Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,
[Federal Register: November 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 223)]
[Notices]
[Page 63312-63313]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19no99-55]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6478-4]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Guidance Manual and Example NPDES Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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 proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Guidance Manual and Example NPDES Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, ICR 1937.01. 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 January 18, 2000.
ADDRESSES: All public comments shall be submitted to: Charlotte White, Office of Wastewater Management, MC 4203, U.S. EPA Headquarters, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the proposed ICR without charge by calling or writing to Charlotte White at the Office of Wastewater Management, MC 4203, U.S. EPA Headquarters, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone: (202) 260-8559.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlotte White, telephone: (202) 260- 8559, fax: (202) 260-1460, E-mail: white.charlotte@epa.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are defined as concentrated animal feeding operations (``CAFOs'' which are point sources subject to permitting under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)), EPA, and NPDES-authorized States implementing the NPDES permitting program for CAFOs.
Title: Guidance Manual and Example NPDES Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations; EPA ICR No. 1937.01
Abstract: This information collection burden is a result of EPA's planned issuance of guidance to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program authorized permitting authorities concerning permits issued to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The animal livestock industry is undergoing a dramatic change with a shift towards larger facilities and increased potential for water quality impacts. To help address this change and the potential and actual impacts on water quality, the guidance manual is intended to provide clear and concise guidance for permitting agencies regarding the development of effective NPDES permits for CAFOs. The guidance does not increase the number of CAFOs subject to permitting under the NPDES permitting program, however, it recommends the development of a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) as a special condition of NPDES permits issued to CAFOs. This proposed ICR covers the development of the CNMP, which includes soil and manure sampling; reporting of CNMP development to the permitting authority; and other reporting and record keeping activities that are not described in the current NPDES program guidance for CAFOs. Components of a CNMP typically include: manure handling and storage, land application of manure, land management, record keeping, and other utilization options. EPA believes this CNMP will reduce the potential impact that this change in industry will have on water quality. CNMP data will be used by EPA and States to develop permits, used by the regulated facilities to ensure appropriate land application, and used by the compliance monitoring and enforcement personnel to document compliance. The guidance also recommends that the permittee maintain records concerning manure generation and disposition, and summa-rize this information on an annual reporting form. Under the guidance the permittee would also be asked to certify that the facility's CNMP reflects current conditions. EPA needs this information to more fully and effectively implement the requirements of the Clean Water Act, which prohibits the discharge of pollutants from point sources--including discharges from CAFOs--to U.S. waters without an NPDES permit.
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
[[Page 63313]]
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: EPA estimates that the average annual burden for this ICR is 1,091,445 hours for CAFO respondents (i.e., facilities that may be required to apply for and obtain an NPDES permit), 92,400 hours for States authorized to implement the NPDES permitting program for CAFOs, and 447 hours for Federal agencies. The estimated total number of CAFO respondents over the reporting period is 9,145. This ICR covers a three-year period and the number of respondents per year is phased in at approximately 20 percent in the first year, 40 percent in the second year, and 40 percent in the third year, yielding an annual average number of CAFO respondents of 5,487. Based on this annual average, EPA estimates that there will be 10,974 responses per year, some of which represent one-time responses while others occur annually after CNMP development has been completed. EPA estimates that the average burden per response will be 99hours, although the burden to develop CNMPs will be larger than the burden for reporting activities. Average total annual O&M costs for manure and soil samples is $665,373 for all respondents; there are no capital costs associated with this ICR. Table 1 summarizes these and other details of the ICR burden and cost estimates.
Table 1.--Summary of Burden and Costs for the Guidance Manual and Example NPDES Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Information Collection Request
Category
Burden or cost
CAFO Burden by Response:
--One-time CNMP Development Burden (hours) (A)...... 1,025,072
--One-time CNMP Development Notification Burden
3,048 (hours) (B)........................................
--Annual CNMP Certification Burden (hours) (C)......
2,439
--Annual Record Keeping Burden (hours) (D)..........
60,887
Total Annual CAFO Response Burden (hours) (A+B+C+D). 1,091,445
Annual Manure/soil Sample Cost ($)..................
$665,373
Annual Number of Responses (E)......................
10,974
Average Burden per Response (hours) (A+B+C+D)/(E)...
99
Annual State Burden (hours).........................
92,400
Annual Federal Burden (hours).......................
447
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, 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: November 15, 1999. Alfred Lindsey, Deputy Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 99-30234Filed11-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U
