Extension of Public Comment Periods: Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur-Environmental Criteria and Annexes and Draft Risk and Exposure Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur, 56571-56572 [E8-22798]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 189 / Monday, September 29, 2008 / Notices ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8722–3; Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR– 2007–1145] Extension of Public Comment Periods: Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur— Environmental Criteria and Annexes and Draft Risk and Exposure Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Extension of Public Comment Periods. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The EPA is announcing extensions of the public comment periods for the draft documents titled, ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur— Environmental Criteria; Second External Review Draft’’ (EPA 600/R–08/082), ‘‘Annexes for the Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur—Environmental Criteria; Second External Review Draft’’ (EPA 600/R–08/ 083), and ‘‘Risk and Exposure Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur’’ (EPA– 452/P–08–005a). These documents were prepared as part of the Agency’s review of the secondary (welfare-based) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2.) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). EPA is releasing these draft documents solely for the purpose of seeking comment from the public and the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). The documents are being distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination review under applicable information quality guidelines. They do not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency policy, viewpoint, or determination. EPA will consider any public comments submitted in accordance with this notice when revising the document. DATES: The public comment period began on August 12, 2008 (73 FR 46908), for document EPA/600/R–08/ 082 and August 26, 2008 for document EPA 600/R–08/083. This notice announces the extension of the deadline for public comment from October 1, 2008, to October 10, 2008, for both of these documents. Comments must be received on or before October 10, 2008. The public comment period began on August 29, 2008 (73 FR 50965), for VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:48 Sep 26, 2008 Jkt 214001 document EPA–452/P–08–005a. This notice announces the extension of the deadline for public comment from October 15, 2008, to November 15, 2008. Comments must be received on or before November 15, 2008. ADDRESSES: The ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur—Environmental Criteria; Second External Review Draft’’ (EPA/600/R–08/ 082) and Annexes (EPA/600/R–08/083) will be available primarily via the Internet on the National Center for Environmental Assessment’s home page under the Recent Additions and Publications menus at https:// www.epa.gov/ncea. A limited number of CD–ROM or paper copies will be available. Contact Ms. Ellen Lorang by phone (919–541–2771), fax (919–541– 5078), or e-mail (lorang.ellen@epa.gov) to request either of these, and please provide your name, your mailing address, and the document title to facilitate processing of your request. For information on submitting comments to the docket, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the draft ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur—Environmental Criteria’’, contact Dr. Tara Greaver, NCEA; telephone: 919–541–2435; fax: 919–541–5078; or e-mail: greaver.tara@epa.gov. For information on the draft ‘‘Risk and Exposure Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur’’, contact Dr. Anne Rea, OAQPS; telephone: 919–541–0053; fax: 919– 541–0840; or e-mail: rea.anne@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Information About the Documents Section 108(a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to identify certain pollutants that ‘‘may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare’’ and to issue air quality criteria for them. These air quality criteria are to ‘‘accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air.’’ Under section 109 of the Act, EPA is then to establish national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for each pollutant for which EPA has issued criteria. Section 109(d) of the Act subsequently requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 56571 scientific knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health and welfare. EPA is also to revise the NAAQS, if appropriate, based on the revised air quality criteria. Oxides of nitrogen and sulfur are two of six principal (or ‘‘criteria’’) pollutants for which EPA has established air quality criteria and NAAQS. EPA periodically reviews the scientific basis for these standards by preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) (formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document). The ISA and supplementary annexes, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provide the scientific basis for EPA decisions on the adequacy of a current NAAQS and the appropriateness of new or revised standards. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), an independent science advisory committee established pursuant to section 109 of the Clean Air Act and part of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB), provides independent scientific advice on NAAQS matters, including advice on EPA’s draft ISAs. EPA formally initiated its current review of the criteria for oxides of nitrogen and sulfur in December 2005 (70 FR 73236) and May 2006 (71 FR 28023) respectively, requesting the submission of recent scientific information on specified topics. In the initial stages of the criteria reviews, EPA recognized the merit of integrating the science assessment for these two pollutants due to their combined effects on atmospheric chemistry, deposition processes, and environment-related public welfare effects. In July 2007 (72 FR 34004), a workshop was held to discuss, with invited scientific experts, initial draft materials prepared in the development of the ISA and supplementary annexes for oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. EPA’s ‘‘Draft Plan for Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide’’ was made available in September 2007 for public comment and was discussed by the CASAC via a publicly accessible teleconference consultation on October 30, 2007 (72 FR 57568). The Plan was made available on EPA’s Web site https://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ standards/no2so2sec/cr_pd.html. The draft ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur— Environmental Criteria; First External Review Draft’’ was released for review on December 21, 2007 (72 FR 72719). The CASAC reviewed the draft document at a public peer review meeting on April 2–3, 2008; comments from the CASAC and the public have E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 56572 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 189 / Monday, September 29, 2008 / Notices mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES been addressed in this second external review draft document. The draft ‘‘Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur— Environmental Criteria; Second External Review Draft’’ and the draft ‘‘Risk and Exposure Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur’’ will be discussed by CASAC at a public peer review meeting on October 1–2, 2008; public comments that have been received prior to the public meeting will be provided to the CASAC review panel. II. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at www.regulations.gov Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. Docket ID EPA–HQ– OAR–2007–1145 by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov. • Fax: 202–566–9744. • Mail: Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket (Mail Code: 2822T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202–566–1752. • Hand Delivery: The OEI Docket is located in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is 202–566–1744. Such deliveries are only accepted during the docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. If you provide comments by mail or hand delivery, please submit one unbound original with pages numbered consecutively, and three copies of the comments. For attachments, provide an index, number pages consecutively with the comments, and submit an unbound original and three copies. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2007– 1145. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will be marked ‘‘late’’, and may only be considered if time permits. It is EPA’s policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket without change and to make the comments available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:48 Sep 26, 2008 Jkt 214001 unless a comment includes information claimed to be confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https:// www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through https:// www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https:// www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in https:// www.regulations.gov or in hardcopy at the OEI Docket in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center. Dated: September 23, 2008. Rebecca Clark, Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. E8–22798 Filed 9–26–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8720–7; EPA–HQ–OW–2005–0007] Final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges From Industrial Activities Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: EPA Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10 today are finalizing EPA’s NPDES general permit for stormwater discharges from industrial activity, also referred to as the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). The MSGP consists of thirty four (34) separate Regional EPA permits that may vary from each other based on State or Tribal water qualitybased requirements. This permit replaces the existing permits that expired on October 30, 2005. As with the earlier permits, this permit authorizes the discharge of stormwater associated with industrial activities in accordance with the terms and conditions described therein. Industrial dischargers have the choice to seek coverage under an individual permit. An individual permit may be necessary if the discharger cannot meet the terms and conditions or eligibility requirements in the permit. DATES: This permit is effective today, September 29, 2008. This effective date is necessary to provide dischargers with the immediate opportunity to comply with Clean Water Act requirements in light of the expiration of the MSGP 2000 on October 30, 2005. In accordance with 40 CFR Part 23, this permit shall be considered issued for the purpose of judicial review on October 13, 2008. Under section 509(b) of the Clean Water Act, judicial review of this general permit can be had by filing a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals within 120 days after the permit is considered issued for purposes of judicial review. Under section 509(b)(2) of the Clean Water Act, the requirements in this permit may not be challenged later in civil or criminal proceedings to enforce these requirements. In addition, this permit may not be challenged in other agency proceedings. Deadlines for submittal of notices of intent are provided in Part 1.4 of the MSGP. This permit also provides additional dates for compliance with the terms of these permits. EPA will host a Web cast presentation on Wednesday, November 5 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to explain the new permit requirements. E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 189 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56571-56572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22798]



