Agency Information Collection Activity; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Information Collection Request for Application for Sustainable Water Leadership Program, 7475-7477 [2010-3254]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 33 / Friday, February 19, 2010 / Notices 2009, through January 3, 2010. During EPA’s adequacy comment period, no adverse comments were received on the MVEBs for North Carolina portion of the Charlotte bi-state area. Through this notice, EPA is informing the public that these sub-area MVEBs are adequate for transportation conformity. This finding has also been announced on EPA’s conformity Web site: https:// www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/ transconf/pastsips.htm. The adequate sub-area MVEBs are provided in the following table: adequate, the RFP plan submittal could later be disapproved. Within 24 months from the effective date of this notice, the transportation partners will need to demonstrate conformity to the new MVEBs, if the demonstration has not already been made, pursuant to 40 CFR 93.104(e). See, 73 FR 4419 (January 24, 2008). Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: February 3, 2010. A. Stanley Meiburg, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4. [FR Doc. 2010–3239 Filed 2–18–10; 8:45 am] CHARLOTTE (NORTH CAROLINA PORTION) 8-HOUR OZONE MVEBS [kilograms/day] County VOC NOx 2008 Sub-Area MVEBS Cabarrus ................... Gaston ...................... Iredell* ....................... Lincoln ...................... Mecklenburg ............. Rowan ....................... Union ........................ 6,941 5,132 3,601 2,726 26,368 6,149 6,299 7,324 7,647 5,637 2,948 34,526 7,193 5,660 pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES *Iredell County MVEB for nonattainment area only. Transportation conformity is required by section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act. EPA’s conformity rule, 40 CFR Part 93, requires that transportation plans, programs and projects conform to state air quality implementation plans and establishes the criteria and procedures for determining whether or not they do so. Conformity to a state implementation plan (SIP) means that transportation activities will not produce new air quality violations, worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the national ambient air quality standards. The criteria by which EPA determines whether a SIP’s MVEBs are adequate for transportation conformity purposes are outlined in 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4). EPA has also described the process for determining the adequacy of submitted SIP budgets in a July 1, 2004, final rulemaking entitled, ‘‘Transportation Conformity Rule Amendments for the New 8-hour Ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Miscellaneous Revisions for Existing Areas; Transportation Conformity Rule Amendments: Response to Court Decision and Additional Rule Changes’’ (69 FR 40004). Please note that an adequacy review is separate from EPA’s completeness review, and it should not be used to prejudge EPA’s ultimate approval of the RFP plan for the North Carolina portion of the Charlotte bi-state area. Even if EPA finds a budget VerDate Nov<24>2008 18:05 Feb 18, 2010 Jkt 220001 BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OW–2003–-0064, FRL–9113–9; EPA ICR 1287.10, OMB Control Number 2040–0101] Agency Information Collection Activity; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Information Collection Request for Application for Sustainable Water Leadership Program 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 update an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 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 April 20, 2010. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number EPA–HQ– OW–2003–0064, by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: ow-docket@epa.gov (Identify Docket ID number EPA–HQ– OW–2003–0064, 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. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7475 operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Instructions: Direct your comments identified by the Docket ID number EPA–HQ–OW–2003–0064. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at 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 https:// 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 https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Gwaltney, Municipal Support Division, Office of Wastewater Management, OWM Mail Code: 4204M, Environmental Protection Agency, Room 7111—EPA East, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564–2340; e-mail address: gwaltney.gregory@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments? EPA has established a public docket for the ICR identified in this document (ID number EPA–HQ–OW–2003–0064), 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, E:\FR\FM\19FEN1.SGM 19FEN1 7476 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 33 / Friday, February 19, 2010 / Notices 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. pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES 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. VerDate Nov<24>2008 18:05 Feb 18, 2010 Jkt 220001 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 publicly or privately owned wastewater treatment plants or systems, community drinking water plants or systems, managed decentralized systems (public or private), municipally-owned stormwater systems, and municipalities. Title: Application for Sustainable Water Leadership Program (formerly named the Annual National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Program). ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1287.10 OMB Control No. 2040–0101. ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on February 28, 2011. 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, and 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: This notice requests approval for modifications to the application used to collect data for EPA’s National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Program. The voluntary Program has been updated to reflect new industry practices consistent with EPA’s sustainable infrastructure initiatives and is now called the Sustainable Water Leadership Program. The Sustainable Water Leadership Program maintains elements from the previous Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Program, namely, excellence in operations and maintenance, biosolids, combined sewer overflows, pretreatment, and storm water management, and also expands eligibility to community drinking water utilities and systems, as well as PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 managed decentralized treatment systems (public or private). As described below, the development of the Sustainable Water Leadership Program is the latest evolution in EPA’s commitment to recognize and award outstanding and innovative utility management practices. In 1985, EPA established the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) awards program to provide a positive incentive for compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Because of the successes of the O&M Awards program, in 1988 EPA amended the Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Program to include the Beneficial Biosolids Use awards (formerly Sludge awards). In 1989, the Pretreatment awards were added. In 1990, EPA established the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) and Storm Water (SW) Management awards programs which were also added to the Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Program. The