[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 140 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39239-39240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19211]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5861-5]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Questionnaire for
Operations and Maintenance (O&M), Biosolids Use (Biosolids), Combined
Sewer Overflow (CSO), and Storm Water (SW) Awards Nominees Under the
Annual National Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Program
(NWMEAP)
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 EPA is planning to submit the
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB): Operations and Maintenance (O&M),
Biosolids Use (Biosolids), Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO), and Storm
Water (SW) Management Awards Nominees under EPA's National Wastewater
Excellence Awards Program (NWMEAP), EPA ICR Number 1287.05, and OMB
Control Number 2040-0101, approved through October 31, 1997. Before
submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting
comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 22, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted to: Office of Water, Office of
Wastewater Management, Municipal Support Division, Municipal Assistance
Branch, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria E. Campbell, 202-260-5815/Fax
Number 202-260-0116/email at campbell.maria@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
public wastewater treatment plants, universities, manufacturing sites,
and States.
Title: Questionnaires for Operations and Maintenance (O&M),
Beneficial Biosolids Use (Biosolids), Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO),
and Storm Water (SW) Management Awards Nominees under EPA's National
Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Program (NWMEAP) (OMB Control
No. 2040-0101, EPA ICR No. 1287.05) expires 10/31/97.
Abstract: This ICR requests re-approval to collect data from EPA's
NWMEAP nominees. The awards are for the following program categories:
O&M, Biosolids, CSO, and SW management. (Note: Information collection
approval for the Pretreatment awards program is included in the
National Pretreatment Program ICR (OMB Control No. 2040-0009, EPA ICR
No. 0003.08), expiring October 31, 1999). The NWMEAP is managed by
EPA's Office of Wastewater Management (OWM). The NWMEAP is authorized
under Section 501(e) of the Clean Water Act, as amended. The NWMEAP is
intended to provide recognition to communities and industries which
have demonstrated outstanding technological achievements, innovative
processes, or other outstanding methods in their waste treatment and
pollution abatement programs. Approximately 50 awards are presented
annually. The achievements of these award winners are summarized in
reports, news articles and national publications.
The information is collected from approximately 200 respondents at
a total cost of $65,400 per year and 2800 burden hours, including
$38,600 and 1600 burden hours for the respondents' time, and $26,800
and 1200 burden hours for the States' review time. Submission of
information on behalf of the respondents is voluntary. No confidential
information is requested. The agency only collects information from
award nominees under 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. Based on the data collection, national panels will
evaluate the nominees' efforts and recommend finalists. The collections
will be used by the respective awards programs to evaluate and
determine which abatement achievements should be recognized.
The O&M awards program has nine categories which recognize
municipal achievements. The biosolids awards program has four
categories which recognize municipal biosolids opera-tions, technology
and research achievements, and public acceptance; the CSO awards
program has one category which recognizes municipal programs; and the
SW awards program has two categories which recognize municipal and
industrial programs. All nominees are screened for environmental
compliance by the States and EPA. Municipalities and institutions
desiring to be considered for National awards voluntarily complete the
questionnaires and provide design and operating information about their
facility. The award nominations are reviewed by State/Regional
officials
[[Page 39240]]
prior to forwarding them for National award consideration. At the
National level, award reviews involve Federal officials and review
panels comprised of representatives of professional associations and
State offices.
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 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.
Respondents: Officials at public wastewater treatment plants,
universities, States and manufacturing sites.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1.
Frequency of Collection: Once a year.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2800 hours (1600
hours for the response time and 1200 hours for the States' review
time).
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources
expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide
information to EPA. This estimate includes the time needed to review
instructions, collect, validate, and verify information; complete and
review the collection of information; and transmit the information to
EPA.
Dated: July 16, 1997.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 97-19211 Filed 7-21-97; 8:45 am]
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