Ocean Dumping; Site Designation, 55770-55774 [05-19063]

Agencies

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 184 (Friday, September 23, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55770-55774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19063]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 228

[FRL-7973-8]


Ocean Dumping; Site Designation

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA today designates a new Ocean Dredged Material Disposal 
Site (ODMDS) in the Atlantic Ocean offshore Port Royal, South Carolina, 
as an EPA-approved ocean dumping site for the disposal of suitable 
dredged material. This action is necessary to provide an acceptable 
ocean disposal site for consideration as an option for dredged material 
disposal projects in the greater Port Royal, South Carolina, vicinity. 
This site designation is for an indefinite period of time, but the site 
is subject to continuing monitoring to insure that unacceptable adverse 
environmental impacts do not occur.

DATES: This rule is effective on October 24, 2005.

ADDRESSES: The file supporting this designation is available for public 
inspection at the following location: EPA Region 4, Sam Nunn Atlanta 
Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary W. Collins, (404) 562-9395.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Section 102(c) of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries 
Act (MPRSA) of 1972, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq., gives the 
Administrator of EPA the authority to designate sites where ocean 
disposal may be permitted. On October 1, 1986, the Administrator 
delegated the authority to designate ocean disposal sites to the 
Regional Administrator of the Region in which the sites are located. 
This designation is being made pursuant to that authority.
    The EPA Ocean Dumping Regulations promulgated under MPRSA (40 CFR 
Chapter I, Subchapter H, Sec.  228.4) state that ocean dumping sites 
will be designated by promulgation in this part 228. This site 
designation is being published as final rulemaking in accordance with 
Sec.  228.4(e) of the Ocean Dumping Regulations, which permits the 
designation of ocean disposal sites for dredged material.

B. Regulated Entities

    Entities potentially affected by this action are persons, 
organizations, or government bodies seeking to dispose of dredged 
material into ocean waters offshore Port Royal, South Carolina, under 
the MPRSA and its implementing regulations. This final rule is expected 
to be primarily of relevance to parties seeking permits from the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers (COE) to transport dredged material for the 
purpose of disposal into ocean waters and to the COE itself for its own 
dredged material disposal projects. Potentially regulated categories 
and entities that may seek to use the proposed dredged material 
disposal site may include:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Examples of potentially
                Category                        regulated entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Government.....................  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
                                          Civil Works Projects, U.S.
                                          Marine Corps, and Other
                                          Federal Agencies.
Industry and General Public............  Port Authorities, Marinas and
                                          Harbors, Shipyards, and Marine
                                          Repair Facilities, Berth
                                          Owners.
State, local and tribal governments....  Governments owning and/or
                                          responsible for ports,
                                          harbors, and/or berths,
                                          Government agencies requiring
                                          disposal of dredged material
                                          associated with public works
                                          projects.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. To determine whether your organization is affected by this 
action, you should carefully consider whether your organization is 
subject to the requirement to obtain an MPRSA permit in accordance with 
Section 103 of the MPRSA and the applicable regulations at 40 CFR Parts 
220 and 225, and whether you wish to use the site subject to today's 
action. EPA notes that nothing in this final rule alters the 
jurisdiction or authority of EPA or the types of entities regulated 
under the MPRSA. Questions regarding the applicability of this final 
rule to a particular entity should be directed to the contact person 
listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

C. EIS Development

    Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., requires that Federal 
agencies prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on proposals 
for legislation and other major federal actions significantly affecting 
the quality of the human environment. The object of NEPA is to build 
into the agency decision making process careful consideration of all 
environmental aspects of proposed actions. While NEPA does not apply to 
EPA activities of this type, EPA has voluntarily committed to prepare 
NEPA documents in connection with ocean disposal site designations. 
(See 63 FR 58045 [October 29, 1998], ``Notice of Policy and Procedures 
for Voluntary Preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
Documents.'')
    EPA, in cooperation with the Charleston District COE, has prepared 
a Final EIS (FEIS) entitled ``Final Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Port Royal Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site Designation.'' On 
June 25, 2004, the Notice of Availability of the FEIS for public review 
and comment was published in the Federal Register (69 FR 35597 [June 
25, 2004]). Anyone desiring a copy of the EIS may obtain one from the 
address given above. The public comment period on the FEIS closed on 
July 26, 2004.
    EPA received one comment letter on the FEIS from the South Carolina

[[Page 55771]]

