Document ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0319-0021
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools and Revised Asbestos Model Accreditation Plans
Posted Date: 2018-08-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42890-42891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18341]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0319; FRL-9981-80-OEI]

Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and 
Approval; Comment Request; Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools and 
Revised Asbestos Model Accreditation Plans (Renewal)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted the 
following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): Asbestos-Containing Materials in 
Schools and Revised Asbestos Model Accreditation Plans (EPA ICR No. 
1365.11, OMB Control No. 2070-0091). This is a request to renew the 
approval of an existing ICR, which is currently approved through August 
31, 2018. EPA received six comments in response to the previously 
provided public review opportunity issued in the Federal Register of 
January 2, 2018, which have been addressed in the ICR that is being 
submitted to OMB, a copy of which is available in the docket. With this 
submission to OMB, EPA is providing an additional 30 days for public 
review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 24, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-
OPPT-2017-0319, to both EPA and OMB as follows:
     To EPA online using http://www.regulations.gov (our 
preferred method) or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20460, and
     To OMB via email to [email protected]. Address 
comments to OMB Desk Officer for EPA.
    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: Brandon Mullings, Environmental 
Assistance Division, 7408M, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 
564-4826; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Docket: Supporting documents, including the ICR that explains in 
detail the information collection activities and the related burden and 
cost estimates that are summarized in this document, are available in 
the docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, West William 
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 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.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on August 31, 
2018. Under OMB regulations, an agency may continue to conduct or 
sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending 
at OMB. Under the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., 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 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 for certain EPA regulations is 
consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) 
requires local education agencies (LEAs) to conduct inspections, 
develop management plans, and design or conduct response actions with 
respect to the presence of asbestos-containing materials in school 
buildings. AHERA also requires states to develop model accreditation 
plans for persons who perform asbestos inspections, develop management 
control plans, and design or conduct response actions. This information 
collection addresses the burden associated with recordkeeping 
requirements imposed on LEAs by the asbestos in schools rule, and 
reporting and recordkeeping requirements imposed on states and training 
providers related to the model accreditation plan rule.
    Responses to the collection of information are mandatory (see 40 
CFR parts 763, Subpart E). Respondents may claim all or part of a 
document confidential. EPA will disclose information that is covered by 
a claim of confidentiality only to the extent

[[Page 42891]]

permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in TSCA section 14 
and 40 CFR part 2.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Local education agencies (LEAs, 
e.g., elementary or secondary public school districts or a private 
school or school system); asbestos training providers to schools and 
educational systems; state education departments or commissions; or 
state public health departments or commissions.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory (40 CFR part 763, Sub 
part E).
    Estimated number of respondents: 133,214 (total).
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Total estimated burden: 2,554,913 hours (per year). Burden is 
defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b)
    Total estimated cost: $97,276,877 (per year), which includes $0 
annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 67,509 hours in 
the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently 
approved by OMB. This increase reflects a change in the methodology to 
calculate the number of schools with friable asbestos-containing 
materials (ACM); a revision to the life span of schools using average 
functional age to determine the remaining life of school buildings; and 
a change in the rate of removal of friable ACM. This change is an 
adjustment, and is discussed in more detail in the ICR Supporting 
Statement.

Courtney Kerwin,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. 2018-18341 Filed 8-23-18; 8:45 am]
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