### 4343 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 25, 2011 / Notices

stateresources/transconf/adequacy.htm. You may also contact Mr. Jeffrey Riley, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733, telephone (214) 665–8542, E-mail address: Riley.Jeffrey@epa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Throughout this document ‘‘we, ’’ ‘‘us, ’’ and ‘‘ our’’ refers to EPA. The word ‘‘budget(s) ’’ refers to the mobile source emissions budget for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the mobile source emissions budget for nitrogen oxides (NO X ).

On April 1st and April 6th, 2010, we received State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). These revisions consisted of a Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) SIP and an Attainment Demonstration SIP for the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) ozone nonattainment area. These submissions established motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEB) for the HGB area for the years 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2018. The MVEB is the amount of emissions allowed in the state implementation plan for on-road motor vehicles; it establishes an emissions ceiling for the regional transportation network. The MVEBs are provided in Tables 1 and 2:



### TABLE 

### 1—H OUSTON 

### -G ALVESTON 

### -B RAZORIA 

### R EASONABLE 

### F URTHER 

### P ROGRESS 

### (RFP) NO X AND 

### VOC MVEBS
[Summer season tons per day]

2008 2011 2014 2017 2018

NO X ...................................................................................... 193.39 135.74 95.26 67.95 60.92 VOC ..................................................................................... 94.75 75.17 61.84 53.23 51.35



### TABLE 

### 2—H OUSTON 

### -G ALVESTON 

### B RAZORIA 

### ATTAINMENT 

### D EMONSTRA



### TION 

### NO X AND 

### VOC MVEB
[Summer season tons per day]

2018

NO X

...................................... 49.22 VOC ...................................... 45.97

On June 24, 2010, EPA posted the availability of the HGB area budgets on EPA’s Web site, as part of the adequacy process, for the purpose of soliciting public comments. The comment period closed on July 26, 2010, and we received no comments.

Today’s notice is simply an announcement of a finding that EPA has already made. EPA Region 6 sent a letter to TCEQ on October 8, 2010, finding that the MVEBs in the HGB RFP and Attainment Demonstration SIPs, submitted on April 1st and April 6th, 2010 respectively, are adequate and must be used for transportation conformity determinations in the HGB area. This finding has also been announced on EPA’s conformity Web site: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/ stateresources/transconf/adequacy.htm.

Transportation conformity is required by section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act. EPA’s conformity rule, 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 93, requires that transportation plans, programs and projects conform to state air quality implementation plans and establishes the criteria and procedures for determining whether or not they do so. Conformity to a SIP means that transportation activities will not produce new air quality violations, worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the national ambient air quality standards.

The criteria by which EPA determines whether a SIP’s MVEB is adequate for transportation conformity purposes are outlined in 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4). We have also described the process for determining the adequacy of submitted SIP budgets in our July 1, 2004, final rulemaking entitled, ‘‘Transportation Conformity Rule Amendments for the New 8-hour Ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Miscellaneous Revisions for Existing Areas; Transportation Conformity Rule Amendments: Response to Court Decision and Additional Rule Changes ’’ (69 FR 40004). Please note that an adequacy review is separate from EPA’s completeness review, and it should not be used to prejudge EPA’s ultimate approval of the HGB RFP SIP and Attainment Demonstration SIP revision submittals. Even if EPA finds the budgets adequate, these submittals could later be disapproved.

Within 24 months from the effective date of this notice, the transportation partners will need to demonstrate conformity to the new MVEBs if the demonstration has not already been made, pursuant to 40 CFR 93.104(e). See, 73 FR 4419 (January 24, 2008).

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq

. Dated: January 13, 2011. Al Armendariz, Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2011–1470 Filed 1–24–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION**  **AGENCY**

**[EPA–HQ–OARM–2010–0989; FRL–9256–4; EPA ICR No. 1550.07; OMB Control No.**  **2030–023]**

**Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;**  **Comment Request; Contractor Conflicts of Interest** 

**AGENCY :**  Environmental Protection Agency.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2011. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

**DATES :**  Comments must be submitted on or before March 28, 2011.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OARM–2010–0989 by one of the following methods:

• http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.

• E-mail: ramrakha.staci@epa.gov.

• Fax: (202) 566–1753.

• Mail: EPA–HQ–OARM–2010–0989, OEI Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of three (3) copies.

• Hand Delivery: EPA Docket CenterAttention OEI Docket, EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW.,


### 4344 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 25, 2011 / Notices

Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OARM–2010–
0989.

EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through http:// www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The http://www.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 http:// www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public 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 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.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Staci Ramrakha, Policy, Training, and Oversight Division, Acquisition Policy and Training Service Center (3802R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564–2017; e-mail address: ramrakha.staci@epa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
How can I access the docket and/or submit comments?

EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA– HQ–OARM–2010–0989, which is available for online viewing at http:// www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the OEI Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202–566–1744, and the telephone number for the OEI Docket is 202–566–
1752.

Use http://www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ‘‘ search, ’’ then key in the docket ID number identified in this document. What information is EPA particularly interested in?

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it
to:

(i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very small businesses affected by this collection. What should I consider when I prepare my comments for EPA?

You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your
comments:

1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific examples.

