The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields and a Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams, 39934 [2010-17045]

Download as PDF 39934 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 13, 2010 / Notices ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9175–2; Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD– 2009–0934] The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields and a Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Extension of public comment period to August 13, 2010. EPA is announcing a second extension of the public comment period for two related draft documents: (1) ‘‘The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields’’ (EPA/600/R–09/138A) and (2) ‘‘A Fieldbased Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams’’ (EPA/600/R–10/023A). We are specifically extending the comment period to give the public additional time to evaluate the data used to derive a benchmark for conductivity. The original Federal Register notice announcing the public comment period was published on April 12, 2010 (75 FR 18499), and an extension of the public comment period was published on June 1, 2010 (75 FR 30393). By following the link below, reviewers may download the initial data and EPA’s derivative data sets that were used to calculate the conductivity benchmark. These reports were developed by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA’s Office of Research and Development as part of a set of actions taken by EPA to further clarify and strengthen environmental permitting requirements for Appalachian mountaintop removal and other surface coal mining projects, in coordination with federal and state regulatory agencies (https://www.epa.gov/owow/ wetlands/guidance/mining.html). Both documents will be reviewed by an independent Mountaintop Mining Advisory Panel convened by EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB’s public meeting is scheduled for July 20–22, 2010, and was announced in the Federal Register on May 25, 2010 (75 FR 29339). The public comment period described above and the SAB meeting follow separate processes and provide separate opportunities for all interested parties to comment on the document. EPA intends to forward to the SAB those comments received as of July 13, 2010 for consideration by the SAB Panel. Those comments received jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:44 Jul 12, 2010 Jkt 220001 after July 13 will also be made available to the SAB review panel for their consideration as they complete their Panel report. When finalizing the draft documents, EPA will consider the comments from the SAB review as well as any significant public comments that it receives in accordance with this notice. EPA is releasing these draft documents for the purpose of predissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. The documents have not been formally disseminated by EPA. They do not represent and should not be construed to represent a final Agency policy or determination; however, the documents reflect EPA’s best interpretation of the available science. The draft documents are available via the Internet on NCEA’s home page under the Recent Additions and Publications menus at https:// www.epa.gov/ncea. DATES: The public comment period began on April 12, 2010 and ends on August 13, 2010. Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by August 13, 2010. ADDRESSES: The draft reports, ‘‘The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields’’ and ‘‘A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams’’ are 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 paper copies are available, contact the EPA; telephone: (703–347–8629); facsimile: (703–347–8691). If you are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, your mailing address, and the document titles (1) ‘‘The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields’’ and (2) ‘‘A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams.’’ Comments may be submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov, by mail, by facsimile, or by hand delivery/courier. Please follow the detailed instructions provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of Federal Register Notice (75 FR 30393). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on submitting comments to the docket, please contact the Office of Environmental Information Docket; telephone: 202–566–1752; facsimile: 202–566–1753; or e-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov. For technical PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 information, please leave a message at 703–347–8629 or send e-mail to MTM-Cond@epa.gov. Dated: July 6, 2010. Rebecca Clark, Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2010–17045 Filed 7–12–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OAR–2010–0505; FRL–9174–8] Oil and Natural Gas Sector—Notice of Public Meeting AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of public meeting. SUMMARY: EPA will be conducting public meetings to provide an opportunity for public involvement during EPA’s review of air regulations affecting the oil and natural gas industry. The review in progress covers oil and natural gas exploration and production, as well as natural gas processing, transmission, storage, and distribution. The primary purpose of these meetings is to establish a dialog among government, the affected industry, and other interested members of the public early in the rule development process, as well as to receive information that may be useful to EPA in its review. At these meetings, EPA will explain the regulatory process, provide a brief overview of its regulatory review, solicit information that may be useful to EPA in the review of these rules, and provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions and submit comments. These meetings will be open to the public. DATES: Meetings: There will be daytime and evening meetings to provide greater public access. The first pair of meetings will be held on August 2, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Arlington Municipal Building, Arlington, Texas. The second pair of meetings will be held on August 3, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn Denver East-Stapleton, Denver, Colorado. Meetings may end earlier than the scheduled times based on participation. Participation: Although not required for attendance, we ask that anyone who plans to attend one or more of the meetings provide name, affiliation, and sessions attending to the meeting information contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at least E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 39934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17045]



[[Page 39934]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9175-2; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-0934]


The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic 
Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields and a Field-Based 
Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Extension of public comment period to August 13, 2010.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is announcing a second extension of the public comment 
period for two related draft documents: (1) ``The Effects of 
Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central 
Appalachian Coalfields'' (EPA/600/R-09/138A) and (2) ``A Field-based 
Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian 
Streams'' (EPA/600/R-10/023A). We are specifically extending the 
comment period to give the public additional time to evaluate the data 
used to derive a benchmark for conductivity. The original Federal 
Register notice announcing the public comment period was published on 
April 12, 2010 (75 FR 18499), and an extension of the public comment 
period was published on June 1, 2010 (75 FR 30393). By following the 
link below, reviewers may download the initial data and EPA's 
derivative data sets that were used to calculate the conductivity 
benchmark. These reports were developed by the National Center for 
Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and 
Development as part of a set of actions taken by EPA to further clarify 
and strengthen environmental permitting requirements for Appalachian 
mountaintop removal and other surface coal mining projects, in 
coordination with federal and state regulatory agencies (https://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/mining.html).
    Both documents will be reviewed by an independent Mountaintop 
Mining Advisory Panel convened by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB). 
The SAB's public meeting is scheduled for July 20-22, 2010, and was 
announced in the Federal Register on May 25, 2010 (75 FR 29339). The 
public comment period described above and the SAB meeting follow 
separate processes and provide separate opportunities for all 
interested parties to comment on the document. EPA intends to forward 
to the SAB those comments received as of July 13, 2010 for 
consideration by the SAB Panel. Those comments received after July 13 
will also be made available to the SAB review panel for their 
consideration as they complete their Panel report. When finalizing the 
draft documents, EPA will consider the comments from the SAB review as 
well as any significant public comments that it receives in accordance 
with this notice.
    EPA is releasing these draft documents for the purpose of pre-
dissemination peer review under applicable information quality 
guidelines. The documents have not been formally disseminated by EPA. 
They do not represent and should not be construed to represent a final 
Agency policy or determination; however, the documents reflect EPA's 
best interpretation of the available science. The draft documents are 
available via the Internet on NCEA's home page under the Recent 
Additions and Publications menus at https://www.epa.gov/ncea.

DATES: The public comment period began on April 12, 2010 and ends on 
August 13, 2010. Technical comments should be in writing and must be 
received by EPA by August 13, 2010.

ADDRESSES: The draft reports, ``The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and 
Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian 
Coalfields'' and ``A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for 
Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams'' are 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 paper copies are available, 
contact the EPA; telephone: (703-347-8629); facsimile: (703-347-8691). 
If you are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, your 
mailing address, and the document titles (1) ``The Effects of 
Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central 
Appalachian Coalfields'' and (2) ``A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark 
for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams.''
    Comments may be submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov, 
by mail, by facsimile, or by hand delivery/courier. Please follow the 
detailed instructions provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 
of Federal Register Notice (75 FR 30393).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on submitting comments 
to the docket, please contact the Office of Environmental Information 
Docket; telephone: 202-566-1752; facsimile: 202-566-1753; or e-mail: 
ORD.Docket@epa.gov. For technical information, please leave a message 
at 703-347-8629 or send e-mail to MTM-Cond@epa.gov.

    Dated: July 6, 2010.
Rebecca Clark,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2010-17045 Filed 7-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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