[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 231 (Thursday, November 30, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71314-71317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30544]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6910-2]


Draft Information Products Bulletin Framework Plan for Comment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Information Products Bulletin (IPB) is a new joint effort 
between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The 
Environmental Council of the States (ECOS). The purpose of this 
framework plan is to outline the basis and scope for the development of 
the IPB. The IPB is proposed to start being published in 2001, and will 
be published regularly, both in hard copy and on the World Wide Web. It 
will inform stakeholders and the public about upcoming significant 
information products being produced by EPA and some of the states. This 
will include, in some cases, the identification of opportunities for 
stakeholder and public involvement in the development of such products.

DATES: EPA will accept comments on this draft Information Products 
Bulletin (IPB) Framework Plan from the date of this notice until 
January 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: In order to be considered, comments must be submitted in 
writing (either by mail or via the IPB website) to EPA using the 
following address or website address:
    Comments can be mailed to: Shelley Fudge, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Information/Office of 
Information Analysis and Access, Mail Code: 2843, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, D.C. 20460.
    Comment Via the Web: Go to www.epa.gov/ipbpages and click on the 
``How Can I Comment'' button on the left, or on ``Comments'' at the 
bottom of each page.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information about the 
Information Products Bulletin (IPB), please contact Shelley Fudge at 
(202) 260-8694, Office of Environmental Information, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 2843, 
Washington, D.C. 20460.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. What is the Information Products Bulletin?
II. Purpose of the Information Products Bulletin (IPB)
III. Background on Creation of the IPB
IV. Criteria for Including Products in the IPB
V. State Products Included in the IPB
VI. Interim Bulletin Website
VII. Stakeholder and Public Involvement Opportunities During the 
Development of EPA Significant Information Products
VIII. Stakeholder and Public Involvement Opportunities for State 
Significant Information Products
IX. IPB Publication Schedule

I. What Is the Information Products Bulletin?

    The Information Products Bulletin (IPB) is a joint effort between 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Environmental 
Council of the States (ECOS) to inform stakeholders and the public 
about upcoming significant information products being produced by EPA 
and states. ECOS is the national nonprofit, nonpartisan association of 
state and territorial environmental commissioners.
    The Information Products Bulletin will:
    <bullet> Notify interested parties about soon-to-be-released 
significant information products produced by EPA and some states.
    <bullet> Provide an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to 
comment and/or give us feedback on some of the significant information 
products described on the list. The Bulletin will provide information 
about opportunities for stakeholder and/or public involvement during 
the development of some of the products listed.
    <bullet> Begin publication in 2001 and will be published every six 
months.
    <bullet> Be available on the Web, as well as in hard copy for those 
who do not have access to the Internet.
    A Significant Information Product is:
    <bullet> A product under development or major modification by EPA 
which derives from federal, state, local, tribal, and/or other 
organizations' data, and a state product that is regional or national 
in scope and aggregates data from more than one state. Such products 
often

[[Page 71315]]

generate considerable attention when they use data to describe 
environmental conditions, trends, potential risks, and/or portray 
compliance or performance.
    A stakeholder is:
    <bullet> An individual or group who has a vested interest in the 
development and use of a significant information product. In many 
cases, stakeholders are likely to be affected by the use of such a 
product.

II. Purpose of the Information Products Bulletin (IPB)

    EPA and the states are committed to ensuring that the significant 
information products we produce are accurate and useful, and that we 
clearly characterize the data incorporated into these products. The IPB 
will provide pre-publication notification of these products, and in 
some cases, identify opportunities for stakeholder and public 
involvement.

III. Background on Creation of the IPB

    Each year, EPA and the states produce information products for the 
general public that are derived from federal, state, local, tribal or 
other organizations' data. These products may include analyses and/or 
draw conclusions about primary data in order to describe environmental 
conditions, trends, potential risks, and/or portray environmental 
compliance or performance.
    The IPB has been initiated as one of several efforts by EPA and the 
states to advance the creation and use of data to enhance public health 
and environmental protection, inform decision-making, and improve the 
public's access to information about environmental conditions and 
trends. Informing the public and providing access to sound 
environmental information are essential components of a comprehensive 
environmental protection program. EPA and the states recognize that 
environmental information should be presented in a format that meets 
the needs of major stakeholders and the public. It is understood that 
the IPB is not intended to be the initial or primary notification 
device for informing state co-regulators about significant new 
products.
    In November 1999, EPA and the Environmental Council of the States 
(ECOS) hosted a meeting in Chicago titled the ``EPA/State Stakeholder 
Forum on Public Information Policies.'' The meeting brought together 
representatives from states, tribes, industry, environmental and public 
interest groups. As an outgrowth of discussions that took place at that 
meeting, EPA and ECOS agreed to form a joint EPA/State Action Team to 
develop an ``Information Products Bulletin,'' that would be published 
periodically. Through this initiative, EPA and the states can provide 
early notification of ``significant information products'' under 
development, and identify opportunities for stakeholder and public 
feedback during the development of certain products.

