83 FR 44268 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; National Water Quality Inventory Reports (Renewal)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 169 (August 30, 2018)

Page Range		44268-44269
FR Document		2018-18856

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 (PRA). 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 proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through March 31, 2019. 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 83 Issue 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44268-44269]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18856]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0026; FRL-9983-03-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 (PRA). 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 proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently 
approved through March 31, 2019. 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 October 29, 2018.

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: Cynthia N. Johnson, Watershed 
Restoration, Assessment and Protection Division (WRAPD), Office of 
Water, Mail Code: 4503T, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-566-
1679; fax number: 202-566-1336; 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 whether waters assessed by a state meet the state's 
water quality standards, and, when waters are impaired, the pollutants 
and potential sources affecting water quality. This information helps 
State's and the public track progress in addressing water pollution. 
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires States to identify and

[[Page 44269]]

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 because 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.
    Pursuant to the Clean Water Act and its implementing regulations, 
EPA's WRAPD 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, 
and EPA is 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 are not included in the 
burden estimates for this ICR. In addition, ICR number 2553.02 
``Treatment of Indian Tribes in a Similar Manner as States for Purposes 
of Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (Final Rule)'' addresses the 
Tribes' CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL TAS 
application and 303(d) Program implementation burden, as well as EPA's 
burden for reviewing the Tribes' applications and 303(d) Program 
submittals.
    During the period covered by this ICR renewal, respondents will: 
Complete their 2020 Section 305(b) reports and 2020 Section 303(d) 
lists; complete their 2022 Section 305(b) reports and 2022 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 2020 reporting cycle and for the 2022 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 (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 
Section 303(d) lists and TMDLs 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: $214,524,738 (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 March 1, 2016. EPA has completed phase 1 of 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. Phase 1 streamlined 
water quality assessment and reporting by reducing transactions 
associated with paper copy reviews and increasing electronic data 
exchange. The system to support this new electronic reporting was 
released to support the 2018 reporting cycle in April of 2018. Because 
this is the first year that the new reporting method is being used, EPA 
will use this reporting cycle to gather information on reporting burden 
using this new approach. EPA expects the new approach will result in a 
reduction in reporting burden, but does not have enough information at 
this time to quantify the reduction. EPA will use the information 
collected on reporting burden from the 2018 cycle to revise the ICR 
burden estimates in the next iteration of this ICR.

    Dated: August 22, 2018.
John Goodin,
Acting Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds.
[FR Doc. 2018-18856 Filed 8-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

