Forest Service, USDA.
Notice; request for comment.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension (without revision) of a currently approved information collection, Qualified Products List for Class A Foams for Wildland Firefighting.
Comments must be received in writing on or before November 21, 2011 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.
Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Victoria Henderson, Branch Director, Equipment and Chemicals, U.S. Forest Service, National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 S. Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 208–387–5398 or by e-mail to:
The public may inspect comments received at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), Jack Wilson Building, Boise, Idaho, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 208–387–5348 to facilitate entry to the building.
Cecilia Johnson, Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC), 406–329–4819, Shirley Zylstra (MTDC), 406–329–4859, or Tory Henderson, NIFC, 208–387–5348. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
1. List of the specific ingredients and quantity used to prepare the product,
2. Identification of the source of supply for each ingredient,
3. Copies of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product and for each ingredient used to prepare the product, and
4. Specific mixing requirements and performance information.
Review of the submitted information assures that the product does not contain ingredients meeting the criteria for Chemicals of Concern,
Agency list of unacceptable ingredients.
National Toxicology Program (NTP) “Annual Report on Carcinogens.”
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs for Potential Carcinogens.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) “List of Extremely Hazardous Substances and Their Threshold Planning Quantities.”
A risk assessment, performed at the manufacturer expense, may be required. When a risk assessment is necessary, a third party selected by the Agency assesses the products and levels of ingredients found in typical applications relative to human and environmental impact. Each product submitted is tested to determine the mammalian and aquatic toxicity of the product and must meet specific levels of performance to minimize potential risk during firefighting operations.
Additional tests are performed to determine the effectiveness of the product to reduce spread rate and intensity of the fire by application directly on or near the fire. A number of product characteristics are measured over the operational performance range of the product to ensure that the product meets the needs of the firefighters in the field. The collection of this information for each product submission is necessary due to the length of time needed to test the product (18 to 24 months) and need to ensure that products are safe and effective prior to purchase and use. This information collection and the product evaluation must be conducted on an on-going basis to ensure the Agency can solicit and award contracts in a timely manner to provide firefighters with safe and effective wildland fire chemical products.
All comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request toward Office of Management and Budget approval.