[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 235 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75240-75241]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26687]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-19-000]

National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation; Notice of Request Under
Blanket Authorization and Establishing Intervention and Protest
Deadline

    Take notice that November 22, 2022, National Fuel Gas Supply
Corporation (National Fuel) filed a prior notice request for
authorization, in accordance with 18 CFR Sections 157.205, 157.208,
157.210 and 157.216 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's
(Commission) regulations under the Natural Gas Act and National Fuel's
blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP83-4-000 to construct, own,
and operate (1) approximately 2.4 miles of new 12-inch-diamet pipeline
and appurtenances on the Line SNY Lateral; (2) replace approximately
6.4 miles of 12-inch-diameter vintage bare steel pipe on Line SNY; (3)
abandon approximately 8.1 miles of 12-inch-diameter vintage bare steel
pipe; and (4) increase the maximum allowable operating pressure of Line
SNY. All of the facilities are located in Erie County, New York.
National Fuel estimates that the cost of the project will be
approximately $30 million, all as more fully set forth in the
application which is on file with the Commission and open for public
inspection.
    In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the
Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an
opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the
internet through the Commission's Home Page (http://ferc.gov) using the
``eLibrary'' link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three
digits in the docket number field to access the document. At this time,
the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's Public
Reference Room, due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency
concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), issued by the
President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission at [email protected] or call toll-free,
(886) 208-3676 or TYY,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Any questions concerning this application should be directed to
Margaret Sroka, Senior Attorney, National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation,
6363 Main Street, Williamsville, New York 14221, by telephone at (716)
857-7066, or by email at [email protected].
    Pursuant to Section 157.9 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure,\1\ within 90 days of this Notice the Commission staff will
either: complete its environmental review and place it into the
Commission's public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or issue a
Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule
for Environmental Review is issued, it will indicate, among other
milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission staff's issuance of
the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) or environmental
assessment (EA) for this proposal. The filing of an EA in the
Commission's public record for this proceeding or the issuance of a
Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify
federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all
necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal
authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission
staff's FEIS or EA.
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    \1\ 18 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Sec.  157.9.
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Public Participation

    There are three ways to become involved in the Commission's review
of this project: you can file a protest to the project, you can file a
motion to intervene in the proceeding, and you can file comments on the
project. There is no fee or cost for filing protests, motions to
intervene, or comments. The deadline for filing protests, motions to
intervene, and comments is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 31, 2023.
How to file protests, motions to intervene, and comments is explained
below.

Protests

    Pursuant to section 157.205 of the Commission's regulations under
the NGA,\2\ any person \3\ or the Commission's staff may file a protest
to the request. If no protest is filed within the time allowed or if a
protest is filed and then withdrawn within 30 days after the allowed
time for filing a protest, the proposed activity shall be deemed to be
authorized effective the day after the time allowed for protest. If a
protest is filed and not withdrawn within 30 days after the time
allowed for filing a protest, the instant request for authorization
will be considered by the Commission.
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    \2\ 18 CFR 157.205.
    \3\ Persons include individuals, organizations, businesses,
municipalities, and other entities. 18 CFR 385.102(d).
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    Protests must comply with the requirements specified in section
157.205(e) of the Commission's

regulations,\4\ and must be submitted by the protest deadline, which is
January 31, 2023. A protest may also serve as a motion to intervene so
long as the protestor states it also seeks to be an intervenor.
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    \4\ 18 CFR 157.205(e).
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Interventions

    Any person has the option to file a motion to intervene in this
proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to request rehearing of
Commission orders issued in this proceeding and to subsequently
challenge the Commission's orders in the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal.
    To intervene, you must submit a motion to intervene to the
Commission in accordance with Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of
Practice and Procedure \5\ and the regulations under the NGA \6\ by the
intervention deadline for the project, which is January 31, 2023. As
described further in Rule 214, your motion to intervene must state, to
the extent known, your position regarding the proceeding, as well as
your interest in the proceeding. For an individual, this could include
your status as a landowner, ratepayer, resident of an impacted
community, or recreationist. You do not need to have property directly
impacted by the project in order to intervene. For more information
about motions to intervene, refer to the FERC website at https://www.ferc.gov/how-guides.
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    \5\ 18 CFR 385.214.
    \6\ 18 CFR 157.10.
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    All timely, unopposed motions to intervene are automatically
granted by operation of Rule 214(c)(1). Motions to intervene that are
filed after the intervention deadline are untimely and may be denied.
Any late-filed motion to intervene must show good cause for being late
and must explain why the time limitation should be waived and provide
justification by reference to factors set forth in Rule 214(d) of the
Commission's Rules and Regulations. A person obtaining party status
will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the
Commission and will receive copies (paper or electronic) of all
documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties.

Comments

    Any person wishing to comment on the project may do so. The
Commission considers all comments received about the project in
determining the appropriate action to be taken. To ensure that your
comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your comments
on or before January 31, 2023. The filing of a comment alone will not
serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. To become a party,
you must intervene in the proceeding.

How To File Protests, Interventions, and Comments

    There are two ways to submit protests, motions to intervene, and
comments. In both instances, please reference the Project docket number
CP23-19-000 in your submission.
    (1) You may file your protest, motion to intervene, and comments by
using the Commission's eFiling feature, which is located on the
Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and
Filings. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on
``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you are
making; first select ``General'' and then select ``Protest'',
``Intervention'', or ``Comment on a Filing''; or \7\
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    \7\ Additionally, you may file your comments electronically by
using the eComment feature, which is located on the Commission's
website at www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings.
Using eComment is an easy method for interested persons to submit
brief, text-only comments on a project.
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    (2) You can file a paper copy of your submission by mailing it to
the address below. Your submission must reference the Project docket
number CP23-19-000.

