LABORATORY QUALITY ASSURANCE EVALUATION PROGRAM FOR ANALYSIS OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM UNDER THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT

                       Information Collection Request:

                             Supporting Statement

                     U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                   Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

                                 January 2014
                               Table of Contents

1. Identification of the Information Collection	1
1(a)	Title of the Information Collection	1
1(b)	Short Characterization	1
2. Need For and Use of the Collection	2
2(a)	Need/Authority for the Collection	2
2(b) 	Practical Utility/Users of the Data	2
3. Non-duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria	2
3(a)	Non-duplication	2
3(b) 	Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB	3
3(c) 	Consultations	3
3(d)	Effects of Less Frequent Collections	4
3(e)	General Guidelines	4
3(f/g)	Confidentiality/Sensitive Questions	4
4. The Respondents and the Information Requested	4
4(a)	Respondents/SIC Codes	4
4(b) 	Information Requested	4
5. The Information Collected - Agency Activities, Collection Methodology, and Information Management	6
5(a) 	Agency Activities	6
5(b)	Collection Methodology and Management	6
5(c)	Small Entity Flexibility	7
5(d)	Collection Schedule	8
6. Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection	8
6(a) 	Estimating Respondent Burden	8
6(b)	Estimating Respondent Costs	11
6(c)	Estimating Agency Burden and Costs	13
6(d) 	Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs	13
6(e)	Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables	14
6(f) 	Reasons for Change in Burden	14
6(g)	Burden Statement	14

Appendix A	A-1
Federal Register Notice: Published 2000

Appendix B	B-1
Federal Register Notice: Published 2002

Appendix C	C-1
Federal Register Notice: Published 2005

Appendix D	D-1
Federal Register Notice: Published 2009

Appendix E	E-1
Federal Register Notice: Published XX XX, 2013

Appendix F	F-1
Comments on XX XX, 2013 Federal Register Notice

Appendix G	G-1
Application for Assessment of Cryptosporidium Laboratory QA

Appendix H	H-1
Positive Staining Control and OPR Slide Evaluation

Appendix I	I-1
Example Report from Online Analyst Evaluation

Appendix J	J-1
Method 1623 Ongoing Precision and Recovery (OPR) and Initial Precision and Recovery (IPR) Quality Control Criteria Calculated from Five Rounds of Proficiency Testing (PT) Data

Appendix K	K-1
Burden Tables

Information Collection Request
Section 1: Part A of the Supporting Statement

1. Identification of the Information Collection

1(a)	Title of the Information Collection

Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Renewal)

OMB Number:			2040 - 0246
U.S. EPA Tracking Number:	2067.04

1(b)	Short Characterization

      The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting a renewal of the information collection request (ICR) for the Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Lab QA Program). This voluntary program applies to public and private laboratories that analyze water samples for Cryptosporidium. The program will help ensure that laboratories meet the quality assurance and the updated quality control criteria in Appendix J or EPA Method 1623.1(EPA 816-R-12-001, EPA Method 1623.1, January 2012 (PDF) when using EPA Methods 1622 (EPA-815-R-05-001, http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/documents/1622de05.pdf), 1623 (EPA-815-R-05-002, http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/documents/1623de05.pdf), or 1623.1 for the determination of the identity and concentration of Cryptosporidium in source water by filtration, immunomagnetic separation (IMS), and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) microscopy.

      Information collection activities required for laboratories seeking State Certification include: laboratory documents with resumes for each staff member; standard operating procedures (SOPs); Ongoing Precision and Recovery (OPR) control charts; Matrix Spike control charts; training records for all analysts/technicians; proficiency testing (PT) results; and a copy of any certificates as documentation of equipment maintenance; participating in off-site evaluation activities, including submitting positive staining control and OPR slides and performing online analyst evaluation; and participating in a 1 to 2 day on-site evaluation of laboratory performance and data quality, including performing an independent count of a blind slide. All materials are being collected by participating State certification programs. This information collection will provide States with data to verify that the laboratories are capable of producing reliable data from the analysis of Cryptosporidium using EPA Method 1622, EPA Method 1623 or EPA Method 1623.1.

      The information collection will involve approximately 45 laboratories at a total cost of approximately $590,858.79 or 3504 labor hours annually. The total number of laboratories includes 45 laboratories that participate in the proficiency testing program. The estimated total State burden, including contractual costs, is estimated at $212,916.00 or 1968 labor hours annually, based on an estimate of 20 participating States (Appendix K). The estimated total Agency burden, including contractual costs, is estimated at $125,170.15 or 1953 labor hours annually (Appendix K).

2. Need For and Use of the Collection

2(a)	Need/Authority for the Collection

      The information collection is needed by EPA to support the Cryptosporidium data gathering activities that are required under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR). The Lab QA Program is being renewed because the Cryptosporidium laboratory evaluation program must continue for the duration of the LT2ESWTR. Renewing the Lab QA Program will help ensure that qualified laboratories are available to drinking water plants.

2(b) 	Practical Utility/Users of the Data

      Information collected under the Lab QA Program will be used by States and EPA to verify that Cryptosporidium occurrence data are generated by qualified laboratories that can perform the analyses acceptably. Use of qualified laboratories for source water monitoring by drinking water utilities will help ensure that the data collected are of known and reliable quality. Data quality could potentially be compromised in the absence of Laboratory Certification Programs.

      A list of laboratories that meet the evaluation program criteria will be made available to the public by States and/or EPA at http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/lt2/lab_home.cfm and will provide a resource to aid drinking water utilities (and others interested in monitoring water for Cryptosporidium occurrence for the protection of public health) in selecting a qualified analytical laboratory.

3. Non-duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria

3(a)	Non-duplication

	The information requested from the respondents under this ICR is not available from other sources. The information requested will be used to assess the current ability of a laboratory to reliably analyze Cryptosporidium in water using EPA Method 1622, EPA Method 1623 or EPA Method 1623.1. Information submitted for previous programs, such as the Information Collection Rule, is not applicable because older analytical methods were used and quality control requirements were different. The determination that this information is not available from other sources was made by the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water Technical Support Center (TSC), which will be administering the Lab QA Program, and which has worked closely since 1996 with the community of capable laboratories that will be affected by this information collection.

3(b) 	Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

      On August XX, 2013 (XX FR XXXX), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received XX# comments during the comment period, which are addressed in the ICR. Copies of the previous four Federal Register notices are attached in Appendices A, B, C, and D. The ICR was last renewed in 2009 (See Appendix D). EPA has developed a webpage to provide further information on the program. The website can be accessed at http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/lt2/lab_home.cfm.

3(c) 	Consultations

      EPA conducted meetings with representatives of the drinking water treatment industry and the community of laboratories expected to seek EPA recognition under the Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program in Cincinnati, OH, on January 23 and March 12-13, 2001, and in Washington, DC, on February 13-14, 2001. EPA presented and discussed draft plans for the laboratory evaluation program at these meetings and sought input from the drinking water utility and laboratory representatives that attended these meetings. In addition, EPA has been working with States and EPA Regions to integrate Cryptosporidium laboratory approval/oversight into existing State certification/accreditation programs. Participating States will approve and oversee laboratories that support the second round of LT2ESWTR monitoring.

	Laboratories were asked to estimate the loaded cost of legal, clerical, technical and management personnel per hour, and average cost for analyses of a sample using Method1623.1. In addition, laboratories were asked to estimate the hours that each category of personnel would spend to complete the activities associated with submitting a laboratory evaluation application package, performing off-site evaluation activities, preparing and hosting on-site evaluation, and performing and reporting two sets of PT samples per year. Laboratories were also asked to estimate the operation and maintenance costs associated with PT samples and audits. Six laboratories have supplied burden estimate information for participating in a state laboratory certification program:
 Charlotte-Mecklenberg Utilities  -  Environmental Laboratory Services
 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Laboratories
 Environmental Science Corporation
 BioVir Laboratories, Inc.
 CH Diagnostic & Consulting Service, Inc.
 Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

	States were asked to estimate the loaded cost of legal, clerical, expert, technical or certification officer, and management personnel per hour. In addition, states were asked to estimate the hours that each category of personnel would need to complete the activities associated with reviewing a laboratory evaluation application package, conducting off-site evaluation activities, conducting on-site evaluations, notifying laboratories of certification status, reviewing and tracking PT samples, coordinating follow-up activities for poor PT results and maintaining a list of certified laboratories on the State website. Two states have supplied burden estimates for providing laboratory certification:
 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Quality Assurance
 Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water

3(d)	Effects of Less Frequent Collections

	Under the Lab QA Program, laboratories analyze single-blind proficiency test samples 2 times per year. This frequency enables States to independently verify that laboratories perform in an acceptable manner. Less frequent proficiency test samples may not sufficiently capture a laboratory's performance over time. Laboratories report proficiency test results to the PT provider within 14 days of sample receipt. Reporting proficiency test sample results at this frequency allows States to respond in a timely manner to any problems the laboratory may be having with analysis of Cryptosporidium in water.

3(e)	General Guidelines

	The Lab QA Program adheres to all of OMB's general guidelines for information collection.

3(f/g)	Confidentiality/Sensitive Questions

	The Lab QA Program does not ask any confidential or sensitive questions.

