In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years. However, as terms of clearance, the Agency is required to
ensure that the supporting statement for this collection accurately
reflects the modes of collection and the associated burdens.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/2023
36 Months From Approved
03/31/2020
59
0
59
3,718,130
0
3,740,017
0
0
0
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act
requires States to identify and rank waters which cannot meet water
quality standards (WQS) following the implementation of
technology-based controls. Under Section 303(d), States are also
required to establish total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for listed
waters not meeting standards as a result of pollutant discharges.
In developing the Section 303(d) lists, States are required to
consider various sources of water-quality related data and
information, including the Section 305(b) State water quality
reports. The State Section 305(b) reports contain information on
the extent of water quality degradation, the pollutants and sources
affecting water quality, and State progress in controlling water
pollution. EPA's Assessment and Watershed Protection Division
(AWPD) works with its Regional counterparts to review and approve
or disapprove State Section 303(d) lists and TMDLs from 56
respondents (the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the five
Territories). Section 303(d) specifically requires States to
develop lists and TMDLs "from time to time" and EPA to review and
approve or disapprove the lists and the TMDLs. EPA also collects
State 305(b) reports from 59 respondents (the 50 States, the
District of Columbia, five Territories, and 3 River Basin
commissions).
The total annual respondent
hour burden for 303(d) and 305(b) reporting is estimated to
decrease from the previous ICR. In general, using the SWQMWM
responses may result in an overestimate of respondent burden
because the responses represent estimates of State need to fulfill
program activities, rather than actual spending. However, for the
three-year period of this ICR, we estimate that respondent burden
hours will be decreased by 10% in year one, 15% in year two and by
20% in year three in specific tasks. For agency burden hours,
taking into account decrease in workload, we estimated a range of
20%-50% reduction in specific program activities. The total annual
respondent hour burden associated with TMDL development has not
changed from the previous ICR.The changes associated with
303(d)/305(b) reporting and TMDL development have been in cost due
to rising wage rates from 2018 to 2022. Burden changes that will
occur because of the implementation of the Water Quality Framework
are estimated based on adoption rates of the new system. Burden
estimates will be further clarified after the completion of the
first complete cycle using ATTAINS, along with an updated model
estimating overall burden and will be included in the next
ICR.
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.