[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 117 (Friday, June 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 37778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15300]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6714-8]


Information Collection Request for the State Source Water 
Assessment and Protection Programs 1997 Guidance

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): The 1997 State Source Water Assessment 
and Protection Programs Guidance; EPA ICR #1816.01; OMB Control #2040-
0197; expiration date August 31, 2000. Before submitting the ICR to OMB 
for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects 
of the proposed information collection as described in the 
supplementary information.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 15, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may obtain a copy by requesting EPA ICR# 
1816.01 from Edward Heath; US Environmental Protection Agency; Ariel 
Rios Building; 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.; MC 4606; Washington, DC 
20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Heath (202) 260-9865; FAX (202) 
401-3041; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Affected Entities: Entities (hereinafter referred to as ``States'') 
potentially affected by this action are the 50 States, Puerto Rico, and 
the District of Columbia.
    Title: The 1997 State Source Water Assessment and Protection 
Programs Guidance; OMB Control #2040-0197; EPA ICR #1816.01; expiring 
8/31/2000.
    Section 1453 of the Safe Drinking Water Act(SDWA)Amendments of 1996 
authorizes State Source Water Assessment Programs (SWAPs) to achieve or 
maintain compliance with SDWA requirements and to protect public 
health.
    Abstract: Section 1453(a)(3) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
Amendments of 1996 required States to submit a Source Water Assessment 
Program within 18 months after the guidance was issued on August 6, 
1997. These SWAP's describe the process by which a State delineates 
source water protection areas, conducts contamination source 
inventories and susceptibility determinations, and indicates whether or 
not it plans to implement a source water protection program. A State 
must develop a SWAP program with public participation, and release 
assessment results to the public.
    Once a State program is approved by EPA, the State has two years to 
complete the source water assessment for the public water systems 
within their borders. Section 1453(a)(4) of the SDWA Amendments of 1996 
allows a State to request an extension of up to 18 months to complete 
the assessments. The final phase of this ICR will focus on the years 
2000-2003 of the SWAP program, including completing the assessments, 
and State reporting of data on the required assessments to EPA.
    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 public reporting and record keeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 
50,256 hours per State response.
    Estimated Number of Likely Respondents: 52.
    Frequency of Response: Once per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 2,613,349 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $82,031,139.00
    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 implement the source water assessments; 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.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: States, Puerto Rico and the District 
of Columbia.

    Dated: June 2, 2000.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 00-15300 Filed 6-15-00; 8:45 am]
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