[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36866-36867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17346]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6374-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Continuing Collection; 
Comment Request; Clean Water Needs Survey

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 document announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Clean Water Needs Survey, EPA, ICR No. 
0318.08 OMB, ICR Control No. 2040-0050. 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 September 7, 1999.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of this ICR, please contact Sandra Perrin, 
Office of Wastewater Management, U.S. EPA (Mailcode 4204), 401 M Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Perrin (202) 260-7382, Fax 
(202) 260-0116, E-Mail peerin, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Island and Pacific 
Territories (maximum 56).
    Title: Clean Water Needs Survey, (OMB Control No. 2040-0050; EPA 
ICR No. 318.08) expiring 12/31/99.
    Abstract: The Needs Survey is required by sections 205(a) and 
516(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). It is a biennial inventory of 
publicly owned wastewater treatment works (POTWs) in the United States 
as well as an estimate of how many POTWs are needed to be built. The 
Survey is a joint effort of the States, EPA Headquarters (Office of 
Wastewater Management (OWM)) and EPA Regions. The Survey records costs 
associated with a broad range of water quality and public health 
problems eligible for funding from the State Revolving Fund program 
under Title VI of the CWA. This includes the collection and treatment 
of municipal wastewater, the control of combined sewer overflows, storm 
water management, and control of non point source runoff. The States 
provide this information to EPA. EPA achieves national consistency in 
the final results through the application of uniform guidelines and 
validation techniques. 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: The annual burden estimate for State respondents 
in the 1996 Survey was 13,888 hours. This was decreased in 1998 to 1275 
hours because EPA was modernizing its data base and no survey was 
conducted. We are estimating 375 hours per respondent for the 2000 
survey. With 56 respondents, the total burden is estimated at 21,000 
hours for the 2000 Survey which reflects an increase in the burden over 
1996 for information collection for Combined Sewer overflows (CSO) and 
Nonpont Source/Stormwater along with an increase the number of POTWs. 
Since 1988 the Needs Survey has been completely automated allowing the 
States to perform direct on-line updates of their data and to obtain 
quick feedback on EPA Headquarters review of the updates. The main 
objectives of the 1996 Survey was to update the cost estimates of 
traditional categories of

[[Page 36867]]

POTWs, as well as to provide improve information on needs for CSO and 
NPS needs. There are no capital/startup costs or operation and 
maintenance costs for respondents. The main objectives of the 2000 data 
collection effort will be to develop data on pollution problems 
eligible for funding from the State Revolving fund program including 
Non Point Source(s). To minimize the reporting burden, the Surveys have 
been computerized since 1988 and EPA will continue to use the 
computerized data base approach. Frequency is determine by the Congress 
under the Clean Water Act. No confidential information is used, nor is 
sensitive information protected from release under the Public 
Information Act used. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by person 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: June 29, 1999.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 99-17346 Filed 7-7-99; 8:45 am]
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