Department of Health and Environmental Control. This letter states the 
Department's findings that the proposed ODMDS would be consistent with 
the State's Coastal Zone Management Program.
    Pursuant to an Office of Water policy memorandum dated October 23, 
1989, EPA has evaluated the proposed site designation for consistency 
with the State of South Carolina's (the State) approved coastal 
management program. EPA has determined that the designation of the 
proposed site is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the 
State coastal management program, and submitted this determination to 
the State for review in accordance with EPA policy. As stated above, 
the State agrees with this determination.
    The action discussed in the FEIS is the permanent designation for 
continuing use of an ODMDS near Port Royal, South Carolina. The purpose 
of this action is to provide an environmentally acceptable option for 
the continued ocean disposal of dredged material. The need for the 
permanent designation of a Port Royal ODMDS is based on a demonstrated 
COE need for ocean disposal of maintenance dredged material from the 
Federal navigation projects in the greater Port Royal Sound area. 
However, every disposal activity by the COE is evaluated on a case-by-
case basis to determine the need for ocean disposal for that particular 
case. The need for ocean disposal for other projects, and the 
suitability of the material for ocean disposal, will be determined on a 
case-by-case basis as part of the COE's process of issuing permits for 
ocean disposal for private/federal actions and a public review process 
for its own actions.
    For the Port Royal ODMDS, the COE and EPA would evaluate all 
federal dredged material disposal projects pursuant to the EPA criteria 
given in the Ocean Dumping Regulations (40 CFR 220-229) and the COE 
regulations (33 CFR 209.120 and 335-338). The COE issues MPRSA permits 
to private applicants for the transport of dredged material intended 
for ocean disposal after compliance with regulations has been 
determined. EPA has the right to disapprove any ocean disposal project 
if, in its judgment, the MPRSA environmental criteria [Section 102(a)] 
or conditions of designation [Section 102(c)] are not met.
    The FEIS discusses the need for this site designation and examines 
ocean and non-ocean disposal site alternatives to the proposed action. 
Specific alternatives considered were the two interim ocean sites, 
sites off the continental shelf, land disposal sites, and sites that 
might be used for shore protection.

D. Site Designation

    On February 24, 2005, EPA proposed designation of an ODMDS for 
continuing disposal of dredged material from the Port Royal Sound area. 
The period on this proposal closed on April 11, 2005. One e-mail letter 
of comment was received opposing not only the designation of this site, 
but all ocean disposal in principle. In response to this letter, EPA 
reiterates its support of beneficial uses of dredged material, when 
appropriate, and that this action is in accordance with MPRSA and the 
EPA Ocean Dumping Regulations promulgated under MPRSA. In addition, any 
project which proposes to dispose of dredged material within this site 
must evaluate the material to determine its suitability for ocean 
disposal. Only dredged material which has been shown to meet the ocean 
dumping criteria would be permitted to be placed in this site.
    The site is located approximately 7 nautical miles offshore Bay 
Point Island, South Carolina. The proposed ODMDS occupies an area of 
about 1.0 square nautical miles (nmi2). Water depths within 
the area average 36 feet (ft.). The coordinates of the New Port Royal 
site proposed for final designation are as follows:

Latitude                             Longitude
 
32[deg]05.00' N                      80[deg]36.47' W
32[deg]05.00' N                      80[deg]35.30' W
32[deg]04.00' N                      80[deg]35.30' W
32[deg]04.00' N                      80[deg]36.47' W
 

E. Regulatory Requirements

    Pursuant to the Ocean Dumping Regulations, 40 CFR 228.5, five 
general criteria are used in the selection and approval for continuing 
use of ocean disposal sites. Sites are selected so as to minimize 
interference with other marine activities, to prevent any temporary 
perturbations associated with the disposal from causing impacts outside 
the disposal site, and to permit effective monitoring to detect any 
adverse impacts at an early stage. Where feasible, locations off the 
Continental Shelf and other sites that have been historically used are 
to be chosen. In this case, locations off the Continental Shelf are not 
feasible and no environmental benefit would be obtained by selecting 
such a site. Historical use of this site has not resulted in 
substantial adverse effects to living resources of the ocean or to 
other uses of the marine environment. If, at any time, disposal 
operations at a site cause unacceptable adverse impacts, further use of 
the site can be restricted or terminated by EPA. The site conforms to 
the five general criteria.
    In addition to these general criteria in Sec.  228.5, Sec. 228.6 
lists the 11 specific criteria used in evaluating a disposal site to 
assure that the general criteria are met. Application of these 11 
criteria constitutes an environmental assessment of the impact of 
disposal at the site. The characteristics of the site are reviewed 
below in terms of these 11 criteria (the EIS may be consulted for 
additional information).