[[Page 56571]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8722-3; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-1145]


Extension of Public Comment Periods: Draft Integrated Science 
Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur--Environmental Criteria 
and Annexes and Draft Risk and Exposure Assessment for the Review of 
the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of 
Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Extension of Public Comment Periods.

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

SUMMARY: The EPA is announcing extensions of the public comment periods 
for the draft documents titled, ``Integrated Science Assessment for 
Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur--Environmental Criteria; Second External 
Review Draft'' (EPA 600/R-08/082), ``Annexes for the Integrated Science 
Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur--Environmental Criteria; 
Second External Review Draft'' (EPA 600/R-08/083), and ``Risk and 
Exposure Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National Ambient 
Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur'' 
(EPA-452/P-08-005a).
    These documents were prepared as part of the Agency's review of the 
secondary (welfare-based) national ambient air quality standards 
(NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2.) and sulfur dioxide 
(SO2). EPA is releasing these draft documents solely for the 
purpose of seeking comment from the public and the Clean Air Scientific 
Advisory Committee (CASAC). The documents are being distributed solely 
for the purpose of pre-dissemination review under applicable 
information quality guidelines. They do not represent and should not be 
construed to represent any Agency policy, viewpoint, or determination. 
EPA will consider any public comments submitted in accordance with this 
notice when revising the document.

