Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: April 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 74)]

[Notices]

[Page 19248-19250]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr17ap98-35]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5998-5]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program Evaluation (Self-Audit)

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): Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program Evaluation (Self-Audit), EPA ICR Number 1728.03, OMB Control Number 2040-0181, expires May 31, 1998. 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 June 16, 1998. All public comments shall be submitted to: DMR ICR Comment Clerk (W-98-17), Water Docket MC 4101, U.S. EPA, East Tower basement, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460.

Please submit the original and three comments and enclosures (including references). Comments must be received or post-marked by midnight no later than June 16, 1998. Commenters who want EPA to acknowledge receipt of their comments should enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. No facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted. Comments may also be submitted electronically to: ow-docket@epamail.epa.gov

Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and forms of encryption. Electronic comments must be identified by the docket number W-98-17. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be submitted through e-mail. Comments and data will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 5.1 format or ASCII file format. Electronic comments on this notice may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries. The record for this proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) revision has been established under docket number W-98-17 and includes supporting documentation as well as printed, paper versions of electronic comments. It does not include any information claimed as CBI. The record is available for inspection from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, at the Water Docket, East Tower basement, 401 M Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. For access to the docket materials, please call (202) 260-3027 to schedule an appointment.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the proposed ICR will be available at the Water Docket (W-98-17), Mailcode 4101, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Copies of the proposed ICR can be obtained without charge by writing to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Ogbebor, 202/260-6322; fax: 202/260-9544; ogbebor.patrick@epamail.epa.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are wastewater facilities.

Title: Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program Evaluation (Self-Audit) (OMB Control No. 2040-0181; EPA ICR No. 1728-03) expiring 05/31/98.

Abstract: This is a request for clearance to collect information via self-audit form on the operation, physical capabilities and financial status of Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) programs. EPA will collect the information from more than nine municipal wastewater treatment facilities in any of the ten Regions (currently operated in two regions) with non-approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) States.

Since the enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, more than $85 billion in federal, State and local funds have been invested in constructing and upgrading municipal wastewater treatment facilities. The 1996 Needs Survey total estimates to be $139.5 billion, to satisfy all program categories eligible for State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding for the design year (2016) population, including $44.0 billion for wastewater treatment; $10.3 billion for upgrading existing wastewater collection systems; $21.6 billion for new sewer construction; and $44.7 billion for controlling Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). The availability of federal funds which support the construction and upgrade of wastewater facilities is decreasing and EPA program managers and the States have identified that monitoring of early warning systems could detect potential operating and financial problems at wastewater treatment facilities. Early detection and resolution of problems help facilities to maintain compliance and promote proper planning and corrective actions to prevent costly repairs and environmental degradation. The result of the self-audit will be used by the facilities owners and EPA to assess the compliance needs at facilities.

The MWPP program is authorized under section 104 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 104(b) (7) of the Act authorizes EPA to develop effective and practical processes, methods, and prototype devices for prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. MWPP program will contribute to the protection of this public investment and will provide an early warning system of potential problems. The information collected will be used to assist commu-nities to become aware of their multi-media pollution prevention efforts such as water conservation, industrial pretreatment practices, energy management, beneficial use of biosolids and management of household hazardous wastes. EPA Regional Offices use this information to target technical, training and compliance assistance; determine needs for grant assistance; and develop operating program priorities to better meet facility and municipality needs. It is an improved approved approach to managing municipal sewage treatment facilities which can benefit local communities, States and federal governments. Facility participation in the program will be at the discretion of the EPA Regional Office. All information collected is available to the public. A hard copy is available for perusal in the Regional Office, or copies of audits may be obtained by mail through a Freedom of Information Act request.

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 reporting burden for completion of the self- audit by each facility is estimated to be 26 hours. This estimate includes time to receive and review the self-audit form, gather the requested information, complete the form, develop corrective actions, prepare municipal resolution and submit the completed package to the governing body. The reporting burden for approval of the self-audit by each municipal governing body is estimated to be 2.5 hours. This estimate includes time to review and approve the

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self-audit and corrective action plan, sign the resolution and submit the package to the Agency. Approximately 865 facilities will be subject to this information collection for an estimated burden of approximately 24,653 hours. The total estimated burden for this information collection activity, including the Agency, is 27,780 hours nationally.

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.

Dated: April 8, 1998. Michael Quigley, Director, Municipal Support Division.

[FR Doc. 98-10222Filed4-16-98; 8:45 am]

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