Clarifications to Indian Tribes' Clean Air Act Regulatory Requirements; Direct Final Amendments, 23876-23879 [2011-10321]
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23876
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 83 / Friday, April 29, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: April 11, 2011.
Kevin J. Wolf,
Assistant Secretary.
the Associate Commissioner for Patent
Examination Policy, by telephone at
(571) 272–7727, (571) 272–7754 or (571)
272–7700, or by mail addressed to: Mail
Stop Comments Patents, Commissioner
for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria,
VA 22313–1450, marked to the attention
of Eugenia A. Jones.
[FR Doc. 2011–9924 Filed 4–28–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–33–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
37 CFR Part 1
[Docket No.: PTO–P–2010–0092]
RIN 0651–AC52
Changes To Implement the Prioritized
Examination Track (Track I) of the
Enhanced Examination Timing Control
Procedures
United States Patent and
Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective and
applicability dates.
AGENCY:
On April 4, 2011, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office
(Office) published a final rule that
revises the rules of practice in patent
cases to implement a procedure under
which applicants may request
prioritized examination at the time of
filing of an application upon payment of
appropriate fees and compliance with
certain requirements (Track I final rule).
The prioritized examination procedure
is the first track (Track I) of a 3-Track
examination process designed to
provide applicants with greater control
over when their nonprovisional utility
and plant applications are examined
and to promote greater efficiency in the
patent examination process. The Track
I final rule states that the effective date
is May 4, 2011, and that a request for
prioritized examination may be
submitted with any original utility or
plant application filed on or after May
4, 2011. The Office is hereby notifying
the public that the Track I final rule
effective date and applicability date
have been delayed until further notice.
DATES: Effective Date: The effective date
for the amendments to 37 CFR 1.17 and
1.102 published at 76 FR 18399, April
4, 2011 (the Track I final rule) is delayed
until further notice. The Office will
publish a document in the Federal
Register announcing the new effective
date.
Applicability date: No request for
prioritized examination will be accepted
until further notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Eugenia A. Jones, Kathleen Kahler
Fonda, or Michael T. Cygan, Office of
Patent Legal Administration, Office of
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SUMMARY:
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On April
4, 2011, the Office published a final rule
that revises the rules of practice in
patent cases to implement a procedure
under which applicants may request
prioritized examination at the time of
filing of an application upon payment of
appropriate fees and compliance with
certain requirements (Track I final rule).
See Changes to Implement the
Prioritized Examination Track (Track I)
of the Enhanced Examination Timing
Control Procedures, 76 FR 18399 (Apr.
4, 2011). The Office set an aggregate goal
for the prioritized examination
procedure of providing a final
disposition within twelve months of
prioritized status being granted. See
Changes to Implement the Prioritized
Examination Track (Track I) of the
Enhanced Examination Timing Control
Procedures, 76 FR at 18401. The Office,
however, has found it necessary to
revise its patent examiner hiring plan
due to funding limitations. The revised
hiring plan does not permit the Office
to hire new examiners. With the current
level of resources, the Office will not be
able to meet the twelve-month
pendency goal in prioritized
examination applications without
impacting the non-prioritized
examination applications at this time.
Therefore, the Office is delaying the
effective date and applicability date of
the Track I final rule until further
notice. When the funding limitations are
resolved, the Office will issue a
subsequent notice identifying a revised
effective date and applicability date on
which the final rule shall apply.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: April 25, 2011.
David J. Kappos,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual
Property and Director of the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2011–10376 Filed 4–28–11; 8:45 am]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 49
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2010–0293; FRL–9300–2]
RIN–2060–AQ56
Clarifications to Indian Tribes’ Clean
Air Act Regulatory Requirements;
Direct Final Amendments
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
The EPA is taking direct final
action to amend certain Clean Air Act
regulations pertaining to Indian tribes.
This action changes the title of the
regulations titled, ‘‘Tribal Clean Air Act
Authority’’ to the more accurate ‘‘Indian
Country: Air Quality Planning and
Management.’’ The action also
reorganizes existing sections for better
placement within the regulations.
DATES: The direct final rule is effective
on July 28, 2011 without further notice,
unless EPA receives relevant adverse
comments by May 31, 2011. If EPA
receives relevant adverse comments, we
will publish a timely withdrawal in the
Federal Register informing the public
that the amendments in this rule will
not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2010–0293, by one of the
following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: (202) 566–9744.