4. The Respondents and the Information Requested

4(a)	Respondents/NAICS Codes

	The following is a list of NAICS codes associated with laboratories affected by the requirements of this ICR:

 541380  -  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: Testing Laboratories
 924110  -  Public Administration: Administration of Air and Water Resources and Solid Waste Management Programs

4(b) 	Information Requested

(i) Data Items

Data items requested from laboratories:
 Laboratory evaluation application information
 Resumes for each staff member seeking EPA recognition under the program
 Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
 Ongoing precision and recovery (OPR) and matrix spike (MS) control charts
 Training records for all analysts/technicians added since the last audit
 Data packages
 Documentation of off-site evaluation activities, including submitting positive control and OPR slides and performing internet analyst evaluation
 Proficiency testing (PT) data
 Documentation of corrective actions taken in response to any deficiencies noted during the on-site evaluation
 Documentation of corrective actions taken in response to poor PT results

 Laboratories and States maintain:
 Proficiency Test data

(ii) Respondent Activities

Activities for laboratories seeking state certification:
 Completing laboratory evaluation application package (no more than1 time per 2 year period) (See Appendix G)
 Performing off-site evaluation activities (no more than 1 time per 2 year period)
 Analyzing Proficiency Test samples (set of 3 samples, 2 times per year) and reporting Proficiency Test data
 Hosting on-site evaluation, including independent count of a blind slide, (1 time per 2 or 3 year period)
 Performing follow-up action for poor PT results
 Analyzing and reporting Proficiency Tests for each additional method version (set of 3 samples, 2 times per year)

Response Activities/Year/Laboratory = (22.5 application packages + 22.5 off-site activities + 22.5 on-site evaluations + (45 labs*2 PTs) + (4 labs with additional method versions*2 PTs) + 7 PT failures/45 labs = 3.8 Responses/year/lab

Activities for States with Laboratory Certification Programs:
  Reviewing laboratory evaluation application packages (1 time per laboratory per 2 year period)
  Notifying laboratories of certification status and maintaining a list of certified laboratories on State website (1 time per laboratory per 2 year period)
  Conducting and reviewing off-site evaluation activities (1 time per laboratory per 2 year period)
  Conducting on-site evaluations of the laboratories seeking certification (1 time per laboratory per 2 year period)
  Tracking PT results and coordinating follow-up activities for poor PT results
Response Activities/Year/State = (22.5 application packages + 22.5 off-site activities + 22.5 on-site evaluations + (45 labs*2 PTs) + (4 labs with additional method versions*2 PTs) + 7 PT failures)/20 states = 8.6 Responses/year/state

5. The Information Collected - Agency Activities, Collection Methodology, and Information Management

5(a) 	Agency Activities

Agency (EAP Regions and OGWDW) activities associated with the Lab QA Program consist of the following:
 Assisting State Certification Officers with review of laboratory evaluation application packages
 Assisting State Certification Officers with off-site evaluation activities, including slide evaluation and online analyst evaluation
 Assisting State Certification Officers with on-site evaluation activities, including independent count of blind slides
 Assisting State Certification Officers with interpretation of PT results
 Maintaining a list of links to State websites and/or certified laboratories on EPA's website

5(b)	Collection Methodology and Management

Laboratories Seeking State Certification
	Laboratories interested in obtaining State certification of their capability to perform analyses using EPA Method 1622, EPA Method 1623 or EPA Method 1623.1 and continuing to demonstrate, proficient and reliable detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium in surface water sources for public water systems may contact State personnel responsible for laboratory certification. Certified laboratories are responsible for notifying the State of losses of key personnel or essential equipment and changes in policies or procedures that directly affect the validity of data or any other change affecting the capability of the laboratory, including change in laboratory location.  Participating laboratories are to also demonstrate ongoing capability and method performance by following all applicable method quality control (QC) procedures, analyzing Proficiency Testing (PT) samples (2 times per year), submitting requested data to the State, and participating in periodic evaluations. The Method procedures have been updated to reflect that the minimum recovery for Cryptosporidium in ongoing precision and recovery (OPR) samples is now 33 percent (See Appendix J). Laboratories are to document a minimum of 33 percent recovery for OPR samples in an updated QC chart prior to analysis of LT2ESWTR samples at the frequency required in Section 9.7 of EPA method 1622/1623 and Section 9.8 of Method 1623.1. If a laboratory submits poor PT results, EPA may recommend additional follow-up action to demonstrate that the laboratory's performance remains acceptable. Additional actions may include submission of PT slides, repeat analyses, providing additional QC data, and investigation of problems with reagents and equipment. Repeated failure to demonstrate laboratory capability and acceptable method performance may result in suspension or downgrading of approval status as outlined in 2009 Federal Register Notice (https://federalregister.gov/a/E9-4009) (See Appendix D)."

	EPA expects that State certification personnel, or their designee, will request a package with documentation of laboratory personnel status, equipment maintenance, standard operating procedures, training records, and QC charts. EPA expects that the State will evaluate the package  for completeness, and would generally follow these steps:

1. The laboratory will send positive staining control and OPR slides for evaluation by State certification officer or their designee (Appendix H).

2. The laboratory will order on-site audit package consisting of two vials containing 50 mL blind samples, 2 vials of artificial matrix, 2 IMS control samples, and 2 analyst evaluation slides. One slide is required per analyst and a back up slide. These will be used in presence of an auditor; therefore, on-site evaluation date should be within product expiration. Each analyst will perform an independent count of one slide. The results and analyst evaluation slides and associated examination forms will be submitted to a State, if requested.

3. The laboratory will schedule an online analyst evaluation of performance for microscopists to demonstrate their ability to identify Cryptosporidium oocysts. An example report from the internet analyst evaluation is shown in Appendix I.

4. The State will conduct one 2-day on-site evaluation that will primarily focus on analyst skills and data recording. Laboratory personnel may be asked to prepare a fresh OPR and positive control for review during the on-site evaluation. In addition, laboratory personnel will be asked to use the blind oocyst suspensions ordered in #2 for spiking reagent water and an IMS control in the presence of an auditor, and then complete the analyses within applicable method holding times and send results to the State (Appendix G).

5. The State will send the laboratory a report after the evaluation is complete. The laboratory is then asked to provide written responses to any deficiencies identified in the report. Provided all responses to the deficiencies cited in the report are acceptable, the State will then base its decision for laboratory certification on PT results, quality of the positive control and OPR slide, slide counts, online analyst evaluation, on-site evaluation and recovery values for blind analyses initiated during the on-site evaluation (See Appendices G, H, and I).

5(c)	Small Entity Flexibility

	The Lab QA Program is a voluntary program; any entity not interested in gaining approval to support LT2ESWTR is not required to participate.

	Small businesses are defined as any business that is independently owned and operated and not dominant in its field as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations under Section 3 of the Small Business Act.

	Small businesses may opt to seek state recognition of laboratory capability to perform Cryptosporidium water analyses using only one version of EPA Method 1622/1623 or EPA Method 1623.1, as opposed to being evaluated for multiple versions, and reduce the burden associated with participation in the Lab QA Program.

5(d)	Collection Schedule

	Laboratory certification is voluntary.

	Laboratories that have successfully completed the audit process will not be evaluated more than once per two-year period.

	TSC's oversight of LT2ESWTR laboratories during Round 1 represented an exception to the traditional laboratory certification/accreditation approach. At the time, labs and States had limited experience with Cryptosporidium monitoring. With the experience gained by laboratories, as well as States, during the first round of monitoring, all parties should be more comfortable with the monitoring and laboratory requirements, thus enabling interested States to take a primary  role in lab certification while EPA provides guidance and technical support. The approach for Round 2 creates consistency with the approach for approval/oversight of laboratories for all other regulated analytes and is provided for in the LT2ESWTR rule. A number of States have already expressed an interest in adding Cryptosporidium laboratory approval to their programs and have participated in TSC's Cryptosporidium Laboratory Certification Officers Training Course in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

6. Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection

6(a) 	Estimating Respondent Burden

	Below are summaries of respondent burden hours for this information collection. EPA consulted with six respondents from the community of laboratories that have voluntarily applied for State certification to perform Cryptosporidium analyses using EPA Method 1622, 1623, and 1623.1, and 2 respondents from the community of States integrating certification programs to obtain burden hour estimates. For specific burden breakdowns, refer to the Participating Laboratories Seeking Certification and State Annual Burden tables in Appendix K. The burden estimates were also addressed in the Federal Register Notice published in July 2013 (See Appendix E).

	Based on the first round of  LT2ESWTR monitoring, EPA estimates that 45 laboratories will participate in State Certification Programs, of which 15 are private and 30 are state or local government entities. EPA estimates that 20 States will develop programs to certify Cryptosporidium laboratories. Twenty-one states have Cryptosporidium laboratories within their state boundaries and 19 states responded positively to an industry survey [ASDWA].

Activities for Laboratories Seeking State Certification
	Laboratories seeking State certification for analysis of Cryptosporidium will complete an application package, including: laboratory documents with resumes for each staff member; standard operating procedures (SOPs); Ongoing Precision and Recovery charts; and Matrix Spike control charts; training records for all analysts/technicians; data package; proficiency testing (PT) results; and a copy of any certificates as documentation of equipment maintenance. Since laboratories will submit the application no more than1 time per 2 year period, the number of laboratories expected to submit applications were evenly distributed over a 2 year-period to estimate burden hours and costs per year (e.g., laboratories seeking certification, 45 laboratories/2 years = approximately 22.5 labs/year). Burden hours associated with submitting the completed application package for the laboratories applying for certification are estimated at 293 labor hours per year.

	Laboratories seeking certification will also complete off-site evaluation activities including submitting positive staining control and OPR slides, and performing online analyst evaluation. Since laboratories have to complete off-site evaluation activities no more than 1 time per 2 year period, the number of laboratories expected to complete off-site evaluation activities were evenly distributed over a 2 year-period to estimate burden hours per year (e.g., laboratories seeking certification, 45 laboratories/2 years = approximately 22.5 labs/year). Burden hours associated with completing off-site evaluation activities for the laboratories applying for certification are estimated at 486 labor hours per year.

	Each laboratory seeking State certification will participate in a 1 to 2 day on-site evaluation. The burden hours associated with this task include time required to attend short briefings by the auditors before and after the audit, demonstrate the techniques for the methods for which they are seeking certification, participate in discussions with the auditors, and respond to any deficiencies noted in the audit report. Laboratories will purchase blind spikes and slides from a qualified vendor and will process samples to demonstrate method performance and perform an independent count of a blind slide. Because laboratories will undergo an on-site evaluation no more than 1 time every 2 years, the number of laboratories expected to be evaluated were evenly distributed over a 2 year period to estimate burden hours per year (e.g., laboratories seeking certification, 45 laboratories/2 years = approximately 22.5 labs/year). Burden hours for all laboratories applying for certification are estimated at 889 labor hours per year (Appendix K).

