Attachment 3: Consultation Process: EPA's Solicitation for Comments

ATTACHMENT 3

Consultation Process: EPA’s Solicitation for Comments

From: Gerry Brown [brown.gerry@epa.gov]

To: [Addressees]

Subject: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;

Comment Request: Health and Safety data reporting, Submission of

Lists and Copies of Health and Safety Studies; EPA ICR No. 0575.12,

OMB Control No. 2070-0004

Date: February 5, 2009

On December 24, 2008, EPA published a Notice in the Federal Register (73 FR 79081) for Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request: Health and Safety data reporting, Submission of Lists and Copies of Health and Safety Studies; EPA ICR No. 0575.12, OMB Control No. 2070-0004 (Attachments). The Notice provides a 60-day public comment period. In addition to the Notice and comment requirement, agencies also are required under Office of Management and Budget regulations (5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)) to consult with potential respondents and data users about specific aspects of an Information Collection Request (ICR) before submitting it to OMB for review and approval, regardless, in the case of ICR renewals, of whether changes have or have not been made to the collection activity.

As part of this required consultation, I am contacting you to solicit your input. I also must note that, if you take this opportunity to provide input, your name, affiliation, and phone number and any information you provide (e.g., copies of emails) will be incorporated and attached to the ICR supporting statement which will be a public document. In addition, you may be contacted by the OMB Desk Examiner for the ICR to verify the accuracy of any comments as reported in the ICR by EPA.

EPA solicits your input on the following questions:

Are the data EPA seeks under this ICR available from any public source, or already collected by another EPA office or by another agency? If so, where can the data be found?

Is it clear what is required for data submission? If not, are there any suggestions for clarifying instructions?

Would you be interested in an electronic/data submission option? What type of alternative would you be most likely to utilize – web form, diskette, CD-ROM?

For electronic submission, how should signature requirements be handled – Private Key Infrastructure, PINS and passwords, signed paper cover sheet? How does CBI affect your choice or use of an electronic medium? Would you be more inclined to submit CBI on diskette than on paper and what benefits would you realize (burden reduction; greater efficiency in compiling information; etc.)?

Do you agree with EPA’s estimated burden and costs (ICR addresses only costs associated with paperwork)? Are the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) labor rates accurate? If you have any reason to consider the BLS labor rates inaccurate or inappropriate as used by EPA, explain your rationale.

Your timely response will be greatly appreciated! We hope to get your responses back by February 23, 2009 so we can consider those responses, as well as any public comments resulting from the FR notice, at the same time. Thank you for your assistance!

Federal Register Notice

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=09000064807f8de0

http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2008/December/Day-24/t30498.htm

Docket OPPT-2008-0868

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=09000064807f8ee6

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