[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23781-23784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11510]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6006-3]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; NPDES Modification and Variance Requests
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB): National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Modification and Variance Requests, EPA ICR
No. 0029.07, OMB No. 2040-0068, expires August 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 29, 1998.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the ICR will be available at the Water Docket (W-
98-11), Mail Code-4101, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M.
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Copies of the ICR can be obtained
free of charge by writing to this address. All public comments shall be
submitted to: ATTN: NPDES Modification and Variance ICR Renewal Comment
Clerk, W-98-11, Water Docket MC-4101, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street SW,
Washington, DC 20460.
Please submit the original and three copies of your comments and
enclosures (including references). 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-98-11. 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 ICR revision has been established under docket number W-98-11,
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, Room M2616, Washington, DC 20460. For access to the docket
materials, please call (202) 260-3027 to schedule an appointment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Lee, Phone: (202) 260-6814,
Fax: (202) 260-9544, E-mail: [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
NPDES permit applicants that request a variance from the conditions
that would normally be imposed on the applicant's discharge or NPDES
permittees that request a modification of the NPDES or sewage sludge
management permit conditions.
Title: NPDES Modification and Variance Requests (OMB Control No.
2040-0068, EPA ICR No. 0029.07) expiring 8/31/98.
Abstract: This ICR calculates the burden and costs associated with
modifications and variances made to NPDES permits and to the National
Sewage Sludge Management Program permit requirements. The regulations
specified at 40 CFR 122.62 and 122.63 specify information a facility
must report in order for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
to determine whether a permit modification is warranted. A NPDES permit
applicant may request a variance from the conditions that would
normally be imposed on the applicant's discharge. An applicant must
submit information so the permitting authority can assess whether the
facility is eligible for a variance, and what deviation from Clean
Water Act (CWA) provisions is necessary. In general, EPA and authorized
States use the information to determine whether: (1) the condi-tions or
requirements that would warrant a modification or variance exist, and
(2) the progress toward achieving the goals of the Clean Water Act will
continue if the modification or variance is granted. Other uses for the
information provided include: Updating records on permitted facilities,
supporting enforcement actions, and overall program management,
including policy and budget development and responding to Congressional
inquiries. 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 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 collec-tion 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
[[Page 23782]]
(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 the total annual burden for
respondents (including State governments) is approximately 131,152
hours and a total cost of $5,365,639. The following hourly labor rates
were used: $17.84 for municipal sector, $54.01 for the private sector
and $30.26 for Federal and State government. Table 1 shows the number
of respondents and respondent burden for different variance requests
and reports. Table 2 shows the Federal and State burden for evaluating
these requests and reports.
Table 1.--Respondent Burden Hours and Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Number (D) E=(C*D)
of (B) Burden C=(A*B) Respondent Total
Item/Type of respondent respondents hours per Total hours per hour respondent
per year respondent labor cost cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Water Quality Related Effluent
Limitation Modification....................... 0 n/a 0 n/a $0
Permittee Report of Planned Facility Changes:
Major Municipals........................... 200 4.0 800 17.84 14,272
Minor Municipals........................... 304 4.0 1,216 17.84 21,693
Major Nonmunicipals........................ 136 4.0 544 54.01 29,381
Minor Nonmunicipals........................ 1,146 4.0 4,584 54.01 247,582
Municipal Sludge Facilities................ 153 4.0 612 17.84 10,918
----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................. 1,939 ........... 7,756 ........... 323,846
Permittee Report of Anticipated Non-compliance:
Major Municipals........................... 40 5.0 200 17.84 3,568
Minor Municipals........................... 152 5.0 760 17.84 13,558
Major Nonmunicipals........................ 27 5.0 135 54.01 7,291
Minor Nonmunicipals........................ 573 5.0 2,865 54.01 154,739
Municipal Sludge Facilities................ 153 5.0 765 17.84 13,648
Nonmunicipal Sludge Facilities............. 10 5.0 50 54.01 2,701
General Permittees......................... 1,111 5.0 5,555 54.01 300,026
----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................. 2,066 ........... 10,330 ........... 495,531
Facility and Permit Transfer Report:
Major Nonmunicipals........................ 55 3.0 165 54.01 8,912
Minor Nonmunicipals........................ 1,720 3.0 5,160 54.01 278,692
----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................. 1,775 ........... 5,325 ........... 287,604
Permittee Report of Inaccurate Previous
Information:
Major Municipals........................... 40 2.0 80 17.84 1,427
Minor Municipals........................... 304 2.0 608 17.84 10,847
Major Nonmunicipals........................ 27 2.0 54 54.01 2,917
Minor Nonmunicipals........................ 1,146 2.0 2,292 54.01 123,791
Required because of use or disposal permit
conditions................................ 30 2.0 60 17.84 1,070
General Permittee.......................... 111 2.0 222 54.01 11,990
----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................. 1,658 ........... 3,316 ........... 152,042
