[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26303-26304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12479]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5825-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Clean Water Needs Survey Related to Abandoned Mines 
and Other NonPoint Source (NPS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Continuation of OMB Number 2040-0050 
ICR, EPA ICR Number 0318.06 and OMB Control Number 2040-0050, current 
expiration date September 30, 1997. Before submitting the ICR to OMB 
for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects 
of the proposed information collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Jacqueline Rose, Office of Wastewater Management, Mail Code 
4204, US Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SE., 
Washington, DC 20460. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the ICR 
without charge by writing to the preceding address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Rose /telephone number 
(202) 260-3063/Facsimile Number (202)260-0116 /E-mail: ROSE. 
[email protected]. GOV.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Affected entities: Entities potentially 
affected by this action are States and Territories, including the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico (a maximum of 56).
    Title: CLEAN WATER NEEDS SURVEY Related to Abandoned Mines and 
Other NonPoint Source (NPS) (OMB Control No. 2040-0050; EPA ICR 
No.0318.06), expiring 9/30/97.
    Abstract: A survey is planned for 1998 which will not be a full 
Clean Water Needs Survey. It will require a substantially reduced 
effort and will focus on developing data on needs from runoff from 
abandoned mines and NonPoint Source (s) on which we have not had 
information on in the past. The Clean Water Needs Survey is required by 
sections 205(a) and 516 (b)(1) of the Clean Water Act. Historically it 
is a biennial inventory of publicly-owned wastewater treatment works 
(POTWs) in the United States as well as an estimate of how many POTWs 
and other SRF eligible projects are needed to be built. The survey is a 
joint effort of the States, EPA Headquarters (Office of Wastewater 
Management (OWM)) and EPA Regions. The survey records cost and 
technical data associated with all POTWs, existing and proposed, in the 
United States. The States provide this information to EPA. EPA achieves 
national consistency in the final results through the application of 
uniform guidelines and validation techniques. The collected data 
support cost estimates which are used by Congress in developing 
allotment formulas. The data are collected over a two year period to 
give EPA sufficient time to complete review and verification and to 
prepare the final report. The States and Regions also review the 
collected data during this time. Note: 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 EPA would like to solicit comments 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.
    Burden Statement: The annual burden estimate for State respondents 
is estimated to be substantially reduced from the 1996 Survey estimate 
of 13,888 hours and $333,312. The estimated amount of $3,000 per 
respondent (100 hours  x  $30.00/hour), with 56 respondents, equates to 
$168,000. The main objectives of the 1998 data collection effort will 
be to develop data on runoff from abandoned mines and NonPoint 
Source(s). To minimize the reporting burden, the Surveys have been 
computerized since 1988 and EPA will continue to use the computerized 
data base approach. Frequency is determined

[[Page 26304]]

by the Congress under the Clean Water Act. No confidential information 
is used, nor is sensitive information protected from release under the 
Public Information Act used. 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.

    Dated: May 9, 1997.
Paul Baltay,
Acting Director, Municipal Support Division.
[FR Doc. 97-12479 Filed 5-12-97; 8:45 am]
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