To mail via USPS, use the following address: Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20426
To deliver via any other courier, use the following address: Kimberly
D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins
Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852

    The Commission encourages electronic filing of submissions (option
1 above) and has eFiling staff available to assist you at (202) 502-
8258 or [email protected].
    Protests and motions to intervene must be served on the applicant
either by mail or email (with a link to the document) at: Margaret
Sroka, Senior Attorney, National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation, 6363 Main
Street, Williamsville, New York 14221; or email at [email protected].
Any subsequent submissions by an intervenor must be served on the
applicant and all other parties to the proceeding. Contact information
for parties can be downloaded from the service list at the eService
link on FERC Online.

Tracking the Proceeding

    Throughout the proceeding, additional information about the project
will be available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at
(866) 208-FERC, or on the FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the
``eLibrary'' link as described above. The eLibrary link also provides
access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission,
such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to
the documents. For more information and to register, go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview.

    Dated: December 2, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-26687 Filed 12-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


Draft 10 07 05 AM 1 ECOS/ EPA Integration Action Plan This Action Plan is the result of research and interviews conducted by the   ECOS/ EPA Integration Workgroup.  The goal of this Workgroup is to be responsive to the January 2005 ECOS Report s recommendations to 1) Support State Efforts to Work with Performance Track and State Performance based Programs and to 2) Assure Program Support from All EPA Program Offices, while reducing transaction costs. The Workgroup is composed of representatives from EPA s Media Program and Regional Offices, as well as OPEI and States and is led by Co chairs Sharon Baxter ( VA) and Andy Teplitzky ( EPA/ OPEI).

This Action Plan contains a series of proposals that the Workgroup believes can greatly enhance the ability of any government agency charged with carrying out the responsibilities of the primary federal environmental programs. These proposals will enable them to increase their flexibility and enable them to more readily shift resources among priority efforts, as they deem necessary. Ultimately, steps included in this Action Plan could lead to the beginnings of a truly tiered approach to environmental management in which States, EPA, and local government agencies would interact differently with facilities on the basis of their historical and future commitments to environmental performance.

Outlined below are Integration Principles, which must be in place prior to any significant progress in the movement toward an environmental management structure based on the differentiation of environmental performance at either EPA ( headquarters or regional office) or states. Following the Integration Principles are specific recommendations resulting from the workgroup s discussions.

INTEGRATION PRINCIPLES   Performance based programs now are recognized as proven and high priorities for federal and state environmental agencies. As such, this should be reflected in planning, budgeting, and accountability systems and related documents developed by EPA and the states, e. g., National and Regional Strategic Plans, NPM Guidances, Regional Guidances, PPG and Categorical Grant Workplans, and Memoranda of Agreement. ( See Attachment.)

  Federal and state agencies acknowledge the value of expanding their organizational capacity related to performance based programs. This should be reflected in the ability of agency staff to fully recognize the value, benefits, and limitations of such a program and apply this knowledge in the normal course of its program related actions.

SPECIFIC INTEGRATION RECOMMENDATIONS To Support State Efforts to Work with Performance Track and State Performance based Programs: Draft 10 07 05 AM 2   EPA and states should work together during the grant negotiation process to identify opportunities where work related to administering performance based programs could substitute for one or more program area commitments in the State Grant workplans, PPAs/ PPGs, Compliance Monitoring strategies, or could be included in State Implementation Plans as they are developed.

  To assist states in their efforts to institutionalize their performance based programs by inserting indicators of membership in these state programs into EPA databases that are frequently referenced by state environmental agencies.

  EPA Regions should collaborate with States to identify opportunities to credit outputs and/ or outcomes associated with performance based work toward fulfillment of traditional compliance measures and commitments.

Example 1: Region 10  Draft 2006 2007 PPA with WA State Department of Ecology EPA and Ecology can negotiate their workplan commitments, on a program byprogram basis, to   credit  beyond compliance activities associated with performance based programs ( e. g., Performance Track) toward fulfillment of traditional compliance inspections.

Example 2: Region 8  Colorado Storm Water Excellence Program Self audits are counted as storm water inspections for members of the construction industry participating in the Storm Water Excellence Program, using compliance rates as the outcome measure.

Assure Program Support from All EPA Program Offices While Reducing Transaction Costs:

  EPA should allow states to report and receive credit for percentage reductions achieved by members of PT and state performance based programs. States can quantify the differences between the actual and permitted levels reported by their performancebased program members. The aggregate amounts of pollution below the permitted level could be considered for credit towards commitments in one or more media programs or toward regional priorities.

Example 1: NPDES permits States could direct water grant resources toward performance based programs based on the amounts that their members were discharging below permitted levels.

Example 2: Regionally Focused Projects Quantify nutrient reductions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed achieved through Performance Track & state performance based programs such as the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program, and credit those reductions toward the national program goals for the Chesapeake Bay. Draft 10 07 05 AM 3   EPA should provide states with credit for contributions addressing national, regional and state specific environmental priorities that are achieved by members of Performance Track and state performance based programs, e. g., nutrient reductions to the Chesapeake Bay as well as point source nutrient load reductions, forest buffers planted, wetlands restored, and watershed management plans implemented.

Example: Priority Chemicals EPA should permit states to report and receive credit for percentage reductions in priority chemicals achieved by members of Performance Track and state performance based programs. ( Recommendation is applicable where a state receives grant funding for priority chemical and other RCC initiatives, and where the state is held accountable through PPAs and PPGs. Voluntary initiatives not receiving funding may not provide sufficient incentive for states to invest in implementation of the measure).

  EPA should revise those areas of its regional plans related to Performance Track to reflect the need to promote, credit, and track state level performance based programs.

  In lieu of inspections of PT/ performance based program member facilities, EPA should credit states for inspecting non member facilities at a ratio to be determined by EPA in consultation with the states.

  EPA and states should encourage the use of performance based programs as a way to meet and exceed current regulatory requirements; all agencies should communicate progress achieved.

  EPA should look for opportunities to incorporate incentives for members of Performance Track and state performance based programs into Agency regulations, e. g., offer pollution prevention options in lieu of control requirements.