IV. Criteria for Including Products in the IPB

    The IPB does not include a description of all EPA or state 
products, only those that are considered significant information 
products. The following draft criteria have been developed for 
determining which products developed by EPA and the states are 
``significant information products'' and thus should be included in the 
IPB:
    <bullet> Products that analyze and/or compare data from various 
agencies and organizations, including industry, as well as various 
federal, state, tribal and local agencies;
    <bullet> Significant data collected by, acquired by, or directly 
reported to EPA from various agencies and organizations that EPA has 
not interpreted or analyzed;
    <bullet> Products that describe or assess environmental conditions, 
trends, or risks;
    <bullet> Products that apply to a large segment of the population 
or large geographic area;
    <bullet> Models used by the public to perform environmental 
analyses based upon data from various agencies and organizations; and
    <bullet> Those annual reports and other products released on a 
regular basis that describe environmental conditions, trends, risks, 
and/or portray compliance or performance.
    Significant Information Products do NOT include:
    <bullet> Action plans.
    <bullet> Announcements.
    <bullet> Annual reports that provide only broad, general 
information, program descriptions and/or accomplishments.
    <bullet> Brochures.
    <bullet> Chemical alerts.
    <bullet> Citizen guides.
    <bullet> Compliance guides.
    <bullet> Conference summaries.
    <bullet> Fact sheets.
    <bullet> Journal articles.
    <bullet> Policy statements.
    <bullet> Press releases.
    <bullet> Rulemakings and supporting documents (including guidance, 
directives, studies, etc.).
    <bullet> Strategies, strategic plans.
    <bullet> Training materials.
    EPA and ECOS are interested in receiving comments on the above 
definition and whether its application will ensure the inclusion of 
information products of most interest to the public.

V. State Products Included in the IPB

    The IPB will include some significant information products produced 
by the states and territories. Such products will be regional or 
national in scope and will include aggregated data from more than one 
state. While states will not provide a description of any individual 
state products, EPA may include products about one state, if the 
product is a prototype or concerns national issues, or the data reflect 
national or regional environmental conditions, risks, and/or trends.

VI. Interim Bulletin Website

    The Interim Bulletin is an initial list of upcoming significant 
information products that was placed on EPA's website in September 
2000, to provide the public pre-publication notification of such 
products prior to the release of the first, full IPB in 2001. The 
Interim Bulletin is a list only; it does not describe stakeholder or 
public involvement opportunities.
    The Interim Bulletin:
    <bullet> Notifies interested stakeholders and members of the public 
of soon-to-be released information products.
    <bullet> Describes EPA significant information products only; no 
state products are included.
    <bullet> Is available only on the Web, not in hard copy. (The full 
IPB will be available on the Web and in hard copy.)

VII. Stakeholder and Public Involvement Opportunities During the 
Development of EPA Significant Information Products

What is Stakeholder and Public Involvement?

    The term public involvement refers to soliciting input and feedback 
from members of the public in the development of EPA and state products 
and policies. Stakeholder involvement refers to individuals who 
represent groups or specific segments of the public with a vested 
interest in the product or policy. Stakeholder involvement primarily 
includes representatives of an industry sector, community, government 
agency, non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

How Will the IPB Impact EPA's and States' Current Stakeholder and 
Public Involvement Processes?

    The IPB will provide pre-publication notification of significant 
information products being developed by the EPA, as well as some 
states. The IPB also identifies, where possible, opportunities

[[Page 71316]]

for stakeholders and the public to provide input into the development 
of these products. Procedures have already been established for 
obtaining stakeholder and public input for many significant information 
products. The IPB will not replace or duplicate existing stakeholder or 
public involvement processes associated with the development of EPA or 
state products. What the IPB does is provide a comprehensive vehicle 
for notifying the public of planned significant information products 
being developed by EPA, in addition to some state products. It also 
identifies stakeholder and public involvement processes that are 
currently underway or are planned for certain products.
    It should be noted that it may not be practical or useful to 
provide an opportunity for stakeholder or public input for some 
products on the IPB list. Examples of such products are those produced 
on a routine or annual basis, or those that are technical, science-
based documents that undergo a rigorous peer review process.

