In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, this information collection is approved for three years.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2017
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2017
6,684
0
4,945
634,596
0
1,010,021
8,525,907
0
10,588,074
The purpose of this action is to reduce impingement and entrainment of fish and other aquatic organisms at cooling water intake structures used by certain existing power generation and manufacturing facilities for the withdrawal of cooling water from waters of the United States. This rule establishes requirements under section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for existing power generating facilities and existing manufacturing and industrial facilities that are designed to withdraw more than 2 million gallons per day (mgd) of water from waters of the United States and use at least 25 percent of the water they withdraw exclusively for cooling purposes. These national requirements, which will be implemented through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, apply to the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures (CWIS) at regulated facilities and provide requirements that reflect the best technology available (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impact. On April 20, 2011, EPA published a proposed rule that included several options for addressing these impacts. Subsequently, EPA published two Notices of Data Availability (NODA), on June 11, 2012 and June 12, 2012, that further clarified EPA's proposed approach. This final rule also responds to judicial remand of aspects of the previously promulgated Phase II and Phase III section 316(b) rules. In addition, EPA is also responding to an earlier judicial decision by removing from the previously promulgated Phase I new facility rule a restoration-based compliance alternative and the associated monitoring and demonstration requirements.
The current burden approved by OMB for the existing ICR is 1,010,021. That is 375,425 (59%) more hours than are being requested in this draft ICR. This decrease is due to changes in program requirements. The currently approved ICR is for electric generators with a design intake flow of at least 50 mgd and that were subject to the 2004 Phase II rule. Many of these facilities have already met most of the new data collection requirements of the revised rule. Newly affected facilities have significantly fewer comprehensive requirements for data collection than was
required under the Phase II rule, such as less frequent biological data collection. Further, while the overall universe of affected facilities has increased, more facilities in the affected universe already meet the requirements of the revised rule. The change in burden results from final
regulatory changes that require information collection and record keeping activities.
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.
316b Phase 4 ICR RTC_10142014.docx
Cooling Water Intake Structures Phase II Existing Facility (Renewal) - State Directors