[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62302-62303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30657]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5926-1]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; ``Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program''

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):
    Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program, EPA ICR Number 
1391.04, OMB Control Number 2040-118, and current expiration date of 
02/28/98. 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 January 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Clifford Yee, Office of Wastewater 
Management (4204), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, 
SW, Washington, DC. 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clifford Yee (202) 260-5822; FAX: 
(202) 260-0116; E-Mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
the fifty States, Puerto Rico, and the recipients of assistance in each 
of these jurisdictions.
    Title: Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program; OMB Control 
No. 2040-0118; EPA ICR No. 1391.04; expiring 02/28/98.
    Abstract: The Clean Water Act, as amended by ``The Water Quality 
Act of 1987'' (U.S.C. 1381-1387 et. Seq.), created a Title VI which 
authorizes grants to States for the establishment of State Water 
Pollution Control Revolving Funds (SRFs). The information activities 
are pursuant to Section 606 of the Act, and SRF Interim Final Rule 
(March 1990). The 1987 Act declares that water pollution control 
revolving loan funds shall be administered by an instrumentality of the 
State subject to the requirements of the act. This means that each 
State has a general responsibility for administering its revolving 
fund, and must take on certain specific responsibilities in carrying 
out its administrative duties. The information collection activities 
will occur primarily at the program level through the State Intended 
Use Plan and Annual Report. The information is needed annually to 
implement Section 606 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Act requires 
the information to ensure national accountability, adequate public 
comment and review, fiscal integrity and consistent management directed 
to achieve environmental objectives. The individual information 
collections are: (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement/ 
State Intended Use Plan, (2) Annual Report, (3) State Audit, and (4) 
Application for SRF Financial Assistance.
    (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement / State Intended 
Use Plan: The State will prepare a capitalization grant application 
that includes an Intended Use Plan (IUP) outlining in detail how it 
will use all the funds available to the Fund. The grant agreement 
contains or incorporates by reference the IUP, application materials, 
payment schedule, and required assurances. The bulk of the information 
is provided in the IUP. The legal agreement which commits the State and 
EPA to execute their responsibilities under the Act.
    (2) Annual Report: The State will agree to complete and submit an 
annual report that indicates how the State has met the goals and 
objectives of the previous fiscal year as stated in the IUP and grant 
agreement. The Report provides information on loan recipients, loan 
amounts, loan terms, project categories, and similar data on other 
forms of assistance. The Report describes the extent to which the 
existing SRF financial operating policies, alone or in combination with 
other State financial assistance programs, will provide for the long 
term fiscal health of the Fund and carry out other provisions specified 
in the grant operating agreement.
    (3) Annual Audit: Most States have agreed to conduct or have 
conducted a separate financial audit of the capitalization grant which 
will provide opinions on the financial statements, and a report on the 
internal controls and compliance with program requirements. The 
remaining States will be covered by audits conducted under the 
requirements of the Single Audit Act and by EPA's Office of Inspector 
General.
    (4) Applications for SRF Financing Assistance: Local communities 
and other eligible entities have to prepare and submit applications for 
SRF assistance to their respective State Agency which manages the SRF 
program. The State reviews the completed loan applications, and 
verifies that the proposed projects will comply with applicable Federal 
and State requirements.
    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                                                
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                   (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement/State Intended Use Plan                   
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1998...........................  51 States x 400 Hours..........      =   20,400 Burden Hours.                  
1999...........................  51 States x 400 Hours..........      =   20,400 Burden Hours.                  

[[Page 62303]]

                                                                                                                
2000...........................  51 States x 400 Hours..........      =   20,400 Burden Hours.                  
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                                                (2) Annual Report                                               
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1998...........................  51 States x 275 Hours..........      =   14,025 Burden Hours.                  
1999...........................  51 States x 275 Hours..........      =   14,025 Burden Hours.                  
2000...........................  51 States x 275 Hours..........      =   14,025 Burden Hours.                  
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                                              (3) State Annual Audit                                            
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1998...........................  51 States x 80 Hours...........      =   4,080 Burden Hours.                   
1999...........................  51 States x 80 Hours...........      =   4,080 Burden Hours.                   
2000...........................  51 States x 80 Hours...........      =   4,080 Burden Hours.                   
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                                  (4) Applications for SRF Financing Assistance                                 
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1998...........................  51 States x 24 Applications x        =   48,960 Hours.                         
                                  40 Hours.                                                                     
1999...........................  51 States x 29 Applications x        =   59,160 Hours.                         
                                  40 Hours.                                                                     
2000...........................  51 States x 34 Applications x        =   69,360 Hours.                         
                                  40 Hours.                                                                     
                                                                                                                
1998...........................  1,224 Communities x 60 Hours...      =   73,440 Burden Hours.                  
1999...........................  1,479 Communities x 60 Hours...      =   88,740 Burden Hours.                  
2000...........................  1,734 Communities x 60 Hours...      =   104,040 Burden Hours.                 
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    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: November 14, 1997.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 97-30657 Filed 11-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P