2007 Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards-Call for Nominations, 67124-67125 [E6-19556]

Download as PDF sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 67124 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices to the list of questions in this Unit III. Commenters should not feel that they must confine their comments to the following specific questions, nor should they feel they must respond to any or all of the questions. Commenters, however, should attempt to provide comments on the aspects of the VCCEP pilot with which they have had experience and/or have formed a definite opinion. To be most helpful in the Agency’s evaluation, please provide enough detail to explain or illustrate conclusions that you have reached based on your experiences. • Have the hazard, exposure, and risk assessments submitted by the sponsors provided sufficient information to enable the Peer Consultation panel to adequately evaluate these aspects as they relate to children from the chemicals in question? Have the Data Needs Assessments prepared by the sponsors been fair and unbiased? • Has the Peer Consultation process been open, transparent, timely, and useful as a forum for scientists and experts from various stakeholder groups to exchange views on sponsors’ assessments and recommended data needs? How might it be improved? • Has the Peer Consultation process been efficient? If not, what improvements could be made? • Has the Peer Consultation panel adequately considered both toxicology and exposure information in developing its results? • Does the Peer Consultation process provide a scientifically rigorous and effective means for eliciting comments and opinions from the assembled experts on the Peer Consultation panel and those attending the public meeting, and for assisting EPA in developing decisions? • Have the communications related to the Peer Consultation process, activities and outcomes been effective and have they facilitated public understanding and use of the information generated from this process? • Should the time allowed for sponsor commitment remain the same, i.e., 6 months to commit to Tier 1, and 4 months to commit to subsequent Tiers? (The commitment period is the time for the sponsor to decide whether to participate in VCCEP, form a consortium, and notify the Agency.) • How can the timeliness of activities under the VCCEP pilot be improved? Should specific due dates be established for each step in the process? If so, how should a missed due date be addressed? • Should the sponsor be requested to commit to more than one tier at a time? Is it better to run the VCCEP pilot with commitments at each tier, i.e., three VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 commitments, or to run the VCCEP pilot with two commitments, i.e., to Tier 1 and to Tiers 2/3? • Are there any ways in which EPA’s contributions to the VCCEP pilot’s evaluation and data needs decision process could be improved or made more effective? • Has the VCCEP pilot made significant progress with respect to its objectives? • The VCCEP pilot was designed to ensure that health effects, exposure, and risk information are made available to the public to enable a better understanding of the potential health risks to children associated with certain chemical exposures. Does the VCCEP website provide easy access to and adequate explanation of the information generated by the VCCEP pilot? Commenters should follow the guidance provided in Unit I.B. and under ADDRESSES when preparing and submitting their comments. IV. Comments Document EPA will prepare a Comments Document summarizing the comments received in response to this notice and at a public meeting, if held. The Comments Document will identify any common themes and will assist EPA in determining what modifications might be made to make the program run more efficiently and/or better meet the objectives of VCCEP. Significant program modifications which the Agency is considering as a result of this evaluation will be discussed with stakeholders before implementing. At this time, once the Comments Document is complete, EPA expects to make the Comments Document available to the public on the VCCEP website. The Comments Document will not be published in the Federal Register, nor will a notice of availability be published in the Federal Register announcing its appearance on the VCCEP website. However, if you provide your e-mail address, EPA will notify you by e-mail when the Comments Document is available on the VCCEP website at https://www.epa.gov/ chemrtk/vccep. V. Public Meeting If there are requests to do so, EPA will hold a public meeting to discuss and take comment on the implementation of the VCCEP pilot. To request a public meeting, follow the directions under ADDRESSES. VI. Materials in the Docket An official docket was established for this VCCEP pilot evaluation under docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPPT– PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2006–0341. The docket includes information considered by EPA in developing this notice such as the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. In addition, interested parties should consult documents that are referenced in the documents that EPA has placed in the public docket, regardless of whether these referenced documents are physically located in the public docket. For assistance in locating documents that are referenced in documents that EPA has placed in the public docket, but that are not physically located in the docket, please consult the technical contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The public docket is available for review as specified under ADDRESSES. 1. EPA. Voluntary Children’s Chemical Evaluation Program. Federal Register (65 FR 81700, December 26, 2000) (FRL–6758–5). Available on-line at: https://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/vccep/ pubs/ts00274d.pdf. 2. EPA. Methodology for Selecting Chemicals for the Voluntary Children’s Chemical Evaluation Program (VCCEP) Pilot. December 5, 2000. Available online at: https://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/ vccep/vccepmth.htm. List of Subjects Environmental protection, Chemicals, Child health. Dated: November 9, 2006. James B. Gulliford, Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. [FR Doc. E6–19574 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8243–7] 2007 Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards—Call for Nominations Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the initiation of an EPA recognition and leadership program for excellence in water quality trading, ‘‘Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards,’’ and solicits nominations for possible award to water quality trading programs and policies which have achieved or are expected to achieve environmental and economic benefits. Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards will encourage E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices and recognize exemplary water quality trading programs and policies. This recognition program will enable EPA to identify successful and innovative water quality trading programs and policies that most closely align with U.S. EPA’s Water Quality Trading Policy and cooperate with those programs in order to prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution. This program will also help EPA promote water quality trading and create a network of water quality trading leaders throughout the country. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Nominations received after this deadline will not be considered. DATES: Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards; ATTN: Chris Lewicki; U.S. EPA; Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds; Assessment and Watershed Protection Division; Room 7303K; Mail Code 4503–T; 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW.; Washington, DC 20004; telephone 202–566–1293. Nominations must be submitted by express mail, courier service, or hand delivery to the address in this section. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Lewicki; U.S. EPA; Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds; Assessment and Watershed Protection Division; Room 7303K; Mail Code 4503– T; 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW.; Washington, DC 20004; telephone 202– 566–1293; e-mail lewicki.chris@epa.gov. Additional information on water quality trading is available at: https:// www.epa.gov/waterqualitytrading. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES I. Background Water quality trading is an innovative approach to achieve water quality goals more efficiently. Trading is based on the fact that sources in a watershed can face very different costs to control the same pollutant. Trading programs allow facilities facing higher pollutant control costs to meet their regulatory obligations by purchasing environmentally equivalent (or superior) pollutant reductions from another source at lower cost, thus achieving the same water quality improvement at lower overall cost. This recognition program will enable EPA to identify successful water quality trading programs and policies that most closely align with U.S. EPA’s Water Quality Trading Policy and cooperate with those programs in order to prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution. This program will also help EPA promote water quality trading and create a network of water quality trading leaders throughout the country. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 II. Award Information From the nominations submitted to EPA’s Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards, EPA will select those programs and policies that best meet the evaluation criteria described below. EPA will recognize those programs and policies that are selected as leaders in the field of water quality trading. III. Eligible Applicants Nominations for a Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Award must be for water quality trading programs or policies that have been, are being, or will be implemented in the United States, and may be either self-nominated or nominated by a third party. The following sectors are encouraged to apply: Corporations; industry; individuals; non-governmental organizations and other associations; institutions; and local, state, and tribal governments. In order to be considered for recognition, nominations must have a satisfactory compliance record with respect to environmental regulations and requirements. IV. Evaluation Criteria Recognition will be given based on the following evaluation criteria: (1) Actual or anticipated environmental improvement; (2) actual or anticipated economic benefits; (3) transparency of trades; (4) accountability of meeting National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit limits; (5) accounting for the fate and transport of the pollutant and the possible different forms of the pollutant being traded in the design of a pollutant credit; (6) mechanisms for managing uncertainty of non-point source pollutant credits (this criterion will apply only for those programs or policies that include trading with nonpoint sources of pollutants); (7) stakeholder involvement; and (8) actual or anticipated evaluation of the trading program or policy. V. Selection Process Nominations will be judged according to the evaluation criteria (see Section IV) by a panel of national water quality trading experts. The panelists will provide recommendations to EPA, who will then consider the expert panel’s recommendations when making the final selections. In addition to the expert panel’s recommendations, EPA may also consider additional factors in making its final selection such as diversity of programs and policies. EPA reserves the right to contact nominees for additional information should it be deemed necessary. PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67125 VI. Nomination Submission Information A. Content of Nomination Package Each nomination must include all the information listed below. (1) Contact information: (a) Name of water quality trading program or policy being nominated; (b) Name of the organization(s) responsible for creating the water quality trading program or policy; (c) Name, telephone number, postal address, and e-mail of person to contact with questions regarding the nomination; and (2) A description of the water quality trading program or policy and how it addresses the evaluation criteria (see Section IV). B. Form of Nomination Package Nominations should not exceed 20 double-spaced pages in length of 12 point font (including all tables, timelines, charts, graphs, maps, pictures, and all other supporting materials). Nominations that exceed the 20 double-spaced page limit will not be considered. Send two printed hardcopies of the nomination and two compact discs (CDs) with the nomination in a Microsoft Word (.doc) format to the address as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. VII. Award Notice EPA anticipates announcing its selections in the spring or summer of 2007. EPA will mail letters to all nominees and any third parties that made nominations indicating whether or not the water quality trading program or policy that was submitted for nomination was selected for recognition in EPA’s 2007 Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards. Dated: November 13, 2006. Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water. [FR Doc. E6–19556 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Request Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with section the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Commission announces that it intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for an extension without change E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 223 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67124-67125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19556]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8243-7]


