[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 585-586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-222]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7125-8]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Public Water Systems Supervision Program: Public 
Notification Amendment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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): Public Water Systems Supervision (PWSS) 
Program ICR: Public Notification Amendment, EPA No. 270.41; OMB No. 
2040-0090. The current Public Notification ICR approval expires on 06/
30/2002. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA 
is soliciting comments on the existing information collection as 
described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 5, 2002.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the draft Public Notification Amendment 
to the PWSS ICR without charge, please contact the Safe Drinking Water 
Hotline (800-426-4791). Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
(ET), Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Copies are also 
available from the Office of Water Resource Center (RC4100), U.S. EPA 
Headquarters, 401 M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460. People interested 
in getting information or making comments about the Public Notification 
Amendment to the PWSS ICR should direct inquiries or comments to the 
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Drinking Water Protection 
Branch, Mail Code 4606M, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Christ (202) 564-8354, fax (202) 
564-3755, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
Public Water Systems, primacy agents including regulators in the 
States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Trust Territories; Indian Tribes and 
Alaska Native Villages, and in some instances, U. S. EPA Regional 
Administrators and staff.
    Title: Information Collection Request for Public Water Systems 
Supervision Program: Public Notification Amendment. The current Public 
Notification ICR (EPA No. 1898.02; OMB No. 2040-0209) expires June 30, 
2002.
    Abstract: The 2001 PWSS Program ICR is the result of a 
consolidation of some rules and activities covered in the 1993 PWSS ICR 
and activities and rules previously covered in other OGWDW standalone 
ICRs. The current Public Notification ICR will be renewed as an 
amendment to the 2001 PWSS Program ICR. This ICR amendment revises the 
burden estimate for public notification regulations, as required by 
sections 1414(a)(1) and (a)(2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Public 
water systems are required to give notification to all persons served 
when a violation of EPA drinking water standards occurs and for other 
situations posing a risk to health. EPA regulations define the form, 
manner, frequency, and content of the notices. Ensuring implementation 
of these requirements by public water systems is principally a 
responsibility of the States, territories and tribe that have assumed 
primary enforcement responsibility (primacy) for public water systems 
under SDWA section 1413.
    An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information if it does not display 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

[[Page 586]]

(e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses).
    Burden Statement: The estimated burden for Public Notification is 
approximately: 51,449 responses per year; 748,811 hours per year; and 
$4.035 million per year of total cost.
    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. Any recommendations 
from the drinking water community and the general public on this issue 
will be given consideration by the Agency.

    Dated: December 21, 2001.
William R. Diamond,
Director, Drinking Water Protection Division.
[FR Doc. 02-222 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P