[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 34060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16513]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5846-4]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Information Collection Request for the 1997 
State Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs Guidance

AGENCY: Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): The 1997 State Source Water Assessment 
and Protection Programs Guidance, EPA ICR# 1816.01. 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 August 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, MC 4606. U.S. EPA 
401 M. St., SW. Washington D.C. 20460. Interested persons may obtain a 
copy by requesting EPA ICR# 1816.01.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Karpoff: 202-260-1899; FAX: 
(202) 260-0732; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    Affected Entities: Entities affected by this action are States 
exercising primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems.
    Title: The 1997 State Source Water Assessment and Protection 
Programs Guidance, EPA ICR# 1816.01.
    Section 1453 of the Safe Drinking Water Acts Amendments of 1996 
authorizes State Source Water Assessment Programs (SWAPs) to achieve or 
maintain compliance with SDWA requirements and to protect public 
health.
    Abstract: Section 1453(a)(3) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
requires States to submit a Source Water Assessment Program within 18 
months after the guidance is issued, on or before August 6, 1997. These 
SWAPs describe the process by which a State delineates source Water 
Protection Areas, conducts contamination source inventories and 
susceptibility analyses, and indicates whether or not it plans to 
implement a Source Water Protection Program. A State must develop a 
SWAP with public participation.
    Once a State program is approved by EPA, the State has two years to 
complete the source water assessments for the public water systems 
within their borders. Section 1453 (a)(4) allows a State to request an 
extension of up to 18 months to complete the assessments. The extension 
request must indicate the reason a State requires additional time and 
must include a description of how and when the State will complete the 
assessment within the requested extension period. The request must also 
include information on the progress in implementing the assessments by 
the end of the first 18 months.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, an information collection request 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 public reporting and record keeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2115 
hours per State response. The annual cost burden is estimated to 
average $70,000.00 per State response. These burden estimates are for 
both the SWAP proposal and for requested time extensions by States for 
completion of the assessments. The estimates are based on estimates by 
four States of differing size populations and geographic location 
across the nation's regions. These States also vary by administrative 
structure for the Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs. 
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 collection, 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: 49 States.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 49 States.
    Frequency of Response for each Individual Information Request: 
Once.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 103,635 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden: $3,433,136.

    Dated: June 12, 1997.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 97-16513 Filed 6-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M