1. Geographical Position, Depth of Water, Bottom Topography, and 
Distance From Coast (40 CFR 228.6(a)(1))

    The boundary of the site is given above. The northern boundary of 
the site is located about 7 nmi offshore of Bay Point Island, South 
Carolina. The site is approximatelty 1.0 nmi\2\ in area. The bottom 
topography is relatively flat and featureless, with water depths 
averaging 36 ft.

2. Location In Relation to Breeding, Spawning, Nursery, Feeding, or 
Passage Areas of Living Resources in Adult or Juvenile Phases (40 CFR 
228.6(a)(2))

    Many of the area's species spend their adult lives in the offshore 
region, but are estuary-dependent because their juvenile stages use a 
low salinity estuarine nursery region. Specific migration routes are 
not known to occur within the site. The site is not known to include 
any major breeding or spawning area. Due to the motility of finfish, it 
is unlikely that disposal activities will have any significant impact 
on any of the species found in the area. In a letter dated October 23, 
2003, the Habitat Conservation Division of National Marine Fisheries 
Service concurred with our assessment that this designation would not 
have a substantial individual or cumulative adverse impact on essential 
fish habitat, or fishery resources.

3. Location in Relation to Beaches and Other Amenity Areas (40 CFR 
228.6(a)(3))

    The site is located approximately 7 nmi from the coast. Considering 
the previous disposal activities of the existing ODMDS (designated by 
the COE under Section 103 authority), dredged material disposal at the 
site is not expected to have an effect on the recreational uses of 
these beaches.

[[Page 55772]]

4. Types and Quantities of Wastes Proposed To Be Disposed of, and 
Proposed Methods of Release, Including Methods of Packing the Waste, If 
Any (40 CFR 228(a)(4))

    The types of materials to be disposed of within this site are 
dredged materials as described in type and quantity by Section 2 of the 
FEIS. Between the years 1992 and 2003, approximately 200,000 cubic 
yards (annual average) have been ocean disposed within this area, 
typically once every two years. To date, the material from the Federal 
navigation project has been excluded from testing. Future disposal, 
which would be by hopper dredge or dump scow, should not change 
significantly by either volume or frequency. All disposals shall be in 
accordance with the approved Site Management and Monitoring Plan (SMMP) 
developed for this site (FEIS, Appendix B).

5. Feasibility of Surveillance and Monitoring (40 CFR 228.6(a)(5))

    Due to the relative proximity of the site to shore and its depth, 
surveillance will not be difficult. The SMMP for the Port Royal ODMDS 
has been developed and was included as an appendix in the FEIS. This 
SMMP establishes a sequence of monitoring surveys to be undertaken to 
determine any impacts resulting from disposal activities. The SMMP may 
be reviewed and revised by EPA. A copy of the SMMP may be obtained at 
the address given above.

6. Dispersal, Horizontal Transport and Vertical Mixing Characteristics 
of the Area Including Prevailing Current Direction and Velocity, If Any 
(40 CFR 228.6(a)(6))

    A detailed current study, along with fate modelling of dredged 
material, was not deemed necessary because almost all of the material 
historically placed in the ocean has been sand. Therefore, a site-
specific current study was not conducted within the site. Transport of 
disposed material should not present any adverse impacts. In summary, 
littoral drift is reported to be predominantly southwestward, while 
nearshore surface currents are derived primarily from wind stress, and 
are subject to extreme variability.

7. Existence and Effects of Current and Previous Discharges and Dumping 
in the Area (Including Cumulative Effects) (40 CFR 228.6(a)(7))

    This site, as well as past interim sites nearby, has been used to 
dispose of the material from the Port Royal Sound area since 1956. 
Subsequent monitoring of these disposals and the long-term effects show 
that no adverse impacts have, or are likely to occur to the area.

8. Interference with Shipping, Fishing, Recreation, Mineral Extraction, 
Desalination, Fish and Shellfish Culture, Areas of Special Scientific 
Importance and Other Legitimate Uses of the Ocean (40 CFR 228.6(a)(8))

    The location of the ODMDS was selected to avoid interference with 
commercial shipping. It is not anticipated that the site would 
interfere with any recreational activity. In addition, mineral 
extraction, fish and shellfish culture, and desalination activities do 
not occur in the area.

