

[Federal Register: January 31, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 20)]
[Notices]               
[Page 5055-5059]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31ja06-39]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0458; FRL-7753-5]

 
Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under EPA's Hospitals 
for a Healthy Environment (H2E) Program; Request for Comment on Renewal 
of Information Collection Activities

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) EPA is seeking public comment on the following 
Information Collection Request (ICR): Reporting and Recordkeeping 
Requirements under EPA's Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) 
Program (EPA ICR No. 2088.02; OMB Control No. 2070-0166). This ICR 
involves a collection activity that is currently approved and scheduled 
to expire on July 31, 2006. The information collected under this ICR 
relates to recordkeeping and reporting as part of a voluntary program 
to help hospitals enhance work place safety, reduce waste and waste 
disposal costs, and become better environmental stewards and neighbors. 
Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on 
specific aspects of the collection.

DATES: Written comments, identified by the docket identification (ID) 
number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0458, must be received on or before April 3, 
2006.

[[Page 5056]]


ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or 
through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as 
provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Colby 
Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division 
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: 
TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

    For technical information contact: Chen Wen, Pollution Prevention 
Division (7409M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-8849; fax number: 
(202) 564-8901; e-mail address: wen.chen@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
establishment or organization engaged in furnishing medical, surgical, 
or other health services to individuals. Potentially affected entities 
may include, but are not limited to:
     Offices of physicians (NAICS 6211), e.g., cardiologists' 
offices, family physicians' offices, gynecologists' offices, 
internists' offices, medical doctors' offices, neurologists' offices, 
obstetricians' offices, orthopedic physicians' offices, pediatricians' 
(except mental health) offices, surgeons' (except dental) offices, etc.
     Offices of dentists (NAICS 6212), e.g., dental surgeons' 
offices, dentists' offices, endodontists' offices, orthodontists' 
offices, periodontists' offices, etc.
     Outpatient care centers (NAICS 6214), e.g., birth control 
clinics, family planning centers, fertility clinics, pregnancy 
counseling centers, reproductive health services centers, etc.
     Medical and diagnostic laboratories (NAICS 6215), e.g., 
blood analysis laboratories, cytology health laboratories, DNA testing 
laboratories, forensic laboratories (medical), genetic testing 
laboratories, medical laboratories (except radiological, x-ray), 
medical pathology laboratories, parasitology health laboratories, 
pathology laboratories (medical), testing laboratories (medical), 
toxicology health laboratories, etc.
     Home health care services (NAICS 6216), e.g., home health 
agencies, home health care agencies, home nursing services (except 
private practices), hospice care services (in home), visiting nurse 
associations, etc.
     General medical and surgical hospitals (NAICS 6221), e.g., 
children's hospitals (general), general medical and surgical hospitals, 
general pediatric hospitals, osteopathic hospitals, etc.
     Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals (NAICS 6222), 
e.g., alcoholism rehabilitation hospitals, children's hospitals, 
psychiatric or substance abuse, detoxification hospitals, drug 
addiction rehabilitation hospitals, hospitals, substance abuse, mental 
(except mental retardation) hospitals, mental health hospitals, 
psychiatric hospitals (except convalescent), rehabilitation hospitals, 
alcoholism and drug addiction, etc.
     Nursing care facilities (NAICS 6231), e.g., convalescent 
homes or convalescent hospitals (except psychiatric), group homes for 
the disabled with nursing care, homes for the elderly with nursing 
care, hospices (inpatient care), nursing care facilities, nursing 
homes, retirement homes with nursing care, skilled nursing facilities, 
etc.
     Residential mental retardation, mental health, and 
substance abuse facilities (NAICS 6232), e.g., group homes (mental 
retardation), intermediate care facilities (mental retardation), mental 
retardation homes, mental retardation hospitals, etc.
     Community care facilities for the elderly (NAICS 6233), 
e.g., assisted-living facilities with on-site nursing facilities, 
continuing care retirement communities, etc.
     Grant-making and giving services (NAICS 8132), e.g., 
charitable trusts, awarding grants, community foundations, corporate 
foundations, awarding grants, educational trusts, awarding grants, 
grant-making foundations, philanthropic trusts, awarding grants, 
scholarship trusts (i.e., grant-making, charitable trust foundations), 
trusts, religious, awarding grants, etc.
     Social advocacy organizations (NAICS 8133), e.g., 
associations for retired persons, advocacy, civil liberties 
organizations, developmentally disabled advocacy organizations, human 
rights advocacy organizations, mentally retarded advocacy groups, 
senior citizens advocacy organizations, veterans' rights organizations, 
etc.
    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides 
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by 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 action might apply 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. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

    1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this 
action under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0458. The official 
public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this 
action, any public comments received, and other information related to 
this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket 
does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official 
public docket is the collection of materials that is available for 
public viewing at the EPA Docket Center, Rm. B102-Reading Room, EPA 
West, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket 
Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding legal holidays. The EPA Docket Center Reading Room telephone 
number is (202) 566-1744 and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket, 
which is located in EPA Docket Center, is (202) 566-0280.
    2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

    Agency Website: EDOCKET, EPA's electronic public docket and comment 
system was replaced on November 25, 2005, by an enhanced federal-wide 
electronic docket management and comment system located at http://www.regulations.gov/.
 Follow the on-line instructions.