• Mail: Indian Country: Air Quality
Planning and Management Docket,
Environmental Protection Agency,
Mailcode: 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Please include a total of two copies.
• Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center,
Public Reading Room, EPA West, Room
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries
are only accepted during the Docket’s
normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2010–
0293. The EPA’s policy is that all
comments received will be included in
the public docket without change and
may be made available online at
https://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes
information claimed to be confidential
business information (CBI) or other
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 83 / Friday, April 29, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit
information 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 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.
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 form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available either electronically in https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Indian Country: Air Quality
Planning and Management Docket, EPA/
DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington,
DC. The 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,
and the telephone number for the Air
Docket is (202) 566–1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Darrel Harmon, Office of Air and
Radiation (OAR/IO 6101A),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460; telephone number: (202)
564–7416, facsimile number (202) 501–
0394; electronic mail (e-mail) address:
harmon.darrel@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
information presented in this preamble
is organized as follows:
I. Why is EPA using a direct final rule?
II. What is the purpose of this action?
III. Why is this action needed?
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IV. Where can I get a copy of this document?
V. What should I consider as I prepare my
comments for EPA?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions
To Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act
I. Why is EPA using a direct final rule?
The EPA is publishing this direct final
rule without a prior proposed rule
because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no
adverse comments. This action does not
make changes to any requirements; the
action simply renames the existing 40
CFR Part 49 to more accurately reflect
its purpose and relocates existing
sections for better organization within
the part. Any parties interested in
commenting must do so at this time.
Because this is an amendment of
regulatory language through rulemaking,
a redline version of the regulatory
language has been created and has been
placed in the docket. (https://
www.regulations.gov, see docket
number EPA–HQ–OAR–2010–0293) to
aid the public’s ability to comment. For
further information about commenting
on the rule, see the ADDRESSES section
of this document. If EPA receives
adverse comments, we will publish a
timely withdrawal in the Federal
Register informing the public the
amendments in this direct final rule will
not take effect. We will address any
comments received in a subsequent
final rule based on the proposed rule.
II. What is the purpose of this action?
The purpose of this action is to (1)
retitle 40 CFR Part 49 ‘‘Tribal Clean Air
Act Authority’’ to the more accurate
‘‘Indian Country: Air Quality Planning
and Management,’’ and (2) relocate three
existing sections from Subpart A, which
is intended to include only general
tribal authority-related provisions, to
Subpart L, which includes provisions
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specific to implementation plans for
tribes located in EPA Region IX. The
three sections that will be moved from
40 CFR part 49 subpart A to Subpart L
are § 49.22 Federal Implementation Plan
for Tri-cities Landfill, Salt River PimaMaricopa Indian Community (will
become § 49.5511), § 49.23 Federal
Implementation Plan Provisions for
Four Corners Power Plant, Navajo
Nation (will become § 49.5512), and
§ 49.24 Federal Implementation Plan
Provisions for Navajo Generating
Station, Navajo Nation (will become
§ 49.5513). Sections 49.22, 49.23, and
49.24 will be reserved in the event new
general tribal authority-related
provisions are promulgated in the
future.
III. Why is this action needed?
This rule is needed to provide
regulatory clarity to Indian tribes. The
change in the title of the part from
‘‘Tribal Clean Air Act Authority’’ to the
more accurate ‘‘Indian Country: Air
Quality Planning and Management’’ is
needed because the current title
suggests the part only includes
requirements applicable to the granting
of authority to tribes under the Clean
Air Act. While the title was appropriate
when Part 49 was originally
promulgated, since then other
regulations not relating to tribal
authority have been added to the part
such that the title is no longer broad
enough to encompass the entire scope of
these regulations. ‘‘Indian Country: Air
Quality Planning and Management’’ is a
broader, more accurate title which
identifies the Part 49 regulations as
relating more generally to the planning
and management of air quality in Indian
country. It has been long recognized by
EPA Headquarters (HQ) and Regions the
title did not fully illustrate the context
of the rule and could be misread. For
this reason, EPA HQ and Regions have
an interest in changing the title to
reduce any confusion. This change will
also enable tribes to more easily
recognize the Clean Air Act regulation
that affects them.
The rule also moves sections 49.22,
49.23 and 49.24 out of Subpart A, which
is intended to include provisions
relating generally to tribal authority
regardless of the EPA Region in which
a tribe is located, to Subpart L,
Implementation Plans for Tribes in
Region IX, such that all implementation
plan provisions that apply specifically
to Region IX tribes are located together.