44268 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2018 / Notices

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Total Estimated Cost: $18,896.00 (per information whose disclosure is
Supporting documents which explain in year), includes $0 annualized capital or restricted by statute.
detail the information that the EPA will operation & maintenance costs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
be collecting are available in the public Changes in the Estimates: There is no Cynthia N. Johnson, Watershed
docket for this ICR. The docket can be change of hours in the total estimated Restoration, Assessment and Protection
viewed online at www.regulations.gov respondent burden compared with the Division (WRAPD), Office of Water,
or in person at the EPA Docket Center, ICR currently approved by OMB. Mail Code: 4503T, Environmental
WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Dated: August 15, 2018. Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Pat Childers, Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460;
The telephone number for the Docket OAR Tribal Program Coordinator. telephone number: 202–566–1679; fax
Center is 202–566–1744. For additional number: 202–566–1336; email address:
[FR Doc. 2018–18857 Filed 8–29–18; 8:45 am]
information about EPA’s public docket, Johnson.CynthiaN@epa.gov.
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Abstract: This Information Collection Supporting documents that explain in
Request (ICR) seeks authorization for ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION detail the information that the EPA will
tribes to demonstrate their eligibility to AGENCY be collecting are available in the public
be treated in the same manner as states docket for this ICR. The docket can be
under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and to [EPA–HQ–OW–2003–0026; FRL–9983–03– viewed online at www.regulations.gov
submit applications to implement a OW]
or in person at the EPA Docket Center,
CAA program. This ICR extends the WJC West, Room 3334, 1301
collection period of information for Proposed Information Collection
Request; Comment Request; National Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
determining eligibility, which expires The telephone number for the Docket
December 31, 2018. The ICR maintains Water Quality Inventory Reports
(Renewal) Center is 202–566–1744. For additional
the estimates of burden costs for tribes information about EPA’s public docket,
in completing a CAA application. AGENCY: Environmental Protection visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
The program regulation provides for Agency (EPA). Pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
Indian tribes, if they choose, to assume ACTION: Notice. the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments
responsibility for the development and and information to enable it to: (i)
implementation of CAA programs. The SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Evaluate whether the proposed
regulation, Indian Tribes: Air Quality Agency is planning to submit an collection of information is necessary
Planning and Management (Tribal information collection request (ICR), for the proper performance of the
Authority Rule [TAR] 40 CFR parts 9, ‘‘National Water Quality Inventory functions of the Agency, including
35, 49, 50, and 81) sets forth how tribes Reports (Renewal)’’ (EPA ICR No. whether the information will have
may seek authority to implement their 1560.11, OMB Control No. 2040–0071) practical utility; (ii) evaluate the
own air quality planning and to the Office of Management and Budget accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the
management programs. This rule (OMB) for review and approval in burden of the proposed collection of
establishes: (1) Which CAA provisions accordance with the Paperwork information, including the validity of
Indian tribes may seek authority to Reduction Act (PRA). Before submitting the methodology and assumptions used;
implement; (2) What requirements the the ICR to OMB, EPA is soliciting public (iii) enhance the quality, utility and
tribes must meet when seeking such comments on specific aspects of the clarity of the information to be
authorization; and (3) What federal proposed information collection as collected; and (iv) minimize the burden
financial assistance may be available to described below. This is a proposed of the collection of information on those
help tribes establish and manage their extension of the ICR, which is currently who are to respond, including through
air quality programs. The TAR provides approved through March 31, 2019. An the use of appropriate automated
tribes the authority to administer air Agency may not conduct or sponsor and electronic, mechanical or other
quality programs over all air resources, a person is not required to respond to technological collection techniques or
including non-Indian owned fee lands, a collection of information unless it other forms of information technology,
whining the exterior boundaries of a displays a currently valid OMB control e.g., permitting electronic submission of
reservation and other areas over which number. responses. EPA will consider the
the tribe can demonstrate jurisdiction. DATES: Comments must be submitted on comments received and amend the ICR
An Indian tribe that takes responsibility or before October 29, 2018. as appropriate. The final ICR package
for a CAA program would essentially be ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, will then be submitted to OMB for
treated in the same way as a state would referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– review and approval. At that time, EPA
be treated for that program. OW–2003–0026, online using will issue another Federal Register
Form Numbers: None. www.regulations.gov (our preferred notice to announce the submission of
Respondents/Affected Entities: States, method), by email to OW-Docket@ the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to
locals, Indian tribes. epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket submit additional comments to OMB.
Respondent’s Obligation to Respond: Center, Environmental Protection Abstract: The Clean Water Act
Voluntary, required to obtain or retain a Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Section 305(b) reports contain
benefit Tribal Authority Rule [TAR] 40 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC information on whether waters assessed
CFR parts 9, 35, 49, 50 and 81). 20460. by a state meet the state’s water quality
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Estimated Number of Respondents: 8 EPA’s policy is that all comments standards, and, when waters are
(total). received will be included in the public impaired, the pollutants and potential
Frequency of Response: One-time docket without change including any sources affecting water quality. This
applications. personal information provided, unless information helps State’s and the public
Total Estimated Burden: 320 hours the comment includes profanity, threats, track progress in addressing water
(per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR information claimed to be Confidential pollution. Section 303(d) of the Clean
1320.03(b). Business Information (CBI) or other Water Act requires States to identify and