  EPA should credit point source reductions in pollutants discharged to waterbodies from NPDES permits based on effluent guidelines, pretreatment standards and other regulatory controls. This could be accomplished by swapping re issuance of NPDES permits with recruitment and sign on of new members to a state performance based program that demonstrates reductions in toxics to water. State would get credit once the result/ commitment is achieved.

  EPA should revise grant guidance to permit funding for states administering Performance Track or a state performance based program through which increases in wetland acreage are achieved. These increases support the goals of such programs as Wetland 5 Star Restoration Grants, National Estuary Program, Section 319 grants, Brownfields grants, or EPA s Great Waterbodies Program.

  EPA should allow non point source and point source trading within watersheds for performance based program participants. Draft 10 07 05 AM 4   EPA should integrate OPPTS pollution prevention measures into state work plans to enable and support state performance based programs. EPA should integrate OPPTS measures into the planning and budgeting process especially grant agreements with the states to enable state performance based programs to get credit for reductions in these areas.

  EPA and states should work together to identify opportunities for including performance based program activities as part of overall compliance assistance strategies, e. g., training opportunities; conferences where   best practices  are shared; and site visits or instances where EPA makes recommendations for improvements are counted as compliance assistance.

  EPA should incorporate performance based program activities into Office of Compliance Enforcement and Assurance s program activity measures ( PAMs), e. g., PM 174: Percentage of audits or other actions ( e. g., Performance Track self audits, site visits) that result in the reduction, treatment, or elimination of pollutants and the protection of populations or ecosystems.

  EPA should revise those areas of its regional plans related to Performance Track to reflect the need to promote, credit and track state level performance based programs and the achievements of their members. Outlined below are the existing EPA Regional goals, objectives and targets related to Performance Track.

Region1 : Objective 5.2 Improve Environmental Performance through Pollution Prevention and Innovation: By 2008, improve environmental protection and enhance natural resource conservation on the part of government, business, and the public through the adoption of pollution prevention and sustainable practices that include the design of products and manufacturing processes that generate less pollution, the reduction of regulatory barriers, and the adoption of results based, innovative, and multimedia approaches. Strategic Targets for Objective 5.2: 40 facilities will be participating in the Performance Track program in the Region, and there will be a 50% increase in the number of facilities participating in the Performance Track   energy challenge.

Region 2: Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship, Objective 5.2: Pollution Prevention and Innovation, Sub objective: 5.2.3: Business and Community Innovation ( PT, sector strategy) Current State/ Major Problems to be Addressed: From 2001 2003, Performance Track ( PT) membership grew 35% ( from 34 members to 45 members). Region 2' s PT members collectively have reduced water use by 100 million gallons and reduced hazardous waste generation by 10,000 tons in 2001. Other notable improvements include reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and reduced energy usage. Strategy Highlight: Region will continue to be a leader in promoting and enrolling Performance Track members. Draft 10 07 05 AM 5 Region 3: Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship and in its Crosscutting Strategies, Chapter 3: Region 3 focuses on increasing membership value for current and future Performance Track members by negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement ( MOA) with each Region 3 State to coordinate Program implementation and delivery of regulatory incentives. In addition, the Region will establish a Performance Track members  network through which special events and workshops for members will be held and will work with State partners to identify Region only incentives.

Region 4: Sub objective 5.2.3: Business and Community Innovation: Through 2008, achieve measurably improved environmental performance through sector based approaches, performance based programs, and assistance to small business. Strategic Targets: By 2008, Performance Track members collectively will achieve an annual reduction of: 1.5 billion gallons in water use; 3,300,000 MMBTUs in energy use; 25,000 tons in material use; 450,000 tons of solid waste; 10,000 tons of air releases; and 19,000 tons in water discharges compared to 2001.

Region 5: Sub objective 5.2.3: Business and Community Innovation C.: Reductions of 3% in water use, 3% in energy use, 3% in total solid waste, 1% in air releases, and 5% in water discharges by Performance Track members who commit to improvements in those categories. Measures: 3% reduction in water use; 3% reduction in energy use; 3% reduction in solid waste; 1% reduction in air releases; and 3% reduction in water discharges. Encourage reductions in pollution by Performance Track members by recruiting high performing facilities to apply for membership in the program, ensure that successful applicants have developed meaningful environmental commitments, conduct site visits at approximately 20% on facilities annually, provide program incentives as appropriate, and carefully review and evaluate annual performance reports. Evaluation: Will be based on performance data provided by member facilities in annual performance reports.

Region 6: In Section VI, Cross Cutting Issues, Region 6 goals include: Implement one alternative approach innovation pilot project in partnership with a State agency and maintain a 25 percent annual increase in Performance Track membership. Under Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship, Objective 2: Improve Environmental Performance through Pollution Prevention and Innovation, Sub objective 3: Business and Community Innovation: the strategy highlights include the following language: Under the National Environmental Performance Track Program, the Region has added new members in every application cycle: currently there are 39 Performance Track members in Region 6. Region 6 was the first Region to sign an MOA with a State ( Texas) to facilitate simultaneous membership in both the federal and State programs to achieve even greater environmental benefits. ( The use of innovative methods, like EMS, is a priority for the State of Texas.) Draft 10 07 05 AM 6 Long term Strategic Target: Through 2008, achieve measurably improved environmental performance through sector based approaches, performance based programs, and assistance to small business. Strategy: Region will promote the development and implementation of EMS consistent with the Agency s EMS Policy. EMSs are key criteria for participation in Performance Track.

Region 7: Sub objective 5.2.3 Business and Community Innovation: Through 2008, achieve measurably improved environmental performance through sector based approaches, performance based programs, and assistance to small business, Activity 3: Performance Track. Region 7 will continue to support Performance Track, expand participation, and incorporate strategic targets. Results: Number of facilities that participate in Performance Track; number of applications and annual reports reviewed; number of site visits conducted; report on the waste reduced or recycled, waste and energy conserved, and environmental improvements achieved.

