Approved burden is based on a maximum of 650 projects for the detailed survey. If the agency determines that it needs to survey more than 650 projects, the agency should submit an ICR change request for additional burden.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/29/2012
36 Months From Approved
820
0
0
40,017
0
0
28,415
0
0
The Clean Water Act (CWA) directs EPA to develop regulations, called effluent guidelines, to limit the amount of pollutants that are discharged to surface waters or to sewage treatment plants. EPA's effluent guidelines do not currently regulate pollutant discharges from coalbed methane (CBM) extraction operations. CBM extraction requires removal of large amounts of water from underground coal seams before CBM can be released. Pollutants often found in these wastewaters include chloride, sodium, sulfate, bicarbonate, fluoride, iron, barium, magnesium, ammonia, and arsenic. EPA identified the CBM sector as a candidate for a detailed study in the final 2006 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan (71 FR 76656; December 21, 2006) and also identified that it would develop an industry questionnaire to support this detailed study and would seek OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). EPA is conducting this review to determine if it would be appropriate to conduct a rulemaking to revise the effluent guidelines for the Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category (40 CFR 435) to control pollutants discharged in CBM produced water. EPA will use this ICR to collect technical and economic information from a wide range of CBM operations to address these factors. EPA plans to collect information on geographical and geologic differences in the characteristics of CBM produced waters, environmental data, current regulatory controls, and availability and affordability of treatment technology options. Response to the questionnaire will be mandatory for recipients. EPA will administer the questionnaire using its authority under Section 308 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1318.
US Code:
33 USC 1314
Name of Law: nformation and guidelines
US Code:
33 USC 1318
Name of Law: Records and reports; inspections
US Code:
33 USC 1311
Name of Law: Effluent limitations
The Clean Water Act Section 304(b) requires EPA to review its existing effluent guidelines for direct dischargers each year and to revise such regulations "if appropriate." Section 304(m) supplements the core requirement of section 304(b) by requiring EPA to publish a plan every two years announcing its schedule for performing this annual review and its schedule for rulemaking for any effluent guidelines selected for possible revision as a result of that annual review. EPA identified the CBM sector as a candidate for a detailed study in the final 2006 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan (71 FR 76656; December 21, 2006) and also identified that it would develop an industry questionnaire to support this detailed study and would seek OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). EPA is conducting this review to determine if it would be appropriate to conduct a rulemaking to revise the effluent guidelines for the Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category (40 CFR 435) to control pollutants discharged in CBM produced water.
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.
2291ss01b.doc
Coalbed Methane Extraction Sector Questionnaire (New)