State Program Requirements; Approval of Application for Program Revision to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program; Alaska, 52658-52659 [2011-21538]

Download as PDF 52658 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 23, 2011 / Notices motion to intervene must be served upon each representative of the exemptee specified in item g above. If an intervener files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. A copy of all other filings in reference to this notice must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010. p. Agency Comments—Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described proceeding. If any agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. Dated: August 17, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–21499 Filed 8–22–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9455–8] State Program Requirements; Approval of Application for Program Revision to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program; Alaska Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: On August 11, 2011, the Regional Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 (EPA), approved the application by the State of Alaska to revise Alaska’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program pursuant to section 402 of the Clean Water Act (CWA or ‘‘the Act’’). The revised State program, called the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES), includes an implementation plan that transfers the administration of specific program components from EPA to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) in four phases. Phases I–III have been transferred from the EPA to ADEC. In March 2011, ADEC made a submission for approval for a one year extension of the transfer of Phase IV of the APDES program, which includes oil and gas, cooling water intakes and dischargers, munitions and mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:33 Aug 22, 2011 Jkt 223001 all other remaining facilities not previously transferred in Phases I–III. The EPA approved the one year extension for Phase IV. Phase IV will transfer to ADEC four years from the date of program approval, or October 31, 2012. Upon approval of the program revision, the Regional Administrator notified the State and signed the modified Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between EPA and ADEC. The EPA will suspend issuance of applicable NPDES permits in Alaska in accordance with the extension for transfer of NPDES program authority for Phase IV. DATES: Pursuant to 40 CFR 123.62(b), the APDES program revision was approved and became effective on August 11, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain further information or copies of related documents, contact Hanh Shaw, Office of Water and Watersheds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, 1200 6th Avenue, Suite 900, Mail Stop OWW–130, Seattle, WA 98101–3140, (206) 553–0171, shaw.hanh@epa.gov or Theresa Svancara, theresa.svancara@alaska.gov, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, P.O. Box 111800, 410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303, Juneau, AK 99811–1800, (907) 465–5257, theresa.svancara@alaska.gov. The ADEC’s modified program description, the modified MOA related to the approved APDES program revision and the EPA’s responses to comments can be viewed and downloaded from the EPA Web site https://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/ water.nsf/NPDES+Permits/apdes and from the ADEC Web site https://www. dec.state.ak.us/water/npdes/index.htm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 402 of the CWA created the NPDES program under which the EPA may issue permits for the point source discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States under conditions required by the Act. Section 402 also provides that the EPA may approve a State to administer an equivalent state NPDES program. The EPA approved the APDES program application on October 31, 2008. The APDES program application was described in the Federal Register (73 FR 34746) published on June 18, 2008. The approved program authorized ADEC to assume responsibility for the NPDES program in four phases over three years from the date of APDES program approval. ADEC currently has NPDES permit administration authority for Phases I–III. These three phases cover the following major components: Phase I includes domestic discharges (excluding the bio-solids program), timber harvesting, seafood processing PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 facilities and hatcheries; Phase II includes federal facilities, stormwater program, pretreatment program, and miscellaneous non-domestic discharges; and Phase III includes mining. The original ADEC phasing schedule authorized the transfer of Phase IV three years from APDES program approval, or October 31, 2011. Phase IV components include oil and gas, cooling water intakes and dischargers, munitions, and all other remaining facilities not previously transferred in Phases I–III. A. Scope of APDES Program Revision ADEC proposed a delay of the Phase IV transfer for one year, or until October 31, 2012, by letter dated March 14, 2011. ADEC also submitted a modified APDES program description and a modified MOA related to the APDES program revision. The only changes proposed to the program description related to the one year extension for the transfer of the Phase IV program component and updating of the Phase IV permit list. The modifications incorporated the proposed