Region 8: Sub objective 5.2.3: Business and Community Innovation A) and B) Current State/ Major Problems to be Addressed: Recruitment for the National Performance Track Program: The Agency s voluntary National Performance Track program was originally designed to recruit industrial facilities. To date, Region 8 has signed 12 facilities to participate in the Performance Track program, one of which is a federal agency. Because of the number of federal land management agencies located within Region 8 and their commitment to implementing environmental management systems ( EMS), Region 8 staff have been focusing their attention on the National Park Service ( NPS) Intermountain Region and the USDA Forest Service to provide technical assistance with the implementation of EMSs in their facilities, which would make them eligible to apply for the Agency s Performance Track program. C) Regional Strategies/ Approaches/ Tools: National Performance Track Program: Region 8 will recruit both federal and industrial facilities for the voluntary Performance Track program to receive the benefits of low priority for inspection, recognition as an environmental leader for going beyond compliance, meet with senior EPA managers and participate in annual recognition with the Administrator in Washington, D. C. Region 8 will plan and facilitate an annual regional recognition event with senior leadership. D) Primary Measures of Progress: The number of federal facilities implementing an Environmental Management System; the number of federal and industrial facilities accepted into the Agency s Performance Track program; and the number of facilities participating in the regional and national recognition events.

Region 9: Sub objective 5.2.3: Business and Community Innovation: Through 2008, achieve measurably improved environmental performance through sector based approaches, performance based programs, and assistance to small business. Draft 10 07 05 AM 7 Current Status: The National Environmental Performance Track ( Performance Track) program is designed to recognize and encourage top environmental performers  those who go beyond compliance with regulatory requirements to attain levels of ; commits to public outreach and performance reporting; and has a record of sustained compliance with environmental requirements. Charter members expect to achieve the following results by FY 2004: reduce air criteria pollutants by 68 tpy and greenhouse gases by 940 tpy; reduce energy use by 20,000 Mwh/ yr; reduce accidental releases by 7 fewer per year; reduce 8000 tpy of solid waste; 17 tpy of hazardous waste; increase recycling and composting; and preserve 2500 acres of land in Scottsdale. Proposed Measures of Progress: Total membership in PT for the Region and by State; and demonstrated results from PT through improvements in the following environmental categories: water use, energy use, total solid waste, air releases, water discharges, land preservation. Sub objective 5.2.3: Business and Community Innovation Strategies: Add members to National Environmental Performance Track program; Programs and Tools: increase participants 10% each year; conduct 2 site visits at each facility per year; work with businesses to remove regulatory and other barriers;

Region 10: Sub objective 5.2.3: Business and Community Innovation. Through 2008, achieve measurably improved environmental performance through sector based approaches, performance based programs, and assistance to small business. Strategies Measures and Targets: Expand National Environmental Performance Track membership. Tools and Programs: Include PT in PPAs with Region 10 States; coordinate with regional enforcement staff and States for application review; work with PEER Center to recruit public entities; coordinate with other regional programs to identify candidate referrals; conduct timely application review and site visits; work with HQ on developing member benefits and services, and applying them in the Region; and emphasize EMS capacity building. Measures and Targets: Conduct regional members  roundtable annually; conduct site visits as necessary and appropriate; increase regional membership to 20 facilities by 2006. Draft 10 07 05 AM 8 Attachment The Workgroup recommends that language recognizing that Performance Track and state performance based programs should be incorporated into planning, budgeting, and accountability systems and related documents. Proposed language for specific documents is provided below.

Proposed Insert for FY07 EPA National Strategic Plan and FY07 EPA Regional Plans Language for insertion on page 133 of EPA s Strategic Plan 2003 2008 http:// www. epa. gov/ ocfo/ plan/ 2003sp. pdf Cross Goal Strategies, Partnerships, State Partnerships One idea in which states have expressed a great deal of interest is the use of Performance Track and performance based environmental programs as tools to achieve environmental goals and commitments beyond what is currently required by law. EPA is working in partnership with states to identify how the measurable results achieved through these programs can be applied or credited toward existing requirements. The multimedia, collaborative approach, as well as the increased flexibility and coordination found in the NEPPS PPG process, make this an excellent vehicle for supporting Performance Track related initiatives at the state level. In particular, the process of negotiating a PPG presents an excellent opportunity for discussing and defining how EPA and a state will work cooperatively to expand the use of performance based programs.

Proposed Insert for FY07 EPA Program Guidances This text replaces FY06 Innovations insert.

EPA s Innovation Action Council ( IAC), the Agency s senior career program and regional leaders ( i. e., DAAs/ DRAs) who set direction, oversee and champion innovative environmental programs and policies, has endorsed three priority innovations for scale up, ( i. e., full scale implementation) and recommended their integration into National Program Guidance. These priority innovations are: 1) the National Environmental Performance Track Program, ( www. epa. gov/ performancetrack) EPA s flagship performance based program for recognizing and rewarding top performing facilities that consistently exceed regulatory requirements; address unregulated multimedia environmental issues; and produce measurable environmental results. Member facilities have collectively achieved significant reductions in their overall environmental impacts. These reductions can assist the National Program Offices and state media programs in achieving their goals and fulfilling their obligations under existing regulations. A number of states also have developed similar performance based programs that result in reductions that can help achieve Program and Regional goals. In recognition of the beyond compliance reductions achieved by Performance Track and state program members, EPA and state agencies will continually Draft 10 07 05 AM 9 identify ways in which these reductions can be credited toward fulfillment of traditional requirements. 2) voluntary Environmental Management Systems ( EMS) ( www. epa. gov/ ems/), a systematic way of managing a facility s environmental footprint based on a plan do checkact continual improvement framework that can be used as a powerful tool for improving environmental performance; and, 3) the Environmental Results Program ( ERP), an integrated system of compliance assistance, self certification, and statistically based performance measurement used by States for cost effectively regulating and improving the performance of small business sectors. All Programs and Regions are also encouraged to seek opportunities to employ EMS and ERP as environmental problem solving tools wherever deemed appropriate.

