[Federal Register: December 15, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 240)] [Notices] [Page 70014-70015] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr15de99-52] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6509-2] Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; National Health Protection Survey of Beaches AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), this document announces that the following Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: National Health Protection Survey of Beaches, EPA ICR Number 1814.02, OMB Control Number 2040- 0189, expiration date 02/29/2000. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden and cost; where appropriate, it includes the actual data collection instrument. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 14, 2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Farmer at EPA, (202) 260-2740, by email at farmer.sandy@epa.gov, or download a copy off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 1814.02. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Health Protection Survey of Beaches (OMB Control No. 2040-0189; EPA ICR No. 1814.02; expiring 02/29/00). This is a request for an extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: Bacterial and other microbiological contaminants continue to pose potentially serious human health problems for the Nation's recreational waters, including bathing beaches. These adverse effects have been one of EPA's long-standing concerns. They are directly related to such Clean Water Act responsibilities as water quality standards and surface water quality, and to the Agency's efforts to ensure that the waters of the United States are ``fishable'' and ``swimmable.'' In 1986, EPA formally issued a revision to its bacteriological ambient water quality criteria recommendations to protect persons participating in body contact recreation. Since that time, few states have adopted the revised criteria, and the use of the bacterial criteria has varied greatly from one location to the next. In addition, recent studies have confirmed the adverse health effects resulting from [[Page 70015]] bathing in contaminated waters. Therefore, water quality in bathing beach areas is a critical concern to EPA. EPA believes there is a need to improve the overall quality and availability of public information about health protection activities at beaches, which include, but are not limited to, water quality standards, monitoring and assessment activities, and beach closures. Many organizations share responsibility for these activities. Consequently, EPA's Office of Water will conduct an annual ``beach'' survey which will be sent to environmental health officials from State, tribal, county, and city agencies, as well as representatives from various interest groups. It will obtain and verify information on the location and condition of swimming beaches and the agencies and persons responsible for maintaining and issuing advisories or closings for those beaches at freshwater sites (the Great Lakes and others) and saltwater (estuarine and coastal) sites around the Nation. Responses to the questionnaire (either on paper or electronically via the Internet) are required to determine compliance with water quality standards, to assess public health risks, and to determine what steps EPA should take next, if any. Completion of the questionnaire and map marking will be voluntary. EPA will assemble the information (maps and questionnaire responses) into electronic database and graphic formats that can be readily analyzed and shared with responsible parties (e.g., EPA program and regional offices, other Federal, state, tribal, county, and city agencies), as well as the public. The nationwide collection of information is being conducted in phases over three years, with an average estimated number of respondents of 533 per year. When the survey is fully implemented, it is estimated that 750 respondents per year will be involved. The estimated annual cost for the survey per respondent is anticipated to decrease each year, since respondents will only be requested to provide information that has changed during the year. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15. The Federal Register document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 9/10/99 (64 FR 49180); no comments were received. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.4 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Respondents/Affected Entities: County, public health, and environmental protection agencies. Estimated Number of Respondents: 533. Frequency of Response: Annual. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 1,267. Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden (non-labor costs): $1,201. Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please refer to EPA ICR No. 1814.02 and OMB Control No. 2040-0189 in any correspondence. Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Information, Collection Strategies Division (2822), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503. Dated: December 8, 1999. Oscar Morales, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. 99-32520 Filed 12-14-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P