Sustainable Water Leadership Program consists of two components: (1) A recognition program that recognizes applicants that are moving toward sustainable operations and meet specified criteria identified in the application, and (2) A competitive awards program to showcase the ‘‘best of the best’’ in a specific topic area selected in advance by EPA. Today’s notice and request focuses on the recognition component, the awards component is still under development. An update to this ICR will be provided following finalization of the awards component. The recognition component requires that an applicant meet criteria under specific categories. One category is mandatory for all applicants, Effective Utility Management, and is based on the Attributes of Effectively Managed Systems that EPA and the water sector have endorsed. In addition, applicants are asked to describe activities in other areas of their choice including: biosolids, pretreatment, decentralized systems, energy management, water efficiency, climate change adaptation and or mitigation, and watershed approaches, including source water protection and storm water. The updated application addresses the recognition component of the Sustainable Water Leadership Program and provides the mechanism for the applicants to demonstrate how they meet the required criteria. This notice also requests approval to consolidate the pretreatment component of the recognition awards program into this ICR. Currently, the Pretreatment awards program is covered by ICR (OMB Control No. 2040–0009, EPA ICR No. E:\FR\FM\19FEN1.SGM 19FEN1 pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 33 / Friday, February 19, 2010 / Notices 0002.14), approved through December 31, 2011. A framework to implement the awards recognition program is at 40 CFR part 105. The respondent will read the instructions for completing the recognition application for the Sustainable Water Leadership Program. The respondent will use existing files, planning and progress reports, and institutional memory to complete the application. Based on the instructions provided with the application, the respondent will compile the requested information. The requested design and operating information should be readily available from wastewater/drinking water/storm water treatment facility, or pollution abatement program operating records. The data collection may include flow, permit, operating and environmental data. The information collection will be used by the Office of Water, Office of Wastewater Management, to evaluate and determine if required criteria are met for recognition. Based on the collection, national panels will evaluate the applicant’s efforts and recommend finalists. Recognized entities will receive a letter and certificate signed by the EPA Administrator or Assistant Administrator for Water, their utility name on EPA and outside organization Web sites, and announcements of their recognition at national conferences. EPA Regions may also opt to hold Regional ceremonies. Burden Statement: The total number of respondents for the recognition program is estimated to be 2,036 (includes 530 respondents in Year 1 of the Program and 1,507 in Year 3) with a total annual average of 679. The responses are collected every other year. The respondents reporting burden of 20 person hours per response is estimated to be 40,723 hours and a cost of $1.8 million. Total estimated annual burden for this collection is 13,574 hours and $614,919 (all labor cost). For additional details on the estimated burden, please see docket ID number EPA–HQ–OW– 2003–0064. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and use 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 VerDate Nov<24>2008 18:05 Feb 18, 2010 Jkt 220001 information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose information. The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency’s estimate, which is only briefly summarized here: Estimated total number of potential respondents: 679. Frequency of response: Biennial Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1. Estimated total annual burden hours: 13,574 hours. Estimated total annual costs: $614,919. This includes an estimated burden cost of $614,919 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs. Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 12,414 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. This change is primarily the result of (1) changes and adjustments in the number and types of applicants eligible for recognition under the Sustainable Water Leadership Program. The new Sustainable Water Leadership Program expands the universe of eligible entities to include community drinking water utilities and systems, as well as managed decentralized treatment systems (public or private). (2) EPA updated the estimated time spent by respondents to complete the revised Recognition Application for Sustainable Water Leadership Program to 20 hours per respondent. (3) The ICR now includes the applicant respondent burden consolidated from the Pretreatment ICR (OMB Control No. 2040–0009, EPA ICR No. 0002.14), which was previous included in only the Pretreatment ICR and not this ICR. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7477 Dated: February 4, 2010. James A. Hanlon, Director, Office of Wastewater Management. [FR Doc. 2010–3254 Filed 2–18–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9113–7; Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD– 2010–0123] Draft Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic: In Support of the Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of public comment period. SUMMARY: EPA is announcing a 60-day public comment period for the 2010 draft document titled, ‘‘Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic: In Support of the Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)’’ (EPA/635/R–10/001). The draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within the EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD). The Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic was submitted to the EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) for external peer review in 2005. The SAB completed its review and submitted its final report to the EPA Administrator in June 2007 (see EPA–SAB–07–008 at www.epa.gov/sab). EPA revised the Toxicological Review in response to the SAB comments. A detailed account of the SAB (2007) recommendations and EPA’s response is provided in Appendix A of the 2010 draft Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic. EPA has now submitted the 2010 draft Toxicological Review to the SAB for a focused peer review of EPA’s responses to key SAB (2007) recommendations. EPA is also seeking a focused review by the public on EPA’s interpretation and implementation of key SAB (2007) external peer review recommendations. The public comment period and SAB review are separate processes that provide opportunities for all interested parties to comment on the document. SAB’s peer review meeting will be announced in a separate Federal Register notice. EPA intends to forward the public comments that are submitted in accordance with this notice to the SAB peer review panel prior to the meeting for their consideration. However, because of the timing of the SAB’s peer review meeting, EPA can E:\FR\FM\19FEN1.SGM 19FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 33 (Friday, February 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7475-7477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3254]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2003--0064, FRL-9113-9; EPA ICR 1287.10, OMB Control Number 
2040-0101]


