Notice of a Scientific Peer Review Meeting to Review the Document: The Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S.: the Year 2000 Update, March, 2005 (EPA/600/P/03/002a), 47199-47200 [05-16038]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 155 / Friday, August 12, 2005 / Notices Draft EISs EIS No. 20050262, ERP No. D–FHW– D40333–DC, Klingle Road Reconstruction Project, Reconstructing for Vehicular and Recreational Uses, Between Porter Street, NW., and Cortland Place, NW., Funding, Washington, DC Summary: EPA has environmental concerns about the proposed project related to hazardous materials, specifically possible lead contamination of Klingle Creek, as well as noise impacts and the sufficient delineation of flood hazards. Rating EC2. Final EISs EIS No. 20050208, ERP No. F–AFS– 65381–SD, Sioux Ranger District Oil and Gas Leasing Project, Implementation, Sioux Ranger District, Custer National, Harding County, SD Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. EIS No. 20050233, ERP No. F–FHW– F40420–MI, I–75 from M–102 to M–59 Proposed Widening and Reconstruction, Transportation Improvements, Funding, NPDES Permit and U.S. Army COE Section 404 Permit, Oakland County, MI Summary: EPA has no objections to the preferred alternative. EIS No. 20050252, ERP No. F–NPS– J61105–CO, Colorado National Monument General Management Plan, Implementation, Mesa County, CO Summary: EPA’s major concerns have been addressed in the final EIS; therefore, EPA has no objections to the proposed action. EIS No. 20050277, ERP No. F–FHW– H40172–MO, U.S. Route 67 Corridor Project, Improvements from south of Fredericktown to south of Neelyville, Madison, Wayne and Butler Counties, MO Summary: EPA has no objections to the preferred alternative. EIS No. 20050282, ERP No. F–FHW– F40424–OH, U.S. 33 Nelsonville Bypass Project, To Upgrade Existing Four-Lane Controlled Access Expressway between Haydenville in Hocking County and New Floodwood in Hocking and Athens Counties, OH Summary: EPA has no objections to the proposed project and preferred alternative. Dated: August 9, 2005. Robert W. Hargrove, Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities. [FR Doc. 05–16035 Filed 8–11–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P VerDate jul<14>2003 17:14 Aug 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER–FRL–6666–3] Environmental Impacts Statements; Notice of Availability Responsible Agency: Office of Federal Activities, General Information (202) 564–7167 or https://www.epa.gov/ compliance/nepa/ Weekly receipt of Environmental Impact Statements Filed 8/1/2005 Through 8/5/2005 Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.9. EIS No. 20050325, Draft EIS, AFS, WV, Programmatic—Monongahela National Forest Plan Revision, Proposes to Revise Land and Resource Management Plan, Barbour, Grant, Greebrier, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontab, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, Webster Counties, WV, Comment Period Ends: 09/26/2005, Contact: Clyde Thompson 304–636– 1800 EIS No. 20050326, Final EIS, AFS, CA, Burlington Ridge Trails Project, To Eliminate, Reconstruct/or Reroute Unsound Trail Sections, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District, Camptonville, Nevada County, CA, Wait Period Ends: 09/26/ 2005, Contact: Mary Furney 530–478– 6263 EIS No. 20050327, Final EIS, AFS, CO, County Line Vegetation Management Project, Salvaging Spruce Beetle Infected Trees and Thinning SpruceFir Stand, Rio Grande National Forest, Conejos Peak Ranger District, Conejos County, CO, Wait Period Ends: 09/12/ 2005, Contact: John Murphy 719–852– 5941 EIS No. 20050328, Draft EIS, FHW, LA, US 90 Corridor, Proposed Interstate Highway 49 (I49 ) South Improvement from Raceland to the Davis Pond Diversion Canal, Section of Independent Utility 1 (SIU 1), Lafourche and St. Charles Parishes, LA, Comment Period Ends: 09/30/ 2005, Contact: William C. Farr 225– 757–7615 EIS No. 20050329, Final EIS, NPS, ID, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Update and Consolidate Management Plans, into One Comprehensive Plan, Snake River Plain, Butte, Blaine, Lincoln, and Minidoka Counties, ID, Wait Period Ends: 09/12/2005, Contact: Adrienne Anderson 303–987–6730 EIS No. 20050330, Final EIS, AFS, 00, Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Conservation and Management on the Nebraska National Forest and Associated Units, Implementation, Dawes, Sioux Blaine, PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47199 Cherry, Thomas Counties, NE and Custer, Fall River, Jackson, Pennington, Jones, Lyman, Stanley Counties, SD, Wait Period Ends:, 09/ 12/2005 Contact: Jeffrey S. Abegglen 308–432–4475 EIS No. 20050331, Final EIS, COE, TX, Programmatic—Lower Colorado River Basin Study, Provide Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration, Colorado River, TX, Wait Period Ends: 09/12/2005, Contact: Rob Newman 817–886–1762 EIS No. 20050332, Final EIS, AFS, AK, Couverden Timer Sales, Harvesting Timber, NPDES, Coast Guard Bridge Permit, U.S. Army COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, Tongass National Forest, Juneau Ranger District, Chilkat Peninsula, AK, Wait Period Ends: 09/ 12/2005, Contact: Dave Carr 907–790– 7402 Amended Notices EIS No. 20050209, Draft EIS, NPS, WY, Grand Teton