	Laboratories will analyze a set of proficiency test samples, which may include confounding organisms (3 samples per set) 2 times a year for each method version for which they are seeking certification. The burden estimates associated with this task include labor associated with analyzing samples and documenting the data for each proficiency test set. Burden hours for all laboratories seeking certification and analyzing 1 set of proficiency test samples 2 times a year are estimated at 1541 labor hours per year (Appendix K). It is estimated that 4 laboratories seeking State certification will perform more than 1 method version and will perform an additional set of PT samples for each additional method version 2 times a year. Burden hours for laboratories seeking certification and performing an additional set of PT samples for each additional method version are estimated at 137 labor hours per year (Appendix K). EPA estimates that a small subset of laboratories seeking State certification will have to perform follow-up activities based on inadequate QA/QC, failed OPRs, incomplete records, delayed communication to the State or poor PT results. Burden hours for laboratories seeking certification and performing follow-up activities based on inadequate QA/QC, failed OPRs, incomplete records, delayed communication or poor PT results are estimated at 158 labor hours per year (Appendix K).

Activities for States Integrating Cryptosporidium Certification Programs
	States integrating certification programs for analysis of Cryptosporidium will review a laboratory's application package, including: laboratory documents with resumes for each staff member; standard operating procedures (SOPs); Ongoing Precision and Recovery charts; Matrix Spike control charts; training records for all analysts/technicians; data packages, proficiency testing (PT) results; and a copy of any certificates as documentation of equipment maintenance. Since laboratories will submit the application no more than 1 time per 2 year period, the number of laboratories expected to submit applications were evenly distributed over a 2 year-period to estimate burden hours and costs per year (e.g., laboratories seeking certification, 45 laboratories/2 years = approximately 22.5 labs/year). Burden hours associated with all States reviewing completed application package for the laboratories applying for certification are estimated at 416 labor hours per year (Appendix K).

	States integrating certification programs will also review off-site evaluation activities including positive staining control and OPR slides, and online analyst evaluation. Since laboratories have to complete off-site evaluation activities no more than 1 time per 2 year period, the number of laboratories expected to complete off-site evaluation activities were evenly distributed over a 2 year-period to estimate burden hours per year (e.g., laboratories seeking certification, 45 laboratories/2 years = approximately 22.5 labs/year). Burden hours associated with all States reviewing off-site evaluation activities for the laboratories applying for certification are estimated at 315 labor hours per year (Appendix K).

	States will conduct a 1 to 2 day on-site evaluation of each laboratory seeking State recognition of laboratory capability under the Lab QA Program. The burden hours associated with this task include time required to travel to and from the laboratory, conduct short briefings before and after the audit, observe the techniques (including independent count of a blind slide) for the methods for which the laboratory is seeking certification, and participate in discussions with the laboratory personnel. Because laboratories will undergo an on-site evaluation no more than 1 time every 2 years, the number of laboratories expected to be evaluated were evenly distributed over a 2 year period to estimate burden hours per year (e.g., laboratories seeking certification, 45 laboratories/2 years = approximately 22.5 labs/year). Burden hours for States conducting on-site evaluations for laboratories applying for certification are estimated at 450 labor hours per year (Appendix K).

	States integrating Cryptosporidium certification programs will track and review proficiency test results (3 samples per set) 2 times a year for each method version for which the laboratory is seeking certification. The burden estimates associated with this task include labor associated with receiving, documenting, tracking and reviewing each laboratory's PT results. Burden hours for States tracking and reviewing 1 set of proficiency test samples 2 times a year are estimated at 135 labor hours per year (Appendix K). It is estimated that 4 laboratories seeking State certification will perform more than 1 method version and will perform an additional set of PT samples for each additional method version 2 times a year. Burden hours for States reviewing an additional set of PT samples for each additional method version are estimated at 12 labor hours per year (Appendix K). EPA estimates that States will perform follow-up activities with a small subset of laboratories seeking certification based on inadequate QA/QC, failed OPRs, incomplete records, delayed communication to the state or poor PT results. Burden hours for States coordinating these follow-up activities are estimated at 21 labor hours per year (Appendix K).

	States will notify laboratories of certification status after satisfactory completion of all activities. The burden hours associated with this task include time to produce an audit report noting any deficiencies, develop certificates, document communication with the laboratory personnel, and maintain certified laboratory list on State website. Because laboratories will be notified no more than 1 time every 2 years, the number of laboratories expected to be notified were evenly distributed over a 2 year period to estimate burden hours per year (e.g., laboratories seeking certification, 45 laboratories/2 years = approximately 22.5 labs/year). Burden hours for States conducting the laboratory notifications and maintaining certified laboratory lists are estimated at 619 labor hours per year (Appendix K).

6(b)	Estimating Respondent Costs

	Below are summaries of respondent burden costs for this information collection. EPA consulted with fewer than nine respondents from the community of laboratories that have voluntarily applied for EPA approval of laboratory capability to perform Cryptosporidium analyses using EPA Method 1622, 1623, and 1623.1 and States integrating Cryptosporidium Certification Programs to obtain burden cost estimates. Respondent costs associated with analysis of PT samples include labor and O&M costs, which are estimated by the laboratories and include cost of analytical sample and PT set. Respondent costs associated with evaluation activities include labor and O&M costs, which are estimated by the laboratories and include application fees and travel fees for auditors. For specific burden breakdowns, refer to the Participating Laboratories Seeking Certification and State Annual Burden tables in Appendix K.

	EPA estimates that 45 laboratories will seek State Certification and 20 States will integrate Cryptosporidium into their existing Certification Programs.

Cost for Laboratories Seeking Certification

	Burden costs associated with submitting the completed application package for the laboratories applying for certification are estimated at $113,056.88 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $24,856.88 for labor and $88,200.00 for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) (Appendix K).

	Burden costs associated with completing off-site evaluation activities for the laboratories are estimated at $56,846.25 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $41,096.25 for labor and $15,750.00 for O&M (Appendix K).

	Burden costs for all laboratories participating in the one 2-day on-site evaluation are estimated at $150,502.50 per year (Appendix K). Burden costs associated with this task include $77,287.50 for labor and $73,215.00 for O&M (Appendix K).

	Burden costs for all laboratories analyzing 1 set of PT samples 2 times a year are estimated at $228,127.50 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $128,002.50 for labor and $100,125.00 for O&M (Appendix K). It is estimated that 4 laboratories seeking State certification will perform more than 1 method version and will perform an additional set of PT samples for each additional method version 2 times a year. Burden costs for laboratories performing an additional set of PT samples for each additional method version are estimated at $20,278.00 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $11,378.00 for labor and $8,900.00 for O&M (Appendix K). A small subset of laboratories seeking certification will have to perform follow-up activities based on inadequate QA/QC, failed OPRs, incomplete records, delayed communication to EPA or poor PT results. Burden costs for laboratories performing follow-up activities based on inadequate QA/QC, failed OPRs, incomplete records, delayed communication or poor PT results are estimated at $22,047.67 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $13,181.00 for labor and $8,866.67 for O&M (Appendix K).

Cost for States Integrating Cryptosporidium Certification Programs

	Burden costs associated with reviewing the completed application package for the laboratories applying for certification are estimated at $45,123.75 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $45,123.75 for labor and $0.00 for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) (Appendix K).

	Burden costs associated with conducting and reviewing off-site evaluation activities for the laboratories applying for certification are estimated at $34,290.00 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $34,290.00 for labor and $0.00 for O&M (Appendix K).

	Burden costs for all States conducting 1- or 2-day on-site evaluation are estimated at $48,735.00 per year (Appendix K). Burden costs associated with this task include $48,735.00 for labor and $0.00 for O&M (Appendix K).

	Burden costs for all States reviewing 1 set of PT samples 2 times a year are estimated at $14,445.00 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $14,445.00 for labor and $0.00 for O&M (Appendix K). It is estimated that States will review results from 4 laboratories seeking certification that perform more than 1 method version and will review an additional set of PT samples for each additional method version 2 times a year. Burden costs for States reviewing an additional set of PT samples for each additional method version are estimated at $1,284.00 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $1,284.00 for labor and $0.00 for O&M (Appendix K). States will conduct follow-up activities with a small subset of laboratories seeking certification based on inadequate QA/QC, failed OPRs, incomplete records, delayed communication or poor PT results. Burden costs for States conducting the coordination based on inadequate QA/QC, failed OPRs, incomplete records, delayed communication or poor PT results are estimated at $2,247.00 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $2,247.00 for labor and $0.00 for O&M (Appendix K).

	Burden costs for all States notifying laboratories of certification status after satisfactory completion of all activities and maintaining a list of certified laboratories on state website are estimated at $66,791.25 per year. Burden costs associated with this task include $66,791.25 for labor and $0.00 for O&M (Appendix K).

6(c)	Estimating Agency Burden and Costs

	Below are Agency burden hours and associated financial costs pertaining to implementation of the Lab QA Program. For a specific breakdown of burden hours and financial costs, refer to the Agency Annual Burden table in Appendix K. Costs and burden hours are broken out based on activities completed by the Agency and supporting contractors. EPA estimates an average hourly cost of $87.25/hour for Agency program management staff. Based on the published schedule of contractor labor rates for the years covered by this program, the average loaded burden hours and costs for contractor labor were estimated at $62.60/hour for management staff, and $43.57/hour for technical staff.

	Agency burden is estimated based on the labor hours associated with performing each task for each laboratory seeking State certification. To get the total annual cost, hours and costs are then multiplied by the estimated number of respondents and added to the capital and O&M costs. The burden associated with each information collection task is shown in a separate row of the burden table. EPA estimates that 45 laboratories will participate in the EPA Lab QA Program and 20 States will integrate Cryptosporidium Certification Programs. Twenty-one states have Cryptosporidium laboratories within their state boundaries and 19 states responded positively to an industry survey [ASDWA].

	If needed, the Agency will assist State Certification Officers with review of laboratory evaluation application packages. The Agency burden associated with this review is estimated at 461 labor hours and a cost of $25,224.75 per year.

	If needed, the Agency will assist State Certification Officers with off-site evaluation activities, including internet analyst evaluation, and positive control and ongoing precision and recovery (OPR) slide evaluation. The Agency burden associated with off-site evaluation activities is estimated at 394 labor hours and a cost of $24,058.78 for labor and $1,775.00 for O&M per year.

	If needed, the Agency will assist State Certification Officers with on-site evaluation activities, including independent counts of blind slides by analysts. The Agency burden associated with on-site evaluation activities is estimated at 416 labor hours and a cost of $28,178.10 per year.

	If needed, the Agency will assist State Certification Officers with interpretation of PT results. The Agency burden associated with this activity is estimated at 506 labor hours and a cost of $36,030.60 per year. The Agency will assist State Certification Officers with interpretation of PT results for additional method versions. The burden associated with this activity is estimated at 45 labor hours and a cost of $3,202.72 per year.