Agency Information Collection Activity; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Information Collection Request for Application for 
Sustainable Water Leadership Program

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 update an existing approved Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 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 April 20, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OW-2003-0064, by one of the following methods:
     https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
     E-mail: ow-docket@epa.gov (Identify Docket ID number EPA-
HQ-OW-2003-0064, 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. 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 
number EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0064. EPA's policy is that all comments received 
will be included in the public docket without change and may be made 
available online at 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 https://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 https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Gwaltney, Municipal Support 
Division, Office of Wastewater Management, OWM Mail Code: 4204M, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Room 7111--EPA East, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-2340; e-
mail address: gwaltney.gregory@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

    EPA has established a public docket for the ICR identified in this 
document (ID number EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0064), 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,

[[Page 7476]]

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 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 
publicly or privately owned wastewater treatment plants or systems, 
community drinking water plants or systems, managed decentralized 
systems (public or private), municipally-owned stormwater systems, and 
municipalities.
    Title: Application for Sustainable Water Leadership Program 
(formerly named the Annual National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards 
Program).
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1287.10 OMB Control No. 2040-0101.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on February 
28, 2011. 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, and 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: This notice requests approval for modifications to the 
application used to collect data for EPA's National Clean Water Act 
Recognition Awards Program. The voluntary Program has been updated to 
reflect new industry practices consistent with EPA's sustainable 
infrastructure initiatives and is now called the Sustainable Water 
Leadership Program. The Sustainable Water Leadership Program maintains 
elements from the previous Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Program, 
namely, excellence in operations and maintenance, biosolids, combined 
sewer overflows, pretreatment, and storm water management, and also 
expands eligibility to community drinking water utilities and systems, 
as well as managed decentralized treatment systems (public or private). 
As described below, the development of the Sustainable Water Leadership 
Program is the latest evolution in EPA's commitment to recognize and 
award outstanding and innovative utility management practices.
    In 1985, EPA established the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) 
awards program to provide a positive incentive for compliance with the 
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Because of the 
successes of the O&M Awards program, in 1988 EPA amended the Clean 
Water Act Recognition Awards Program to include the Beneficial 
Biosolids Use awards (formerly Sludge awards). In 1989, the 
Pretreatment awards were added. In 1990, EPA established the Combined 
Sewer Overflow (CSO) and Storm Water (SW) Management awards programs 
which were also added to the Clean Water Act Recognition Awards 
Program.
    The Sustainable Water Leadership Program consists of two 
components: (1) A recognition program that recognizes applicants that 
are moving toward sustainable operations and meet specified criteria 
identified in the application, and (2) A competitive awards program to 
showcase the ``best of the best'' in a specific topic area selected in 
advance by EPA. Today's notice and request focuses on the recognition 
component, the awards component is still under development. An update 
to this ICR will be provided following finalization of the awards 
component. The recognition component requires that an applicant meet 
criteria under specific categories. One category is mandatory for all 
applicants, Effective Utility Management, and is based on the 