one year extension of the Phase IV transfer. The APDES program revision was described in the Federal Register (76 FR 28027) published on May 13, 2011. Notice of the program revision was published in two Alaska newspapers. A public comment period was held from May 13–June 27, 2011. A public hearing on the program revision was held in Anchorage, Alaska on June 13, 2011. Additionally, the EPA held governmentto-government consultation teleconferences on April 26, 27 and 28, 2011 for interested tribes B. Public Comments The EPA received comments concerning the APDES program revision, including comments in support of the Phase IV extension. The EPA did not receive any comments urging the EPA to disapprove the requested program revision. One commenter did not support a time extension for any greater length of time. A Tribal association suggested that the EPA consider adopting stipulations related to jurisdiction issues and authorities of federally-recognized tribal governments in Alaska. All public comments are addressed in the EPA response to comments document dated August 2011, which can be viewed and downloaded from the EPA Web site https://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/ NPDES+Permits/apdes. C. Notice of Decision I hereby provide public notice that the EPA has taken final action approving the APDES program revision extending E:\FR\FM\23AUN1.SGM 23AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 23, 2011 / Notices the Phase IV transfer date to October 31, 2012. Authority: This action is taken under the authority of Section 402 of the Clean Water Act as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1342. Dated: August 16, 2011. Dennis McLerran, Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection, Region 10. [FR Doc. 2011–21538 Filed 8–22–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0621; FRL–9455–5] Access by EPA Contractors to Confidential Business Information (CBI) Related to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs plans to authorize the contractors named in this notice to access information that will be submitted to EPA under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program that may be designated or claimed as confidential business information. Contractor access to this information will begin on August 29, 2011. DATES: EPA will accept comments on this Notice through August 29, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0621 by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. E-mail: MRR_Corrections@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2011–0621 in the subject line of the message. Fax: (202) 566–9744. Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mailcode 2822T, Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0621, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. Hand/Courier Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:33 Aug 22, 2011 Jkt 223001 Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011– 0621. 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 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carole Cook, Climate Change Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (MC– 6207J), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 343–9263; fax number: (202) 343–2342; e-mail address: GHGReportingRule@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background and Comment Information A. Does this notice apply to me? This notice is directed to the general public. However, this action may be of particular interest to parties subject to the requirements of 40 CFR part 98. If you have further questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular party, please contact the person listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52659 B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information? 1. Electronically EPA has included a public docket for this Federal Register notice under Docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0621. All documents in the docket are identified in the docket index available at https://www.regulations.gov. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, such as confidential business information (CBI) or other information for which disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain materials, such as copyrighted material, will only be available in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center. 2. EPA Docket Center Materials listed under Docket EPA– HQ–OAR–2011–0621 will be available for public viewing at the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. 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 Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 566–1742. B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments to EPA? 1. Submitting CBI in Response to This Notice Clearly mark the part or all of the comments that you claim to be CBI submitted in response to this notice. 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 marked as CBI will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. If you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. 2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments When submitting comments, remember to: Identify this Notice by docket number and other identifying information (e.g., subject heading, Federal Register date and page number). E:\FR\FM\23AUN1.SGM 23AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52658-52659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21538]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9455-8]