National Park Transportation Plan, Implementation, Grand Teton National park, Teton County, WY, Comment Period Ends: 08/25/2005, Contact: Adrienne Anderson 303–987–6730 Revision of FR Notice Published on 06/03/2005: Extending the Comment Period from 08/01/2005 to 08/25/2005. Dated: August 9, 2005. Robert W. Hargrove, Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities. [FR Doc. 05–16036 Filed 8–11–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–7951–7] Notice of a Scientific Peer Review Meeting to Review the Document: The Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S.: the Year 2000 Update, March, 2005 (EPA/600/P/03/ 002a) Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of external peer-review panel meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that ERG, an EPA contractor for external scientific peer review, will convene a panel of experts and organize and conduct an independent external peerreview workshop to review the draft report, ‘‘The Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like E:\FR\FM\12AUN1.SGM 12AUN1 47200 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 155 / Friday, August 12, 2005 / Notices Compounds in the U.S.: the Year 2000 Update,’’ March, 2005 (EPA/600/P/03/ 002a) (Draft Dioxin Inventory Update). The public is invited to register to attend this meeting as an observer. In addition, the public is invited to give oral and/or provide written comments at the meeting regarding the draft document under review. DATES: The peer-review panel meeting will occur from September 13, 2005, to September 15, 2005. Each day the meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., eastern daylight time. The public may attend the peer-review panel meeting as observers. In addition, members of the public in attendance at the meeting will be allowed to make brief (no longer than five minutes) oral statements at the commencement of the meeting. ADDRESSES: The external peer-review panel meeting will be held at the Hilton Crystal City hotel, located at 2399 Jefferson Davis Highway in Arlington, Virginia. The EPA contractor, ERG, is organizing, convening, and conducting the peer-review panel meeting. To attend the meeting, register by September 7, 2005, by calling ERG, 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA, at 781–674–7374 or by sending a facsimile to 781–674–2851. Interested parties may also register on-line at: https:// www2.ergweb.com/projects/ conferences/dioxin/register-dioxin.htm. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. At the time of your registration for the meeting, please indicate if you intend to make an oral statement at the meeting. The Draft Dioxin Inventory Update is available primarily via the Internet on the National Center for Environmental Assessment’s (NCEA) home page at https://www.epa.gov/ncea under the Recent Additions (See May 6, 2005 entry) and Data and Publications menus. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding registration and logistics for the peer review meeting should be directed to Katherine Moore, ERG, 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421; telephone: 781–674–7374; facsimile: 781–674–2851; e-mail: katherine.moore@erg.com. If you have questions about the document, contact David Cleverly, National Center for Environmental Assessment, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. (8601 D), Washington, DC 20460; telephone: 202–564–3238; facsimile: 202–565–2018; e-mail: cleverly.david@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 6, 2005, a Federal Register notice was published that announced a 60-day VerDate jul<14>2003 17:14 Aug 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 public comment period for EPA’s Draft Dioxin Inventory Update (70 FR 24039). On May 6 this draft document, prepared by NCEA within EPA’s Office of Research and Development, was also made publicly available on NCEA’s Web site for review and comment. The 60day public comment period closed on July 5. In the May 6 notice, EPA also announced that a subsequent Federal Register notice would announce the date and location of a meeting for independent external peer review of this draft document. Today’s notice provides information on that peer review meeting. The purpose of this report is to present an inventory of sources and environmental releases of dioxin-like compounds in the United States. This inventory is associated with three distinct reference years: 1987, 1995, and 2000. The presentation of information in this manner permits the ranking of sources by magnitude of annual release and allows for the evaluation of environmental trends over time. The term dioxin-like includes congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs) having chlorine atoms in the 2,3,7,8 positions on the molecule, and certain coplanar-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Dioxin-like refers to the fact that these compounds have similar chemical structure and physical-chemical properties and invoke a common battery of toxic response. Because of their hydrophobic nature and resistance towards metabolism, these chemicals persist and bioaccumulate in fatty tissues of animals and humans. Consequently, the principal route of chronic population exposure is through the dietary consumption of animal fats, fish, shellfish, and