2007 Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards--Call for 
Nominations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the initiation of an EPA recognition and 
leadership program for excellence in water quality trading, ``Blue 
Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards,'' and solicits nominations for 
possible award to water quality trading programs and policies which 
have achieved or are expected to achieve environmental and economic 
benefits. Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards will encourage

[[Page 67125]]

and recognize exemplary water quality trading programs and policies. 
This recognition program will enable EPA to identify successful and 
innovative water quality trading programs and policies that most 
closely align with U.S. EPA's Water Quality Trading Policy and 
cooperate with those programs in order to prevent, reduce, and 
eliminate water pollution. This program will also help EPA promote 
water quality trading and create a network of water quality trading 
leaders throughout the country.

DATES: Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on 
Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Nominations received after this deadline 
will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards; ATTN: Chris 
Lewicki; U.S. EPA; Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds; 
Assessment and Watershed Protection Division; Room 7303K; Mail Code 
4503-T; 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW.; Washington, DC 20004; telephone 
202-566-1293.
    Nominations must be submitted by express mail, courier service, or 
hand delivery to the address in this section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Lewicki; U.S. EPA; Office of 
Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds; Assessment and Watershed Protection 
Division; Room 7303K; Mail Code 4503-T; 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW.; 
Washington, DC 20004; telephone 202-566-1293; e-mail 
lewicki.chris@epa.gov. Additional information on water quality trading 
is available at: https://www.epa.gov/waterqualitytrading.

I. Background

    Water quality trading is an innovative approach to achieve water 
quality goals more efficiently. Trading is based on the fact that 
sources in a watershed can face very different costs to control the 
same pollutant. Trading programs allow facilities facing higher 
pollutant control costs to meet their regulatory obligations by 
purchasing environmentally equivalent (or superior) pollutant 
reductions from another source at lower cost, thus achieving the same 
water quality improvement at lower overall cost. This recognition 
program will enable EPA to identify successful water quality trading 
programs and policies that most closely align with U.S. EPA's Water 
Quality Trading Policy and cooperate with those programs in order to 
prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution. This program will also 
help EPA promote water quality trading and create a network of water 
quality trading leaders throughout the country.

II. Award Information

    From the nominations submitted to EPA's Blue Ribbon Water Quality 
Trading Awards, EPA will select those programs and policies that best 
meet the evaluation criteria described below. EPA will recognize those 
programs and policies that are selected as leaders in the field of 
water quality trading.

III. Eligible Applicants

    Nominations for a Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Award must be 
for water quality trading programs or policies that have been, are 
being, or will be implemented in the United States, and may be either 
self-nominated or nominated by a third party. The following sectors are 
encouraged to apply: Corporations; industry; individuals; non-
governmental organizations and other associations; institutions; and 
local, state, and tribal governments. In order to be considered for 
recognition, nominations must have a satisfactory compliance record 
with respect to environmental regulations and requirements.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

    Recognition will be given based on the following evaluation 
criteria: (1) Actual or anticipated environmental improvement; (2) 
actual or anticipated economic benefits; (3) transparency of trades; 
(4) accountability of meeting National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
System (NPDES) permit limits; (5) accounting for the fate and transport 
of the pollutant and the possible different forms of the pollutant 
being traded in the design of a pollutant credit; (6) mechanisms for 
managing uncertainty of non-point source pollutant credits (this 
criterion will apply only for those programs or policies that include 
trading with non-point sources of pollutants); (7) stakeholder 
involvement; and (8) actual or anticipated evaluation of the trading 
program or policy.

V. Selection Process

    Nominations will be judged according to the evaluation criteria 
(see Section IV) by a panel of national water quality trading experts. 
The panelists will provide recommendations to EPA, who will then 
consider the expert panel's recommendations when making the final 
selections. In addition to the expert panel's recommendations, EPA may 
also consider additional factors in making its final selection such as 
diversity of programs and policies. EPA reserves the right to contact 
nominees for additional information should it be deemed necessary.

VI. Nomination Submission Information

A. Content of Nomination Package

    Each nomination must include all the information listed below.
    (1) Contact information: (a) Name of water quality trading program 
or policy being nominated; (b) Name of the organization(s) responsible 
for creating the water quality trading program or policy; (c) Name, 
telephone number, postal address, and e-mail of person to contact with 
questions regarding the nomination; and (2) A description of the water 
quality trading program or policy and how it addresses the evaluation 
criteria (see Section IV).

B. Form of Nomination Package

    Nominations should not exceed 20 double-spaced pages in length of 
12 point font (including all tables, timelines, charts, graphs, maps, 
pictures, and all other supporting materials). Nominations that exceed 
the 20 double-spaced page limit will not be considered. Send two 
printed hard-copies of the nomination and two compact discs (CDs) with 
the nomination in a Microsoft Word (.doc) format to the address as 
provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

VII. Award Notice

    EPA anticipates announcing its selections in the spring or summer 
of 2007. EPA will mail letters to all nominees and any third parties 
that made nominations indicating whether or not the water quality 
trading program or policy that was submitted for nomination was 
selected for recognition in EPA's 2007 Blue Ribbon Water Quality 
Trading Awards.

    Dated: November 13, 2006.
Benjamin H. Grumbles,
Assistant Administrator for Water.
[FR Doc. E6-19556 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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