OMB understands that EPA is developing an iniative to streamline the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for this program and applauds this effort. EPA has agreed to keep OMB informed of progress in this initiative and to include a discussion of changes made as a result of it in the next resubmission of this information collection approval. OMB urges EPA to continue working with members of the regulated community in its streamlining efforts. EPA should give careful attention to additional issues raised by representatives of the regulated community that it has not yet included in the initiative, including the definition of significant noncompliance and signif- cant industrial user, expanded use of best management practices as permit standards, allowing use of general permits, providing greater flexibility to POTWs in the determination of local limits, and the possibility of a tiered program in which larger POTWs with adequate resources are given greater authority and flexibility in implementing the program, while smaller POTWs can opt to continue with a streamlined version of the current program. All of these issues and the others that EPA has already included in the initiative are directly related to ensuring that information collected has practical utility and that record keeping and reporting requirememts impose the minimum burden necessary for the proper performance of the agency's function, as specified in 5 CFR 1320.9. OMB understands that under EPA's projected schedule, the necessary regulatory changes to impelment the streamlining initiative should be in place by the time the current approval for this information collection expires in 1999. OMB will review carefully the results of the streamling effort in its reconsideration of this information collection at that time.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/1999
10/31/1999
10/31/1996
20,882
0
19,859
1,765,156
0
2,322,688
47,349,000
0
0
This ICR calculates the burden and costs associated with managing the National Pretreatment Program mandated by sections 402(a) and (b) and 307(b) of the Clean Water Act. This ICR is a renewal of the current ICR for the National Pretreatment Program, OMB Control No. 2040-0009, ICR No. 0002.07. The Pretreatment Program is a joint regulatory effort by Federal, State, and local authorities to control nondomestic (i.e., industrial and commercial) sources of pollutants discharged to POTWs. Data are collected to determine compliance with the regulations.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
National Pretreatment Program Information Collection Request