dairy products. Dioxin-like compounds are persistent in soils and sediments, with environmental half-lives ranging from years to several decades. Understanding the sources and environmental releases of dioxin-like compounds is fundamental to ultimately linking sources with population exposures. It is through such understanding that actions can be taken to reduce human exposures. This current inventory is an update of an external review draft report entitled, The Inventory of Sources of Dioxin in the United States (EPA/600/P–98/ 002Aa), dated April 1998. The 1998 draft inventory presented annual estimates of environmental releases for reference years 1987 and 1995. The current inventory represents an update with the inclusion of a third reference year, 2000. PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 This updated inventory of sources and environmental releases of dioxinlike compounds concludes that, between 1987 and 2000, there was an approximately 89% reduction in the release of dioxin-like compounds to the circulating environment of the United States from all known sources combined. Annual emission estimates (TEQDF–WHO98) of releases of CDDs/ CDFs to air, water, and land from reasonably quantifiable sources were approximately 1,529 grams in reference year 2000; 3,280 grams in reference year 1995; and 13,962 grams in reference year 1987. In 1987 and 1995, the leading sources of dioxin emissions to the U.S. environment were municipal waste combustors. The inventory concludes that the major source of dioxin in 2000 was the uncontrolled burning of refuse in backyard burn barrels in rural areas of the United States. The inventory also identifies bleached chlorine pulp and paper mills as a significant source of dioxin to the aquatic environment in 1987 but a minor source in 1995 and 2000. The reduction in environmental releases of dioxin-like compounds from 1987 to 2000 is attributable to sourcespecific regulations, improvements in source technology, advancements in the pollution control technologies specific to controlling dioxin discharges and releases, and the voluntary actions of U.S. industries to reduce or prevent dioxin releases. Dated: August 8, 2005. Peter W. Preuss, Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 05–16038 Filed 8–11–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–U ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–7951–1] Guidance for 2006 Assessment, Listing and Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314 of the Clean Water Act Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of Guidance for 2006 Assessment, Listing, and Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314 of the Clean Water Act. This biennial guidance is for states, territories, authorized tribes, and interstate commissions (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘jurisdictions’’) that help E:\FR\FM\12AUN1.SGM 12AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47199-47200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16038]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7951-7]


Notice of a Scientific Peer Review Meeting to Review the 
Document: The Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of 
Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S.: the Year 2000 Update, March, 2005 
(EPA/600/P/03/002a)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of external peer-review panel meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 
that ERG, an EPA contractor for external scientific peer review, will 
convene a panel of experts and organize and conduct an independent 
external peer-review workshop to review the draft report, ``The 
Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like

[[Page 47200]]

Compounds in the U.S.: the Year 2000 Update,'' March, 2005 (EPA/600/P/
03/002a) (Draft Dioxin Inventory Update). The public is invited to 
register to attend this meeting as an observer. In addition, the public 
is invited to give oral and/or provide written comments at the meeting 
regarding the draft document under review.

DATES: The peer-review panel meeting will occur from September 13, 
2005, to September 15, 2005. Each day the meeting is scheduled to begin 
at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., eastern daylight time. The public may 
attend the peer-review panel meeting as observers. In addition, members 
of the public in attendance at the meeting will be allowed to make 
brief (no longer than five minutes) oral statements at the commencement 
of the meeting.

ADDRESSES: The external peer-review panel meeting will be held at the 
Hilton Crystal City hotel, located at 2399 Jefferson Davis Highway in 
Arlington, Virginia. The EPA contractor, ERG, is organizing, convening, 
and conducting the peer-review panel meeting. To attend the meeting, 
register by September 7, 2005, by calling ERG, 110 Hartwell Avenue, 
Lexington, MA, at 781-674-7374 or by sending a facsimile to 781-674-
2851. Interested parties may also register on-line at: https://
www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/dioxin/register-dioxin.htm. Space 
is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-
served basis. At the time of your registration for the meeting, please 
indicate if you intend to make an oral statement at the meeting.