Attributes of Effectively Managed Systems that EPA and the water sector 
have endorsed. In addition, applicants are asked to describe activities 
in other areas of their choice including: biosolids, pretreatment, 
decentralized systems, energy management, water efficiency, climate 
change adaptation and or mitigation, and watershed approaches, 
including source water protection and storm water.
    The updated application addresses the recognition component of the 
Sustainable Water Leadership Program and provides the mechanism for the 
applicants to demonstrate how they meet the required criteria.
    This notice also requests approval to consolidate the pretreatment 
component of the recognition awards program into this ICR. Currently, 
the Pretreatment awards program is covered by ICR (OMB Control No. 
2040-0009, EPA ICR No.

[[Page 7477]]

0002.14), approved through December 31, 2011. A framework to implement 
the awards recognition program is at 40 CFR part 105.
    The respondent will read the instructions for completing the 
recognition application for the Sustainable Water Leadership Program. 
The respondent will use existing files, planning and progress reports, 
and institutional memory to complete the application. Based on the 
instructions provided with the application, the respondent will compile 
the requested information. The requested design and operating 
information should be readily available from wastewater/drinking water/
storm water treatment facility, or pollution abatement program 
operating records. The data collection may include flow, permit, 
operating and environmental data.
    The information collection will be used by the Office of Water, 
Office of Wastewater Management, to evaluate and determine if required 
criteria are met for recognition. Based on the collection, national 
panels will evaluate the applicant's efforts and recommend finalists. 
Recognized entities will receive a letter and certificate signed by the 
EPA Administrator or Assistant Administrator for Water, their utility 
name on EPA and outside organization Web sites, and announcements of 
their recognition at national conferences. EPA Regions may also opt to 
hold Regional ceremonies.
    Burden Statement: The total number of respondents for the 
recognition program is estimated to be 2,036 (includes 530 respondents 
in Year 1 of the Program and 1,507 in Year 3) with a total annual 
average of 679. The responses are collected every other year. The 
respondents reporting burden of 20 person hours per response is 
estimated to be 40,723 hours and a cost of $1.8 million. Total 
estimated annual burden for this collection is 13,574 hours and 
$614,919 (all labor cost). For additional details on the estimated 
burden, please see docket ID number EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0064. Burden means 
the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to 
generate, maintain, or disclose or provide information to or for a 
Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; 
develop, acquire, install, and use 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 information. The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the 
Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 679.
    Frequency of response: Biennial
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 13,574 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $614,919. This includes an estimated 
burden cost of $614,919 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital 
investment or maintenance and operational costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 12,414 hours in 
the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in 
the ICR currently approved by OMB. This change is primarily the result 
of (1) changes and adjustments in the number and types of applicants 
eligible for recognition under the Sustainable Water Leadership 
Program. The new Sustainable Water Leadership Program expands the 
universe of eligible entities to include community drinking water 
utilities and systems, as well as managed decentralized treatment 
systems (public or private). (2) EPA updated the estimated time spent 
by respondents to complete the revised Recognition Application for 
Sustainable Water Leadership Program to 20 hours per respondent. (3) 
The ICR now includes the applicant respondent burden consolidated from 
the Pretreatment ICR (OMB Control No. 2040-0009, EPA ICR No. 0002.14), 
which was previous included in only the Pretreatment ICR and not this 
ICR.

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: February 4, 2010.
James A. Hanlon,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 2010-3254 Filed 2-18-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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