	The Agency will maintain a list of links to State websites and/or certified laboratories on EPA's website. The Agency burden associated with this technical support is estimated at 130 labor hours and a cost of $8,475.20 per year.

6(d) 	Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs

	The affected entities include public and private water testing laboratories, and public administrators of environmental protection programs. EPA estimates that 45 laboratories will seek certification, of which 15 are private and 30 are state or local government entities. EPA estimates that 20 States will integrate Cryptosporidium into existing certification programs. The respondent total burden and cost are provided in the Total Respondent and Agency Burden tables in Appendix K and are described in greater detail in Sections 6(a) - 6(c).

6(e)	Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables

(i) Respondent Tally

	Refer to the burden table in Appendix K titled, Total Respondent and Agency Burden, for a specific breakdown of the respondent costs. The Lab QA Program will affect approximately 65 respondents. The laboratory and State respondents will engage in 13 different tasks (refer to Section 4(b)(ii)) involving 5472 labor hours and costing approximately $508,718.13 per year for labor (Appendix K). Respondents will invest $0.00 per year in capital/start-up costs and $295,056.67 per year in O&M costs (Appendix K).

(ii) Agency Tally

	Refer to the burden table in Appendix K titled, Total Agency and Agency Burden, for a summary of Agency costs. Six Agency tasks are associated with the Lab QA Program. These tasks will involve approximately 1953 labor hours annually resulting in a cost of $123,395.15 per year for labor. The Agency will invest approximately $0.00 per year in capital/start-up costs and $1,775.00 per year in O&M costs.

6(f) 	Reasons for Change in Burden

	Changes in burden have occurred due to inflation, re-evaluation of hours for tasks, re-evaluation of O&M costs, improved demonstration of capability, and integration into existing State certification programs. Inflation has increased all operation and maintenance and labor costs accordingly. The increase in the respondent universe has increased the overall burden costs for the respondents. States integrating this oversight into an existing certification program were not included in the previous burden estimate. As the States implement their certification programs, estimates will be adjusted.

6(g)	Burden Statement

	The annual reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection is estimated to average 84.2 hours annually per respondent (laboratory or State) (the combined total hours per year for laboratories seeking certification and States integrating Cryptosporidium certification programs divided by 65 total respondents).

	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. This 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. 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 are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr92_main_02.tpl) and 48 CFR Chapter 15 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_00/48cfrv6_00.html).

	To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including use of automated collection techniques, EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OW-2002-0011 which is available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Water Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is<PHONE_NUMBER>, and the telephone number for the Water Docket is<PHONE_NUMBER>. An electronic version of the public docket is available at www.regulations.gov. This site can be used to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. When in the system, select "search," then key in the Docket ID Number identified above. Also, you can send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OW-2002-0011 and OMB Control Number 2040-0246 in any correspondence.

                                  Appendix A

                           Federal Register Notice:
               Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program/
                        Information Collection Request
                         [Published December 29, 2000]

                        ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

                                 [FRL- 7152-6]
Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
                   AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
                     ACTION: Notice; Request for Comment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Today's notice invites comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) proposed Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Lab QA Program) (Section I).  EPA also plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval an Information Collection Request (ICR) associated with information collections under the proposed Lab QA Program (Section II).  EPA is requesting comments on specific aspects of the proposed Lab QA Program and the ICR.  Finally, EPA solicits comments on its intention to seek an emergency clearance from OMB to begin collecting data from laboratories that are interested in participating in the Lab QA Program prior to OMB's final approval of the ICR.

DATES: The Agency requests comments on today's notice.  Comments must be received or post-marked by midnight May 3, 2002.  If EPA does not receive adverse comments on or before April 3, 2002 regarding EPA's request for an emergency clearance, the Agency intends to seek a 90-day emergency clearance from OMB to begin collecting data from laboratories that are interested in participating in the Lab QA Program.

ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your written comments and enclosures (including references) to the W-01-17 Comment Clerk, Water Docket (MC-4101), EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20460.   Due to the uncertainty of mail delivery in the Washington, DC area, in order to ensure that all comments are received please send a separate copy of your comments via electronic mail (e-mail) to Mary Ann Feige, EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or mail to the attention of Mary Ann Feige, EPA, Technical Support Center, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive (MS-140), Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.  Hand deliveries should be delivered to: EPA's Water Docket at 401 M Street, SW, Room EB57, Washington, DC 20460.  Please make certain to reference EPA ICR No.  2052.02 and OMB Control No.  2040-0229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For a copy of the ICR, contact Sharon Gonder at EPA by phone at<PHONE_NUMBER> or by email at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or download off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 2052.02.  For technical inquiries, contact Mary Ann Feige, EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Technical Support Center, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive (MS-140), Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, fax number,<PHONE_NUMBER>, e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Submission of comments.

      Individuals who want EPA to acknowledge receipt of their comments should enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.  No facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.  Comments may also be submitted electronically to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII, WP5.1, WP6.1 or WP8 file avoiding the use of special characters and form of encryption.  Electronic comments must be identified by docket number W-01-17.  Comments and data will also be accepted on disks in WP5.1, 6.1, 8 or ASCII file format.  Electronic comments on this notice may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

Availability of docket.

      The record for this notice has been established under docket number W-01-17, and includes supporting documentation as well as printed, paper versions of electronic comments.  The record is available for inspection from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays at the Water Docket, EB 57, EPA Waterside Mall,  401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC  20460.  For access to docket materials, please call<PHONE_NUMBER> to schedule an appointment.

Section I: Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act

      In September 2000, the Stage 2 Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts Federal Advisory Committee (Committee) signed an Agreement in Principle (Agreement) (65 FR 83015, Dec. 29, 2000) (EPA, 2000) with consensus recommendations for two future drinking water regulations: the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.  The LT2ESWTR is to address risk from microbial pathogens, specifically Cryptosporidium, and the Stage 2 DBPR is to address risk from disinfection byproducts.  The Committee recommended that the LT2ESWTR require public water systems (PWSs) to monitor their source water for Cryptosporidium using EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623.  Additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements for PWSs would be based on the source water Cryptosporidium levels.  EPA intends to take into account the Committee's advice and recommendations embodied in the Agreement when developing the regulations.
      	To support Cryptosporidium monitoring under the LT2ESWTR, the Committee Agreement recommended that "compliance schedules for the LT2ESWTR...be tied to the availability of sufficient analytical capacity at approved laboratories for all large and medium-size affected systems to initiate Cryptosporidium and E.coli monitoring..."(65 FR 83015, Dec. 29, 2000) (EPA, 2000).  Further, the Agreement recommended that Cryptosporidium monitoring by large and medium systems begin within six months following rule promulgation.  Given the time necessary for EPA to approve a sufficient number of laboratories to assure adequate capacity for LT2ESWTR monitoring, EPA would need to begin laboratory evaluation prior to promulgation of the rule in order to accommodate such an implementation schedule.
      Another factor that warrants initiation of the Lab QA Program prior to promulgation of the LT2ESWTR is grandfathering of monitoring data.  The Agreement recommends that systems with "historical" Cryptosporidium data that are equivalent to data that would be collected under the LT2ESWTR be afforded the opportunity to use those "historical" (grandfathered) data in lieu of collecting new data under LT2ESWTR.  EPA intends to propose such grandfathering provisions in the LT2ESWTR.  If EPA indicates that laboratories meet the criteria in the Lab QA Program described today prior to finalizing the LT2ESWTR, systems could develop monitoring data prior to the LT2ESWTR in anticipation of using it as grandfathered data.
      EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water plans to request from OMB an emergency clearance that would enable expeditious implementation of a voluntary Lab QA Program to support Cryptosporidium monitoring under the LT2ESWTR.  As such, the Agency could begin to evaluate laboratories that can reliably measure for Cryptosporidium using EPA Method 1622 and Method 1623.  During the effective period of the emergency clearance, EPA intends to submit to OMB for review and approval a final ICR in order to continue data collection for the Lab QA Program.
      As part of today's notice, EPA is inviting comment on the Lab QA Program.  Under the Lab QA Program, EPA would evaluate labs on a case-by-case basis through evaluating their capacity and competency to reliably measure for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in surface water using EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623. The intent of this notice is not to propose establishing the Lab QA Program through a rulemaking.   Rather, the criteria described in section I.C. are intended to provide guidance to laboratories that are interested in participating in the Lab QA Program.
      EPA has not yet proposed rulemaking on use of such "historical" data nor on the methods themselves under the LT2ESWTR.  As noted above, EPA intends to propose allowing systems to use equivalent "historical" data in lieu of collecting new data.  EPA anticipates the data generated by labs which meet the evaluation criteria would be very high quality, thus increasing the likelihood that such data would warrant consideration as acceptable "grandfathered" data.  However, lab evaluation would not guarantee that data generated will be acceptable as "grandfathered" data, nor would failure to meet evaluation criteria necessarily preclude use of "grandfathered" data.   For these reasons, EPA is not establishing the Lab QA Program through rulemaking, but rather as a discretionary and voluntary program under the Safe Drinking Water Act, section 1442 (42 USC 300j-1(a)).

      A.  What is the purpose of the laboratory quality assurance evaluation program?
      The purpose of the Lab QA Program is to identify laboratories that can reliably measure for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in surface water.  Existing laboratory certification programs do not include Cryptosporidium analysis.  This program is designed to assess and confirm the capability of laboratories to perform Cryptosporidium analyses.   The program will assess whether laboratories meet the recommended personnel and laboratory criteria in today's notice.  This evaluation program is voluntary for laboratories.  In the LT2ESWTR, however, EPA intends to require systems to use approved (or certified) laboratories when conducting Cryptosporidium monitoring under the LT2ESWTR.

