80 FR 38684 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; National Water Quality Inventory Reports (Renewal)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 129 (July 7, 2015)

Page Range		38684-38685
FR Document		2015-16638

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ``National Water Quality Inventory Reports (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 1560.11, OMB Control No. 2040-0071) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before submitting the ICR to OMB, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a request for renewal of an existing collection. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38684-38685]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16638]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0026; FRL-9930-14-OW]


Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; 
National Water Quality Inventory Reports (Renewal)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an 
information collection request (ICR), ``National Water Quality 
Inventory Reports (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 1560.11, OMB Control No. 
2040-0071) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.). Before submitting the ICR to OMB, EPA is soliciting public 
comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as 
described below. This is a request for renewal of an existing 
collection. 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.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2003-0026, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by 
email to [email protected], or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Kovatch, Assessment and 
Watershed Protection Division, Office of Water, Mail Code: 4503T, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-566-0399# ; fax number: 
202-566-1331; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents that explain in detail 
the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the 
public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at 
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The telephone 
number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting 
comments and information to enable it 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. EPA 
will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. 
The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and 
approval. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice 
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to 
submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: The Clean Water Act section 305(b) reports contain 
information on the water quality standards attainment status of 
assessed waters, and, when waters are impaired, the pollutants and 
potential sources affecting water quality. This information helps track 
State progress in addressing water pollution. Section 303(d) of the 
Clean Water Act requires States to identify and rank waters that cannot 
meet water quality standards (WQS) following the implementation of 
technology-based controls. Under section 303(d), States are also 
required to establish total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for listed 
waters not meeting standards as a result of pollutant discharges. In 
developing the section 303(d) lists, States are required to consider 
various sources of water quality related data and information, 
including the section 305(b) State water quality reports. Section 
106(e) requires that states annually update monitoring data and use it 
in their section 305(b) report. Section 314(a) requires states to 
report on the condition of their publicly-owned lakes within the 
section 305(b) report.
    EPA's Assessment and Watershed Protection Division (AWPD) works 
with its Regional counterparts to review and approve or disapprove 
State section 303(d) lists and TMDLs from 56 respondents (the 50 
States, the District of Columbia, and the five Territories). Section 
303(d) specifically requires States to develop lists and TMDLs ``from 
time to time,'' and EPA to review and approve or disapprove the lists 
and the TMDLs. EPA also collects State 305(b) reports from 59 
respondents (the 50 States, the District of Columbia, five Territories, 
and 3 River Basin Commissions).
    Tribes are not required to submit section 305(b) reports. However, 
to meet the needs of Tribes at all levels of development, EPA has 
prepared guidance that presents the basic steps a Tribe should take to 
collect the water quality information it needs to make effective 
decisions about its program, its goals, and its future directions. 
Tribal water quality monitoring and reporting activities are covered 
under the Section 106 Tribal Grants Program and not included in the 
burden estimates for this ICR.
    During the period covered by this ICR renewal, respondents will: 
Complete their 2016 section 305(b) reports and 2016 section 303(d) 
lists; complete their 2018 section 305(b) reports and 2018 section 
303(d) lists; transmit annual electronic updates of ambient monitoring 
data via the Water Quality Exchange; and continue to develop TMDLs 
according to their established schedules. EPA will prepare biennial 
updates on assessed and impaired waters for Congress and the public for 
the 2016 reporting cycle and for the 2018 cycle, and EPA will review 
303(d) list and TMDL submissions from respondents.
    The burdens of specific activities that States undertake as part of 
their section 305(b) and 303(d) programs are derived from a project 
among EPA, States and other interested stakeholders to develop a tool 
for estimating the States' resource needs for State water quality 
management programs. This project has developed the State Water Quality 
Management Workload Model

[[Page 38685]]

