[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23781-23784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11510]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6006-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; NPDES Modification and Variance Requests

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): National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System (NPDES) Modification and Variance Requests, EPA ICR 
No. 0029.07, OMB No. 2040-0068, expires August 31, 1998. 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 June 29, 1998.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the ICR will be available at the Water Docket (W-
98-11), Mail Code-4101, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M. 
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Copies of the ICR can be obtained 
free of charge by writing to this address. All public comments shall be 
submitted to: ATTN: NPDES Modification and Variance ICR Renewal Comment 
Clerk, W-98-11, Water Docket MC-4101, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20460.
    Please submit the original and three copies of your comments and 
enclosures (including references). Commenters who want EPA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments should enclose a self-addressed 
stamped envelope. No facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted. Comments may 
also be submitted electronically to: [email protected]
    Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
use of special characters and forms of encryption. Electronic comments 
must be identified by the docket number W-98-11. No Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) should be submitted through e-mail. Comments 
and data will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 5.1 format or 
ASCII file format. Electronic comments on this notice may be filed 
online at many Federal Depository Libraries. The record for this 
proposed ICR revision has been established under docket number W-98-11, 
and includes supporting documentation as well as printed, paper 
versions of electronic comments. It does not include any information 
claimed as CBI. The record is available for inspection from 9 am to 4 
pm, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, at the Water 
Docket, Room M2616, Washington, DC 20460. For access to the docket 
materials, please call (202) 260-3027 to schedule an appointment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Lee, Phone: (202) 260-6814, 
Fax: (202) 260-9544, E-mail: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
NPDES permit applicants that request a variance from the conditions 
that would normally be imposed on the applicant's discharge or NPDES 
permittees that request a modification of the NPDES or sewage sludge 
management permit conditions.
    Title: NPDES Modification and Variance Requests (OMB Control No. 
2040-0068, EPA ICR No. 0029.07) expiring 8/31/98.
    Abstract: This ICR calculates the burden and costs associated with 
modifications and variances made to NPDES permits and to the National 
Sewage Sludge Management Program permit requirements. The regulations 
specified at 40 CFR 122.62 and 122.63 specify information a facility 
must report in order for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
to determine whether a permit modification is warranted. A NPDES permit 
applicant may request a variance from the conditions that would 
normally be imposed on the applicant's discharge. An applicant must 
submit information so the permitting authority can assess whether the 
facility is eligible for a variance, and what deviation from Clean 
Water Act (CWA) provisions is necessary. In general, EPA and authorized 
States use the information to determine whether: (1) the condi-tions or 
requirements that would warrant a modification or variance exist, and 
(2) the progress toward achieving the goals of the Clean Water Act will 
continue if the modification or variance is granted. Other uses for the 
information provided include: Updating records on permitted facilities, 
supporting enforcement actions, and overall program management, 
including policy and budget development and responding to Congressional 
inquiries. 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 collec-tion 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

[[Page 23782]]

    (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: EPA estimates the total annual burden for 
respondents (including State governments) is approximately 131,152 
hours and a total cost of $5,365,639. The following hourly labor rates 
were used: $17.84 for municipal sector, $54.01 for the private sector 
and $30.26 for Federal and State government. Table 1 shows the number 
of respondents and respondent burden for different variance requests 
and reports. Table 2 shows the Federal and State burden for evaluating 
these requests and reports.