Regional Workplans Sample Language for insertion in Regional Workplan text related to State and Tribal Partnerships:

The Region will work with states during the grant negotiation process to identify opportunities where performance based work could be a substitute for one or more commitments in State Grant workplans, PPAs/ PPGs.

We will seek additional opportunities for integration of performance based programs through a variety of leadership level meetings ( EPA Region 1 Office Directors and State Environmental Commissioners), regular forums organized by the interstates organizations for waste, water and air interests involving regional and state program managers and staff, and periodic conference calls between regional and state planning coordinators.

Goals, Objectives, and Measures The following list of goals, objectives and measures are examples of what a state and region could include in a PPA or categorical workplan for a performance based program. This is not intended to be a complete list nor is it intended that a state must adopt all of these goals, objectives and measures. This list is designed to help direct grant resources toward building the capacity of state agencies to develop and implement performance based programs.

Goals o Develop and continue partnerships that result in incorporating EMS and leadership principles into ( insert name of State agency) programs and processes or otherwise furthering leadership principles o Identify trade offs with other existing work and commitments in order to redirect sufficient resources toward capacity building for performance based work, EMS implementation and related beyond compliance activities. o Identify, recognize, and provide incentives to businesses and municipalities that are going beyond basic compliance with environmental requirements, implementing EMSs and incorporating sustainable business practices. o Provide member services and incentives ( roundtables, workshops, networking opportunities, retreats, etc.) Draft 10 07 05 AM 10 o Develop increased flexibility in resource allocation between traditional and nontraditional enforcement approaches.

Objectives o Promote performance based programs to potential members through marketing and outreach o Provide member services and mentoring o Promote state s performance based program both internally and to local agencies ( to obtain referrals) o Provide technical assistance and gap analysis for potential members o Provide outreach to companies, trade associations, etc., including a combination of at least [ insert number] presentations, recruitment meetings, and site visits with potential applicants annually o Provide EMS trainings, roundtables, workshops and other mentoring opportunities Measures o Environmental and resource benefits from efforts o Number of facilities provided assistance o Environmental and resource benefits from assistance o Number of sessions and facilities attending o Number of EMSs assessed or audited o Number of activities involving EMSs o Number of new applicants o Number of new members o Economic benefits from members o Number of incentives developed o Successes documented and measurements tracked o Measurements on Internet site o Number of hits on Internet site o Number of referrals from state and local employees o Number of contacts with state and local employees o Number of new members as a result of internal referral o Environmental, economic and resource benefits from internal referrals o Number of presentations o Number of attendees o Number of recruitment meetings o Number of member events held o Number of members participating o Number of new services provided


[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 134 (Friday, July 12, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 33250]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14828]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Combined Notice of Filings #1

    Take notice that the Commission received the following electric
rate filings:

    Docket Numbers: ER15-1882-004.
    Applicants: PSEG Energy Resources & Trade LLC.
    Description: Compliance filing: Informational filing of PSEG Energy
Resources & Trade to be effective 12/31/9998.
    Filed Date: 7/8/19.
    Accession Number: 20190708-5097.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/29/19.

    Docket Numbers: ER19-1672-001.
    Applicants: Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
    Description: Tariff Amendment: Amended Filing in ER19-1672--1148R25
American Electric Power NITSA and NOA to be effective 4/1/2019.
    Filed Date: 7/8/19.
    Accession Number: 20190708-5098.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/29/19.

    Docket Numbers: ER19-1927-001.
    Applicants: Portland General Electric Company.
    Description: Compliance filing: Order 845 Amended Surplus
Interconnection Language to be effective 5/22/2019.
    Filed Date: 7/8/19.
    Accession Number: 20190708-5006.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/29/19.

    Docket Numbers: ER19-2360-000.
    Applicants: Montague Wind Power Facility, LLC.
    Description: Baseline eTariff Filing: Application for Market-Based
Rate Authorization, Request for Related Waivers to be effective 7/26/
2019.
    Filed Date: 7/8/19.
    Accession Number: 20190708-5004.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/29/19.

    Docket Numbers: ER19-2361-000.
    Applicants: Otter Creek Wind Farm LLC.
    Description: Baseline eTariff Filing: Application for Market-Based
Rate Authorization, Request for Related Waivers to be effective 9/7/
2019.
    Filed Date: 7/8/19.
    Accession Number: 20190708-5008.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/29/19.

    Docket Numbers: ER19-2362-000.
    Applicants: Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
    Description: Reliability Penalty Cost Recovery, et al. of Southwest
Power Pool, Inc.
    Filed Date: 7/3/19.
    Accession Number: 20190703-5219.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/24/19.

    Docket Numbers: ER19-2363-000.
    Applicants: Pennsylvania Electric Company, Mid-Atlantic Interstate
Transmission, LLC, PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
    Description: Sec.  205(d) Rate Filing: Penelec submits Construction
Agreement, Service Agreement No. 5279 to be effective 9/6/2019.
    Filed Date: 7/8/19.
    Accession Number: 20190708-5075.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/29/19.

    Docket Numbers: ER19-2364-000.
    Applicants: Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., ALLETE,
Inc.
    Description: Sec.  205(d) Rate Filing: 2019-07-08_SA 3329 MP-GRPU
T-L (Tioga) to be effective 6/12/2019.
    Filed Date: 7/8/19.
    Accession Number: 20190708-5077.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/29/19.

    The filings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by
clicking on the links or querying the docket number.
    Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above
proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the
Commission's Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00
p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be
considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the
proceeding.
    eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying
facilities filings can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call<PHONE_NUMBER>
(toll free). For TTY, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Dated: July 8, 2019.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-14828 Filed 7-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


Draft Recommendations for Implementing EPA's Public Involvement Policy January 10, 2002 Please direct questions or comments ( by March 17, 2002) to:

Patricia Bonner, US EPA, Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW ( 1807) Washington, DC 20460 fax 202 260 4903 phone 202 260 0599 bonner. patricia@ epa. gov or stakeholders@ epa. gov 1 Draft Recommendations for Implementing EPA's Public Involvement Policy Contents 1. Purpose and Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2. History of EPA's Public Involvement Policies and Implementation Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3. Implementation Recommendations a. Training Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 b. Information Sharing Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 c. Evaluation and Accountability Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2 1. Purpose and Executive Summary The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) released its draft Public Involvement Policy in December 2000 and plans to issue the final policy in the spring of 2002. The policy provides guidance to EPA managers and staff on how they can better involve the public in the Agency's decisions. A cross agency workgroup was charged with developing recommendations to support implementing the new policy and improving the overall quality of EPA public involvement activities. The draft implementation recommendations in this document are the result of the workgroup's efforts. Implementation of these recommended activities depends upon adequate resources for public involvement within EPA.