9. The Existing Water Quality and Ecology of the Site as Determined by 
Available Data or by Trend Assessment or Baseline Surveys (40 CFR 
228.6(a)(9))

    Appropriate water quality and ecological assessments have been 
performed at the site. The most abundant benthic invertebrates found 
within the site were the annelid Polygrodius sp., the bivalve Ervilia 
concentrica, the polychaete Prionospio cristata, annelids in the class 
Oligochaeta, and the bivalve Crassinella lunulata. These five taxa 
accounted for more than 40 percent of total number of individuals 
collected. More detailed information concerning the water quality and 
ecology at the ODMDS is presented in the FEIS. A copy of the FEIS may 
be obtained at any of the addresses given above.

10. Potentiality for the Development or Recruitment of Nuisance Species 
in the Disposal Site (40 CFR 228.6(a)(10))

    The disposal of dredged materials should not attract or promote the 
development of nuisance species. No nuisance species have been reported 
to occur at previously utilized disposal sites in the vicinity.

11. Existence at or in Close Proximity to the Site of Any Significant 
Natural or Cultural Features of Historical Importance (40 CFR 
228.6(a)(11))

    There are no known such natural or cultural features of historical 
importance. As stated in the FEIS, this action has fully complied with 
both the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act and the National 
Historic Preservation Act, as amended.

F. Site Management

    Site management of the Port Royal ODMDS is the responsibility of 
EPA, in cooperation with the COE. The COE issues permits to private 
applicants for ocean disposal; however, EPA/Region 4 assumes overall 
responsibility for site management.
    The SMMP for the Port Royal ODMDS was developed as a part of the 
process of completing the EIS. This plan provides procedures for both 
site management and for the monitoring of effects of disposal 
activities. This SMMP is intended to be flexible and may be reviewed 
and revised by the EPA.

G. Proposed Action

    The EIS concludes that the site may be appropriately designated for 
use. The site is compatible with the 11 specific and five general 
criteria used for site evaluation.
    The designation of the Port Royal site as an EPA-approved ODMDS is 
being published as final rulemaking. Overall management of this site is 
the responsibility of the Regional Administrator of EPA/Region 4.
    It should be emphasized that, if an ODMDS is designated, such a 
site designation does not constitute EPA's approval of actual disposal 
of material at sea. Before ocean disposal of dredged material at the 
site may commence, the COE must evaluate a permit application according 
to EPA's Ocean Dumping Criteria. EPA has the right to disapprove the 
actual disposal, if it determines that environmental concerns under 
MPRSA have not been met.
    The Port Royal ODMDS is not restricted to disposal use by federal 
projects; private applicants may also dispose suitable dredged material 
at the ODMDS once relevant regulations have been satisfied. This site 
is restricted, however, to suitable dredged material from the greater 
Port Royal, South Carolina, vicinity.

H. Regulatory Assessments

1. Executive Order 12866

    Under Executive Order 12866, EPA must determine whether the 
regulatory action is ``significant'' and therefore subject to OMB 
review and the requirements of the Executive Order. The Order defines 
``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely to result in a 
rule that may:
    (a) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities;
    (b) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (c) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
user fees,

[[Page 55773]]

or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; 
or
    (d) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the Executive Order.
    EPA has determined that this action is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under the terms of Executive Order 12866 and is 
therefore not subject to OMB review.

2. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule would not impose an information collection burden under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, 
et seq.) because it would not require persons to obtain, maintain, 
retain, report, or publicly disclose information to or for a Federal 
agency.

3. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, EPA is required to perform a 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for all rules that may have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. EPA has 
determined that this action will not have a significant impact on small 
entities since the designation will only have the effect of providing 
an environmentally acceptable disposal option for dredged material on a 
continued basis. Consequently, by publication of this Rule, the 
Regional Administrator certifies that this action will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities and 
therefore does not necessitate preparation of a Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis.

4. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA), Public Law 
104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA 
generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit 
analysis, for proposed and final rules with Federal Mandates that may 
result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one 
year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement is 
needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify and 
consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the 
least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative that 
achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 do 
not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, 
section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least 
costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative, if the 
Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation of why that 
alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory 
requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments, including tribal governments, it must have developed under 
section 203 of the UMRA a small government agency plan. The plan must 
provide for notifying potentially affected small governments to have 
meaningful and timely input in the development of EPA regulatory 
proposals with significant Federal intergovernmental mandates, and 
informing, educating, and advising small governments on compliance with 
the regulatory requirements.
    EPA has determined that this action contains no Federal mandates 
(under the regulatory provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for State, 
local and tribal governments or the private sector. It imposes no new 
enforceable duty on any State, local or tribal governments or the 
private sector. Thus, the requirements of section 202 and section 205 
of the UMRA do not apply to this proposed rule. Similarly, EPA has also 
determined that this action contains no regulatory requirements that 
might significantly or uniquely affect small government entities. Thus, 
the requirements of section 203 of the UMRA do not apply to this final 
rule.

5. Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the 
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
    This final rule does not have federalism implications. It will not 
have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship 
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, 
as specified in Executive Order 13132. As described elsewhere in this 
preamble, today's action would only have the effect of providing a 
continual use of an ocean disposal site pursuant to section 102(c) of 
MPRSA. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this final rule. 
Although section 6 of Executive Order 13132 does not apply, EPA did 
consult with State officials in developing this action and no concerns 
were raised.

6. Executive Order 13175

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have tribal implications.'' This final rule does not have 
tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175. As 
described elsewhere in this preamble, today's action would only have 
the effect of providing continual use of an ocean disposal site 
pursuant to section 102(c) of MPRSA. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does 
not apply to this final rule.

7. Executive Order 13045

    Executive Order 13045, entitled ``Protection of Children from 
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 
1997) applies to any rule that: (a) Is determined to be ``economically 
significant'' as defined under Executive Order 12866 and (b) concerns 
an environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe 
may have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory 
action meets both criteria, EPA must evaluate the environmental health 
or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by EPA.
    This final rule is not subject to the Executive Order because it is 
not economically significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and 
because EPA does not have any reason to believe the environmental 
health or safety risks addressed by this action present a 
disproportionate risk to children. As described elsewhere in this 
preamble, today's action would only have the effect of providing 
continual use of an ocean disposal site pursuant to section 102(c) of 
MPRSA.

8. Executive Order 13211

    This final rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001)) because it is not a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

[[Page 55774]]

9. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer Advancement Act 
of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 
note), directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its 
regulatory activities unless doing so would be inconsistent with 
applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards 
are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, 
sampling procedures, and business practices) that are developed or 
adopted by voluntary consensus bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to provide 
Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use 
available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. This final rule 
does not involve technical standards. Therefore, EPA did not consider 
the use of any voluntary consensus standards.

10. Executive Order 12898

    Executive Order 12898 requires that, to the greatest extent 
practicable and permitted by law, each Federal agency must make 
achieving environmental justice part of its mission. Executive Order 
12898 provides that each Federal agency must conduct its programs, 
policies, and activities that substantially affect human health or the 
environment in a manner that ensures that such programs, policies, and 
activities do not have the effect of excluding persons (including 
populations) from participation in, denying persons (including 
populations) the benefits of, or subjecting persons (including 
populations) to discrimination under such programs, policies, and 
activities because of their race, color, or national origin.
    No action from this final rule would have a disproportionately high 
and adverse human health and environmental effect on any particular 
segment of the population. In addition, this rule does not impose 
substantial direct compliance costs on those communities.

11. The Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).
    Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 12898 do not 
apply.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 228

    Environmental protection, Water pollution control.

    Dated: September 14, 2005.
J.I. Palmer, Jr.,
Regional Administrator for Region 4.

0
In consideration of the foregoing, Subchapter H of Chapter I of Title 
40 is amended as follows:

PART 228--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 228 continues to read as follows:


    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1412 and 1418.

0
2. Section 228.15 is amended by adding (h)(23) to read as follows:


Sec.  228.15  Dumping sites designated on a final basis.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (23) Port Royal, SC; Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site.
    (i) Location (NAD83): 32[deg]05.00' N., 80[deg]36.47' W.; 
32[deg]05.00' N., 80[deg]35.30' W.; 32[deg]04.00' N., 80[deg]35.30' W.; 
32[deg]04.00' N., 80[deg]36.47' W.
    (ii) Size: Approximately 1.0 square nautical miles.
    (iii) Depth: Averages 36 feet.
    (iv) Primary use: Dredged material.
    (v) Period of use: Continuing use.
    (vi) Restriction: Disposal shall be limited to suitable dredged 
material from the greater Port Royal, South Carolina, vicinity. 
Disposal shall comply with conditions set forth in the most recent 
approved Site Management and Monitoring Plan.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 05-19063 9-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P