                                   Table 1.--Respondent Burden Hours and Costs                                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 (A)  Number                                (D)        E=(C*D)  
                                                      of      (B)  Burden    C=(A*B)     Respondent     Total   
            Item/Type of respondent              respondents   hours per   Total hours    per hour    respondent
                                                   per year    respondent                labor cost      cost   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Water Quality Related Effluent                                                                      
 Limitation Modification.......................            0          n/a            0          n/a           $0
Permittee Report of Planned Facility Changes:                                                                   
    Major Municipals...........................          200          4.0          800        17.84       14,272
    Minor Municipals...........................          304          4.0        1,216        17.84       21,693
    Major Nonmunicipals........................          136          4.0          544        54.01       29,381
    Minor Nonmunicipals........................        1,146          4.0        4,584        54.01      247,582
    Municipal Sludge Facilities................          153          4.0          612        17.84       10,918
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal.................................        1,939  ...........        7,756  ...........      323,846
Permittee Report of Anticipated Non-compliance:                                                                 
    Major Municipals...........................           40          5.0          200        17.84        3,568
    Minor Municipals...........................          152          5.0          760        17.84       13,558
    Major Nonmunicipals........................           27          5.0          135        54.01        7,291
    Minor Nonmunicipals........................          573          5.0        2,865        54.01      154,739
    Municipal Sludge Facilities................          153          5.0          765        17.84       13,648
    Nonmunicipal Sludge Facilities.............           10          5.0           50        54.01        2,701
    General Permittees.........................        1,111          5.0        5,555        54.01      300,026
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal.................................        2,066  ...........       10,330  ...........      495,531
Facility and Permit Transfer Report:                                                                            
    Major Nonmunicipals........................           55          3.0          165        54.01        8,912
    Minor Nonmunicipals........................        1,720          3.0        5,160        54.01      278,692
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal.................................        1,775  ...........        5,325  ...........      287,604
Permittee Report of Inaccurate Previous                                                                         
 Information:                                                                                                   
    Major Municipals...........................           40          2.0           80        17.84        1,427
    Minor Municipals...........................          304          2.0          608        17.84       10,847
    Major Nonmunicipals........................           27          2.0           54        54.01        2,917
    Minor Nonmunicipals........................        1,146          2.0        2,292        54.01      123,791
    Required because of use or disposal permit                                                                  
     conditions................................           30          2.0           60        17.84        1,070
    General Permittee..........................          111          2.0          222        54.01       11,990
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal.................................        1,658  ...........        3,316  ...........      152,042
Excessive Discharge Report:                                                                                     
    Major Municipals...........................          136          4.0          544        54.01       29,381
    Minor Municipals...........................        1,720          4.0        6,880        54.01      371,589
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal.................................        1,856  ...........        7,424  ...........      400,970
Permittee Notice of Regulated Discharge                                                                         
 Cessation:                                                                                                     
    Major Municipals...........................           55          1.0           55        54.01        2,971
    Minor Municipals...........................          459          1.0          459        54.01       24,791
    General Permittees.........................        1,111          1.0        1,111        54.01       60,005
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal.................................        1,625  ...........        1,625  ...........       87,767
Request for Modification, Revocation and                                                                        
 Reissuance, or Termination....................          225          5.0        1,125        54.01       60,761
Variance Request for Fundamental Different                                                                      
 Factors.......................................            8        160.0        1,280        54.01       69,133
Variance Request for Non-conventional                                                                           
 Pollutants....................................            9        150.0        1,350        54.01       72,914
Variance Request for Innovative Pollution                                                                       
 Control Technology............................            2         60.0          120        54.01        6,481
Variance Request Regarding Thermal Discharges                                                                   
 (new).........................................            8        400.0        3,200        54.01      172,832
Variance Request Regarding Thermal Discharges                                                                   
 (renewals)....................................           40          4.0          160        54.01        8,642
Variance Request Regarding into Marine Waters..            0          n/a            0          n/a            0
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      Total Respondent Burden and Cost.........  ...........  ...........       43,011  ...........    2,138,523
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[[Page 23783]]


