[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 2822] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-1539] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPPTS-140241; FRL-4995-6] Access to Confidential Business Information by Contractors; Extension of Contracts and Access to Confidential Information AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Due to the lack of authorized funding (i.e. a Fiscal Year 1996 Appropriations Bill or Continuing Resolution) and the resultant furlough of EPA employees, EPA is extending the contracts and access to confidential business information of four state agencies serving as contractors to EPA, the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation (Contract Number 68-W5-0040), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Contract Number 68-W5-0039), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Contract Number 68-W5-0038), and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Contract Number 68-W5-0037). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan B. Hazen, Director, Environmental Assistance Division (7408), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. E-545, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, (202) 554-1404, TDD: (202) 554-0551, e-mail: TSCA-H[email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the fall of 1995, the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation (Contract Number 68-W5-0040), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Contract Number 68-W5-0039), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Contract Number 68-W5-0038), and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Contract Number 68-W5- 0037), each were retained as EPA contractors to review information directed to EPA under the authority of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), including confidential business information (CBI). The purpose of the contracts is to have the states determine the value of TSCA derived information to their respective toxics programs. By the terms of the contracts, access to TSCA CBI could be as long as 120 days after the date of contract commencement. As a result of the furlough of EPA personnel and the closure of the Federal government for significant portions of the contract period, the state contractors were not able to access data or secure necessary Agency personnel assistance so as to adequately perform the contracts. For this reason, the Agency has determined that access to TSCA CBI should be extended another 60 days, to insure that the state contractors have sufficient time to address the issue of the utility of TSCA data to state programs. Additional information may be secured from Scott Sherlock, the EPA staffer assigned to this project, at telephone number (202) 260-1536; e-mail: [email protected]. List of Subjects Environmental protection, Access to confidential businesss information. Dated: January 23, 1996. Linda A. Travers, Director, Information Management Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. [FR Doc. 96-1539 Filed 1-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-F