      B.  Why has EPA selected Methods 1622 and 1623 as the basis for determining the data quality of laboratories that measure for Cryptosporidium?
      EPA Method 1622 and EPA Method 1623 were developed as improved alternatives to the ICR Protozoan Method (EPA, 1996).  EPA validated Method 1622 for the determination of Cryptosporidium in ambient water in August 1998 and distributed an interlaboratory validated draft method in January 1999.  In addition, EPA validated Method 1623 for the simultaneous determination of Cryptosporidium (and Giardia) in ambient water in February 1999 and distributed a validated draft method in April 1999.
      In April 2001, EPA revised and updated Method 1622 (EPA-821-R-01-026) (EPA, 2001a) and Method 1623 (EPA-821-R-01-025) (EPA, 2001b) based on the following:  laboratory feedback, the development of equivalent filters and antibodies for use with the methods, and method performance data generated during the ICR Supplemental Surveys (EPA, 2001e). The results of these studies are documented in the Method 1622 interlaboratory validation study report (EPA-821-R-01-027) (EPA, 2001c) and the Method 1623 interlaboratory validation study report (EPA-821-R-01-028) (EPA, 2001d).

      C.  What criteria should I use to determine if my laboratory should apply?
      A laboratory that is interested in participating in the Lab QA Program currently should be operating in accordance with its QA plan (developed by the laboratory) for Cryptosporidium analyses.  In addition, an interested laboratory should demonstrate its capacity and competency to analyze Cryptosporidium using the following recommended criteria:
      1.  Recommended personnel criteria:
      Principal Analyst/Supervisor (1 per laboratory) should have:
 BS/BA in microbiology or closely related field
 A minimum of 1 year of continuous bench experience with Cryptosporidium and immunofluorescent assay (IFA) microscopy
 A minimum of six months experience using EPA Method 1622 and/or EPA Method 1623
 A minimum of 100 samples analyzed using EPA Method 1622 and/or EPA Method 1623 (minimum 50 samples if the person was an analyst approved to conduct analysis for the ICR Protozoan Method (EPA, 1996)) for the specific analytical procedure they will be using
 Submit to EPA, along with the application package, resumes detailing the qualifications of the laboratory's proposed principal analyst/supervisor

Other Analysts (no minimum number of analysts per laboratory) should have:
 Two years of college (or equivalent) in microbiology or closely related field
 A minimum of six months of continuous bench experience with Cryptosporidium and IFA microscopy
 A minimum of three months experience using EPA Method 1622 and/or EPA Method 1623
 A minimum of 50 samples analyzed using EPA Method 1622 and/or EPA Method 1623 (minimum 25 samples if the person was an analyst approved to conduct analysis for the ICR Protozoan Method) for the specific analytical procedures they will be using
 Submit to EPA, along with the application package, resumes detailing the qualifications of the laboratory's proposed other analysts

Technician(s) (no minimum number of technicians per laboratory) should have:
 Three months experience with the specific parts of the procedure they will be performing
 A minimum of 50 samples analyzed using EPA Method 1622 and/or EPA Method 1623 (minimum 25 samples if the person was an analyst approved to conduct analysis for the ICR Protozoan Method) for the specific analytical procedures they will be using
 Submit to EPA, along with the application package, resumes detailing the qualifications of the laboratory's proposed technician(s)
2.  Recommended laboratory criteria:
 Appropriate instrumentation as described in EPA Methods 1622 and 1623 (EPA, 2001a,b)
 Equipment and supplies as described in EPA Methods 1622 and 1623 (EPA 2001a, 2001b)
 Detailed laboratory standard operating procedures for each version of the method that the laboratory will use to conduct the Cryptosporidium analyses
 Laboratory should provide a current copy of the table of contents of their laboratory's quality assurance plan for protozoa analyses
 EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623 initial demonstration of capability (IDC) data, which include precision and recovery (IPR) test results and matrix spike/matrix spike duplicate (MS/MSD) test results for Cryptosporidium.  EPA intends to evaluate the IPR and MS/MSD results against the performance acceptance criteria in the April 2001 version of EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623 (EPA, 2001a, 2001b).
D.  How can I obtain an application package?
      After the OMB clearance described above, EPA plans to make applications available on EPA's website at www.epa.gov/safewater/cryptolabapproval.html.  Completed applications should be sent to:  EPA's Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program Coordinator, c/o Dyncorp I&ET, Inc., 6101 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304-3540.  If a laboratory does not have access to the Internet, the laboratory may contact Dyncorp I&ET, Inc. to request an application package.
E.  If I demonstrate my laboratory's capacity and competency according to the  the personnel and laboratory criteria, what do I do next?
  After the laboratory submits to EPA an application package including supporting documentation, EPA intends to conduct the following steps to complete the process:
1.  Upon receipt of a complete package, EPA contacts the laboratory for follow-up information and to schedule participation in the performance testing program.
2.  EPA sends initial proficiency testing (IPT) samples to the laboratory (unless the laboratory has already successfully analyzed such samples under EPA`s Protozoan PE program).  IPT samples packets consist of eight spiked samples shipped to the laboratory within a standard matrix.
3.  The laboratory analyzes IPT samples and submits data to EPA.
4.  EPA conducts an on-site evaluation and data audit.
5.  The laboratory analyzes ongoing proficiency testing (OPT) samples three times per year and submits the data to EPA.  OPT sample packets consist of three spiked samples shipped to the laboratory within a standard matrix.
6.  EPA contacts laboratories by letter within 60 days of their laboratory on-site evaluation to confirm whether the laboratory has demonstrated its capacity and competency for participation in the program.
F.  My laboratory has already submitted initial demonstration of capability (IDC) and  initial performance testing (IPT) data as part of the EPA Protozoan Performance Evaluation (PE) Program.  Do I have to perform this demonstration testing again?
      No.  If a laboratory currently participates in the EPA Protozoan PE Program and acceptable IDC and IPT data have already been submitted (for the version of the method that the laboratory will use to conduct Cryptosporidium analyses), EPA would not expect the laboratory to repeat IDC and IPT analyses.
Section II:  Paperwork Reduction Act
      The information collection requirements in this notice have been submitted for approval to the OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.  An ICR document has been prepared by EPA (ICR No. 2052.02) and a copy may be obtained from Susan Auby by mail at Collection Strategies Division; EPA (2822); 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,  Washington, DC 20460, by email at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or by calling<PHONE_NUMBER>.  A copy may also be downloaded off the internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr.
      Since the EPA would solicit information in application packages, including supporting documentation, analytical data, and other pertinent information from laboratories that are interested in participating in the voluntary Lab QA Program, the Agency is required to submit an ICR to OMB for review and approval.  Entities potentially affected by this action include public and private laboratories that wish to be evaluated to determine if they can reliably measure for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in surface waters that are used for drinking water sources using EPA Method 1622 or Method 1623.
      The burden estimate for the Lab QA Program information collection includes all the burden hours and costs required for gathering information, and developing and maintaining records associated with the Lab QA Program.  The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated for a total of 60 respondents and an average 78 hours per response for a total of 4,676 hours at a cost of $123,650.  This estimate assumes that laboratories participating in the Lab QA program have the necessary equipment needed to conduct the analyses.  Therefore, there are no start-up costs. The estimated total annual capital costs is $0.00.  The estimated Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs is $133,880.
      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.  This 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.
      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 are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
      Comments are requested on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques.  Send comments on the ICR to the Director, Collection Strategies  Division; EPA (2822); 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,  Washington, DC 20460; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20503, marked "Attention: Desk Officer for EPA."  Include the ICR number in any correspondence.  Because OMB is required to make a decision concerning the ICR between 30 and 60 days after March 4, 2002, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it by April 3, 2002.  The final ICR approval notice will respond to any OMB or public comments on the information collection requirements contained in today's notice.
References
  EPA.  1996. ICR Microbial Laboratory Manual.  Office of Research and Development.   EPA/600/R-95/178.  April 1996.
  EPA.  2000.  Stage 2 Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts Federal Advisory   Committee Agreement in Principle.  Federal Register. Vol. 65, pp. 83015-83024.  December 29, 2000.
  EPA.  2001a.  EPA Method 1622:  Cryptosporidium in Water by Filtration/IMS/FA.     Office of Water.  Washington, DC 20460.  EPA-821-R-01-026.  April 2001.
  EPA.  2001b.  EPA Method 1623:  Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Water by Filtration/IMS/FA.  Office of Water.  Washington, DC 20460.  EPA-821-R-01-025.  April 2001.
  EPA.  2001c .  Interlaboratory Validation Study Results for Cryptosporidium Precision and Recovery for  EPA Method 1622.  Office of Water.  Washington, DC 20460.  EPA-821-R-01-027. April 2001.
  EPA.  2001d.  Interlaboratory Validation Study Results for the Determination of Cryptosporidium and Giardia Using EPA Method 1623.  Office of Water.  Washington, DC 20460.  EPA-821-R-01-028.  April 2001.
  EPA.  2001e.  Implementation and Results of the Information Collection Rule Supplemental Surveys.  Office of Water.  Washington, DC 20460.  EPA-815-R-01-003.  February 2001.

________________________Date

                                  Appendix B

                           Federal Register Notice:
               Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program/
                        Information Collection Request
                           [Published March 4, 2002]

