[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71115-71116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34046]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6207-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
comment request; National Estuary 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): National Estuary Program, EPA ICR 
Number 1500.03, OMB Control Number 2040-0138, expiring March 31, 1999. 
Before submitting the renewal ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA 
is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information 
collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 22, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Coastal Management Branch; 
Oceans and Coastal Protection Division (4504F); U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency; 401 M Street, SW; Washington, DC 20460. Interested 
persons may obtain a copy of the ICR without charge by contacting the 
person identified below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darrell Brown at 202/260-6502 (phone); 
202/260-9960 (facsimile); [email protected] (E-mail) or Betsy 
Salter at 202/260-6466 (phone); 202/260-9960 (facsimile); 
[email protected] (E-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities affected by this action are those state 
or local agencies or nongovernmental organizations that receive grants 
under section 320 of the Clean Water Act, the National Estuary Program. 
EPA provides grants to these entities to support 28 National Estuary 
Programs around the country and in Puerto Rico. Each entity receiving 
such a grant must submit an annual workplan that describes the projects 
and activities to be carried out using the section 320 funds and that 
documents the source of the 25% non-federal matching funds required by 
section 320.
    Title: National Estuary Program (ICR #1500; OMB Control Number 
2040-0138) expiring March 31, 1999.
    Abstract:
    Annual Workplans--The National Estuary Program (NEP) involves 
collecting information from the state or local agency or 
nongovernmental organizations that receive funds under section 320 of 
the Clean Water Act. The regulation requiring this information is found 
at 40 CFR Part 35. Prospective grant recipients seek funding to develop 
or oversee and coordinate implementation of comprehensive conservation 
and management plans (CCMP) for estuaries of national significance. In 
order to receive funds, grantees must submit an annual workplan to EPA. 
The workplan consists of two parts: (a) progress on projects funded 
previously; and (b) new projects proposed with dollar amounts and 
completion dates. The workplan is reviewed by EPA and also serves as 
the scope of work for the grant agreement. EPA also uses these 
workplans to track performance of each of the 28 estuary programs 
currently in the NEP.
    Biennial Reviews--EPA provides funding to NEPs to support long-term 
implementation of CCMPs if such programs pass a biennial review 
process. Biennial reviews are used to determine progress each NEP is 
making in implementing its CCMP and achieving environmental results. In 
addition to evaluating progress, the results are used to identify areas 
of weakness each NEP should address for long-term success in protecting 
and restoring their estuaries. EPA will also compile successful tools 
and approaches as well as lessons learned from all biennial reviews to 
transfer to the NEPs and other watershed programs. For this ICR cycle, 
biennial reviews will be required of the first 17 NEPs in FY1999 and 
the first 21 NEPs in FY2001. Biennial reviews are required in addition 
to annual workplans.
    The EPA is requesting comments on:
    (i) 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) 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) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and
    (iv) how to 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 estimated burden for the 28 NEPs totals about 
18,000 hours for Fiscal Years 1999, 2000 and 2001, or about 6,000 
hours/year on average. Total hours are based on the following 
estimates:

100 hours/annual workplan * 28 NEPs = 2,800 hours/year * 3 years = 
8,400 hours
250 hours/biennial review * 17 NEPs = 4,250 hours/FY1999
250 hours/biennial review * 21 NEPs = 5,250 hours/FY2001

These estimates include the time needed to review instructions, search 
existing information sources, gather and maintain information needed, 
and to analyze the information and prepare the annual workplans or 
biennial review reports.
    No person is required to respond to a collection of information 
unless the request displays a currently valid OMB control number. The 
OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are displayed in 40 CFR Part 
9.
    Please send comments regarding these matters, or any other aspect 
of information collection, including suggestions for reducing the 
burden, to the address listed above.


[[Page 71116]]


    Dated: December 14, 1998.
Robert H. Wayland III,
Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds.
[FR Doc. 98-34046 Filed 12-22-98; 8:45 am]
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