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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 97 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31550-31551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12523]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6702-6]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Questionnaire for 
Nominees for the Annual National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards 
Program (National Wastewater Management Excellence Awards 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): Questionnaire for the Annual National 
Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Program (National Wastewater 
Management Excellence Awards Program) EPA ICR Number 1287.05, and OMB 
Control Number 2040-0101, approved through December 31, 2000. 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 July 17, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Office of Water, Office of Wastewater Management, Municipal 
Support Division, Municipal Assistance Branch, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., 
NW, Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria E. Campbell, 202-260-5815/Fax 
Number 202-260-0116/e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
public wastewater treatment plants, municipalities, industries, 
universities, manufacturing sites, and States.
    Title: Questionnaire for Nominees for the Annual National Clean 
Water Act Recognition Awards Program (National Wastewater Management 
Excellence Awards Program) (OMB Control No. 2040-0101, EPA ICR No. 
1287.05) expires 12/31/00.
    Abstract: This ICR requests re-approval to collect data from EPA's 
National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards nominees. The awards are 
for the following program categories: Operations and Maintenance (O&M), 
Beneficial Use of Biosolids (Biosolids), Combined Sewer Overflow 
Controls (CSO), and Storm Water (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), approved through 
May 31, 2000. The National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards 
Program is managed by EPA's Office of Wastewater Management (OWM). 
The Awards Program is authorized under section 501(e) of the Clean 
Water Act, as amended. The Awards Program is intended to provide 
recognition to communities and industries which have demonstrated 
outstanding technological achievements, innovative processes, 
devices 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, national publications, and Federal Register 
Notice.

    The information is collected from approximately 200 respondents at 
a total cost of $79,200 per year and 2800 burden hours, including 
$46,000 and 1600 burden hours for the respondents' time, and $33,200 
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.
    As currently structured, the O&M awards program has nine categories 
which recognize municipal achievements. The biosolids awards program 
has four categories which recognize municipal biosolids operations, 
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 institu-tions 
desiring to be considered for National awards voluntarily complete the 
questionnaires and provide design and operating information about their 
facility or programs. The award nomina-tions are reviewed by State/
Regional officials prior to forwarding them for National award 
consideration. At the National level, award reviews involve Federal 
officials and review panels comprised of representatives of EPA, State 
water pollution control agencies, and affiliated associations.
    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,

[[Page 31551]]

municipalities, industries, 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: May 2, 2000.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 00-12523 Filed 5-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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