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Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; ``Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program''
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: November 21, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 225)]
[Notices]
[Page 62302-62303]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no97-56]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5926-1]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; ``Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund 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 notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB):
Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program, EPA ICR Number
1391.04, OMB Control Number 2040-118, and current expiration date of
02/28/98. 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 January 20, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Clifford Yee, Office of Wastewater
Management (4204), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street,
SW, Washington, DC. 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clifford Yee (202) 260-5822; FAX:
(202) 260-0116; E-Mail: yee.clifford@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
the fifty States, Puerto Rico, and the recipients of assistance in each
of these jurisdictions.
Title: Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund Program; OMB Control
No. 2040-0118; EPA ICR No. 1391.04; expiring 02/28/98.
Abstract: The Clean Water Act, as amended by ``The Water Quality
Act of 1987'' (U.S.C. 1381-1387 et. Seq.), created a Title VI which
authorizes grants to States for the establishment of State Water
Pollution Control Revolving Funds (SRFs). The information activities
are pursuant to Section 606 of the Act, and SRF Interim Final Rule
(March 1990). The 1987 Act declares that water pollution control
revolving loan funds shall be administered by an instrumentality of the
State subject to the requirements of the act. This means that each
State has a general responsibility for administering its revolving
fund, and must take on certain specific responsibilities in carrying
out its administrative duties. The information collection activities
will occur primarily at the program level through the State Intended
Use Plan and Annual Report. The information is needed annually to
implement Section 606 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Act requires
the information to ensure national accountability, adequate public
comment and review, fiscal integrity and consistent management directed
to achieve environmental objectives. The individual information
collections are: (1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement/
State Intended Use Plan, (2) Annual Report, (3) State Audit, and (4)
Application for SRF Financial Assistance.
(1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement / State Intended
Use Plan: The State will prepare a capitalization grant application
that includes an Intended Use Plan (IUP) outlining in detail how it
will use all the funds available to the Fund. The grant agreement
contains or incorporates by reference the IUP, application materials,
payment schedule, and required assurances. The bulk of the information
is provided in the IUP. The legal agreement which commits the State and
EPA to execute their responsibilities under the Act.
(2) Annual Report: The State will agree to complete and submit an
annual report that indicates how the State has met the goals and
objectives of the previous fiscal year as stated in the IUP and grant
agreement. The Report provides information on loan recipients, loan
amounts, loan terms, project categories, and similar data on other
forms of assistance. The Report describes the extent to which the
existing SRF financial operating policies, alone or in combination with
other State financial assistance programs, will provide for the long
term fiscal health of the Fund and carry out other provisions specified
in the grant operating agreement.
(3) Annual Audit: Most States have agreed to conduct or have
conducted a separate financial audit of the capitalization grant which
will provide opinions on the financial statements, and a report on the
internal controls and compliance with program requirements. The
remaining States will be covered by audits conducted under the
requirements of the Single Audit Act and by EPA's Office of Inspector
General.
(4) Applications for SRF Financing Assistance: Local communities
and other eligible entities have to prepare and submit applications for
SRF assistance to their respective State Agency which manages the SRF
program. The State reviews the completed loan applications, and
verifies that the proposed projects will comply with applicable Federal
and State requirements.
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 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.
Burden Statement
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(1) Capitalization Grant Application and Agreement/State Intended Use Plan
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1998........................... 51 States x 400 Hours.......... = 20,400 Burden Hours.
1999........................... 51 States x 400 Hours.......... = 20,400 Burden Hours.
[[Page 62303]]
2000........................... 51 States x 400 Hours.......... = 20,400 Burden Hours.
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(2) Annual Report
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1998........................... 51 States x 275 Hours.......... = 14,025 Burden Hours.
1999........................... 51 States x 275 Hours.......... = 14,025 Burden Hours.
2000........................... 51 States x 275 Hours.......... = 14,025 Burden Hours.
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(3) State Annual Audit
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1998........................... 51 States x 80 Hours........... = 4,080 Burden Hours.
1999........................... 51 States x 80 Hours........... = 4,080 Burden Hours.
2000........................... 51 States x 80 Hours........... = 4,080 Burden Hours.
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(4) Applications for SRF Financing Assistance
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1998........................... 51 States x 24 Applications x = 48,960 Hours.
40 Hours.
1999........................... 51 States x 29 Applications x = 59,160 Hours.
40 Hours.
2000........................... 51 States x 34 Applications x = 69,360 Hours.
40 Hours.
1998........................... 1,224 Communities x 60 Hours... = 73,440 Burden Hours.
1999........................... 1,479 Communities x 60 Hours... = 88,740 Burden Hours.
2000........................... 1,734 Communities x 60 Hours... = 104,040 Burden Hours.
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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: November 14, 1997.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 97-30657 Filed 11-20-97; 8:45 am]
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