The commentors on the draft Public Involvement Policy and participants in an online dialogue told EPA that while the Agency is very effective in engaging the public some times on some decisions, Agency practice varies widely. The thrust of the recommended activities proposed in this draft document  information sharing, training, and evaluation  is to share the best methods used across EPA, promote their routine use, and develop a means of measuring the results. The goal is for excellent public involvement to become an integral part of EPA's culture, thus improving all of the Agency's decisions.

Many of the laws and regulations that govern EPA's actions require the Agency to conduct certain public involvement activities. These requirements specify that for certain decisions EPA must notify the public, hold public comment periods or public meetings, provide public access to information, or provide other opportunities for the public to participate in decision making processes. Effective public involvement opportunities in EPA decisions should be designed into EPA's rule making process at the earliest planning stages.

Many EPA program offices and regions typically provide additional opportunities for public involvement beyond basic requirements, recognizing that when EPA listens to the American people and understands their issues, the Agency can better accomplish its mission. Active public participation in EPA decision making processes is critical to ensuring that the Agency bases its decisions on the most pertinent information and creates workable long term solutions for the affected public while protecting public health and the environment.

Through implementing the Public Involvement Policy and these recommendations, the Agency intends to achieve and measure: ° Enhancement of EPA's public involvement activities ° Greater consistency in the ways EPA conducts its public involvement efforts ° Stakeholder recognition of improvement in the quality of opportunities to work with EPA ° Better public understanding of EPA's mission, processes and appropriate roles of partners, stakeholders and the public ° Increased public trust ° Improved quality of the Agency's decisions In drafting these recommendations, the EPA workgroup recognized the critical need for EPA staff and managers to have the appropriate training and necessary tools to successfully plan, conduct and evaluate their public involvement activities. Therefore, the workgroup recommends that EPA create mechanisms that support continuous learning about effective 3 public involvement practices, and that human resource systems support staff as they strive for excellence in public involvement.

Chapter 2 summarizes the chronological history of EPA's public involvement policies and their implementation plans.

Chapter 3 outlines the activities recommended for three critical internal functions: training, information sharing, and evaluation. Training recommendations include: disseminating information about available training and support materials across the Agency, developing necessary new training modules, partnering with existing EPA training outlets and courses to include or update public involvement content, providing train the trainers courses, and continuing to support trainers and trainees with necessary materials.

Proposed activities that promote information sharing include: creating and managing a communication network for EPA staff; and developing an electronic toolkit to improve dissemination of policy materials, public involvement best practices, case studies and available training materials and opportunities. EPA will update the databases and manage the communication network.

Evaluation recommendations include: adoption of a five year framework which calls for conducting an agency wide survey of public involvement practices in 2002; developing measures, survey tools and related training that EPA offices can use to evaluate their public involvement activities; conducting evaluations across the Agency and sharing results; and conducting a second agency wide evaluation. 4 2. History of EPA's Public Involvement Policies and Implementation Plans In February 1979, EPA promulgated regulations at 40 CFR Part 25 governing public participation in the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. In the same year, EPA began developing the Agency's first Public Participation Policy. A draft of the policy was published for comment in the Federal Register in April 1980.

EPA actively sought public input on the draft Public Participation Policy and the EPA regional offices held ten public meetings. On January 19, 1981, the Agency issued the final Public Participation Policy. However, plans to publicize and implement the 1981 policy, including training EPA staff and staff of regulatory partners, were not carried out. During the subsequent years, knowledge of the 1981 policy diminished externally and within the Agency.

In July 1999, the EPA Innovations Task Force issued " Aiming for Excellence: Actions to Encourage Stewardship and Accelerate Environmental Progress" ( EPA 100 R 99 006). In the report, EPA pledged to evaluate its public participation policies and regulations in light of current practices, relevant statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders. In October 1999, EPA convened a cross agency workgroup to evaluate the Agency's existing public participation requirements and practices, and to provide recommendations to the Administrator.

On November 30, 1999, EPA re published the 1981 policy in the Federal Register and asked for suggestions on changes to the policy, on the processes that work well or need improvement, and on how the Agency should involve the public in revising the policy. Based on public comments and internal review, in its report to the Administrator, " Engaging the American People," the workgroup recommended:

1. Revising the 1981 policy to accommodate: ° New statutes and regulations ° An increased awareness and understanding of the processes associated with engaging the public ° Changed relationships with state, local and tribal governments 2. Implementing the new policy across the Agency, focusing on the areas of: ° Public involvement training for EPA staff and delegated program partners ° Sharing public involvement information among EPA staff ° Creating mechanisms for tracking, measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of EPA's public involvement efforts In the year 2000, members of the workgroup drafted a revised Public Involvement Policy. The Associate Administrator for Policy, Economics and Innovation released the draft policy for public comment from December 2000 through July 2001. The central feature of the draft policy is a description of the following recommended six basic steps for conducting effective public involvement:

1. Plan and budget for public involvement activities 2. Identify the interested and affected public 3. Consider providing technical or financial assistance to the public to facilitate involvement 4. Provide information and outreach to the public 5 5. Conduct public consultation and involvement activities 6. Assimilate information and provide feedback to the public Coinciding with the release of the draft policy, EPA created a new cross agency workgroup whose principal task was to draft recommendations for implementing the policy, which would be released when the final policy was issued. The implementation workgroup divided into four task groups, with three focusing on the implementation areas recommended by the 1999 policy review workgroup, and the fourth on developing recommended revisions to the draft policy. The draft implementation recommendations in this document are the result of the implementation workgroup's efforts.

