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, 13222-13224 [E8-4997]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 12, 2008 / Notices
(866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202) 502–8659.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on March 11, 2008.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–4846 Filed 3–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP08–82–000]
Trunkline Gas Company, LLC; Notice
of Request Under Blanket
Authorization
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
March 5, 2008.
Take notice that on February 28, 2008,
Trunkline Gas Company, LLC
(Trunkline), 5444 Westheimer Road,
Houston, Texas 77056–5306, filed in
Docket No. CP08–82–000, a prior notice
request pursuant to sections 157.205
and 157.208 of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission’s regulations
under the Natural Gas Act for
authorization to increase the certificated
Maximum Allowable Operating
Pressure (MAOP) for the 15A-Lateral
Lines, and the corresponding Meters &
Regulators (M&R), originating and
terminating in Bee County, Texas, and
to thereafter operate these 15A Laterals
up to and including the higher MAOP,
all as more fully set forth in the
application, which is on file with the
Commission and open to public
inspection. The filing may also be
viewed on the Web at https://
www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
Enter the docket number excluding the
last three digits in the docket number
field to access the document. For
assistance, contact FERC at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202)
502–8659.
Specifically, Trunkline proposes to
uprate the MAOP of Lateral Line 15A–
100 from the current MAOP of 814 psig
to the requested MAOP of 1,313 psig;
uprate Lateral Line 15A–200 from the
current MAOP of 730 psig to the
requested MAOP of 1,313 psig; and
uprate Lateral Line 15A–300 from the
current MAOP of 750 psig to the
requested MAOP of 1,313 psig.
Trunkline states that in conjunction
with the requested MAOP increase on
the 15A laterals, Trunkline is also
requesting the Commission’s
authorization to uprate the MAOP of the
corresponding M&R sites to 1,032 psig.
Trunkline asserts that it is not
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20:04 Mar 11, 2008
Jkt 214001
requesting authorization for
construction of new facilities. Trunkline
avers that the uprating of the MAOP of
the laterals will improve system
reliability, reduce operating costs, and
reduce the constraint on the
deliverability of local natural gas
supplies to the Trunkline system.
Any questions regarding the
application should be directed to
Stephen T. Veatch, Regulatory Affairs,
Trunkline Gas Company, LLC, 5444
Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas
77056–5306, call (713) 989–2024, fax
(713) 989–1158, or e-mail
stephen.veatch@sug.com.
Any person or the Commission’s Staff
may, within 60 days after the issuance
of the instant notice by the Commission,
file pursuant to Rule 214 of the
Commission’s Procedural Rules (18 CFR
385.214) a motion to intervene or notice
of intervention and, pursuant to section
157.205 of the Commission’s
Regulations under the Natural Gas Act
(NGA) (18 CFR 157.205) a protest to the
request. If no protest is filed within the
time allowed therefore, the proposed
activity shall be deemed to be
authorized effective the day after the
time allowed for protest. If a protest is
filed and not withdrawn within 30 days
after the time allowed for filing a
protest, the instant request shall be
treated as an application for
authorization pursuant to Section 7 of
the NGA.
The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filings of comments, protests,
and interventions via the Internet in lieu
of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a) (1) (iii)
and the instructions on the
Commission’s Web site (https://
www.ferc.gov) under the ‘‘e-Filing’’ link.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–4848 Filed 3–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
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
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document
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Sfmt 4703
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:
• https://www.regulations.gov.
• E-mail: OW-Docket@EPA.gov.
• 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 https://
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 https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The
https://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.
E:\FR\FM\12MRN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 12, 2008 / Notices
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 https://
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 https://www.regulations.gov, by e-mail
to: OW-Docket@epa.gov., 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: yee.clifford@epa.gov.
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 https://
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 https://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.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
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
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19:30 Mar 11, 2008
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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
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13223
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 12, 2008 / Notices
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.
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19:30 Mar 11, 2008
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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.
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD–
D205–03), National Exposure Research
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina 27711. Phone:
(919) 541–3737, e-mail:
Hunike.Elizabeth@epa.gov.
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.
In
accordance with regulations at 40 CFR
Part 53, the EPA evaluates various
methods for monitoring the
concentrations of those ambient air
pollutants for which EPA has
established National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQSs) as set
forth in 40 CFR Part 50. Monitoring
methods that are determined to meet
specific requirements for adequacy are
designated by the EPA as either
reference methods or equivalent
methods (as applicable), thereby
permitting their use under 40 CFR Part
58 by States and other agencies for
determining attainment of the NAAQSs.
The EPA hereby announces the
designation of one new equivalent
method for measuring concentrations of
particulate matter as PM2.5 in the
ambient air. This designation is made
under the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53,
as amended on December 18, 2006 (71
FR 61271).
The new equivalent method for PM2.5
is an automated method (sampler) that
utilizes a measurement principle based
on filter sample collection and analysis
by beta-ray attenuation. The newly
designated equivalent method is
identified as follows: EQPM–0308–170,
‘‘Met One Instruments, Inc. BAM–1020
Beta Attenuation Mass Monitor—PM2.5
FEM Configuration, configured with a
PM2.5 particle size separator,’’ operated
for 24 hour average measurements with
firmware revision 3.2.4 or later, with or
without an inlet tube extension (BX–
823), with or without external
enclosures BX–902 or BX–903, in
accordance with the BAM 1020
Particulate Monitor operation manual,
revision F or later, and equipped with
BX–596 ambient temperature and
barometric pressure combination sensor,
internal BX–961 automatic flow
controller operated in Actual
(volumetric) flow control mode, the
standard BX–802 EPA PM10 inlet head
and a PM2.5 very sharp cut cyclone (BX–
808), BX–827 (110V) or BX–830 (230V)
Smart Inlet Heater, with the heater RH
set to 35% and the temperature control
set to ‘‘off’’, the 8470–1 revision D or
later tape control transport assembly
with close geometry beta source
configuration, used with standard glass
fiber filter tape, COUNT TIME
parameter set for 8 minutes, the
SAMPLE TIME parameter set for 42
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]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–8541–1]
Office of Research and Development;
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and
Equivalent Methods: Designation of
One New Equivalent Method
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Notice of the designation of one
new equivalent method for monitoring
ambient air quality.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has designated, in accordance
with 40 CFR Part 53, one new
equivalent method for measuring
concentrations of particulate matter as
PM2.5 in the ambient air.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elizabeth Hunike, Human Exposure and
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\12MRN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13222-13224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4997]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
https://www.regulations.gov.
E-mail: OW-Docket@EPA.gov.
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
https://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 https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://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 https://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 https://www.regulations.gov, by e-
mail to: OW-Docket@epa.gov., 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:
yee.clifford@epa.gov.
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 https://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
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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]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P