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2018 / Notices 44269

rank waters that cannot meet water TMDLs according to their established published on March 1, 2016. EPA has
quality standards (WQS) following the schedules. EPA will prepare biennial completed phase 1 of the Water Quality’
implementation of technology-based updates on assessed and impaired Framework, which is a new way of
controls. Under Section 303(d), States waters for Congress and the public for integrating EPA’s data and information
are also required to establish total the 2020 reporting cycle and for the systems to more effectively support
maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for 2022 cycle, and EPA will review 303(d) reporting and tracking water quality
listed waters not meeting standards list and TMDL submissions from protection and restoration actions.
because of pollutant discharges. In respondents. Phase 1 streamlined water quality
developing the Section 303(d) lists, The burdens of specific activities that assessment and reporting by reducing
States are required to consider various States undertake as part of their Section transactions associated with paper copy
sources of water quality related data and 305(b) and 303(d) programs are derived reviews and increasing electronic data
information, including the Section from a project among EPA, States and exchange. The system to support this
305(b) State water quality reports. other interested stakeholders to develop new electronic reporting was released to
Section 106(e) requires that states a tool for estimating the States’ resource support the 2018 reporting cycle in
annually update monitoring data and needs for State water quality April of 2018. Because this is the first
use it in their Section 305(b) report. management programs. This project has year that the new reporting method is
Section 314(a) requires states to report developed the State Water Quality being used, EPA will use this reporting
on the condition of their publicly Management Workload Model cycle to gather information on reporting
owned lakes within the Section 305(b) (SWQMWM), which estimates and sums burden using this new approach. EPA
report. the workload involved in more than one expects the new approach will result in
Pursuant to the Clean Water Act and hundred activities or tasks comprising a a reduction in reporting burden, but
its implementing regulations, EPA’s State water quality management does not have enough information at
WRAPD works with its Regional program. Over twenty States contributed this time to quantify the reduction. EPA
counterparts to review and approve or information about their activities that will use the information collected on
disapprove State Section 303(d) lists became the basis for the model. reporting burden from the 2018 cycle to
and TMDLs from 56 respondents (the 50 According to the SWQMWM, to meet revise the ICR burden estimates in the
States, the District of Columbia, and the Section 305(b) and 303(d) reporting next iteration of this ICR.
five Territories). Section 303(d) requirements the States will conduct:
specifically requires States to develop Dated: August 22, 2018.
Watershed monitoring and
lists and TMDLs, and EPA is to review John Goodin,
characterization; modeling and analysis;
and approve or disapprove the lists and development of Section 303(d) lists and Acting Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans,
the TMDLs. EPA also collects State and Watersheds.
TMDLs for public review; public
305(b) reports from 59 respondents (the outreach; formal public participation; [FR Doc. 2018–18856 Filed 8–29–18; 8:45 am]
50 States, the District of Columbia, five tracking; planning; legal support; etc. In BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
Territories, and 3 River Basin general, respondents have conducted
Commissions). each of these reporting and record
Tribes are not required to submit keeping activities for past Section 305(b) FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
Section 305(b) reports. However, to and 303(d) reporting cycles and thus COMMISSION
meet the needs of Tribes at all levels of have staff and procedures in place to
development, EPA has prepared [OMB 3060–0349]
continue their Section 305(b) and 303(d)
guidance that presents the basic steps a reporting programs. The burden Information Collection Being
Tribe should take to collect the water associated with these tasks is estimated Submitted for Review and Approval to
quality information it needs to make in this ICR to include the total number the Office of Management and Budget
effective decisions about its program, its of TMDLs that may be submitted during
goals and its future directions. Tribal the period covered by this ICR. AGENCY: Federal Communications
water quality monitoring and reporting Form numbers: None. Commission.
activities are covered under the Section Respondents/affected entities: Entities ACTION: Notice and request for
106 Tribal Grants Program and are not potentially affected by this action are comments.
included in the burden estimates for States, Territories and Tribes with Clean
this ICR. In addition, ICR number SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort
Water Act (CWA) responsibilities.
2553.02 ‘‘Treatment of Indian Tribes in Respondent ’s obligation to respond: to reduce paperwork burdens, and as
a Similar Manner as States for Purposes Mandatory: Integrated Water Quality required by the Paperwork Reduction
of Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act Inventory Reports (Clean Water Act Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal
(Final Rule)’’ addresses the Tribes’ CWA Sections 305(b), 303(d), 314(a), and Communications Commission (FCC or
Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing 106(e)). the Commission) invites the general
and TMDL TAS application and 303(d) Estimated number of respondents: 59 public and other Federal agencies to
Program implementation burden, as (total). take this opportunity to comment on the
well as EPA’s burden for reviewing the Frequency of response: Biennial. following information collection.
Tribes’ applications and 303(d) Program Total estimated burden: 3,740,017 Comments are requested concerning:
submittals. (per year) hours. Burden is defined at 5 Whether the proposed collection of
During the period covered by this ICR CFR 1320.03(b). information is necessary for the proper
renewal, respondents will: Complete Total estimated cost: $214,524,738 performance of the functions of the
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

their 2020 Section 305(b) reports and (per year), includes $0 annualized Commission, including whether the
2020 Section 303(d) lists; complete their capital or operation & maintenance information shall have practical utility;
2022 Section 305(b) reports and 2022 costs. the accuracy of the Commission’s
Section 303(d) lists; transmit annual Changes in estimates: There is no burden estimate; ways to enhance the
electronic updates of ambient change of hours in the total estimated quality, utility, and clarity of the
monitoring data via the Water Quality respondent burden compared with the information collected; ways to minimize
Exchange; and continue to develop ICR currently approved by OMB, the burden of the collection of

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Document Created: 2018-08-30 01:21:23
Document Modified: 2018-08-30 01:21:23

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 October 29, 2018.
Contact		Cynthia N. Johnson, Watershed Restoration, Assessment and Protection Division (WRAPD), Office of Water, Mail Code: 4503T, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-566-
FR Citation		83 FR 44268