[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 140 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39239-39240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19211]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5861-5]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Questionnaire for 
Operations and Maintenance (O&M), Biosolids Use (Biosolids), Combined 
Sewer Overflow (CSO), and Storm Water (SW) Awards Nominees Under the 
Annual National Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Program 
(NWMEAP)

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): Operations and Maintenance (O&M), 
Biosolids Use (Biosolids), Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO), and Storm 
Water (SW) Management Awards Nominees under EPA's National Wastewater 
Excellence Awards Program (NWMEAP), EPA ICR Number 1287.05, and OMB 
Control Number 2040-0101, approved through October 31, 1997. Before 
submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting 
comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 22, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted to: Office of Water, Office of 
Wastewater Management, Municipal Support Division, Municipal Assistance 
Branch, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria E. Campbell, 202-260-5815/Fax 
Number 202-260-0116/email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
public wastewater treatment plants, universities, manufacturing sites, 
and States.
    Title: Questionnaires for Operations and Maintenance (O&M), 
Beneficial Biosolids Use (Biosolids), Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO), 
and Storm Water (SW) Management Awards Nominees under EPA's National 
Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Program (NWMEAP) (OMB Control 
No. 2040-0101, EPA ICR No. 1287.05) expires 10/31/97.
    Abstract: This ICR requests re-approval to collect data from EPA's 
NWMEAP nominees. The awards are for the following program categories: 
O&M, Biosolids, CSO, and SW management. (Note: Information collection 
approval for the Pretreatment awards program is included in the 
National Pretreatment Program ICR (OMB Control No. 2040-0009, EPA ICR 
No. 0003.08), expiring October 31, 1999). The NWMEAP is managed by 
EPA's Office of Wastewater Management (OWM). The NWMEAP is authorized 
under Section 501(e) of the Clean Water Act, as amended. The NWMEAP is 
intended to provide recognition to communities and industries which 
have demonstrated outstanding technological achievements, innovative 
processes, or other outstanding methods in their waste treatment and 
pollution abatement programs. Approximately 50 awards are presented 
annually. The achievements of these award winners are summarized in 
reports, news articles and national publications.
    The information is collected from approximately 200 respondents at 
a total cost of $65,400 per year and 2800 burden hours, including 
$38,600 and 1600 burden hours for the respondents' time, and $26,800 
and 1200 burden hours for the States' review time. Submission of 
information on behalf of the respondents is voluntary. No confidential 
information is requested. The agency only collects information from 
award nominees under 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. Based on the data collection, national panels will 
evaluate the nominees' efforts and recommend finalists. The collections 
will be used by the respective awards programs to evaluate and 
determine which abatement achievements should be recognized.
    The O&M awards program has nine categories which recognize 
municipal achievements. The biosolids awards program has four 
categories which recognize municipal biosolids opera-tions, technology 
and research achievements, and public acceptance; the CSO awards 
program has one category which recognizes municipal programs; and the 
SW awards program has two categories which recognize municipal and 
industrial programs. All nominees are screened for environmental 
compliance by the States and EPA. Municipalities and institutions 
desiring to be considered for National awards voluntarily complete the 
questionnaires and provide design and operating information about their 
facility. The award nominations are reviewed by State/Regional 
officials

[[Page 39240]]

prior to forwarding them for National award consideration. At the 
National level, award reviews involve Federal officials and review 
panels comprised of representatives of professional associations and 
State offices.
    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.
    Respondents: Officials at public wastewater treatment plants, 
universities, States and manufacturing sites.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1.
    Frequency of Collection: Once a year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2800 hours (1600 
hours for the response time and 1200 hours for the States' review 
time).
    Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources 
expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide 
information to EPA. This estimate includes the time needed to review 
instructions, collect, validate, and verify information; complete and 
review the collection of information; and transmit the information to 
EPA.

    Dated: July 16, 1997.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 97-19211 Filed 7-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P