2. Describe any assumptions that you used. 3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views.

4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide.

5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.

6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under **DATES**

.

7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal Register citation. What information collection activity or ICR does this apply to?

Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OARM–
2010–0989.

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are businesses or organizations performing contracts for the EPA.

Title: Conflict of Interest, Rule # 1. ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1550.07, OMB Control No. 2030–023.

ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on May 31, 2011. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA’s regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: EPA contractors will be required to disclose business relationships and corporate affiliations to determine whether EPA’s interests are jeopardized by such relationships. Because EPA has the dual responsibility of cleanup and enforcement and because its contractors are often involved in both activities, it is imperative that contractors are free from conflicts of interest so as not to prejudice response and enforcement actions. Contractors will be required to maintain a database of business relationships and report information to EPA on either an annual basis or when each work order is issued.

Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1,138 hours per response. Burden means the total time,


### 4345 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 25, 2011 / Notices

effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency’s estimate, which is only briefly summarized here. The EPA estimates a total of 135 respondents, 10 new and 125 existing. The estimated total annual burden hours are 153,626 for 135 responses for an average burden of 1,821 per respondent.

Estimated total annual costs are $10,978,201.08. This includes an estimated contractor burden cost of $9,858,202.20 and an estimated Agency burden cost of $1,119,998.88. These amounts were calculated using the hours above and the labor rates from the 2009 Bureau of Labor National Mean Statistics and the General Schedule. Specific calculations are included in the ICR. Because it will not be necessary for respondents to acquire any capital goods to provide the requested information, EPA has estimated no incurred capital/start-up costs. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

There is no change in the hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. What is the next step in the process for this ICR?

EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the technical person listed under **FOR**
**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**

. Dated: January 18, 2011. John R. Bashista, Director, Office of Acquisition Management.
[FR Doc. 2011–1476 Filed 1–24–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6560–50–P**

**ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY** 

**[FRL–9257–2]**

**A Method To Assess Climate-Relevant Decisions: Application in the**  **Chesapeake Bay**

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

**ACTION :**  Notice of Peer Review Workshop.

**SUMMARY :**  EPA is announcing that Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG), an EPA contractor for external scientific peer review, will convene an independent panel of experts and organize and conduct an external peer review workshop to review the external review draft document titled, ‘‘A Method to Assess Climate-Relevant Decisions: Application in the Chesapeake Bay’’ (EPA/600/R–10/096a). The draft document was prepared by EPA’s National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), which is situated in the Office of Research and Development.

EPA will forward public comments that were submitted in accordance with a previous notice ( Federal Register Volume 75, Number 168 [Tuesday,August 31, 2010]) to the external peerreview panel for consideration prior to the meeting. When finalizing the draft document, EPA will consider any public comments that EPA received in accordance with the August 31, 2010 Federal Register Notice.

EPA released this draft document solely for the purpose of peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. This document has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency policy or determination.

EPA invites the public to register and attend this workshop and to give oral and/or provide written comments of the draft document under review. The draft document and EPA’s peer review charge are available via the Internet on NCEA’s home page under the Recent Additions and the Data and Publications menus at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. In preparing a final report, EPA will consider the comments and recommendations from the external peer review workshop and any public comments received in accordance with this notice. **DATES :**  The peer review panel workshop will begin on Friday, March 11, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

**ADDRESSES :**  The peer review workshop will be held at The Navy League Building, 2300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201. The EPA contractor, ERG, is organizing, convening, and conducting the peer review workshop. To attend the workshop, register by Friday, March 4, 2011 by calling ERG at 781–674–7374 or toll free at 800–803–2833 (ask for the Chesapeake Bay peer review coordinator, Laurie Waite), sending a facsimile to 781–674–2906 (please reference: ‘‘ Chesapeake Bay peer review workshop ’’ and include your name, title, affiliation, full address, and contact information, and whether you wish tomake oral comments), or sending an email to meetings@erg.com ( subject line:

‘‘ Chesapeake Bay peer review workshop ’’ and include your name, title, affiliation, full address, and contact information, and whether you wish to make oral comments). You may also register via the Internet at https:// www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/peerreview/registerchesapeake.htm. The draft ‘‘A Method to Assess Climate-Relevant Decisions: Application in the Chesapeake Bay’’ is available via the Internet on NCEA’s home page under the Recent Additions and the Data and Publications menus at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. A limited number of paper copies are available from the Information Management Team (IMT), NCEA; telephone: 703–347–8561; facsimile: 703–347–8691. If you are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, mailing address, and the document title, ‘‘A Method to Assess Climate-Relevant Decisions: Application in the Chesapeake Bay. ’’ Copies are not available from ERG.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Questions regarding information, registration, access or services for individuals with disabilities, or logistics for the external peer review workshop should be directed to ERG, 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421–3136; telephone: 781–674–7374; facsimile: 781–674–2906; or e-mail: meetings@erg.com ( subject line: Chesapeake Bay peer review workshop), preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give as much time as possible to process your request.

If you need technical information about the document, please contact Susan Julius, National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA); telephone: 703–347–8619; facsimile: 703–347–8694; e-mail Julius.susan@epa.gov.