IV. Where can I get a copy of this
document?
In addition to being available in the
docket, an electronic copy of this final
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action will also be available on the
Worldwide Web (WWW) through the
Technology Transfer Network (TTN).
Following signature, a copy of this final
action will be posted on the TTN’s
policy and guidance page for newly
proposed or promulgated rules at the
following address: https://www.epa.gov/
ttn/oarpg/. The TTN provides
information and technology exchange in
various areas of air pollution control.
V. What should I consider as I prepare
my comments for EPA?
Do not submit information containing
CBI to EPA through https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Send or
deliver information identified as CBI
only to the following address: Roberto
Morales, OAQPS Document Control
Officer (C404–02), Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards, Environmental
Protection Agency, Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina 27711, Attention
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2010–
0293. Clearly mark the part or all of the
information you claim to be CBI. For
CBI information in a disk or CD ROM
that you mail to EPA, mark the outside
of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then
identify electronically within the disk or
CD ROM the specific information that is
claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that
includes information claimed as CBI, a
copy of the comment that does not
contain the information claimed as CBI
must be submitted for inclusion in the
public docket. Information so marked
will not be disclosed except in
accordance with procedures set forth in
40 CFR Part 2.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
This action is not a ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ under the terms of
Executive Order (EO) 12866 (58 FR
51735, October 4, 1993) and is,
therefore, not subject to review under
the Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
(76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011).
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B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose any new
information collection burden. These
amendments do not result in changes to
the information collection requirements
of the existing regulations and will have
no impact on the information collection
estimate of projected cost and hour
burden made and approved by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) during the development of the
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existing regulations. However, the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) has previously approved the
information collection requirements
contained in the existing regulations (40
CFR Part 49) under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq. and has assigned OMB
control numbers (2060–0306 and 2060–
0558). The OMB control numbers for
EPA’s regulations in 40 CFR are listed
in 40 CFR Part 9. Therefore, the
information collection requests have not
been amended.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
generally requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis of any
rule subject to notice and comment
rulemaking requirements under the
Administrative Procedure Act or any
other statute unless the Agency certifies
the rule would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities
include small businesses, small
organizations, and small governmental
jurisdictions.
For the purposes of assessing the
impacts of this rule on small entities,
small entity is defined as: (1) A small
business as defined by the Small
Business Administration’s regulations at
13 CFR 121.201; (2) a small
governmental jurisdiction that is a
government of a city, county, town,
school district, or special district with a
population of less than 50,000; and (3)
a small organization that is any not-forprofit enterprise which is independently
owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
After considering the economic
impacts of this final rule on small
entities, I certify this action will not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
This rule will not impact small entities
due to the fact these amendments
simply rename the title and reorganize
existing sections for better placement
within the regulation. There are no
substantive changes to the regulation.
Small entities will not incur any adverse
impacts as a result of this rule because
this action does not create any new
requirements or burdens. No costs are
associated with these amendments.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This rule does not contain a Federal
mandate that may result in expenditures
of $100 million or more for state, local,
and tribal governments, in the aggregate,
or to the private sector in any one year.
This direct final rule is not expected to
impact state, local, or tribal
governments. Thus, this rule is not
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subject to the requirements of sections
202 and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (UMRA).
This rule is also not subject to the
requirements of section 203 of UMRA
because it contains no regulatory
requirements that might significantly or
uniquely affect small governments.
These amendments simply rename the
title and move subparts to fit more
appropriately in later subparts. There
are no substantive changes to the
regulation.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action 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. This direct final
rule does not impose any requirements
on state and local governments. Thus,
Executive Order 13132 does not apply
to this rule.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 6,
2000). These amendments do not
impose requirements on tribal
governments. This direct final action
will not have tribal implications and we
received no adverse comments when the
proposed changes were presented to the
National Tribal Air Association (NTAA)
in March 2010. Tribes at the meeting
supported these proposed changes; thus,
Executive Order 13175 does not apply
to this action.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) as
applying to those regulatory actions that
concern health or safety risks, such that
the analysis required under section
5–501 of the Executive Order has the
potential to influence the regulation.