    An electronic version of the public docket is available through 
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may 
use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public 

comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official 
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that 
are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be 
available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly 
available docket materials through the docket facility identified in 
Unit I.B.1. Once in

[[Page 5057]]

the system, select ``search,'' then key in the appropriate docket ID 
number.
    Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. 
Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public 
docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic 
public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be 
placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in 
printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent 
feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in 
EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the 
index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the 
document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. 
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you 
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through 
the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. EPA intends to work 
towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available 
docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket.
    For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is 
that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, 
will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public 
docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment 
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment 
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that 
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's 
electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the 
copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.
    Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or 
delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public 
docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will 
be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where 
practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph 
will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief 
description written by the docket staff.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit the Comments?

    You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand 
delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the 
appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of 
your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the 
specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the 
comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider 
these late comments. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is 
otherwise protected by statute, please follow the instructions in Unit 
I.D. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information 
protected by statute.
    1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as 
prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, 
mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in 
the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the 
outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter 
accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be 
identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact 
you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's 
policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or 
contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included 
as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, 
and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. 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.
    i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to 
submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for 
receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/
, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. 

Once in the system, select ``search,'' and then key in docket ID number 
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0458. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, 
which means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other 
contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
    ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to oppt.ncic@epa.gov, 
Attention: Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0458. In contrast to EPA's 
electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an ``anonymous 
access'' system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket 
without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail 
system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses 
that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as 
part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and 
made available in EPA's electronic public docket.
    iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM 
that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit I.C.2. These 
electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file 
format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    2. By mail. Send your comments to: Document Control Office (7407M), 
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001.
    3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: OPPT 
Document Control Office (DCO) in EPA East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Attention: Docket ID Number 
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0458. The DCO is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the 
DCO is (202) 564-8930.

D. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency?

    Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI 
electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. You 
may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part 
or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, 
mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify 
electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that 
is CBI). Information so marked will not be disclosed except in 
accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
    In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes 
any information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not 
contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion 
in the public docket and EPA's electronic public docket. If you submit 
the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside 
of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information 
not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA's 
electronic public docket without prior notice. If you have any 
questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult 
the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

[[Page 5058]]

E. 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.
    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. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    6. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
    7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this 
notice.
    8. 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.

F. 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:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collections of information are 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burdens 
of the proposed collections of information.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
or electronic collection technologies or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

II. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action Apply 
to?

    EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR:
    Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under EPA's 
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) Program.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2088.02, OMB Control No. 2070-0166.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 
2006. 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, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and included on the related 
collection instrument or form, if applicable.
    Abstract: The H2E program is a voluntary partnership program 
jointly administered by EPA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) 
that helps hospitals enhance work place safety, reduce waste and waste 
disposal costs, and become better environmental stewards and neighbors. 
The program is based on a 1998 Memorandum of Understanding signed by 
AHA and EPA to provide health care professionals with the tools and 
information necessary to reduce mercury waste, reduce the overall 
volume of waste, and identify pollution prevention opportunities.
    The H2E program has two elements, the Partners for Change program 
and the Champions for Change program. The Partners for Change program 
recognizes health care facilities that pledge support to the H2E 
mission and develop goals for reducing waste and mercury in their own 
facilities. The Champions for Change program recognizes organizations 
that encourage and aid health care facilities to participate as H2E 
Partners, provide on-going promotional or technical assistance 
information, or make changes that support the goals of the H2E program 
in their own institutions. An organization's decision to participate in 
the H2E program is completely voluntary.
    This information collection addresses reporting and recordkeeping 
activities that support the administration of the H2E program.
    Responses to the collection of information are voluntary. 
Respondents may claim all or part of a notice confidential. EPA will 
disclose information that is covered by a claim of confidentiality only 
to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in 
TSCA section 14 and 40 CFR part 2.

III. What are EPA's Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR?

    Under PRA ``burden'' means the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or 
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal Agency. For this 
collection it 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; 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 this estimate, which is 
only briefly summarized in this notice. The annual public burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to range between 0.5 and 20 
hours per response, depending upon the type of information the 
respondent provides. The following is a summary of the estimates taken 
from the ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: Establishment or organization 
engaged in furnishing medical, surgical, or other health services to 
individuals.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 630.
    Frequency of response: Annually.
    Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 5,501.
    Estimated total annual burden costs: $188,723.

IV. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

    There is a decrease of 4,609 hours (from 10,110 hours to 5,501 
hours) in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that 
identified in the information collection most recently approved by OMB. 
The changes in the burden estimates are based on actual program 
experience from conducting the H2E program over the past three years. 
The number of new partner facilities recruited per year has been 
revised downward to reflect average recruit numbers. Similarly, the 
number of award applicants has also been revised downward to reflect 
the number of award applications received per year.

V. 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. 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

[[Page 5059]]

process, please contact the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.


    Dated: January 19, 2006.
Susan B. Hazen,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and 
Toxic Substances.
[FR Doc. E6-1206 Filed 1-30-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
