the organization in proficiency testing (PT) or round robin programs conducted by external organizations;

• Ongoing U.S. EPA accepted
demonstrations and audits/assessments of proficiency; and

• Other pertinent documentation that demonstrates competency (e.g., past performance to similar statement of work [SOW]). Assistance agreement solicitations and agreements will include applicable provisions and terms and conditions. Examples will be contained in the FAQ
document.

Implementation

Competitive awards and solicitations: Program offices that issue competitive solicitations expected to result in awards exceeding $200,000 (in federal funding) in total maximum value that


### 25081 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 82 / Monday, April 29, 2013 / Notices

will involve the generation or use of
environmental data must include a provision in the solicitation indicating that applicants for these awards must demonstrate competency (i) prior to award or (ii) if that is not practicable or will unduly delay the award prior to beginning such activities under the award. For awards covered by (i) above where the Project Officer obtains the competency demonstration prior to award the Project Officer will include
the demonstration in their file. For awards covered by (ii) above, where the competency demonstration will be made after award, the Project Officer will include a programmatic term and condition in the grant requiring the grantee to demonstrate competency prior to performing any work involving the use or generation of environmental data. This competency demonstration should be documented in the project officer’s file. Sample clauses will be provided in the FAQ document.

Non-competitive awards: Program offices that make non-competitive awards expected to exceed $200,000 (in federal funding) in total maximum value that will involve the generation or use
of environmental data should ensure that the applicant demonstrates their competency to perform such activities prior to award. This will be documented by the Project Officer in their file. However, if obtaining the competency demonstration prior to award is impracticable or will cause a significant delay of the award, project officers must include a programmatic term and condition in the grant requiring the grantee to demonstrate competency prior to performing any such activities. This competency demonstration should be documented in the project officer’s file. Sample clauses will be provided in the FAQ document.

Awards: If, at time of award, it is
uncertain whether the award will exceed $200,000 (in federal funding) in total maximum value and involve the generation or use of environmental data, the project officer will include a term/ condition in the award that the recipient must demonstrate competency prior to performing any such activities (an example will be put in the FAQ document).

References

• U.S. EPA Grants and Debarment, http:// www.epa.gov/ogd

.

• U.S. EPA CIO 2106.0 U.S. EPA Quality Policy, October 20, 2008, http:// www.epa.gov/irmpoli8/policies/ 21060.pdf

.

• U.S. EPA CIO 2105–P–01–0 EPA Quality Manual for Environmental Programs, May 5, 2000, http://www.epa.gov/ irmpoli8/policies/2105P010.pdf

.

• U.S. EPA Agency Policy Directive Assuring the Competency of Environmental Protection Agency Laboratories, February 23, 2004, http://www.epa.gov/ fem/pdfs/labdirective.pdf

.

• U.S. EPA Agency Policy Directive FEM–

2011–01 Policy to Assure Competency of Organizations Generating Environmental Measurement Data under Agency Funded Acquisitions, March 28, 2011,http://www.epa.gov/fem/pdfs/fem-labcompetency-policy.pdf

. Dated: April 19, 2013.
Glenn Paulson, Science Advisor, Office of the Science
Advisor.

[FR Doc. 2013–10043 Filed 4–26–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6560–50–P**

**ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION**
**AGENCY**

**[FRL–9806–1]**

**Reissuance of Final NPDES General Permits for Facilities/Operations That**  **Generate, Treat, and/or Use/Dispose of Sewage Sludge by Means of Land**  **Application, Landfill, and Surface Disposal in EPA Region 8** 

**AGENCY :**  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). **ACTION :**  Notice of issuance of NPDES general permits.

**SUMMARY :**  Region 8 of the EPA is hereby giving notice of its reissuance of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits for facilities or operations that generate, treat, and/or use/dispose of sewage sludge by means of land application, landfill, and surface disposal in the States of CO, MT, ND, and WY and in Indian country in the States of CO, MT, ND, SD, WY and UT (except for the Goshute Indian Reservation and the Navajo Indian Reservation). The effective date of the general permits is May 13, 2013.

**DATES :**  The general permits become effective on May 13, 2013 and will expire five years from that date. For appeal purposes, the 120 day time period for appeal to the U.S. Federal Courts will begin May 13, 2013.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Additional information concerning the final permits may be obtained from Bob Brobst, EPA Region 8, Wastewater Unit (8P–W–WW), 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202–1129, telephone (303) 312–6129 or Email at brobst.bob@epa.gov. The administrative record is available by appointment for review and copying, fee for copies may be required, at the EPA Region 8 offices during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, Federal holidays excluded. The final general permits, the fact sheet, and additional information may be downloaded from the EPA Region 8 Web page at http:// www.epa.gov/region08/water/biosolids/
documents.html . Please allow one week after date of this publication for items to be uploaded to the Web page.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The NPDES permit numbers and the areas covered by each general permit are
listed below.

State Permit No. Area covered by the general permit

Colorado ............ COG650000 State of Colorado except for Federal Facilities and Indian country.COG651000 Indian country within the State of Colorado and the portions of the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation located in New Mexico and in Utah. COG652000 Federal Facilities in the State of Colorado, except those located in Indian country, which are covered under permit COG51000. Montana ............. MTG650000 State of Montana except for Indian country. MTG651000 Indian country in the State of Montana. North Dakota ..... NDG650000 State of North Dakota except for Indian country.NDG651000 Indian country within the State of North Dakota (except for Indian country located within the former boundaries of the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, which are covered under permit SDG651000) and that portion of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation located in South Dakota. South Dakota ..... SDG651000 Indian country within the State of South Dakota (except for the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, wh ichis covered under permit NDG651000), that portion of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation located in Nebraska, and Indian country located in North Dakota within the former boundaries of the Lake Traverse

Indian Reservation.