                       ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                              [FRL-      ]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; EPA Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act/ Laboratory approval for the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
AGENCY:     Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:      Notice.
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that the following Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval:  EPA Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act, OMB Control Number 2040-0246, expiration date of July 31, 2002. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden and cost; where appropriate, it includes the actual data collection instrument.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before [Insert date 30 days after publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES: Send comments, referencing EPA ICR No.2067.02 and OMB Control No.2040-0246, to the following addresses: Susan Auby, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Collection Strategies Division (Mail Code 2822), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460; and to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17[th] Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the ICR contact Susan Auby at EPA by phone at<PHONE_NUMBER>, by E-mail at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or download off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 2067.02, the ICR number has changed from the last notice. All requests should refer to EPA ICR No. 2067.02 and not EPA ICR No. 2052.02. For technical inquiries, contact Mary Ann Feige, EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Technical Support Center, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive (MS-140), Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, fax number,<PHONE_NUMBER>, e- mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: EPA Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act (OMB Control No. 2040-0246 ; EPA ICR No. 2067.01 ) expiring 7/31/02 . This is a request for extension of a currently approved collection.
      Abstract: Section I: Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium Under the Safe Drinking Water Act
      In September 2000, the Stage 2 Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts Federal Advisory Committee (Committee) signed an Agreement in Principle (Agreement) (65 FR 83015, Dec. 29, 2000) (EPA, 2000) with consensus recommendations for two future drinking water regulations: The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule. The LT2ESWTR is to address risk from microbial pathogens, specifically Cryptosporidium, and the Stage 2 DBPR is to address risk from disinfection byproducts. The Committee recommended that the LT2ESWTR require public water systems (PWSs) to monitor their source water for Cryptosporidium using EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623. Additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements for PWSs would be based on the source water Cryptosporidium levels. To support Cryptosporidium monitoring under the LT2ESWTR, the Committee Agreement recommended that ``compliance schedules for the LT2ESWTR * * * be tied to the availability of sufficient analytical capacity at approved laboratories for all large and medium-size affected systems to initiate Cryptosporidium and E.coli monitoring * * * '' (65 FR 83015, Dec. 29, 2000) (EPA, 2000). Further, the Agreement recommended that Cryptosporidium monitoring by large and medium systems begin within six months following rule promulgation. Given the time necessary for EPA to approve a sufficient number of laboratories to assure adequate capacity for LT2ESWTR monitoring, EPA would need to begin laboratory evaluation prior to promulgation of the rule in order to accommodate such an implementation schedule. Another factor that warrants initiation of the Lab QA Program prior to promulgation of the LT2ESWTR is grandfathering of monitoring data. The Agreement recommends that systems with ``historical'' Cryptosporidium data that are equivalent to data that would be collected under the LT2ESWTR be afforded the opportunity to use those ``historical'' (grandfathered) data in lieu of collecting new data under LT2ESWTR. EPA intends to propose such grandfathering provisions in the LT2ESWTR. If EPA indicates that laboratories meet the criteria in the Lab QA Program described today prior to finalizing the LT2ESWTR, systems could develop monitoring data prior to the LT2ESWTR in anticipation of using it as grandfathered data. Under the Lab QA Program, EPA would evaluate labs' capacity and competency to reliably measure for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in surface water using EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623. The intent of this notice is not to propose establishing the Lab QA Program through a rulemaking. Rather, the criteria described in section I.C. are intended to provide guidance to laboratories that are interested in participating in the Lab QA Program. EPA anticipates the data generated by labs which meet the evaluation criteria would be very high quality, thus increasing the likelihood that such data would warrant consideration as acceptable ``grandfathered'' data. However, lab evaluation would not guarantee that data generated will be acceptable as ``grandfathered'' data, nor would failure to meet evaluation criteria necessarily preclude use of ``grandfathered'' data. For these reasons, EPA is not establishing the Lab QA Program through rulemaking, but rather as a discretionary and voluntary program under the Safe Drinking Water Act, section 1442 (42 USC 300j-1(a)).
A. What Is the Purpose of the Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program?
      The purpose of the Lab QA Program is to identify laboratories that can reliably measure for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in surface water. Existing laboratory certification programs do not include Cryptosporidium analysis. This program is designed to assess and confirm the capability of laboratories to perform Cryptosporidium analyses. The program will assess whether laboratories meet the recommended personnel and laboratory criteria in today's notice. This evaluation program is voluntary for laboratories. In the LT2ESWTR, however, EPA intends to require systems to use approved (or certified) laboratories when conducting Cryptosporidium monitoring under the LT2ESWTR.
B. How Can I Obtain an Application Package?
     After the OMB clearance described above, EPA plans to make applications available on EPA's website at www.epa.gov/safewater/ cryptolabapproval.html. Completed applications should be sent to: EPA's Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program Coordinator, c/o DynCorp, 6101 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304-3540. If a laboratory does not have access to the Internet, the laboratory may contact DynCorp to request an application package. Applications may be submitted at any time.
C. If I Demonstrate My Laboratory's Capacity and Competency According to the Personnel and Laboratory Criteria, What Happens Next?
     After the laboratory submits to EPA an application package including supporting documentation, EPA intends to conduct the following steps to complete the process:
1) Upon receipt of a complete package, EPA contacts the laboratory for follow-up information and to schedule participation in the performance testing program.
2) EPA sends initial proficiency testing (IPT) samples to the laboratory. IPT samples packets consist of eight spiked samples shipped to the laboratory within a standard matrix.
3) The laboratory analyzes the IPT samples and submits data to EPA.  EPA intends to have the laboratory's IPT data meet the IPT criteria of greater than 10% mean recovery and less than 71% relative standard deviation (these criteria were developed based on results from the first six rounds of the EPA PE program). This approach will be used unless unforeseen circumstances merit a reassessment of the approach.
4) EPA conducts an on-site evaluation and data audit. Checklist for evaluation and audit is included in ICR.
5) The laboratory analyzes ongoing proficiency testing (OPT) samples three times per year and submits the data to EPA. OPT sample packets consist of three spiked samples shipped to the laboratory within a standard matrix.  The results of the laboratory's OPT data must meet the OPT criteria which will be calculated for each round of OPT testing using only the data from that round. EPA intends to calculate the lower limit  as less than 2 standard deviations from the pooled mean using log it transformed data and intends to calculate the maximum RSD as 2 times the pooled RSD. This approach will be used unless unforeseen circumstances merit a reassessment of the approach.
6) EPA contacts laboratories by letter within 60 days of their laboratory on-site evaluation to confirm whether the laboratory has demonstrated its capacity and competency for participation in the program.
      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 are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15. The Federal Register document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on March 4, 2002  ( FR ).  Three comments were received.
      Comments requested further information on the details of the Lab Quality Assurance Program. In response, EPA has added supplementary information to the ICR, including the program application, which includes the self-audit checklist detailing the items that will be evaluated during the on-site evaluation. EPA also has also developed a webpage to provide further information on the program. The website can be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lt2/cla_final.html.
      Commenters expressed concern that the Lab QA Program does not address the Agency's obligation under the FACA Agreement in Principle to identify adequate laboratory capacity to implement LT2ESWTR. The Lab QA Program does assess laboratory capacity through questions on the application on current and potential laboratory capacity to analyze Cryptosporidium samples and the on site evaluations. This information will be compiled as laboratory applications are received, and will be updated during on-site evaluations. The on-site evaluation will allow EPA to validate lab capacity reported to EPA.
      Comments were received on the burden estimates. Because laboratories that wish to begin using EPA Methods 1622 and 1623 are required by the methods to purchase the equipment necessary to demonstrate initial acceptable performance, and because this is a method requirement, rather than a program requirement (laboratories can perform the methods without ever participating in the program), the burden estimates assume that no capital costs will be incurred by laboratories participating in the program over and above the costs that would be incurred simply to use the method. Because the program application requires the laboratories applying for approval under the program to submit initial performance data, laboratories that meet these requirements should already have the capacity to perform Methods 1622 or 1623 and therefore will not incur start-up costs.
      Commenters wanted to know if training would be available for labs needing help. EPA will provide limited training to laboratories needing assistance with the performance of Methods 1622 and 1623. Information on training will be posted on EPA's website as it becomes available.
      Commenters wanted to know the earliest date that acceptable grandfathered data could be generated. EPA is aware of the issues regarding grandfathered data acceptability and will address these issues in the proposed LT2ESWTR. These issues are outside of the scope of this ICR.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and record keeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 18 hours per response. 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. This 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. Respondents/Affected Entities: Testing Laboratories Estimated Number of Respondents: 60. Frequency of Response: 3 times per year. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 4347 hours. Estimated Total Annualized Capital, O&M Cost Burden: $123,380.
      Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques to the addresses listed above. Please refer to EPA ICR No. 2067.02 and OMB Control No. 2040-0246  in any correspondence.

                                  Appendix C

                           Federal Register Notice:
               Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program/
                        Information Collection Request
                         [Published October 26, 2005]
                        ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                      [OW - 2002 - 0011, FRL - 7988 - 7]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA ICR Number 2067.03, OMB Control Number 2040 - 0246

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. This ICR is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2005. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. This ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost.
DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before November 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number OW -  2002 - 0012, to (1) EPA online using EDOCKET (our preferred method), by email to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Water Docket, Mail Code 4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Conley, Office of Groundwater and
Drinking Water, (Mail Code 4607M), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202 - 564 -  1781; fax number: 202 - 564 - 3767; e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>For technical inquiries, contact Carrie Moulton, EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Technical Support Center, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive (MS - 140), Cincinnati, Ohio 45268; fax number: (513) 569 - 7191; email address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On June 3, 2005 (70 FR 32607), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA has addressed the comments received.
	EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. OW -  2002 - 0012, which is available for public viewing at the Water Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566 - 1744, and the telephone number for the Water Docket is (202) 566 - 2426. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use EDOCKET to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number identified above.
	Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EDOCKET as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public 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 EDOCKET. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket. Although identified as an item in the official docket, information claimed as CBI, or whose disclosure is otherwise restricted by statute, is not included in the official public docket, and will not be available for public viewing in EDOCKET. For further information about the electronic docket, see EPA's Federal Register notice describing the electronic docket at 67 FR 38102 (May 31, 2002), or go to http://www.epa.gov/edocket.
	Title: Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
	Abstract: Under the Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program, EPA evaluates labs on a case-by-case basis through evaluating their capacity and competency to reliably measure for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in surface water using EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623. To obtain approval under the program, the laboratory must submit an application package and provide: a demonstration of availability of qualified personnel and appropriate instrumentation, equipment and supplies; a detailed laboratory standard operating procedure for each version of the method that the laboratory will use to conduct the Cryptosporidium analyses; a current copy of the table of contents of their laboratory's quality assurance plan for protozoa analyses; and an initial demonstration of capability data for EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623, which include precision and recovery test results and matrix spike/matrix spike duplicate test results for Cryptosporidium. After the laboratory submits to EPA an application package including supporting documentation, EPA and the laboratory conduct the following steps to complete the process:
	1. EPA contacts the laboratory for follow-up information and to schedule participation in the performance testing program.
	2. EPA sends initial proficiency testing samples to the laboratory (unless the laboratory has already successfully analyzed such samples under EPA's Protozoan PE program). These sample packets consist of eight spiked samples shipped to the laboratory within a standard matrix.
	3. The laboratory analyzes initial proficiency testing samples and submits data to EPA.
	4. EPA conducts an on-site evaluation and data audit.
	5. The laboratory analyzes ongoing proficiency testing samples three times per year and submits the data to EPA. These sample packets consist of three spiked samples shipped to the laboratory within a standard matrix.
	6. EPA contacts laboratories by letter within 60 days of their laboratory onsite evaluation to confirm whether the laboratory has demonstrated its capacity and competency for participation in the program.
The procedure for obtaining an application package, the criteria for demonstrating capacity and competency, and other guidance to laboratories that are interested in participating in the program, are provided at http://www.epa.gov/ safewater/lt2/cla_final.html.
	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 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and are identified on the form and/or instrument, if applicable.
	Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 19 hours per response. 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. This 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.
	Respondents/Affected Entities: Public and private water testing laboratories.
	Estimated Number of Respondents: 22.
	Frequency of Response: Three times per year.
	Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 3,980.
	Estimated Total Annual Cost: $275,000, includes $109,000 annualized capital or O&M costs.
	Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 367 hours in the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. This decrease is just an adjustment to the estimate.

