SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Supporting documents which explain in detail the information 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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 collection of information is necessary in order to receive applications for credit assistance pursuant to section 5024 of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014, 33 U.S.C. 3903. The purpose of the WIFIA program is to provide Federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans and loan guarantees to eligible clean water and drinking water projects.

WIFIA requires that an eligible entity submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information, as the Secretary or the Administrator may require to receive assistance under WIFIA. To satisfy these requirements, EPA must collect an application from prospective borrowers seeking funding. The Letters of Interest and Applications collected from prospective borrowers through this solicitation will be used by the EPA, WIFIA program staff, and reviewers to evaluate applications for credit assistance under the WIFIA eligibility requirements and selection criteria.

Form Numbers: EPA 6100-030, 6100-031, and 6100-032.

Respondents/affected entities: The respondents affected by this collection activity include: corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, federal, state, or local government entities, tribal governments or a consortium of tribal governments, and state infrastructure finance authorities. The Letters of Interest and Applications collected from prospective borrowers through this solicitation will be used by EPA to evaluate requests for credit assistance under the WIFIA eligibility requirements and selection criteria.

Respondent's obligation to respond: The collection is required to obtain credit assistance pursuant to section 5024 of WIFIA, 33 U.S.C. 3903.

Estimated number of respondents: 105 per year (total).

Frequency of response: one per funding round.

Total estimated burden: 10,450 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).

Total estimated cost: $10,000,000.00 (per year), includes no annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs.

Change in Estimates: There is a decrease of 375 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease is due to a reduction in the expected number of collections from 55 to 45.

87 FR 52551