EPA received 202 public comments on the draft Public Involvement Policy. Comments came from 26 state agencies, 12 local governments, 17 environmental organizations, 82 citizens, five industrial interests, five agricultural interests, and others. Many of the comments raise implementation concerns and recommend improvement in how EPA plans and conducts public meetings, holds staff and managers accountable for public involvement, ensures that public input influences EPA's decisions, uses electronic communication methods, and provides feedback to participants or commentors. EPA will analyze all the public comments, write a Response to Comments document, and release it with the final Public Involvement Policy in the spring of 2002.

EPA also convened an online dialogue in July 2001, " Online Dialogue on Public Involvement in EPA's Decisions," to obtain additional practical suggestions on implementing the policy. During the ten day event, 1,144 people participated, providing considerable input on what EPA should and should not do to achieve effective public involvement. Dialogue participants suggested ways EPA could improve its efforts in: ° Identifying members of the public who should be invited to participate ° Providing technical and financial assistance to assist the public's participation ° Using collaborative processes or other participatory practices ° Evaluating EPA's public involvement activities and making EPA accountable ° Conducting effective public involvement for local site specific decisions ° Providing outreach to the public in ways that better consider their needs ° Making information and documents more easily available to the public ° Improving public involvement in permitting and rule making ° Working with states, tribes and local governments The recommended implementation activities in this document reflect many of the ideas received in public comments on the draft policy and from the Online Dialogue. EPA will accept comments on these draft implementation recommendations for 60 days following publication on EPA's web page and notice in the Federal Register. After revision, these implementation recommendations will be issued along with the Final Public Involvement Policy in the spring of 2002. This recommendations document will be dynamic, changing as the Agency implements the policy and as training, information sharing and evaluation tools are developed, disseminated and used across the Agency. Updates will be posted on the Agency's website at [ http:// www. epa. gov/ stakeholders]. 6 3. Implementation Recommendations 3. a. Training Component Purpose The draft Public Involvement Policy states that the Administrator will: " Provide incentives to Agency personnel to ensure commitment to and competence in implementing this policy." It calls upon Assistant Administrators and Associate Administrators to: " Provide guidance and technical assistance and training as appropriate to support authorized and delegated program activities of state, tribal, regional and local entities; and to develop guidance and training needed to ensure that program personnel are equipped to implement the policy." Regional Administrators are charged to: " Ensure that Regional staff members are trained, and that resources are allocated for public involvement." To fulfill their responsibilities, the Agency's leadership must understand the need for and benefits of public involvement, and staff must know how to choose the appropriate forms of public involvement, conduct these processes and competently perform the six basic steps for conducting effective public involvement that are outlined in the policy ( also listed on page 4 of this document).

To achieve success in implementing the Public Involvement Policy, EPA management and staff must understand why public involvement is an integral part of the Agency's business and must have the skills, knowledge, experience and tools to conduct appropriate public involvement processes. For example, the Superfund program sponsors in depth training in public participation for its community involvement coordinators, and public involvement is part of training provided to rule writers. However, some programs approach training on an ad hoc basis or rely on training individuals. EPA has not encouraged a sustained agency wide effort to train management and staff in the elements and skills of public involvement processes.

Actions To help guide the Agency's efforts, the Training Task Group has: ° Developed matrices of public involvement training modules for general staff and for staff specifically assigned to full time public involvement work ° Collected a library of public involvement training materials, agendas and outlines from within and outside the government ° Compiled an annotated bibliography of the most helpful of the documents above ° Begun identifying training courses, materials or sources for each of the modules listed in the Training Matrix Recommendations The task group recommends that EPA:

1. Develop performance standards for public participation. Include an appropriate level of proficiency in public involvement processes in position descriptions and performance standards for those managers and staff involved in developing and implementing rules, policies, permits, programs, innovative projects and compliance activities. 7 2. Develop the training matrix and course modules identification package and distribute it to management and staff for use in development of Individual Development Plans, in hard copy and over the Intranet.

3. Identify modules in the matrix that can be enhanced or that have not been developed, and sponsor development of appropriate training materials or courses, including on line courses when appropriate.

4. Identify modules in the matrix that already have adequate training courses or materials available and provide this information to program office management, EPA Institute, EPA's Intranet site, and other sources of training information for EPA staff and management.

5. Distribute the training matrix and list of course modules to states, tribes and state and tribal organizations for their use, and encourage partnerships with appropriate EPA offices to conduct joint training. Post the information on EPA's web site.

6. Conduct a study to identify the training, resource materials, handbooks, fact sheets, bibliographies etc. that could be provided to outside parties such as environmental groups, citizens groups, environmental justice groups, small businesses, and industry so that they are better able to participate effectively in public involvement activities.

7. Identify potential EPA trainers and conduct training across EPA. 8 3b. Information Sharing Component Purposes To fully implement the Public Involvement Policy, EPA staff must be knowledgeable about effective techniques and tools, and share creative ideas for involving the public in EPA's decisions. The various EPA programs and regions routinely conduct public involvement activities, but their successes and " lessons learned" are not shared for the benefit of other programs and offices. A communications network is needed for EPA staff.

EPA staff would also benefit from the creation of an electronic toolkit that contains references and descriptions of useful public involvement materials, case studies and resources. Such materials are often created by individual EPA offices and programs, and by other agencies and organizations, but staff across EPA may not be aware of or have access to them. Such a compilation, constructed in a format that makes it easy to search for and find useful information, would assist EPA staff who are looking for ideas on how to involve the public.

Actions The Information Sharing Task Group has: ° Conducted a survey to determine the value of creating a communications network. Approximately 200 EPA staff responded to the survey. Survey results show that 68 percent of the respondents think that a network is valuable, and up to 84 percent might join the network. The results indicated the preferred discussion topics for the network, as well as preferred mechanisms for communication. ° Gathered materials and resources on public involvement practices, begun compiling summaries of this information, and developed a prototype for a database that could house this information in a format that is accessible and useful to EPA staff.