DATES: The public comment period began on August 12, 2008 (73 FR 
46908), for document EPA/600/R-08/082 and August 26, 2008 for document 
EPA 600/R-08/083. This notice announces the extension of the deadline 
for public comment from October 1, 2008, to October 10, 2008, for both 
of these documents. Comments must be received on or before October 10, 
2008.
    The public comment period began on August 29, 2008 (73 FR 50965), 
for document EPA-452/P-08-005a. This notice announces the extension of 
the deadline for public comment from October 15, 2008, to November 15, 
2008. Comments must be received on or before November 15, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The ``Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen 
and Sulfur--Environmental Criteria; Second External Review Draft'' 
(EPA/600/R-08/082) and Annexes (EPA/600/R-08/083) will be available 
primarily via the Internet on the National Center for Environmental 
Assessment's home page under the Recent Additions and Publications 
menus at https://www.epa.gov/ncea. A limited number of CD-ROM or paper 
copies will be available. Contact Ms. Ellen Lorang by phone (919-541-
2771), fax (919-541-5078), or e-mail (lorang.ellen@epa.gov) to request 
either of these, and please provide your name, your mailing address, 
and the document title to facilitate processing of your request.
    For information on submitting comments to the docket, please see 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the draft 
``Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur--
Environmental Criteria'', contact Dr. Tara Greaver, NCEA; telephone: 
919-541-2435; fax: 919-541-5078; or e-mail: greaver.tara@epa.gov.
    For information on the draft ``Risk and Exposure Assessment for the 
Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for 
Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur'', contact Dr. Anne Rea, OAQPS; 
telephone: 919-541-0053; fax: 919-541-0840; or e-mail: 
rea.anne@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Information About the Documents

    Section 108(a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to 
identify certain pollutants that ``may reasonably be anticipated to 
endanger public health and welfare'' and to issue air quality criteria 
for them. These air quality criteria are to ``accurately reflect the 
latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of 
all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be 
expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air.''
    Under section 109 of the Act, EPA is then to establish national 
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for each pollutant for which EPA 
has issued criteria. Section 109(d) of the Act subsequently requires 
periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality 
criteria to reflect advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of 
the pollutant on public health and welfare. EPA is also to revise the 
NAAQS, if appropriate, based on the revised air quality criteria.
    Oxides of nitrogen and sulfur are two of six principal (or 
``criteria'') pollutants for which EPA has established air quality 
criteria and NAAQS. EPA periodically reviews the scientific basis for 
these standards by preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) 
(formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document). The ISA and 
supplementary annexes, in conjunction with additional technical and 
policy assessments, provide the scientific basis for EPA decisions on 
the adequacy of a current NAAQS and the appropriateness of new or 
revised standards. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), 
an independent science advisory committee established pursuant to 
section 109 of the Clean Air Act and part of the EPA's Science Advisory 
Board (SAB), provides independent scientific advice on NAAQS matters, 
including advice on EPA's draft ISAs.
    EPA formally initiated its current review of the criteria for 
oxides of nitrogen and sulfur in December 2005 (70 FR 73236) and May 
2006 (71 FR 28023) respectively, requesting the submission of recent 
scientific information on specified topics. In the initial stages of 
the criteria reviews, EPA recognized the merit of integrating the 
science assessment for these two pollutants due to their combined 
effects on atmospheric chemistry, deposition processes, and 
environment-related public welfare effects. In July 2007 (72 FR 34004), 
a workshop was held to discuss, with invited scientific experts, 
initial draft materials prepared in the development of the ISA and 
supplementary annexes for oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. EPA's ``Draft 
Plan for Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards 
for Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide'' was made available in 
September 2007 for public comment and was discussed by the CASAC via a 
publicly accessible teleconference consultation on October 30, 2007 (72 
FR 57568). The Plan was made available on EPA's Web site https://
www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/no2so2sec/cr_pd.html. The draft 
``Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur--
Environmental Criteria; First External Review Draft'' was released for 
review on December 21, 2007 (72 FR 72719). The CASAC reviewed the draft 
document at a public peer review meeting on April 2-3, 2008; comments 
from the CASAC and the public have

[[Page 56572]]

been addressed in this second external review draft document. The draft 
``Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur--
Environmental Criteria; Second External Review Draft'' and the draft 
``Risk and Exposure Assessment for the Review of the Secondary National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of 
Sulfur'' will be discussed by CASAC at a public peer review meeting on 
October 1-2, 2008; public comments that have been received prior to the 
public meeting will be provided to the CASAC review panel.

II. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at 
www.regulations.gov

    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. Docket ID EPA-HQ-
OAR-2007-1145 by one of the following methods:
     https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
     E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
     Fax: 202-566-9744.
     Mail: Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket 
(Mail Code: 2822T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202-
566-1752.
     Hand Delivery: The OEI Docket is located in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is 202-566-1744. Such deliveries are only accepted during 
the docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should 
be made for deliveries of boxed information.
    If you provide comments by mail or hand delivery, please submit one 
unbound original with pages numbered consecutively, and three copies of 
the comments. For attachments, provide an index, number pages 
consecutively with the comments, and submit an unbound original and 
three copies.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2007-1145. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the 
specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will 
be marked ``late'', and may only be considered if time permits. It is 
EPA's policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket 
without change and to make the comments available online at https://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless a comment includes information claimed to be confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through https://www.regulations.gov or e-
mail. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous 
access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you 
send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through https://
www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured 
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 
and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic 
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact 
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you 
submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to 
consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or 
viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the 
EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in https://www.regulations.gov or in hardcopy at the OEI Docket in the 
EPA Headquarters Docket Center.

    Dated: September 23, 2008.
Rebecca Clark,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. E8-22798 Filed 9-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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