(SWQMWM), which estimates and sums the workload involved in more than 
one hundred activities or tasks comprising a State water quality 
management program. Over twenty States contributed information about 
their activities that became the basis for the model. According to the 
SWQMWM, to meet section 305(b) and 303(d) reporting requirements the 
States will conduct: Watershed monitoring and characterization; 
modeling and analysis; development of a TMDL document for public 
review; public outreach; formal public participation; tracking; 
planning; legal support; etc. In general, respondents have conducted 
each of these reporting and record keeping activities for past section 
305(b) and 303(d) reporting cycles and thus have staff and procedures 
in place to continue their section 305(b) and 303(d) reporting 
programs. The burden associated with these tasks is estimated in this 
ICR to include the total number of TMDLs that may be submitted during 
the period covered by this ICR.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this action are States, Territories and Tribes with Clean Water Act 
(CWA) responsibilities.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory: Integrated Water 
Quality Inventory Reports (Clean Water Act sections 305(b), 303(d), 
314(a), and 106(e)).
    Estimated number of respondents: 59 (total).
    Frequency of response: Biennial.
    Total estimated burden: 3,740,017 (per year) hours. Burden is 
defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b)
    Total estimated cost: $203,728,300 (per year), includes $0 
annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in Estimates: There is no change of hours in the total 
estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by 
OMB, published on August 31, 2012. EPA is currently designing the Water 
Quality Framework, which is a new way of integrating EPA's data and 
information systems to more effectively support reporting and tracking 
water quality protection and restoration actions. The Framework will 
streamline water quality assessment and reporting by reducing 
transactions associated with paper copy reviews and increasing 
electronic data exchange. The Framework is in line with EPA's E-
Enterprise Initiative, which seeks to assess and reformulate EPA's 
business process to reduce burden through the improved use of 
technology. EPA expects that the reporting burden will decrease and 
will revise the ICR burden after the new information system is 
implemented for the 2018 reporting cycle.

    Dated: June 26, 2015.
Benita Best-Wong,
Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds.
[FR Doc. 2015-16638 Filed 7-6-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

38684 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Notices

Issued: June 30, 2015. DC 20460; telephone number: 202–566– developing the section 303(d) lists,
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., 0399# ; fax number: 202–566–1331; States are required to consider various
Deputy Secretary. email address: Kovatch.charles@ sources of water quality related data and
[FR Doc. 2015–16589 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am] epa.gov. information, including the section
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
305(b) State water quality reports.
Supporting documents that explain in Section 106(e) requires that states
detail the information that the EPA will annually update monitoring data and
be collecting are available in the public use it in their section 305(b) report.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
docket for this ICR. The docket can be Section 314(a) requires states to report
AGENCY
viewed online at www.regulations.gov on the condition of their publicly-
[EPA–HQ–OW–2003–0026; FRL–9930–14–
or in person at the EPA Docket Center, owned lakes within the section 305(b)
OW] report.
WJC West, Room 3334, 1301
EPA’s Assessment and Watershed
Proposed Information Collection Constitution Ave. NW., Washington,
Protection Division (AWPD) works with
Request; Comment Request; National DC. The telephone number for the
its Regional counterparts to review and
Water Quality Inventory Reports Docket Center is 202–566–1744. For approve or disapprove State section
(Renewal) additional information about EPA’s 303(d) lists and TMDLs from 56
public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/ respondents (the 50 States, the District
AGENCY: Environmental Protection dockets.
Agency (EPA). of Columbia, and the five Territories).
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
Section 303(d) specifically requires
ACTION: Notice. the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments
States to develop lists and TMDLs ‘‘from
and information to enable it to: (i)
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection time to time,’’ and EPA to review and
Evaluate whether the proposed approve or disapprove the lists and the
Agency is planning to submit an collection of information is necessary
information collection request (ICR), TMDLs. EPA also collects State 305(b)
for the proper performance of the reports from 59 respondents (the 50
‘‘National Water Quality Inventory functions of the Agency, including
Reports (Renewal)’’ (EPA ICR No. States, the District of Columbia, five
whether the information will have Territories, and 3 River Basin
1560.11, OMB Control No. 2040–0071) practical utility; (ii) evaluate the
to the Office of Management and Budget Commissions).
accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the Tribes are not required to submit
(OMB) for review and approval in burden of the proposed collection of
accordance with the Paperwork section 305(b) reports. However, to meet
information, including the validity of the needs of Tribes at all levels of
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). the methodology and assumptions used;
Before submitting the ICR to OMB, EPA development, EPA has prepared
(iii) enhance the quality, utility, and guidance that presents the basic steps a
is soliciting public comments on clarity of the information to be
specific aspects of the proposed Tribe should take to collect the water
collected; and (iv) minimize the burden quality information it needs to make
information collection as described of the collection of information on those
below. This is a request for renewal of effective decisions about its program, its
who are to respond, including through goals, and its future directions. Tribal
an existing collection. An Agency may the use of appropriate automated
not conduct or sponsor and a person is water quality monitoring and reporting
electronic, mechanical, or other activities are covered under the Section
not required to respond to a collection technological collection techniques or
of information unless it displays a 106 Tribal Grants Program and not
other forms of information technology, included in the burden estimates for
currently valid OMB control number. e.g., permitting electronic submission of this ICR.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on responses. EPA will consider the During the period covered by this ICR
or before September 8, 2015. comments received and amend the ICR renewal, respondents will: Complete
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, as appropriate. The final ICR package their 2016 section 305(b) reports and
referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– will then be submitted to OMB for 2016 section 303(d) lists; complete their
OW–2003–0026, online using review and approval. At that time, EPA 2018 section 305(b) reports and 2018
www.regulations.gov (our preferred will issue another Federal Register section 303(d) lists; transmit annual
method), by email to OW-Docket@ notice to announce the submission of electronic updates of ambient
epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to monitoring data via the Water Quality
Center, Environmental Protection submit additional comments to OMB. Exchange; and continue to develop
Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Abstract: The Clean Water Act section TMDLs according to their established
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, 305(b) reports contain information on schedules. EPA will prepare biennial
DC 20460. the water quality standards attainment updates on assessed and impaired
EPA’s policy is that all comments status of assessed waters, and, when waters for Congress and the public for
received will be included in the public waters are impaired, the pollutants and the 2016 reporting cycle and for the
docket without change including any potential sources affecting water quality. 2018 cycle, and EPA will review 303(d)
personal information provided, unless This information helps track State list and TMDL submissions from
the comment includes profanity, threats, progress in addressing water pollution. respondents.
information claimed to be Confidential Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act The burdens of specific activities that
Business Information (CBI) or other requires States to identify and rank States undertake as part of their section
information whose disclosure is waters that cannot meet water quality 305(b) and 303(d) programs are derived
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