    The Draft Dioxin Inventory Update is available primarily via the 
Internet on the National Center for Environmental Assessment's (NCEA) 
home page at https://www.epa.gov/ncea under the Recent Additions (See 
May 6, 2005 entry) and Data and Publications menus.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding registration and 
logistics for the peer review meeting should be directed to Katherine 
Moore, ERG, 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421; telephone: 781-
674-7374; facsimile: 781-674-2851; e-mail: katherine.moore@erg.com.
    If you have questions about the document, contact David Cleverly, 
National Center for Environmental Assessment, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW. (8601 D), Washington, DC 20460; telephone: 202-564-3238; facsimile: 
202-565-2018; e-mail: cleverly.david@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 6, 2005, a Federal Register notice 
was published that announced a 60-day public comment period for EPA's 
Draft Dioxin Inventory Update (70 FR 24039). On May 6 this draft 
document, prepared by NCEA within EPA's Office of Research and 
Development, was also made publicly available on NCEA's Web site for 
review and comment. The 60-day public comment period closed on July 5. 
In the May 6 notice, EPA also announced that a subsequent Federal 
Register notice would announce the date and location of a meeting for 
independent external peer review of this draft document. Today's notice 
provides information on that peer review meeting.
    The purpose of this report is to present an inventory of sources 
and environmental releases of dioxin-like compounds in the United 
States. This inventory is associated with three distinct reference 
years: 1987, 1995, and 2000. The presentation of information in this 
manner permits the ranking of sources by magnitude of annual release 
and allows for the evaluation of environmental trends over time. The 
term dioxin-like includes congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-
dioxins (CDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs) having chlorine 
atoms in the 2,3,7,8 positions on the molecule, and certain coplanar-
substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Dioxin-like refers to the 
fact that these compounds have similar chemical structure and physical-
chemical properties and invoke a common battery of toxic response. 
Because of their hydrophobic nature and resistance towards metabolism, 
these chemicals persist and bioaccumulate in fatty tissues of animals 
and humans. Consequently, the principal route of chronic population 
exposure is through the dietary consumption of animal fats, fish, 
shellfish, and dairy products. Dioxin-like compounds are persistent in 
soils and sediments, with environmental half-lives ranging from years 
to several decades. Understanding the sources and environmental 
releases of dioxin-like compounds is fundamental to ultimately linking 
sources with population exposures. It is through such understanding 
that actions can be taken to reduce human exposures.
    This current inventory is an update of an external review draft 
report entitled, The Inventory of Sources of Dioxin in the United 
States (EPA/600/P-98/002Aa), dated April 1998. The 1998 draft inventory 
presented annual estimates of environmental releases for reference 
years 1987 and 1995. The current inventory represents an update with 
the inclusion of a third reference year, 2000.
    This updated inventory of sources and environmental releases of 
dioxin-like compounds concludes that, between 1987 and 2000, there was 
an approximately 89% reduction in the release of dioxin-like compounds 
to the circulating environment of the United States from all known 
sources combined. Annual emission estimates (TEQDF-
WHO98) of releases of CDDs/CDFs to air, water, and land from 
reasonably quantifiable sources were approximately 1,529 grams in 
reference year 2000; 3,280 grams in reference year 1995; and 13,962 
grams in reference year 1987. In 1987 and 1995, the leading sources of 
dioxin emissions to the U.S. environment were municipal waste 
combustors. The inventory concludes that the major source of dioxin in 
2000 was the uncontrolled burning of refuse in backyard burn barrels in 
rural areas of the United States. The inventory also identifies 
bleached chlorine pulp and paper mills as a significant source of 
dioxin to the aquatic environment in 1987 but a minor source in 1995 
and 2000.
    The reduction in environmental releases of dioxin-like compounds 
from 1987 to 2000 is attributable to source-specific regulations, 
improvements in source technology, advancements in the pollution 
control technologies specific to controlling dioxin discharges and 
releases, and the voluntary actions of U.S. industries to reduce or 
prevent dioxin releases.

    Dated: August 8, 2005.
Peter W. Preuss,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 05-16038 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U
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