	Dated: October 18, 2005.
Sara Hisel-McCoy,
Acting Director, Collection Strategies Division.

[FR Doc. 05 - 21370 Filed 10 - 25 - 05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560 - 50 - P

                                  Appendix D

                           Federal Register Notice:
               Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program/
                        Information Collection Request
                         [Published February 25, 2009]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2002-0011; FRL-8776-6]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;  Comment Request; Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for  Analysis of Cryptosporidium Under the Safe Drinking Water Act  (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 2067.04, OMB Control No. 2040-0246

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44  U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to  submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection  Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2009. This notice describes the current  ``Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of  Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act,'' hereafter referred  to as the ``Lab QA Program,'' and requests comment on both the program  and the renewed paperwork requirements.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 27, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW- 2002-0011, by one of the following methods:
	http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
	Mail: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
	Hand Delivery: Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is<PHONE_NUMBER>, and the telephone number for the Water Docket is<PHONE_NUMBER>. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
	Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2002- 0011. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected using http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Please contact EPA prior to submitting CBI. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. 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. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Miller, EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Technical Support Center, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive (MS-140), Cincinnati, Ohio 45268; e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?

	EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2002-0011, which is available for online viewing at http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Water Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is<PHONE_NUMBER>, and the telephone number for the Water Docket is<PHONE_NUMBER>.
	Use http://www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number identified in this document.

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:
	(i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
	(ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
	(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
	(iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.
	EPA is also interested in any other comments regarding the improvements to the Lab QA Program described in this notice.

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 and provide specific examples.
	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. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
	6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES.
	7. 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.

What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply to?

	Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are public and private water testing laboratories. EPA estimates that a total of 65 laboratories will seek to attain or maintain EPA recognition under the Lab QA Program. This estimate includes 63 laboratories seeking continued recognition under the Lab QA Program and 2 laboratories seeking initial recognition.
	Title: Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Renewal).
	ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2067.04, OMB Control No. 2040-0246.
	ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on May 31, 2009. 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. Approved OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9 of the Federal Register and displayed either by publication of the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the applicable collection instrument or form.
	Abstract: In September 2000, the Stage 2 Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts Federal Advisory Committee (Committee) signed an Agreement in Principle (Agreement) (65 FR 83015, December 29, 2000) (EPA, 2000) with consensus recommendations for two future drinking water regulations: the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule. The LT2ESWTR was to address risk from microbial pathogens, specifically Cryptosporidium. The Committee recommended that the LT2ESWTR require public water systems (PWSs) to monitor their source water for Cryptosporidium using EPA Method 1622 or EPA Method 1623. Additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements for PWSs would be based on the source water Cryptosporidium levels. EPA took into account the Committee's advice and recommendations as it developed the LT2ESWTR, which was published on January 5, 2006.
	Under the LT2ESWTR, EPA requires public water systems to use approved laboratories when conducting Cryptosporidium monitoring. In the preamble to the LT2ESWTR as well as several other notices, EPA has described the criteria for approval of laboratories to analyze
Cryptosporidium samples under the LT2ESWTR. See 71 FR 727 (January 5, 2006) and 67 FR 9731 (March 4, 2002). The Lab QA Program, as revised, is described in this notice. The purpose of the Lab QA Program is to identify laboratories that can reliably measure for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in surface water and to ensure that approved laboratories maintain that capability. Other, State-based laboratory oversight programs do not currently address approval of laboratories for the Cryptosporidium analysis required by the LT2ESWTR.
	Through today's notice, EPA is inviting comment on refinements to the information collected to support EPA's Lab QA Program. As of May 2007, EPA concluded that sufficient laboratory capacity exists for the LT2ESWTR. As a result, EPA has generally postponed evaluation of additional laboratories, including commercial, county, municipal and utility laboratories, until further notice. Subject to the availability of resources, EPA will consider evaluation of State and EPA Regional laboratories on a case-by-case basis, based on the role that States and EPA Regions play in the certification and approval programs for laboratories. The Lab QA Program is continuously being refined and updated as new information and technologies become available. The program will continue to evolve and EPA will continue to revise and update burden estimates, as needed, with any subsequent ICR.
	Approved laboratories will have demonstrated, and are to continue to demonstrate, proficient and reliable detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium in surface water sources for public water systems. They will have passed all elements in the Lab QA Program and continue to successfully participate in all program activities. Approved laboratories are responsible for notifying EPA of losses of key personnel or essential equipment and changes in policies or procedures that directly affect the validity of data or any other change affecting the capability of the laboratory including change in location. Participating laboratories are to also demonstrate ongoing capability and method performance by following all applicable method quality control (QC) procedures, analyzing ongoing proficiency testing (PT) samples (generally three times per year), submitting requested data to EPA, and participating in periodic re-evaluations.
	The Lab QA Program procedures have been updated to reflect that the minimum recovery for Cryptosporidium in ongoing precision and recovery (OPR) samples is now 22 percent, updated from the original 11 percent. This updated minimum recovery is based on an updated data set and should provide a better assessment of laboratory performance than the original value for the following reasons: (1) The data set is more current and is based on more samples (a total of 333); (2) 52 more laboratories are included in the data set; (3) data were generated using the 2005 version of Method 1623, which is the required version for LT2ESWTR analyses; (4) data were generated using filters currently used to analyze LT2ESWTR samples rather than those filters used originally; and (5) the number of oocysts spiked into the samples was unknown to the laboratories. Calculations for the updated criteria are available in Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2002-0011. Laboratories are to now document a minimum of 22 percent recovery for OPR samples in an updated QC chart prior to analysis of LT2ESWTR samples at the frequency required in section 9.7 of the method.
	The ongoing PT sample packets generally consist of three spiked samples shipped to the laboratory within a standard matrix. If a laboratory submits poor PT results, EPA may recommend additional follow-up action to demonstrate that the laboratory's performance remains acceptable. Additional actions may include submission of PT slides to EPA, repeat analyses, providing additional QC data, and investigation of problems with reagents and equipment. Repeated failure to demonstrate laboratory capability and acceptable method performance may result in suspension or downgrading of approval status as outlined later in this section.
	EPA may re-evaluate laboratories participating in the program to verify Cryptosporidium laboratory quality assurance (QA) on both an ``as-needed'' and periodic basis (generally not exceeding once every three years). In the case of a periodic assessment, EPA will generally notify the laboratory that they are due for re-evaluation and request a package with documentation of personnel status, equipment maintenance, standard operating procedures, training records, and QC charts. After the package has been received, it will be evaluated for completeness. EPA generally contacts the laboratory within 15 days of package submission if information is missing. When a complete package has been received, the following steps will complete the process:
	1. The laboratory will send positive staining control and OPR  slides for evaluation by EPA.
 	2. The laboratory will order blind slides spiked with Cryptosporidium from a qualified vendor for each analyst. Each analyst will perform an independent count of one slide. The results and slides will be submitted to a technical auditor.
	3. EPA will schedule an on-line Internet analyst verification of performance for microscopists to demonstrate their ability to identify Cryptosporidium oocysts.
	4. EPA conducts a one-day on-site evaluation that will primarily focus on method performance and data recording. Laboratory personnel will be asked to order blind oocyst suspensions for use in sample and IMS control spiking in the presence of an auditor, and then complete the analyses within applicable method holding times and send results to EPA.
	5. EPA will send the laboratory a report detailing all findings, generally within 60 days after the evaluation is complete. The laboratory is then asked to provide written responses to any deficiencies identified in the report within 60 days. Provided all responses to the deficiencies cited in the report are acceptable, the Lab QA Program will then base its decision for continued laboratory approval on PT results, quality of the positive control and OPR slide, slide counts, Internet analyst verification, on-site evaluation and recovery values for blind analyses initiated during the on-site evaluation.
	State and EPA Regional Laboratories may contact the laboratory approval manager regarding new application submissions. Subject to available resources, EPA estimates that up to two State or EPA Regional Laboratories will seek first-time approval each year. Laboratories
seeking approval under the program must submit an application package and provide: a demonstration of availability of qualified personnel and appropriate instrumentation, equipment and supplies; detailed laboratory standard operating procedures; a current copy of the table of contents of their laboratory's QA plan for protozoa analyses; and an initial demonstration of capability data for EPA Method 1623, which includes initial precision and recovery IPR test results and matrix spike/matrix spike duplicate (MS/MSD) test results for Cryptosporidium. After EPA completes its review of the application, the Agency will contact the laboratory for follow-up information and to schedule shipment of initial PT samples consisting of eight spiked samples within a standard matrix. EPA then generally conducts an on-site evaluation and data audit. Further information is provided at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/lt2/lab_home.html. The Agency notes that completion of an application by a laboratory does not ensure that the Agency will act on the laboratory's request; interested laboratories are encouraged to contact the laboratory approval manager prior to investing substantial effort towards their application. Further, a decision by the Agency to review an application, to send initial PT samples, and/or to schedule or conduct an on-site evaluation and data evaluation, does not ensure that the review process will be completed or that the laboratory will ultimately be approved. Decisions will be made based on the facts associated with a particular application and actions will be taken as Agency resources permit.
	Approved laboratories that do not continue to meet the criteria for the Lab QA Program may have their status downgraded to provisional or have their approval suspended. Details of the basis for downgrading or suspending a laboratory's approval are provided in the section entitled ``Clarification of Basis and Procedures for Downgrading/Suspending Approval for Laboratories for the Analysis of Cryptosporidium in Water Under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule'' (see the following section). Provided EPA has sufficient resources to review requests for upgrade or reinstatement, laboratories may have to undertake additional activities such as analyzing additional PT samples, undergoing an on-site evaluation, and/or counting blind spiked slides in order to have their status upgraded or their approval reinstated. Details regarding additional activities that may be required are provided in the next section.