restricted by statute. standards (WQS) following the from a project among EPA, States and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: implementation of technology-based other interested stakeholders to develop
Charles Kovatch, Assessment and controls. Under section 303(d), States a tool for estimating the States’ resource
Watershed Protection Division, Office of are also required to establish total needs for State water quality
Water, Mail Code: 4503T, maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for management programs. This project has
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 listed waters not meeting standards as a developed the State Water Quality
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, result of pollutant discharges. In Management Workload Model

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Notices 38685

(SWQMWM), which estimates and sums decrease and will revise the ICR burden 564–2642, preferably at least 10 days
the workload involved in more than one after the new information system is prior to the meeting, to give EPA as
hundred activities or tasks comprising a implemented for the 2018 reporting much time as possible to process your
State water quality management cycle. request.
program. Over twenty States contributed Dated: June 26, 2015. Dated: June 26, 2015.
information about their activities that Benita Best-Wong,
became the basis for the model. Sarah Sowell,
Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and
According to the SWQMWM, to meet Deputy Director, Office of Environmental
Watersheds.
section 305(b) and 303(d) reporting Education.
[FR Doc. 2015–16638 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am]
requirements the States will conduct: Javier Araujo,
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
Watershed monitoring and (NEEAC) Designated Federal Officer.
characterization; modeling and analysis; [FR Doc. 2015–16642 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am]
development of a TMDL document for
public review; public outreach; formal ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BILLING CODE 6560–50–P