Excessive Discharge Report:
Major Municipals........................... 136 4.0 544 54.01 29,381
Minor Municipals........................... 1,720 4.0 6,880 54.01 371,589
----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................. 1,856 ........... 7,424 ........... 400,970
Permittee Notice of Regulated Discharge
Cessation:
Major Municipals........................... 55 1.0 55 54.01 2,971
Minor Municipals........................... 459 1.0 459 54.01 24,791
General Permittees......................... 1,111 1.0 1,111 54.01 60,005
----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................. 1,625 ........... 1,625 ........... 87,767
Request for Modification, Revocation and
Reissuance, or Termination.................... 225 5.0 1,125 54.01 60,761
Variance Request for Fundamental Different
Factors....................................... 8 160.0 1,280 54.01 69,133
Variance Request for Non-conventional
Pollutants.................................... 9 150.0 1,350 54.01 72,914
Variance Request for Innovative Pollution
Control Technology............................ 2 60.0 120 54.01 6,481
Variance Request Regarding Thermal Discharges
(new)......................................... 8 400.0 3,200 54.01 172,832
Variance Request Regarding Thermal Discharges
(renewals).................................... 40 4.0 160 54.01 8,642
Variance Request Regarding into Marine Waters.. 0 n/a 0 n/a 0
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total Respondent Burden and Cost......... ........... ........... 43,011 ........... 2,138,523
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 23783]]
Table 2.--Government Burden Hours and Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Number H=(E *
of (B) Burden C=(A) * B) D=(C * 80%) E=(C * 20%) G=(D * Labor rate)
Item/Type of respondent respondents hours per Government State Federal Labor rate) Federal
per year response burden Burden burden State cost Cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Water Quality Related Effluent Limitations
Modifications............................................... 0 n/a 0 0 0 $0 $0
Permittee Report of Planned Facility Changes:
Major Municipals......................................... 200 20.0 4,000 3,200 800 96,832 24,208
Minor Municipals......................................... 304 20.0 6,080 4,864 1,216 147,185 36,796
Major Nomunicipals....................................... 136 20.0 2,720 2,176 544 65,846 16,461
Minor Nonmunicipals...................................... 1,146 20.0 22,920 18,336 4,584 554,847 138,712
Municipal Sludge Facilities.............................. 153 20.0 3,060 2,448 612 74,076 18,519
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. 1,939 ........... 38,780 31,024 7,756 938,786 234,696
Permittee Report of Anticipated Non-compliance:
Major Municipals......................................... 40 10.0 400 320 80 9,683 2,421
Minor Municipals......................................... 152 10.0 1,520 1,216 304 36,796 9,199
Major Nonmunicipals...................................... 27 10.0 270 216 54 6,536 1,634
Minor Nonmunicipals...................................... 573 10.0 5,730 4,584 1,146 138,712 34,678
Municipals Sludge Facilities............................. 153 10.0 1,530 1,224 306 37,038 9,260
Nonmunicipals Sludge Facilities.......................... 10 10.0 100 80 20 2,421 605
General Permittees....................................... 1,111 10.0 11.110 8,888 2,222 268,951 67,238
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. 2,066 ........... 20,660 16,528 4,132 453,658 113,415
Facility and Permit Transfer Report:
Major Nonmunicipals...................................... 55 4.0 220 176 44 5,326 1,331
Minor Nonmunicipals...................................... 1,720 4.0 6,880 5,504 1,376 166,551 41,638
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. 1,775 ........... 7,100 5,680 1,420 625,535 156,384
Permittee Report of Inaccurate Previous Information:
Major Municipals......................................... 40 4.0 160 128 32 3,873 968
Minor Municipals......................................... 304 4.0 1,216 973 243 29,437 7,359
Major Nonmunicipals...................................... 27 4.0 108 86 22 2,614 654
Minor Nonmunicipals...................................... 1,146 4.0 4,584 3,667 917 110,969 22,742
Required because of use or disposal permit conditions.... 30 4.0 120 96 24 2,905 726
General Permittee........................................ 111 4.0 444 355 89 10,748 2,687
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. 1,658 ........... 6,632 5,306 1,326 156,673 39,168
Excessive Discharge Report:
Major Nonmunicipals...................................... 136 4.0 544 435 109 13,169 3,292
Minor Nonmunicipals...................................... 1,720 4.0 6,880 5,504 1,376 166,551 41,638
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. 1,856 ........... 7,424 5,939 1,485 336,393 84,098
Permittee Notice of Regulated Discharge Cessation:
Major Nonmunicipals...................................... 55 4.0 220 176 44 5,326 1,331
Minor Nonmunicipals...................................... 459 4.0 1,836 1,469 367 44,446 11,111
General Permittees....................................... 1,111 4.0 4,444 3,555 889 107,580 26,895
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. 1,625 ........... 6,500 5,200 1,300 157,352 39,337
Request for Modification, Revocation and Reissuance or
Termination................................................. 225 40.0 9,000 7,200 1,800 217,872 54,468
Variance Request for Fundamentally Different Factors......... 8 520.0 4,160 3,328 832 100,705 25,176
Variance Request for Non-conventional Pollutants............. 9 520.0 4,680 3,744 936 113,293 28,323
Variance Request for Innovative Pollution Control Technology. 2 520.0 1,040 832 208 25,176 6,294
Variance Request Regarding Thermal Discharges (new).......... 8 520.0 4,160 3,328 832 100,705 25,176
Variance Request Regarding Thermal Discharges (renewals)..... 40 1.0 40 32 8 968 242
Variance Request Regarding Discharge into Marine Waters...... 0 n/a 0 0 0 $0 $0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Respondent Burden and Cost....................... ........... ........... 110,176 88,141 22,035 3,227,116 806,777
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 23784]]
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 23, 1998.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 98-11510 Filed 4-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