How Does the Stakeholder and Public Involvement Process Work?

    Stakeholders and the public can become involved in the development 
of significant information products in different ways, depending upon 
the individual product. Different stakeholder and public involvement 
methods are used for each significant information product that 
incorporates stakeholder/public involvement. Such methods are described 
in Table 1 and 2 below. In considering which method(s) to use for any 
given product, EPA and states must consider the purpose of producing 
the product and the appropriate target audience, as well as available 
resources, time frame, and other possible limitations. For example, it 
might be more suitable to obtain stakeholder and public input through 
face-to-face meetings rather than through electronic communication 
mechanisms. In other cases, one or more electronic communication 
methods may reach a wider interested audience, and thus be a more 
effective means of getting feedback for a particular product. EPA and 
the states often use a combination of stakeholder and public 
involvement methods.
    Table 1 below shows methods that EPA and the states use to present 
information on upcoming significant information products to 
stakeholders and the public. Table 2 below describes methods that EPA 
and many states use to collect comments on a specific product under 
development. Many of the methods described in both tables have been 
used routinely by EPA and many states for years. Others, particularly 
those utilizing electronic communication mechanisms, may not be used 
routinely but their use is growing.

  Table 1: Stakeholder and Public Involvement Methods that EPA and the
 States Use to Collect Input for Significant Information Products--This
                      May Vary From State to State
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Stakeholder/public
      involvement method                      Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Public meetings...........  Information is presented about the
                                product before a public gathering, often
                                with a question and answer session.
B. Forums and workshops......  Face-to-face discussions with
                                stakeholders that generally allow for
                                more in-depth discussion than public
                                meetings.
C. Focus groups..............  Participants discuss (in a face-to-face
                                format) potential users' likes and
                                dislikes of the product, and generally
                                offer suggestions for improvements.
                                Participants often reflect the audience
                                that the product targets.
D. Stakeholder meetings......  Detailed discussions (face-to-face and/or
                                meetings electronically, via telephone
                                or video) with representatives of
                                various government agencies and/or
                                organizations, including industry, trade
                                associations, environmental
                                organizations, local elected officials,
                                community activists, etc. that are
                                likely to be impacted by the use of the
                                product.
E. Stakeholder or expert       Extended communication (through meetings,
 consultation.                  phone conversations, email, Fax or U.S.
                                mail) with representatives of various
                                government agencies and/or organizations
                                regarding specific technical issues or
                                data related to the product. These
                                representatives are consulted briefly or
                                for an extended period of time as
                                subject experts who can provide
                                essential input.
F. Surveys or questionnaires.  Participants provide quantitative and/or
                                qualitative input about a product from
                                which key comments can be extrapolated.
G. Federal Register Notices..  Official means to notify the public about
                                a particular product, including a formal
                                comment process with a set comment
                                period. The Federal Register is printed
                                daily by the U.S. Government.
H. Listservs and other e-mail  Electronic mechanisms used for describing
 communication methods.         a product to various stakeholders and
                                potential product users.
I. Websites..................  Popular electronic tool that allows a
                                product to be widely disseminated and
                                accessible on the Internet. Also can be
                                used to collect user comments through a
                                back-end database or e-mail form.
J. Hotlines..................  EPA-supplied phone numbers that allow for
                                direct answering of caller questions.
K. Public bulletin boards....  Available electronically. Allows
                                stakeholders and/or the public to submit
                                questions and comments about a specific
                                product.
L. Media advertisements......  Advertises information about a specific
                                product through print and/or electronic
                                media. May be targeted to a general or
                                specific audience. Can also be used to
                                invite public comment on the product.
M. Information fact sheets     Highlights key aspects of a specific
 and other similar materials.   product to be highlighted. Can also be
                                used to guide users on reviewing/
                                commenting on the product. Often
                                distributed at events like public
                                meetings or displayed in libraries etc.
N. Mailings to various         Information about a specific product sent
 stakeholders.                  through U.S. various mail to various
                                stakeholders and potential product
                                stakeholders users for information
                                purposes and feedback.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 71317]]

Table 2: Response Mechanisms Used by EPA and the States--This May Vary 
From State to State

    A. Verbal comments recorded during a public meeting, forum, 
workshop, focus group session or stakeholder meeting.
    B. Telephone hotline.
    C. Telephone survey/questionnaire.
    D. Written comments submitted for a public meeting, forum, 
workshop, focus group session or stakeholder meeting.
    E. Formal written comments sent to EPA in response to a Federal 
Register Notice.
    F. Written comments sent to EPA by Fax, e-mail, listserv e-mail, 
or through e-mail to an electronic bulletin board.
    G. Feedback forms located on websites.
    H. Surveys and/or questionnaires sent through U.S. mail, e-mail 
or FAX.