State Program Requirements; Approval of Application for Program 
Revision to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 
Program; Alaska

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: On August 11, 2011, the Regional Administrator for the 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 (EPA), approved the 
application by the State of Alaska to revise Alaska's National 
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program pursuant to 
section 402 of the Clean Water Act (CWA or ``the Act''). The revised 
State program, called the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 
(APDES), includes an implementation plan that transfers the 
administration of specific program components from EPA to the Alaska 
Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) in four phases. Phases 
I-III have been transferred from the EPA to ADEC. In March 2011, ADEC 
made a submission for approval for a one year extension of the transfer 
of Phase IV of the APDES program, which includes oil and gas, cooling 
water intakes and dischargers, munitions and all other remaining 
facilities not previously transferred in Phases I-III. The EPA approved 
the one year extension for Phase IV. Phase IV will transfer to ADEC 
four years from the date of program approval, or October 31, 2012. Upon 
approval of the program revision, the Regional Administrator notified 
the State and signed the modified Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between 
EPA and ADEC. The EPA will suspend issuance of applicable NPDES permits 
in Alaska in accordance with the extension for transfer of NPDES 
program authority for Phase IV.

DATES: Pursuant to 40 CFR 123.62(b), the APDES program revision was 
approved and became effective on August 11, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain further information or 
copies of related documents, contact Hanh Shaw, Office of Water and 
Watersheds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, 1200 6th 
Avenue, Suite 900, Mail Stop OWW-130, Seattle, WA 98101-3140, (206) 
553-0171, shaw.hanh@epa.gov or Theresa Svancara, 
theresa.svancara@alaska.gov, Alaska Department of Environmental 
Conservation, P.O. Box 111800, 410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303, 
Juneau, AK 99811-1800, (907) 465-5257, theresa.svancara@alaska.gov. The 
ADEC's modified program description, the modified MOA related to the 
approved APDES program revision and the EPA's responses to comments can 
be viewed and downloaded from the EPA Web site https://yosemite.epa.gov/
r10/water.nsf/NPDES+Permits/apdes and from the ADEC Web site https://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/npdes/index.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 402 of the CWA created the NPDES 
program under which the EPA may issue permits for the point source 
discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States under conditions 
required by the Act. Section 402 also provides that the EPA may approve 
a State to administer an equivalent state NPDES program. The EPA 
approved the APDES program application on October 31, 2008. The APDES 
program application was described in the Federal Register (73 FR 34746) 
published on June 18, 2008. The approved program authorized ADEC to 
assume responsibility for the NPDES program in four phases over three 
years from the date of APDES program approval. ADEC currently has NPDES 
permit administration authority for Phases I-III. These three phases 
cover the following major components: Phase I includes domestic 
discharges (excluding the bio-solids program), timber harvesting, 
seafood processing facilities and hatcheries; Phase II includes federal 
facilities, stormwater program, pretreatment program, and miscellaneous 
non-domestic discharges; and Phase III includes mining. The original 
ADEC phasing schedule authorized the transfer of Phase IV three years 
from APDES program approval, or October 31, 2011. Phase IV components 
include oil and gas, cooling water intakes and dischargers, munitions, 
and all other remaining facilities not previously transferred in Phases 
I-III.

A. Scope of APDES Program Revision

    ADEC proposed a delay of the Phase IV transfer for one year, or 
until October 31, 2012, by letter dated March 14, 2011. ADEC also 
submitted a modified APDES program description and a modified MOA 
related to the APDES program revision. The only changes proposed to the 
program description related to the one year extension for the transfer 
of the Phase IV program component and updating of the Phase IV permit 
list. The modifications incorporated the proposed one year extension of 
the Phase IV transfer.
    The APDES program revision was described in the Federal Register 
(76 FR 28027) published on May 13, 2011. Notice of the program revision 
was published in two Alaska newspapers. A public comment period was 
held from May 13-June 27, 2011. A public hearing on the program 
revision was held in Anchorage, Alaska on June 13, 2011. Additionally, 
the EPA held government-to-government consultation teleconferences on 
April 26, 27 and 28, 2011 for interested tribes

B. Public Comments

    The EPA received comments concerning the APDES program revision, 
including comments in support of the Phase IV extension. The EPA did 
not receive any comments urging the EPA to disapprove the requested 
program revision. One commenter did not support a time extension for 
any greater length of time. A Tribal association suggested that the EPA 
consider adopting stipulations related to jurisdiction issues and 
authorities of federally-recognized tribal governments in Alaska. All 
public comments are addressed in the EPA response to comments document 
dated August 2011, which can be viewed and downloaded from the EPA Web 
site https://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/NPDES+Permits/apdes.

C. Notice of Decision

    I hereby provide public notice that the EPA has taken final action 
approving the APDES program revision extending

[[Page 52659]]

the Phase IV transfer date to October 31, 2012.
    Authority: This action is taken under the authority of Section 402 
of the Clean Water Act as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1342.

    Dated: August 16, 2011.
Dennis McLerran,
Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2011-21538 Filed 8-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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