EPA Seeks Input on Renewal of State Source Water Protection Information Collection

On August 16th, EPA issued a Federal Register Notice (FR 50727) asking for comments on its collection of voluntarily supplied state source water protection data and information for Strategic Plan reporting on “substantial implementation” [of state source water protection programs].  This is a renewal for the existing Information Collection Request (ICR).  EPA is asking for comments and information to help:

  1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
  2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

Note:  The Agency expects a decreased man hour burden from the previous ICR due to new automated reporting capabilities of 11 states through the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).

  1. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
  2. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on state environmental and health agencies.

There will be two opportunities to comment on this ICR based on EPA’s Next Steps that will include:

  • Amending the ICR based on consideration of this first round of comments;
  • Submitting an amended version to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval; and
  • Issuing another FR Notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and an opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB.

Comments are due on or before October 17, 2011.  A copy of the draft collection is available online at:  http://www.regulations.gov.  Once in the system, select “search,” then input the Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0013.  Comments can be submitted here online, or by email at: OW-Docket@epa.gov.  EPA will also make all of the comments received available online at http://www.regulations.gov.

For more information, contact Beth Hall of EPA at hall.beth@epa.gov or 202-564-3883.