[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7259-7260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4389]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5430-9]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request; Water Quality Standards Regulation
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 the following Information
Collection Request (ICR) renewal has been forwarded to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Water Quality
Standards Regulation (OMB Control Number 2040-0049; expiring February
29, 1996). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection
and its expected burden and cost; where appropriate, it includes the
actual data collection instrument.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 28, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY CALL: Sandy Farmer at EPA, (202) 260-
2740, and refer to EPA ICR No. 988.06.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Water Quality Standards Regulation (OMB Control No. 2040-
0049; EPA ICR No. 0988.05, expiring on 2/29/96. This is a request for
extension of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: Water quality standards are provisions of Federal, State,
or Tribal law which consist of designated uses for the waters of the
United States, water quality criteria for the waters based on such
uses, and an antidegradation policy. Such standards serve two primary
purposes. First, they define water quality goals for water bodies.
Second, they serve as a regulatory basis for establishing water
quality-based treatment controls and strategies beyond technology-based
treatment required by Sections 301 and 306 of the Clean Water Act
(CWA).
The Water Quality Standards Regulation (the Regulation) describes
requirements and procedures for the
[[Page 7260]]
States and Indian Tribes to develop, review, and revise their water
quality standards regulations and for EPA to review and approve the
water quality standards. Additionally, the Regulation outlines
procedures whereby Indian Tribes can qualify to receive EPA
authorization to administer the water quality standards program
contained in Section 303 of the CWA. Finally, the Regulation contains a
dispute mechanism to aid in resolving disputes which may arise between
States and Indian Tribes over differing water quality standards on
common bodies of water.
This information collection covers State/Tribal submissions of
water quality standards to EPA for review and approval, and Tribal
applications submitted to EPA for authorization to administer the water
quality standards program. Additionally, this information collection
covers the submission of information by States and Indian Tribes to EPA
for use in resolving disputes that arise on common bodies of water.
The information collection schedule is required pursuant to the
mandates of CWA Sections 303(c) and 518. Indian Tribes (that are
authorized to administer the water quality standards program) and
States are required to hold hearings at least once every three years
for the purposes of reviewing and, if appropriate, revising their water
quality standards. Tribal applications for authorization to administer
the water quality standards program are a one-time collection of
information. Requests for dispute resolution are also a one-time
collection of information per dispute.
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 are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15. The
Federal Register Notice required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting
comments on this collection of information was published on 10/25/95
(60 FR 54682); no comments were received.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2,500
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; 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.
Respondents/Affected Entities: States, Territories, and Indian
Tribes.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 77.
Frequency of Response: Once.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 193,980 hours.
Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of
automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please
refer to EPA ICR No. 988.06 and OMB Control No. 2040-0049 in any
correspondence.
Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OPPE Regulatory
Information Division (2136), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460.
and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20503.
Dated: February 20, 1996.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 96-4389 Filed 2-26-96; 8:45 am]
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