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13045 because it does not have a
substantive impact on existing
regulations, and does not create any
new requirements.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22,
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2001) because it is not a significant
regulatory action under Executive Order
12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act (NTTAA), Public Law 104–113 (15
U.S.C. 272 note) directs EPA to use
voluntary consensus standards in its
regulatory activities, unless to do 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
standards bodies. NTTAA directs EPA
to provide Congress, through OMB,
explanations when the Agency decides
not to use available and applicable
voluntary consensus standards. This
action does not involve technical
standards. Therefore, EPA did not
consider the use of any voluntary
consensus standards.
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. The EPA will
submit a report containing these
amendments 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
amendments 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). This
direct final rule will be effective on July
28, 2011.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 49
Environmental protection, Air
pollution, Indians—lands, Indians—
tribal government.
Dated: April 22, 2011.
Lisa P. Jackson,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, Title 40, Chapter I, Part 49 of
the Code of Federal Regulations is
amended as follows:
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J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) establishes Federal
executive policy on environmental
justice. Its main provision directs
Federal agencies, to the greatest extent
practicable and permitted by law, to
make environmental justice part of their
mission by identifying and addressing,
as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income
populations in the United States.
The EPA has determined this direct
final rule will not have
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects
on minority or low-income populations
because it does not affect the level of
protection provided to human health or
the environment. These amendments
simply rename the title and move
subparts to fit more appropriately in
later subparts. There are no substantive
changes to the regulation.
PART 49—[AMENDED]
K. 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
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans; Indiana;
Removal of Vehicle Inspection and
Maintenance Programs for Clark and
Floyd Counties
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1. The authority citation for Part 49
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
PART 49—INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR
QUALITY PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT
2. Revise the part heading for part 49
as set forth above. §§ 49.22–49.24
[Redesignated]
■ 3. Redesignate § 49.22 in subpart A as
§ 49.5511 in subpart L.
■ 4. Redesignate § 49.23 in subpart A as
§ 49.5512 in subpart L.
■ 5. Redesignate § 49.24 in subpart A as
§ 49.5513 in subpart L.
■ 6. Add and reserve new §§ 49.22–
49.24 in subpart A.
■
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R05–OAR–2009–0729; FRL–9299–7]
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
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23879
EPA is taking final action to
approve a State Implementation Plan
(SIP) revision submitted by the State of
Indiana to allow the State to discontinue
the vehicle inspection and maintenance
(I/M) program in Clark and Floyd
Counties, IN, the Indiana portion of the
Louisville (IN–KY) 1997 8-hour ozone
area. The revision specifically provides
that I/M program regulations be
removed from the active control
measures portion of the SIP. The
regulations will remain in the
contingency measures portion of the
Clark and Floyd Counties ozone
maintenance plans. EPA is approving
Indiana’s request because the State has
demonstrated that discontinuing the I/M
program in Clark and Floyd Counties
will not interfere with the attainment
and maintenance of the 8-hour ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS) or with the attainment and
maintenance of other air quality
standards and requirements of the Clean
Air Act (CAA).
DATES: This final rule is effective on
May 31, 2011.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R05–OAR–2009–0729. 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., Confidential Business Information
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 hard copy at
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 5, Air and Radiation
Division, 77 West Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, Illinois 60604. This facility is
open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding
Federal holidays. We recommend that
you telephone Francisco J. Acevedo at
(312) 886–6061 before visiting the
Region 5 office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Francisco J. Acevedo, Environmental
Protection Specialist, Control Strategies
Section, Air Programs Branch (AR–18J),
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 886–6052.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document whenever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
EPA. This supplementary information
section is arranged as follows:
SUMMARY:
I. What is the background for this action?
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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 83 (Friday, April 29, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23876-23879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10321]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 49
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0293; FRL-9300-2]
RIN-2060-AQ56
Clarifications to Indian Tribes' Clean Air Act Regulatory
Requirements; Direct Final Amendments
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
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SUMMARY: The EPA is taking direct final action to amend certain Clean
Air Act regulations pertaining to Indian tribes. This action changes
the title of the regulations titled, ``Tribal Clean Air Act Authority''
to the more accurate ``Indian Country: Air Quality Planning and
Management.'' The action also reorganizes existing sections for better
placement within the regulations.
DATES: The direct final rule is effective on July 28, 2011 without
further notice, unless EPA receives relevant adverse comments by May
31, 2011. If EPA receives relevant adverse comments, we will publish a
timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that the
amendments in this rule will not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2010-0293, by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
Fax: (202) 566-9744.
Mail: Indian Country: Air Quality Planning and Management
Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 6102T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of
two copies.
Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA
West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2010-0293. The EPA's policy is that all comments received will be
included in the public docket without change and may be made available
online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed
to be confidential business information (CBI) or other
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information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit
information 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 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.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov 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
form. Publicly available docket materials are available either
electronically in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the
Indian Country: Air Quality Planning and Management Docket, EPA/DC, EPA
West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The
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, and the telephone number for the Air
Docket is (202) 566-1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darrel Harmon, Office of Air and
Radiation (OAR/IO 6101A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202)
564-7416, facsimile number (202) 501-0394; electronic mail (e-mail)
address: harmon.darrel@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information presented in this preamble
is organized as follows:
I. Why is EPA using a direct final rule?
II. What is the purpose of this action?
III. Why is this action needed?
IV. Where can I get a copy of this document?
V. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and
Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With
Indian Tribal Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From
Environmental Health and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
K. Congressional Review Act
I. Why is EPA using a direct final rule?
The EPA is publishing this direct final rule without a prior
proposed rule because we view this as a non-controversial action and
anticipate no adverse comments. This action does not make changes to
any requirements; the action simply renames the existing 40 CFR Part 49
to more accurately reflect its purpose and relocates existing sections
for better organization within the part. Any parties interested in
commenting must do so at this time. Because this is an amendment of
regulatory language through rulemaking, a redline version of the
regulatory language has been created and has been placed in the docket.
(https://www.regulations.gov, see docket number EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0293) to
aid the public's ability to comment. For further information about
commenting on the rule, see the ADDRESSES section of this document. If
EPA receives adverse comments, we will publish a timely withdrawal in
the Federal Register informing the public the amendments in this direct
final rule will not take effect. We will address any comments received
in a subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule.
II. What is the purpose of this action?
The purpose of this action is to (1) retitle 40 CFR Part 49
``Tribal Clean Air Act Authority'' to the more accurate ``Indian
Country: Air Quality Planning and Management,'' and (2) relocate three
existing sections from Subpart A, which is intended to include only
general tribal authority-related provisions, to Subpart L, which
includes provisions specific to implementation plans for tribes located
in EPA Region IX. The three sections that will be moved from 40 CFR
part 49 subpart A to Subpart L are Sec. 49.22 Federal Implementation
Plan for Tri-cities Landfill, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
(will become Sec. 49.5511), Sec. 49.23 Federal Implementation Plan
Provisions for Four Corners Power Plant, Navajo Nation (will become
Sec. 49.5512), and Sec. 49.24 Federal Implementation Plan Provisions
for Navajo Generating Station, Navajo Nation (will become Sec.
49.5513). Sections 49.22, 49.23, and 49.24 will be reserved in the
event new general tribal authority-related provisions are promulgated
in the future.
III. Why is this action needed?
This rule is needed to provide regulatory clarity to Indian tribes.
The change in the title of the part from ``Tribal Clean Air Act
Authority'' to the more accurate ``Indian Country: Air Quality Planning
and Management'' is needed because the current title suggests the part
only includes requirements applicable to the granting of authority to
tribes under the Clean Air Act. While the title was appropriate when
Part 49 was originally promulgated, since then other regulations not
relating to tribal authority have been added to the part such that the
title is no longer broad enough to encompass the entire scope of these
regulations. ``Indian Country: Air Quality Planning and Management'' is
a broader, more accurate title which identifies the Part 49 regulations
as relating more generally to the planning and management of air
quality in Indian country. It has been long recognized by EPA
Headquarters (HQ) and Regions the title did not fully illustrate the
context of the rule and could be misread. For this reason, EPA HQ and
Regions have an interest in changing the title to reduce any confusion.
This change will also enable tribes to more easily recognize the Clean
Air Act regulation that affects them.
The rule also moves sections 49.22, 49.23 and 49.24 out of Subpart
A, which is intended to include provisions relating generally to tribal
authority regardless of the EPA Region in which a tribe is located, to
Subpart L, Implementation Plans for Tribes in Region IX, such that all
implementation plan provisions that apply specifically to Region IX
tribes are located together.
IV. Where can I get a copy of this document?
In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of
this final
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action will also be available on the Worldwide Web (WWW) through the
Technology Transfer Network (TTN). Following signature, a copy of this
final action will be posted on the TTN's policy and guidance page for
newly proposed or promulgated rules at the following address: https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/. The TTN provides information and technology
exchange in various areas of air pollution control.
V. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
Do not submit information containing CBI to EPA through https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Send or deliver information identified
as CBI only to the following address: Roberto Morales, OAQPS Document
Control Officer (C404-02), Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina 27711, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0293.
Clearly mark the part or all of the information you claim to be CBI.
For CBI information in a disk or CD ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the
outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify electronically
within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that is claimed as
CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes
information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain
the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the
public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in
accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR Part 2.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
This action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the
terms of Executive Order (EO) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and
is, therefore, not subject to review under the Executive Orders 12866
and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011).
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose any new information collection burden.
These amendments do not result in changes to the information collection
requirements of the existing regulations and will have no impact on the
information collection estimate of projected cost and hour burden made
and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during the
development of the existing regulations. However, the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has previously approved the information
collection requirements contained in the existing regulations (40 CFR
Part 49) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq. and has assigned OMB control numbers (2060-0306 and 2060-
0558). The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in 40 CFR are
listed in 40 CFR Part 9. Therefore, the information collection requests
have not been amended.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency
to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative
Procedure Act or any other statute unless the Agency certifies the rule
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small
organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
For the purposes of assessing the impacts of this rule on small
entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business as defined
by the Small Business Administration's regulations at 13 CFR 121.201;
(2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of a city,
county, town, school district, or special district with a population of
less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization that is any not-for-
profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
After considering the economic impacts of this final rule on small
entities, I certify this action will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule will not
impact small entities due to the fact these amendments simply rename
the title and reorganize existing sections for better placement within
the regulation. There are no substantive changes to the regulation.
Small entities will not incur any adverse impacts as a result of this
rule because this action does not create any new requirements or
burdens. No costs are associated with these amendments.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This rule does not contain a Federal mandate that may result in
expenditures of $100 million or more for state, local, and tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector in any one
year. This direct final rule is not expected to impact state, local, or
tribal governments. Thus, this rule is not subject to the requirements
of sections 202 and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
This rule is also not subject to the requirements of section 203 of
UMRA because it contains no regulatory requirements that might
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. These amendments
simply rename the title and move subparts to fit more appropriately in
later subparts. There are no substantive changes to the regulation.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action 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. This direct final rule does not
impose any requirements on state and local governments. Thus, Executive
Order 13132 does not apply to this rule.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
This action does not have tribal implications as specified in
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000). These amendments
do not impose requirements on tribal governments. This direct final
action will not have tribal implications and we received no adverse
comments when the proposed changes were presented to the National
Tribal Air Association (NTAA) in March 2010. Tribes at the meeting
supported these proposed changes; thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to this action.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health and Safety Risks
The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23,
1997) as applying to those regulatory actions that concern health or
safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of
the Executive Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This
action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not have
a substantive impact on existing regulations, and does not create any
new requirements.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355,
May 22,
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2001) because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive
Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs EPA to use
voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities, unless to
do 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 standards bodies. NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress,
through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available
and applicable voluntary consensus standards. This action does not
involve technical standards. Therefore, EPA did not consider the use of
any voluntary consensus standards.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) establishes
Federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision
directs Federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income
populations in the United States.
The EPA has determined this direct final rule will not have
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority or low-income populations because it does not
affect the level of protection provided to human health or the
environment. These amendments simply rename the title and move subparts
to fit more appropriately in later subparts. There are no substantive
changes to the regulation.
K. 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 Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. The EPA will submit a report containing these
amendments 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 amendments 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). This direct final rule will be effective on July 28,
2011.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 49
Environmental protection, Air pollution, Indians--lands, Indians--
tribal government.
Dated: April 22, 2011.
Lisa P. Jackson,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, Title 40, Chapter I, Part
49 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 49--[AMENDED]
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1. The authority citation for Part 49 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
PART 49--INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
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2. Revise the part heading for part 49 as set forth above. Sec. Sec.
49.22-49.24 [Redesignated]
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3. Redesignate Sec. 49.22 in subpart A as Sec. 49.5511 in subpart L.
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4. Redesignate Sec. 49.23 in subpart A as Sec. 49.5512 in subpart L.
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5. Redesignate Sec. 49.24 in subpart A as Sec. 49.5513 in subpart L.
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6. Add and reserve new Sec. Sec. 49.22-49.24 in subpart A.
[FR Doc. 2011-10321 Filed 4-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P