Clarification of Basis and Procedures for Downgrading/Suspending Approval of Laboratories for the Analysis of Cryptosporidium in Water Under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule

	EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, in the Office of Water, has developed a detailed description of the procedures and criteria used in actions concerning approving, downgrading and suspending laboratories for analysis of drinking water contaminants.
	In order to assume primary enforcement responsibility for the drinking water regulations, a State must either have available laboratory facilities, approved by the Administrator, capable of conducting analytical measurements of drinking water contaminants, or establish and maintain its own program for approval of laboratories. States wishing to adapt these procedures and criteria for their own approval program should revise it to accurately reflect their State approval program.
	This section is intended to clarify EPA's intended practices and procedures for laboratory approval, downgrading or suspension for analysis of Cryptosporidium under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) and to reflect good laboratory practice and standard proficiency evaluation in the industry; it is not a regulation. While EPA intends to generally follow the procedures laid out in this section, not every situation is reflected in these procedures and EPA may need to address case-specific situations in ways that differ from the procedures spelled out here. EPA welcomes comment on these procedures and may decide to revise them at any time in the future to reflect changes to its approach or to clarify and update the text.
	``Approved Laboratories'' have demonstrated, and continue to demonstrate, proficient and reliable detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium in surface water sources for public water systems. They have passed all elements in the Lab QA Program and continue to successfully participate in all program activities. Approved Laboratories notify the Approval Authority (EPA individual(s) administering the program or State individual(s) administering an equivalent laboratory certification program) of loss of key personnel or essential equipment, change in policies or procedures that directly affect the validity of data, and any other change affecting the capability of the laboratory including change in location.
	``Provisionally Approved Laboratories'' have deficiencies but demonstrate their ability to consistently produce data of known quality. They continue to successfully participate in all Lab QA Program activities. A Provisionally Approved Laboratory may analyze drinking water samples for LT2ESWTR compliance purposes if the laboratory has identified themselves as provisionally approved to their clients and any reports clearly state that the laboratory's status is
``provisionally approved.''
	``Not Approved'' designates a laboratory that has either not participated in the Lab QA Program, or has applied to the program but possesses deficiencies and, in the opinion of the Approval Authority, does not consistently produce data that has met all applicable method QC requirements or has falsified data.

Basis for Downgrading to ``Provisionally Approved'' Status

	An Approved Laboratory (referred to as ``laboratory'') may be downgraded to ``Provisionally Approved'' status for Cryptosporidium for any of the following reasons:
	Failure to analyze samples for the LT2ESWTR according to the December 2005 version of EPA Method 1623 or EPA Method 1622, including all QA/QC criteria;
	Failure to document a minimum of 22 percent for on-going precision and recovery values in an updated QC chart prior to analysis of LT2ESWTR samples at the frequency required in section 9.7 of the method;
	Failure to demonstrate proficiency based upon acceptable matrix spike recoveries for all modifications of the method procedures per Section 9.1.2 of the method;
     	Failure to submit valid Proficiency Test (PT) results or meet PT acceptance limits described by the Approval Authority for the first two initial testing events or two out of three regular testing events administered by a vendor authorized by the Approval Authority. The acceptance limits are laboratory mean recovery between 2 standard deviations (SD) of the mean recovery for all approved laboratories in a given test event. Recoveries below the mean recovery minus 2 SD will fail the PT test event. Recoveries higher than the mean recovery plus 2 SD trigger additional evaluation, which may include one or more of the following: (1) On-site evaluation; (2) presence of a proctor when processing PT samples during the next test event; and/or (3) submission of PT microscope slides to the Approval Authority before the expiration of holding time during the next test event;
     	Failure to submit PT slides within three weeks of PT test event when requested by the Approval Authority;
     	Failure to maintain records of method modifications per section <IP_ADDRESS> of the method;
     	Failure to notify the Approval Authority of loss of key personnel or essential equipment, change in policies or procedures that directly affect the validity of data, or other changes affecting the capability of the laboratory including change in location. Laboratory Approval does not automatically survive such changes; the Approval Authority may request an on-site or off-site evaluation and/or further proof of compliance with all applicable method requirements;
     	Failure to submit on-site evaluation materials and any other requested information within the time period requested by the Approval Authority; or
     	Failure to participate satisfactorily in the Approval Authority Lab QA Program and demonstrate proficiency based upon: Sample and method holding time records; analyst verification skills; relative quality of positive staining control and on-going precision recovery (OPR) slides; acceptable performance of QC checks, including but not limited to blind slide counts; and acceptable precision and recovery values for all method variations.

Procedures for Downgrading to ``Provisionally Approved'' Status

     	The Approval Authority will notify the laboratory director or owner of its intent to downgrade after becoming aware of the situation warranting downgrading;
     	The laboratory director should review the problems cited, and within 30 days of receipt of the letter, send a letter to the Approval Authority specifying immediate corrective actions that are being taken;
     	The Approval Authority will consider the adequacy of the response and notify the laboratory in writing of its approval status, generally within 14 days of receipt of the laboratory's response;
     	After the Approval Authority notifies a laboratory, the Approval Authority will post status on the Web site list of laboratories and may schedule an on-site evaluation of the laboratory;
     	The laboratory should identify and correct its problem(s) to the Approval Authority's satisfaction within 30 days of being notified of the downgrade or have approval status suspended;
     	A Provisionally Approved laboratory may continue to analyze samples for compliance purposes, but must identify its status as Provisionally Approved on any report;
     	A laboratory may request that the Approval Authority or State provide technical assistance to help identify and resolve any problem; however, adequate performance is the laboratory's responsibility and Approval Authority assistance should not delay the downgrading procedure.

Basis for Suspending Approval Status

    	A laboratory may be downgraded from Approved or Provisionally
Approved status to ``Not Approved'' for any of the following reasons:

     	Repeated verification that all applicable method QC requirements have been followed, when in fact they have not all been met;
     	Repeated failure to document acceptable OPR values prior to analysis of LT2ESWTR samples;
     	Reporting PT data from another laboratory as its own;
     	Falsification of data or other deceptive practices including false verification that data submitted to the Data Collection and Tracking System (DCTS) was generated using approved methods and met all method QA/QC criteria;
     	Refusal to participate in on-site or off-site evaluations conducted by the Approval Authority.

Basis for Suspending Provisionally Approved Status

     	Failure to provide a letter to the Approval Authority within 30 days that adequately explains what immediate corrective actions were taken;
     	Failure to identify and correct problems in response to downgrade within 30 days;
     	Failure to provide accurate OPR control charts to the Approval Authority;
     	Failure to submit valid PT results for the next two consecutive authorized PT test events within the acceptance limits specified;
     	Continued failure to use the analytical methodology specified in the regulations;
     	Failure to correct deviations identified during an on-site evaluation within 30 days; or
     	Failure to provide requested demonstration, materials and documentation within 30 days, including: acceptable matrix spike recoveries for all method variations per section 9.1.2 of the method; bench sheets, examination forms or OPR charts for any samples requested; remote analyst verification; recent positive staining control and OPR microscope slides, one of each; and blind slide counts for each analyst.

Procedures for Suspension

    	The Approval Authority will notify the laboratory, in writing, of its intent to suspend approval. If the laboratory wishes to request reconsideration of this decision, it should submit such a request in writing to the Approval Authority within 30 days of receipt of the notice of intent to suspend approval. The laboratory will generally be downgraded immediately to ``provisional approval'' in the interim while the suspension is being considered. If no request for reconsideration is filed, approval will be suspended.
    	The request for reconsideration should be supported with an explanation of the reasons for the challenge and should be signed by a responsible official from the laboratory such as the president/owner for a commercial laboratory, the laboratory supervisor of a municipal laboratory, or the laboratory director for a State or Regional laboratory.
    	The Approval Authority will make a decision and notify the laboratory in writing, generally within 30 days of receipt of the request for reconsideration. If the request is determined to be valid, the Approval Authority will take appropriate measures to reevaluate the facility and notify the laboratory, in writing, of its decision, generally within 60 days of the reevaluation.
    	Denial of the request will generally result in suspension of the laboratory's approval. Once approval is suspended, a public water system may not use the laboratory to analyze source water samples for compliance with LT2ESWTR source water monitoring requirements. The laboratory should notify its clients that it is no longer approved and will not accept any more LT2ESWTR samples for analysis.

Upgrading or Reinstatement of Approval

    	Subject to the availability of resources, the Approval Authority will consider written requests from the laboratory to seek upgrading or reinstatement of approval. Requests should state the reasons why the laboratory should regain its approval status. The laboratory should demonstrate that all deficiencies have been corrected and successfully complete two consecutive authorized PT test events within acceptance limits for Provisionally Approved laboratories or three consecutive authorized PT test events within acceptance limits for suspended laboratories. The authorized PT test events being described here are those submitted to all laboratories in the Lab QA Program, not special issue blind samples purchased independently from the vendor. The laboratory should provide evidence why the reasons for downgrading or suspension are no longer applicable and explain its technical competence. Acceptable demonstration of technical competence may include an on-site evaluation and/or any other measure the Approval Authority deems appropriate. The Approval Authority will consider compliance history, corrective actions implemented by the laboratory, effectiveness of corrective actions, and professional judgment of the Approval Authority.

Grievances

    	Laboratories with grievances during the authorized PT events or regarding participation in the Lab QA Program should immediately contact the Program Manager at the Approving Authority and try to remedy the problem. When the laboratory feels they have not gotten immediate or satisfactory results, they should contact the supervisor at the Approving Authority. The management at the Approving Authority will work with the Program Manager to quickly address grievances. A final decision for all grievances will be made generally within 30 days of contacting the Approving Authority.

Request for Comment

    	The EPA is soliciting comments on this notice to:
    	1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 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 estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    	3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
    	4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and
    	5. Consider any necessary changes to the Lab QA Program. As an example, EPA is particularly interested in comments from States regarding the potential for their laboratory programs to assume any/all responsibility for the approval and oversight of LT2ESWTR laboratories, including comments on the appropriate timeframes for such. The Agency also welcomes comments regarding the appropriateness of turning to commercial PT providers as the source of PT samples for laboratories, in lieu of the PT program currently administered by the Agency.