This ICR estimates the burden and
costs associated with modifications and variances made to NPDES
permits and to National Sewage Sludge Management Program permit
requirements. Prior to permit issuance, a NPDES permit applicant
may request a variance from the conditions that would normally be
imposed on the applicant's discharge. Although any interested party
may request a variance, such requests are usually made by the
applicant. An applicant must submit information so the permitting
authority can assess whether the facility is eligible for a
variance, and what deviation is necessary. Once a NPDES or sludge
-only permit is issued, a facility is subject to the permit limits
and conditions for the life of the permit. However, events may
occur during this period that would render the permit limits or
conditions inappropriate. Some of these events are beyond the
permittee's control; others may be directly related to the
permittee's actions. For example, State water quality standards may
be revised and so affect the effluent limitations established in
the permit. Alternatively, a permittee may expand its operation
procedures or change its raw materials, altering the character of
its discharge or the quality of the sewage sludge it generates.
Responding to such events may require a modification of the NPDES
or sewage sludge management permit conditions. The causes that can
lead to permit modifications are established in 40 CFR 122.62 and
122.63. The regulations specify information a facility must report
in order for EPA to determine whether a permit modification is
warranted. Each provision requires similar information
This change is primarily the
result of (1) changes and adjustments in the number and types of
permits administered by the states and EPA under the NPDES program.
Non-NPDES authorized states continue to apply for NPDES program
authorization. (2) EPAs continuous effort to improve the quality
of data in its PCS database. This change may reflect more accurate
data rather than a significant change in the number of permits
actually administered. (3) EPA does not anticipate Variance
Requests for Fundamentally Different Factors.
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.
0029ss09.doc
NPDES Modification and Variance Requests: Public Sector