[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 189 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56568-56570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22801]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0719, FRL-8722-1]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; NPDES and Sewage Sludge Monitoring Reports; EPA ICR 
No. 0229.17; OMB Control No. 2040-0004.

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 a 
request to renew and consolidate existing approved Information 
Collection Requests (ICRs) and to update the burden in those estimates 
to include the burden associated with EPA's upcoming Vessels General 
Permit (VGP) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Two of these 
ICRs (NPDES and Sewage Sludge Monitoring Reports ICR, OMB 2040-0004 and 
CSO Control Policy, OMB 2040-0170) are scheduled to expire on September 
30, 2008. All of the burden will be consolidated under the NPDES and 
Sewage Sludge Monitoring Reports ICR (OMB 2040-0004). 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 November 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2008-0719, by one of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected] (Identify Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OW-2008-0719 in the subject line).
     Mail: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Mailcode: 4203M, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. 
Please include a total of three copies.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, EPA West, Room 3334, 
1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries 
are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and 
special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed 
information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments identified by the Docket ID No. 
EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0719. 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 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 http://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. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amelia Letnes, State and Regional 
Branch, Water Permits Division, OWM Mail Code: 4203M, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 564-5627; 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-2008-0719, 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,

[[Page 56569]]

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 technical information/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?

    Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
most facilities required to have NPDES permit coverage, including but 
not limited to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), privately owned 
treatment works (PrOTWs), manufacturing and commercial dischargers, 
mining operation, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), 
stormwater dischargers, and vessels.
    Title: NPDES and Sewage Sludge Monitoring Reports.
    ICR Number: EPA ICR No. 0229.17, OMB Control No. 2040-0004.
    ICR Status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on September 
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 purpose of this ICR is to consolidate, streamline, 
and update EPA's NPDES-related ICRs into the currently approved ICR for 
NPDES and Sewage Sludge Monitoring Reports (OMB Control No.: 2040-
0004). EPA identified 15 NPDES-related ICRs consisting of program-based 
(i.e., Pretreatment Program), activity-based (i.e., Applications, 
Discharge Monitoring Reports [DMRs]), and rule-based (i.e., Cooling 
Water Intake-Phase II, Stormwater Program Phase II) ICRs. Historically, 
EPA identified the five activity-based ICRs as representing the base 
NPDES program. Those ICRs include: (1) Applications ICR (OMB Control 
No. 2040-0086); (2) DMR ICR (OMB Control No. 2040-0004); (3) 
Modification/Variance ICR (OMB Control No. 2040-0068); (4) Compliance 
Assessment/Certification ICR (OMB Control No. 2040-0110); and (5) State 
Program ICR (OMB Control No. 2040-0057). Several additional ICRs 
include activities that contain similar activities to those identified 
in the five base NPDES program ICRs and as such, are being consolidated 
into this ICR. Those four ICRs include: (1) Stormwater Program Phase II 
(OMB Control No. 2040-0211); (2) Stormwater discharges associated with 
construction activities (OMB Control No. 2040-0188); (3) CSO Control 
Policy (OMB Control No. 2040-0170); and (4) NPDES Great Lakes Water 
Quality Guidance (OMB Control No. 2040-0180). In addition, the revised 
ICR will account for the burden related to EPA's upcoming Eligible 
Commercial and Other Non-recreational Vessels General Permit.
    Burden Statement: The individual ICRs provide a detailed 
explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is briefly summarized here 
on Tables 1 and 2. The frequency of response for these ICRs varies from 
once to daily.

                                                    Table 1--ICRs Responses, Burden, and Cost Summary
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                                                                                                                                            Annual cost
                  OMB ICR No.                      EPA ICR No.                    Title                    Annual number   Annual burden      burden
                                                                                                           of responses       (hours)        (dollars)
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2040-0004......................................         0229.16  NPDES and Sewage Sludge Monitoring              583,987      14,193,543      11,816,288
                                                                  Reports (DMR).
2040-0057......................................         0168.08  NPDES and Sewage Sludge Management               19,405       1,013,802               0
                                                                  State Programs.
2040-0068......................................         0029.08  NPDES Modification and Variance                  23,610         280,224               0
                                                                  Requests.
2040-0086......................................         0226.17  Applications for the NPDES Discharge            249,494       1,359,497       5,380,000
                                                                  Permits and the Sewage Sludge
                                                                  Management Permits

[[Page 56570]]

 
2040-0110......................................         1427.07  NPDES Compliance Assessment/                    507,585       2,066,677               0
                                                                  Certification Information.
2040-0170......................................         1680.04  CSO Control Policy.....................           1,286         400,542         156,000
2040-0180......................................         1639.05  NPDES Great Lakes Water Quality                   1,257          84,537               0
                                                                  Guidance.
2040-0188......................................         1842.04  Notice of Intent (NOI) for Stormwater           157,546       8,247,638               0
                                                                  Discharges Associated with
                                                                  Construction Activity under an NPDES
                                                                  General Permit
2040-0211......................................         1820.03  NPDES Stormwater Program Phase II......         135,908       3,696,276               0
N/A............................................             N/A  Eligible Commercial and Other Non-              209,019         126,706               0
                                                                  recreational Vessels General Permit
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                                                     Table 2--ICRs Respondents and Averages Summary
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                                                                                                                          Average number
                                                                                                             Number of     of responses    Average hours
               OMB ICR No.                         EPA ICR No.                        Title                  potential       for each      per response
                                                                                                            respondents     respondent
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2040-0004................................  0229.16....................  NPDES and Sewage Sludge                   81,988             7.1            24.3
                                                                         Monitoring Reports (DMR).
2040-0057................................  0168.08....................  NPDES and Sewage Sludge                      618            31.4            52.2
                                                                         Management State Programs.
2040-0068................................  0029.08....................  NPDES Modification and Variance           11,831             2.0            11.9
                                                                         Requests.
2040-0086................................  0226.17....................  Applications for the NPDES               249,494             1.0             5.4
                                                                         Discharge Permits and the
                                                                         Sewage Sludge Management
                                                                         Permits
2040-0110................................  1427.07....................  NPDES Compliance Assessment/             450,471             1.1             4.1
                                                                         Certification Information.
2040-0170................................  1680.04....................  CSO Control Policy..............             776             1.7           311.5
2040-0180................................  1639.05....................  NPDES Great Lakes Water Quality            3,795             0.3            67.3
                                                                         Guidance.
2040-0188................................  1842.04....................  Notice of Intent (NOI) for               157,546             1.0            52.4
                                                                         Stormwater Discharges
                                                                         Associated with Construction
                                                                         Activity under an NPDES General
                                                                         Permit
2040-0211................................  1820.03....................  NPDES Stormwater Program Phase           135,908             1.0            27.2
                                                                         II.
N/A......................................  N/A........................  Eligible Commercial and Other             65,625             3.2             0.6
                                                                         Non-recreational Vessels
                                                                         General Permit
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    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.
    Change in Burden: The current burden approved by OMB for the ICRs 
being consolidated is 31,342,736 hours. Apart from the additional 
burden related to EPA's upcoming Eligible Commercial and Other Non-
recreational Vessels General Permit, EPA does not anticipate that the 
resulting burden for the consolidated ICR will be significantly 
different than the sum of the individual ICRs. Any changes are expected 
to be the result of fluctuations in the permitted universe.

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: September 17, 2008.
James A. Hanlon,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. E8-22801 Filed 9-26-08; 8:45 am]
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