    The IPB will list the stakeholder and public involvement method(s) 
expected to be used for each of the products that provide opportunities 
for stakeholder/public involvement. Table 3 below provides a template 
that EPA and the states plan to use for each of the significant 
information products listed in the IPB.

Table 3: Information that will be Included in the IPB about Products 
that Provide an Opportunity for Stakeholder and/or Public Involvement

Title:
    [The name of the significant information product. Please note 
that titles may be subject to change for some products under 
development.]
Description:
    [A brief explanation that provides a basic understanding of the 
purpose and content of the significant information product.]
Contact:
    [Phone number to use to get further information about the 
product and/or the stakeholder/public involvement process. When 
practical, a specific contact name will be listed and/or an e-mail 
address.]
Expected Release Date:
    [When the product is expected to be made available to the 
public. Please note that such dates are the best estimates available 
to date; schedules are subject to change.]
Comment Period:
    [The start and end date of the public comment period; OR the 
date that the comment period ends if the comment period has already 
begun. Please note that the public comment period may differ from 
the time frames provided for other types of stakeholder/public 
involvement.]
Stakeholder/Public Involvement Methods:
    [The method(s) that EPA or the states plans to use to obtain 
stakeholder/public input and/or feedback on a specific significant 
information product--see examples of Stakeholder and Public 
Involvement Methods in Table 1 above.]
How to Access the Draft Product (if available):
    [The various electronic and non-electronic ways that 
stakeholders and the public can use to access a draft copy and/or 
prototype of the product.]

At What Stage in the Development of a Product Can I Get Involved?

    The timeframe for the development of each significant information 
product varies, and thus the time frame for obtaining public 
involvement varies as well. Some software models, for example, require 
early and close collaboration with one or more groups of stakeholders 
in order to produce an initial version of the product. Other products, 
such as technical or scientific reports, often require the use of a 
scientific peer review process before any stakeholder and/or public 
input may be obtained. In some cases, various methods of stakeholder/
public involvement may be used during different stages of a product's 
development. Some input may be sought early in the development of a 
product to determine how best to meet the needs of the product's 
expected primary users. Then at a later stage in the product's 
development, it may be possible to obtain additional feedback on a 
draft copy or prototype of the product.
    EPA and the states will provide information in the IPB about the 
timing of the product's development, along with the timeframe for 
submitting public comments. Information regarding specific dates for 
public meetings, workshops, forums, etc. may be obtained about specific 
products by contacting the number listed under each product 
description.

Can I View a Draft Copy or Prototype of Products Under Development?

    Where possible, every effort will be made on the IPB website to 
include website links to draft copies and/or prototypes of EPA and some 
state products under development. Those without access to the Internet 
can obtain hard copies of draft products listed in the IPB by 
contacting the number listed for obtaining further information. Please 
note that there will not always be a draft copy or prototype available 
for every product under development.

VIII. Stakeholder and Public Involvement Opportunities for State 
Significant Information Products

    The states generally use the same type of stakeholder and public 
involvement methods as EPA, which are described in Tables 1 and 2. 
While states may provide a range of opportunities for stakeholder and 
public involvement, not all opportunities listed in Tables 1 and 2 may 
be available in all states. As with EPA products, information regarding 
specific information and dates for public meetings, workshops, forums, 
etc. may be obtained, when available, about specific products through 
the contact information listed under appropriate product descriptions.

IX. IPB Publication Schedule

    EPA and ECOS struggled with how best to ensure that those without 
access to the Internet would be able to access information on the IPB 
that is just as up to date as those with access to the Web. We are 
interested in receiving comments regarding the recommendation below.
    Under the EPA/ECOS recommendation, the IPB would be available on 
the Web www.epa.gov/ipbpages and in hard copy format. Both the website 
and the hard copy would be fully updated every six months. In between 
the six-month publications, the website would be refreshed every three 
months with material that cannot wait for the next official update 
cycle. This might include incorporating a new product that has a short 
development time period, and/or correcting vital information (for 
example, a change in comment period dates) relating to an existing 
product in the IPB. A contact phone number would be provided for non-
Web users to obtain information about any changes made to the IPB in 
between each six-month hard copy publication. When new or updated 
information is added to the IPB, it will be highlighted both in hard 
copy and on the website.

    Dated: November 22, 2000
Elaine G. Stanley,
Director, Office of Information Analysis and Access.
[FR Doc. 00-30544 Filed 11-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P