[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13222-13224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4997]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0015; FRL-8541-7]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program; EPA ICR 
No. 1391.08, OMB Control No. 2040-0118

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to 
submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is 
scheduled to expire on June 30, 2008. 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 May 12, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2004-0015 by one of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov.
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Mail: Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program 
(renewal), Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 4204M, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund 
Program (renewal), Environmental Protection Agency, Office of 
Wastewater Management, Municipal Support Division, 1201 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20004.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-
0015. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in 
the public docket without change and may be made available online at 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site 
is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your 
identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of 
your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without 
going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you 
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name 
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any 
disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to 
technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA 
may not be able to consider your comment.

[[Page 13223]]

Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form 
of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.

ADDRESSES: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments to 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0015 at http://www.regulations.gov, by e-
mail to: [email protected]., and by mail: Environmental Protection 
Agency, Mailcode: 4204M, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clifford Yee, Office of Wastewater 
Management, Mail Code 4204M, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-
564-0598; fax number: 202-501-2403; e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?

    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0015 which is available for online viewing at http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Water Docket in the 
EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. 
The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the 
telephone number for the Water Docket is 202-566-2426.
    Use http://www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft 
collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the 
index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those 
documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once 
in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number 
identified in this document.

What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically 
solicits comments and information to enable it 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from 
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of 
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork 
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific 
examples.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
    6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified 
under DATES.
    7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page 
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal 
Register citation.

What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Apply to?

[Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0015]

    Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
State and local governments; local communities and tribes.
    Title: Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program (renewal)
    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 1391.08, OMB Control No. 2040-0118.
    ICR Status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on June 30, 
2008. 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 in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal 
Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed 
either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate 
means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if 
applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA 
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: The Clean Water Act, as amended by ``The Water Quality 
Act of 1987'' (U.S.C. 1381-1387 et. seq.), created a Title VI which 
authorizes grants to States for the establishment of State Water 
Pollution Control Revolving Funds (SRFs). The information collection 
activities will occur primarily at the program level through the State 
``Intended Use Plan'' and ``Annual Report''. The information is needed 
annually to implement section 606 of the Clean Water Act (CWA).
    The 1987 Act declares that water pollution control revolving funds 
shall be administered by an instrumentality of the State subject to the 
requirements of the act. This means that each State has a general 
responsibility for administering its revolving fund and must take on 
certain specific responsibilities in carrying out its administrative 
duties. The information collection activities will occur primarily at 
the program level through the State Intended Use Plan and Annual 
Report. The information is needed annually to implement section 606 of 
the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Act requires the information to ensure 
national accountability, adequate public comment and review, fiscal 
integrity and consistent management directed to achieve environmental 
benefits and results. The individual information collections are:
    (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement/State Intended 
Use Plan, (2) State Annual Report, (3) State Annual Audit, and (4) 
Application for SRF Financial Assistance.
    (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement/State Intended 
Use Plan: The State will prepare a Capitalization Grant application 
that includes an Intended Use Plan (IUP) outlining in detail how it 
will use all the funds available to the fund. The grant agreement 
contains or incorporates by reference the IUP, application materials, 
payment schedule, and required assurances. The bulk of the information 
is provided in the IUP, the legal agreement which commits the State and 
EPA to execute their responsibilities under the Act.
    (2) State Annual Report: The State must agree to complete and 
submit a State Annual Report that indicates how the State has met the 
goals and

[[Page 13224]]

objectives of the previous fiscal year as stated in the IUP and grant 
agreement. The report provides information on loan recipients, loan 
amounts, loan terms, project categories, and similar data on other 
forms of assistance. The report describes the extent to which the 
existing SRF financial operating policies, alone or in combination with 
other State financial assistance programs, will provide for the long 
term fiscal health of the Fund and carry out other provisions specified 
in the grant operating agreement.
    (3) State Annual Audit: Most States have agreed to conduct or have 
conducted a separate financial audit of the Capitalization Grant which 
will provide opinions on the financial statements, and a report on the 
internal controls and compliance with program requirements. The 
remaining States will be covered by audits conducted under the 
requirements of the Single Audit Act and by EPA's Office of Inspector 
General.
    (4) Application for SRF Financial Assistance: Local communities and 
other eligible entities have to prepare and submit applications for SRF 
assistance to their respective State Agency which manages the SRF 
program. The State reviews the completed loan applications, and 
verifies that the proposed projects will comply with applicable Federal 
and State requirements.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 
108.73 hours per response. 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 which have subsequently changed; 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. The ICR provides a 
detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly 
summarized here:
    Estimated Total Number of Potential Respondents: 3,825.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Total Average Number of Responses for Each Respondent: 
1.0.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 415,905.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $11,118,000.

Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

    There is an increase of 76,500 hours in the total estimated 
respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently 
approved by OMB. This increase reflects EPA's acceptance of additional 
loan applicants for the State SRF loan program. The increase in burden 
hours is the time needed to process and report on these loans on an 
annual basis.

What is the Next Step in the Process for this ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as 
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for 
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will 
issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 
1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the 
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any 
questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the 
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Dated: March 5, 2008.
Judy Davis,
Acting Director, Office of Water, Office of Wastewater Management.
 [FR Doc. E8-4997 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am]
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