public participation; tracking; planning; AGENCY
legal support; etc. In general, [FRL–9930–10–OA]
respondents have conducted each of
these reporting and record keeping National Environmental Education FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
activities for past section 305(b) and Advisory Council CORPORATION
303(d) reporting cycles and thus have AGENCY: Environmental Protection Notice to All Interested Parties of the
staff and procedures in place to Agency (EPA). Termination of the Receivership of
continue their section 305(b) and 303(d)
ACTION: Notice of meeting. 10113, InBank, Oak Forest, Illinois
reporting programs. The burden
associated with these tasks is estimated SUMMARY: Under the Federal Advisory
in this ICR to include the total number Committee Act, EPA gives notice of a NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
of TMDLs that may be submitted during teleconference meeting of the National Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
the period covered by this ICR. Environmental Education Advisory (‘‘FDIC’’) as Receiver for InBank, Oak
Form Numbers: None. Council (NEEAC). The NEEAC was Forest, Illinois (‘‘the Receiver’’) intends
Respondents/affected entities: Entities created by Congress to advise, consult to terminate its receivership for said
potentially affected by this action are with, and make recommendations to the institution. The FDIC was appointed
States, Territories and Tribes with Clean Administrator of the Environmental receiver of InBank on September 04,
Water Act (CWA) responsibilities. Protection Agency (EPA) on matters 2009. The liquidation of the
Respondent’s obligation to respond: related to activities, functions and receivership assets has been completed.
Mandatory: Integrated Water Quality policies of EPA under the National To the extent permitted by available
Inventory Reports (Clean Water Act Environmental Education Act (the Act). funds and in accordance with law, the
sections 305(b), 303(d), 314(a), and 20 U.S.C. 5508(b). Receiver will be making a final dividend
106(e)). The purpose of this teleconference is payment to proven creditors.
Estimated number of respondents: 59 to discuss specific topics of relevance
(total). Based upon the foregoing, the
for consideration by the council in order
Frequency of response: Biennial. Receiver has determined that the
to provide advice and insights to the
Total estimated burden: 3,740,017 continued existence of the receivership
Agency on environmental education.
(per year) hours. Burden is defined at 5 will serve no useful purpose.
CFR 1320.03(b) DATES: The National Environmental
Consequently, notice is given that the
Total estimated cost: $203,728,300 Education Advisory Council will hold a
receivership shall be terminated, to be
(per year), includes $0 annualized public teleconference on Monday, July
13th, 2015, from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 effective no sooner than thirty days after
capital or operation & maintenance the date of this Notice. If any person
costs. p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
wishes to comment concerning the
Changes in Estimates: There is no FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Javier Araujo, Designated Federal termination of the receivership, such
change of hours in the total estimated
Officer, araujo.javier@epa.gov, 202– comment must be made in writing and
respondent burden compared with the
ICR currently approved by OMB, 564–2642, U.S. EPA, Office of sent within thirty days of the date of
published on August 31, 2012. EPA is Environmental Education, William this Notice to: Federal Deposit
currently designing the Water Quality Jefferson Clinton North Room, 1426, Insurance Corporation, Division of
Framework, which is a new way of 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Resolutions and Receiverships,
integrating EPA’s data and information Washington, DC 20460. Attention: Receivership Oversight
systems to more effectively support SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members Department 32.1, 1601 Bryan Street,
reporting and tracking water quality of the public wishing to gain access to Dallas, TX 75201.
protection and restoration actions. The the teleconference, make brief oral No comments concerning the
Framework will streamline water comments, or provide a written termination of this receivership will be
quality assessment and reporting by statement to the NEEAC must contact considered which are not sent within
reducing transactions associated with Javier Araujo, Designated Federal this time frame.
paper copy reviews and increasing Officer, at araujo.javier@epa.gov or 202–
Dated: June 30, 2015.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

electronic data exchange. The 564–2642 by 10 business days prior to
Framework is in line with EPA’s E- each regularly scheduled meeting. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Enterprise Initiative, which seeks to Meeting Access: For information on Robert E. Feldman,
assess and reformulate EPA’s business access or services for individuals with Executive Secretary.
process to reduce burden through the disabilities or to request [FR Doc. 2015–16513 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am]
improved use of technology. EPA accommodations, please contact Javier
BILLING CODE 6714–01–P
expects that the reporting burden will Araujo at araujo.javier@epa.gov or 202–

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:27:42
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:27:42

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Comments must be submitted on or before September 8, 2015.
Contact		Charles Kovatch, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, Office of Water, Mail Code: 4503T, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-566-0399# ; fax number:
FR Citation		80 FR 38684