Public Notification Requirements for CSOs in the Great Lakes Basin (Renewal)
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
02/24/2021
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
04/30/2021
10,941
11,077
8,694
10,358
5,412
70,450
This ICR calculates the incremental increase in burden and costs associated with implementation of the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) public notification requirements for CSO permittees in the Great Lakes Basin approved during the Public Notice Requirements for Combined Sewer Overflow Discharges to the Great Lakes rulemaking. In 2018, EPA established public notification requirements for permittees authorized to discharge from a CSO to the Great Lakes Basin [83 FR 712]. These requirements address: 1) signage; 2) notification to local public health department and other potentially affected public entities; 3) notification to the public; and 4) annual notice. Additionally, permittees are required to develop a public notification plan and seek and consider input on these plans from local public health departments and other potentially affected public entities. The public notification plans also provide state permit writers with detailed information needed to write permit conditions. The rule protects public health by ensuring timely notification to the public and to public health departments, public water systems and other potentially affected public entities, including Indian tribes. It provides additional specificity beyond existing public notification requirements to ensure timely and consistent communication to the public regarding CSO discharges to the Great Lakes Basin. Timely notice may allow the public and affected public entities to take steps to reduce the publics potential exposure to pathogens associated with human sewage, which can cause a wide variety of health effects, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurological, and wound infections.
There is an estimated net decrease of 1,664 burden hours since the prior approved ICR. The decrease in labor hours from the prior ICR is due to the completion of capital activities performed during startup performed during the prior ICR. Also, one permittee (Woodville, Ohio NPDES Permit No. OH0020591) separated the citys combined sewer system and therefore, is no longer within the scope of the rule and this updated ICR. There was an increase in labor costs ($31,841) due to a projected increase in labor base wages and total compensation (i.e., benefits). There was a decrease in non-labor costs (-$65,038) due to a decrease in capital costs after the initial startup period of the prior ICR. Overall, total burden hours decreased by 1,664 hours and total burden cost decreased by $31,048 for the three-year period.
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.