Recommendations The task group recommends that EPA:

1. Create a communications network for EPA staff who interact with and involve the public. This network will help EPA staff to communicate with each other to share recommended practices as well as to identify the constituencies and circumstances where each may be more or less effective; provide information on training and job opportunities; and seek and provide advice about addressing specific public involvement issues. Once successfully operating for at least a year within EPA, the Agency may consider extending the network to allow others involved in public participation activities, such as EPA's regulatory partners in states, tribes and local governments, other federal agencies, and others involved in public participation activities to join the network.

2. Create a searchable descriptive compilation of resource materials, case studies and " lessons learned," and periodically update it. The compilation would serve as an electronic tool kit, be organized by specific category, and provide as much additional information as possible by supplying underlying links to descriptions, web links and 9 contact information. It would include material created by EPA, as well as other federal agencies, state, tribal and local governments, public involvement practitioners and other sources. The compilation will include materials that showcase public involvement practices used for development of rules, permits, and policies, as well as for meeting administrative requirements for consultation with tribal governments, environmental justice communities, small businesses, etc. This compilation at first would be available only to EPA employees through the Intranet, but eventually would be made available to all others through the Internet. 10 3c. Evaluation and Accountability Component Purposes To assess the success in implementing the Public Involvement Policy, EPA must have the ability to track and measure progress and to evaluate the effectiveness of public involvement activities. The policy states that the Administrator will: " evaluate the adequacy of public involvement activities..., the appropriateness and results of public involvement expenditures, and the effectiveness of this policy." The policy calls upon Assistant, Associate, and Regional Administrators to: " Evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of public involvement expenditures and activities under their jurisdiction, revising and improving them as necessary."

To fulfill their responsibilities, the Agency's leadership and staff must have a framework and tools to evaluate and measure how well EPA is implementing the policy's six basic steps for conducting effective public involvement ( listed on page 4 of this document) in both regulatory and non regulatory processes. Although individual programs and projects currently conduct evaluations of their public involvement activities, EPA has not encouraged a sustained agencywide effort to determine the extent and quality of such activities and to improve their effectiveness for both participants and EPA.

Actions To help guide the Agency's efforts, the Evaluation and Accountability Task Group has: ° Proposed a five year framework for evaluation ° Researched current measures of public involvement ° Developed and internally distributed a survey to assist in outlining the types of evaluations that would assist Agency practitioners to improve their activities ° Contracted for a baseline survey to evaluate how the Agency is currently implementing its policy This baseline survey should provide insights about: ° Obstacles to the use of the six basic steps for conducting effective public involvement ( listed on page 4 of this document) ° The implementers' perceptions about the quality and value of the involvement efforts ° The impact of the involvement efforts on the quality of the Agency decision or effort ° How, if at all, Agency programs are documenting and assessing their public involvement efforts The findings may provide Agency managers with helpful feedback on which aspects of public involvement work effectively and which ones do not, which may need more attention, and where additional public involvement resources may need to be allocated.

Recommendations The task group recommends that EPA adopt a five year framework for evaluation to: 11 1. Establish minimum expectations regarding public involvement practices and establish measures to help staff and managers better identify whether public involvement practices are performed appropriately and have the intended effects 2. Develop and periodically use a broad based agency wide internal survey to evaluate how the Agency performs its public involvement activities, and to determine if EPA is using the Public Involvement Policy to improve related activities 3. Develop a suite of tools that staff ( and other partners) can use to evaluate and measure public involvement activities on a consistent basis 4. Develop resources to support EPA wide public involvement evaluation activities Tasks to support the framework include:

1. Establish Measures ° Collect and share information from public involvement practitioners regarding current measures for evaluating the quality and outcomes of public involvement activities ° Outline minimum expectations for public involvement practices and the measures for tracking progress ( quality, consistency, impact, etc.)

2. Evaluate Implementation of the Policy and Report Results ° Establish a baseline for measuring future progress in implementing the Public Involvement Policy internally using a survey instrument enabling us to determine how effectively programs and regions are carrying out the six basic steps for conducting effective public involvement ( listed on page 4 of this document) ° Report baseline public involvement survey findings and make recommendations for improvement to the Administrator, senior managers, programs and regions ° Use the evaluation framework and tools to measure, track, evaluate, regularly report progress, and continually improve EPA's implementation of its Public Involvement Policy and recommended implementation activities ° Critique the evaluation framework and processes, and report throughout EPA with recommendations ° Develop a report describing how the results of the first survey are being used and how recommendations for improvement are being implemented ° Repeat the " baseline" internal survey to learn the effect that implementing the policy is having on the quality of EPA's public involvement practices ° Report the results with recommendations for improvement to the senior managers, programs and regions ° Provide a comprehensive report to the Administrator on EPA's implementation of its Public Involvement Policy with recommendations 3. Develop and Ensure Use of Evaluation Tools ° Establish a series of survey/ feedback templates for evaluating processes, activities and events. ° Develop an OMB approved Information Collection Request ( ICR) to support gathering public involvement feedback ° Develop training in the use of the tools, measures and techniques 12 ° Internally promote the tools, measures and techniques ° Provide training on using the tools, measures and techniques ° For internal use, establish a central collection of evaluation instruments that EPA programs and regions have used to review their public involvement efforts. Collect copies of the analytical reports documenting improvements made based on the feedback. Provide contact information for obtaining raw data. Use the collection to share lessons learned ( possibly expanding on the information sharing compilation/ data base).

4. Support Public Involvement Evaluation Activities ° Establish specific centralized staff, budget and responsibility to support evaluation activities in programs and regions.

EPA proposes to share the tools, experience and knowledge developed as we carry out the evaluation framework. The Agency hopes that state, tribal and local governments, as well as other organizations, will find our work useful and will contribute their own tools, experience and knowledge through the mechanisms for sharing information described in Section 3b of this document.