                                                       Table 2.--Government Burden Hours and Costs                                                      
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                                                                (A) Number                                                                      H=(E *  
                                                                    of       (B) Burden   C=(A) * B)  D=(C * 80%)  E=(C * 20%)     G=(D *    Labor rate)
                   Item/Type of respondent                     respondents   hours per    Government     State       Federal    Labor rate)    Federal  
                                                                 per year     response      burden       Burden       burden     State cost      Cost   
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Request for Water Quality Related Effluent Limitations                                                                                                  
 Modifications...............................................            0          n/a            0            0            0           $0           $0
Permittee Report of Planned Facility Changes:                                                                                                           
    Major Municipals.........................................          200         20.0        4,000        3,200          800       96,832       24,208
    Minor Municipals.........................................          304         20.0        6,080        4,864        1,216      147,185       36,796
    Major Nomunicipals.......................................          136         20.0        2,720        2,176          544       65,846       16,461
    Minor Nonmunicipals......................................        1,146         20.0       22,920       18,336        4,584      554,847      138,712
    Municipal Sludge Facilities..............................          153         20.0        3,060        2,448          612       74,076       18,519
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................        1,939  ...........       38,780       31,024        7,756      938,786      234,696
Permittee Report of Anticipated Non-compliance:                                                                                                         
    Major Municipals.........................................           40         10.0          400          320           80        9,683        2,421
    Minor Municipals.........................................          152         10.0        1,520        1,216          304       36,796        9,199
    Major Nonmunicipals......................................           27         10.0          270          216           54        6,536        1,634
    Minor Nonmunicipals......................................          573         10.0        5,730        4,584        1,146      138,712       34,678
    Municipals Sludge Facilities.............................          153         10.0        1,530        1,224          306       37,038        9,260
    Nonmunicipals Sludge Facilities..........................           10         10.0          100           80           20        2,421          605
    General Permittees.......................................        1,111         10.0       11.110        8,888        2,222      268,951       67,238
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................        2,066  ...........       20,660       16,528        4,132      453,658      113,415
Facility and Permit Transfer Report:                                                                                                                    
    Major Nonmunicipals......................................           55          4.0          220          176           44        5,326        1,331
    Minor Nonmunicipals......................................        1,720          4.0        6,880        5,504        1,376      166,551       41,638
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................        1,775  ...........        7,100        5,680        1,420      625,535      156,384
Permittee Report of Inaccurate Previous Information:                                                                                                    
    Major Municipals.........................................           40          4.0          160          128           32        3,873          968
    Minor Municipals.........................................          304          4.0        1,216          973          243       29,437        7,359
    Major Nonmunicipals......................................           27          4.0          108           86           22        2,614          654
    Minor Nonmunicipals......................................        1,146          4.0        4,584        3,667          917      110,969       22,742
    Required because of use or disposal permit conditions....           30          4.0          120           96           24        2,905          726
    General Permittee........................................          111          4.0          444          355           89       10,748        2,687
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................        1,658  ...........        6,632        5,306        1,326      156,673       39,168
Excessive Discharge Report:                                                                                                                             
    Major Nonmunicipals......................................          136          4.0          544          435          109       13,169        3,292
    Minor Nonmunicipals......................................        1,720          4.0        6,880        5,504        1,376      166,551       41,638
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................        1,856  ...........        7,424        5,939        1,485      336,393       84,098
Permittee Notice of Regulated Discharge Cessation:                                                                                                      
    Major Nonmunicipals......................................           55          4.0          220          176           44        5,326        1,331
    Minor Nonmunicipals......................................          459          4.0        1,836        1,469          367       44,446       11,111
    General Permittees.......................................        1,111          4.0        4,444        3,555          889      107,580       26,895
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................        1,625  ...........        6,500        5,200        1,300      157,352       39,337
Request for Modification, Revocation and Reissuance or                                                                                                  
 Termination.................................................          225         40.0        9,000        7,200        1,800      217,872       54,468
Variance Request for Fundamentally Different Factors.........            8        520.0        4,160        3,328          832      100,705       25,176
Variance Request for Non-conventional Pollutants.............            9        520.0        4,680        3,744          936      113,293       28,323
Variance Request for Innovative Pollution Control Technology.            2        520.0        1,040          832          208       25,176        6,294
Variance Request Regarding Thermal Discharges (new)..........            8        520.0        4,160        3,328          832      100,705       25,176
Variance Request Regarding Thermal Discharges (renewals).....           40          1.0           40           32            8          968          242
Variance Request Regarding Discharge into Marine Waters......            0          n/a            0            0            0           $0           $0
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Respondent Burden and Cost.......................  ...........  ...........      110,176       88,141       22,035    3,227,116      806,777
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[[Page 23784]]

    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: April 23, 1998.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 98-11510 Filed 4-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P