[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16961-16962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8633]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6320-7]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request; National Estuary Program
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), this document announces that the following Information
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: National Estuary Program, EPA
ICR Number 1500.04, OMB Control Number 2040-0138, expiration date: June
30, 1999. 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 May 7, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone
at (202) 260-2740, by email at farmer.sandy@epamail.epa.gov, or
download off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA
ICR No. 1500.04.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Estuary Program (OMB Control
No. 2040-0138; EPA ICR No. 1500.04) expiring 6/30/99. This is a request
for extension of a currently approved collection.
Abstract: Annual Workplans: The National Estuary Program (NEP)
involves collecting information from those state or local agencies or
nongovernmental organizations that receive funds under section 320 of
the Clean Water Act. The regulation requiring this information is found
at 40 CFR part 35. Prospective grant recipients seek funding to develop
or oversee and coordinate implementation of comprehensive conservation
and management plans (CCMP) for estuaries of national significance. In
order to receive funds, grantees must submit an annual workplan to EPA.
The workplan consists of two parts: (a) progress on projects funded
previously; and (b) new projects proposed with dollar amounts and
completion dates. The workplan is reviewed by EPA and also serves as
the scope of work for the grant agreement. EPA also uses these
workplans to track performance of each of the 28 estuary programs
currently in the NEP.
Biennial Reviews: EPA provides funding to NEPs after their CCMPs
have been approved by the Administrator if such programs demonstrate
adequate progress in implementing their CCMPs through a biennial review
process. Biennial reviews are used to determine progress each NEP is
making in implementing its CCMP and achieving environmental results. In
addition to evaluating progress, the results are used to identify areas
of weakness each NEP should address for long-term success in protecting
and restoring their estuaries. EPA will also compile successful tools
and approaches as well as lessons learned from all biennial reviews to
transfer to the NEPs and other watershed programs. For this ICR cycle,
biennial reviews will be required of the first 17 NEPs in FY1999 and
the first 21 NEPs in FY2001. Biennial reviews are required in addition
to annual workplans.
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 document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting
comments on this collection of information was published on 12/23/98
(63 FR 71115); no comments were received.
Burden Statement: The annual public recording and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 100
hours per response for annual workplans and 250 hours per response for
biennial review. 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
[[Page 16962]]
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: state or local governments or
nongovernmental organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 28.
Frequency of Response: annual workplans; biennial reviews.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 5,967 hours.
Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $0.
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. 1500.04 and OMB Control No. 2040-0138 in any
correspondence.
Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OP Regulatory
Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460;
and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the EPA, 725 17th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20503.
Dated: March 31, 1999.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 99-8633 Filed 4-6-99; 8:45 am]
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