USACE's Plan for Retrospective Review Under E.O. 13563, 70927-70929 [2011-29633]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules (b) Legally sufficient justification. A legally sufficient justification exists where the challenged housing practice: (1) Has a necessary and manifest relationship to one or more legitimate, nondiscriminatory interests of the respondent, with respect to claims brought under 42 U.S.C. 3610, or defendant, with respect to claims brought under 42 U.S.C. 3613 or 3614; and (2) those interests cannot be served by another practice that has a less discriminatory effect. The burdens of proof for establishing each of the two elements of a legally sufficient justification are set forth in § 100.500(c)(2)–(c)(3). (c) Burdens of proof in discriminatory effects cases. (1) A complainant, with respect to claims brought under 42 U.S.C. 3610, or a plaintiff, with respect to claims brought under 42 U.S.C. 3613 or 3614, has the burden of proving that a challenged practice causes a discriminatory effect. (2) Once a complainant or plaintiff satisfies the burden of proof set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the respondent or defendant has the burden of proving that the challenged practice has a necessary and manifest relationship to one or more legitimate, nondiscriminatory interests of the respondent or defendant. (3) If the respondent or defendant satisfies the burden of proof set forth in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the complainant or plaintiff may still prevail upon demonstrating that the legitimate, nondiscriminatory interests supporting the challenged practice can be served by another practice that has a less discriminatory effect. (d) Relationship to discriminatory intent. A demonstration that a housing practice is supported by a legally sufficient justification, as defined in § 100.500(b), may not be used as a defense against a claim of intentional discrimination. erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 Dated: October 4, 2011. ˜ John Trasvina, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. [FR Doc. 2011–29515 Filed 11–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers 33 CFR Chapter II USACE’s Plan for Retrospective Review Under E.O. 13563 AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. Notice of intent and request for comments. ACTION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking public input on its plan to retrospectively review its Regulations implementing the USACE Regulatory Program at 33 CFR parts 320–332 and 334. Executive Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review’’ (E.O.), issued on January 18, 2011, directs Federal agencies to review existing significant regulations and identify those that can be made more effective or less burdensome in achieving regulatory objectives. The Regulations are essential for implementation of the Regulatory mission; thus, USACE believes they are a significant rule warranting review pursuant to E.O. 13563. The E.O. further directs each agency to periodically review its existing significant regulations to determine whether any such regulations should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed so as to make the agency’s regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in achieving the regulatory objectives. Section 404(e) of the Clean Water Act authorizes USACE to development general permits, including nationwide permits (NWPs), for minor activities in waters of the U.S. for a period of five years. Accordingly, every five years, USACE undergoes a reauthorization process for the NWP program and includes public notice and provides an opportunity for public hearing. Comments for the NWP program are submitted during the reauthorization process. Therefore, USACE is currently complying with the E.O. 13563 direction to periodically review its existing significant regulations. Other regulations will be reviewed on an as-needed basis in accordance with new laws, court cases, etc. SUMMARY: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 17, 2012. DATES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number COE– 2011–0028, by any of the following methods: ADDRESSES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:39 Nov 15, 2011 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 70927 Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Email: regulatory.review@usace.army.mil Include the docket number, COE–2011– 0028, in the subject line of the message. Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CECW–CO–R (Ms. Amy S. Klein), 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20314–1000. Hand Delivery/Courier: Due to security requirements, we cannot receive comments by hand delivery or courier. Instructions: Direct your comments to docket number COE–2011–0028. All comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available on-line at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the commenter indicates that 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 regulations.gov or email. The regulations.gov Web site is an anonymous access system, which means we will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email directly to the Corps without going through regulations.gov, your email 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, we recommend 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 we cannot read your comment because of technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, we may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic comments should avoid the use of any special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, such as CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. E:\FR\FM\16NOP1.SGM 16NOP1 70928 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules Ms. Amy S. Klein, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Regulatory Community of Practice, Washington, DC 20314–1000, by phone at (202) 761–4559 or by email at regulatory.review@usace.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review’’ (E.O.), was issued to improve regulation and regulatory review, which includes public participation, integration and innovation, flexible approaches, and science. Agencies shall consider how best to promote retrospective analysis of rules that may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome, and to modify, streamline, expand or repeal them. In accordance with the E.O., the USACE plan is to solicit comments on its Regulations to make the Regulatory Program more effective and less burdensome. The USACE Regulatory Program’s regulations are found at 33 CFR parts 320–332 and 334. The current Regulations were published in the Federal Register on November 13, 1986 (51 FR 41206). These Regulations describe the fundamental procedures, policies, authorities, and guidelines of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Regulatory Program. Since the 1986 Regulations were issued, parts of these regulations have been modified. The changes that have occurred since 1986 include, but are not limited to: the Nationwide Permit regulations at 33 CFR part 330 were amended on November 22, 1991 (56 FR 59110); regulations governing the administrative appeal program at 33 CFR part 331 were added on March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11708) and March 28, 2000 (65 FR 16486); regulations addressing compensatory mitigation for losses of aquatic resources at 33 CFR part 332 were added on April 10, 2008 (73 FR 19594); further revisions to the Clean Water Act regulatory definition of dredged material at 33 CFR part 323 were made on January 17, 2001 (66 FR 4550); final revisions to the Clean Water Act definitions of fill materials and discharge of fill material at 33 CFR part 323 were made on May 9, 2002 (67 FR 31129); revisions to the Clean Water Act regulatory definition of ‘‘discharge of dredged material’’ Final Rule at 33 CFR part 323 were made on December 30, 2008 (73 FR 79641); updates regarding structures in fairways and anchorage areas at 33 CFR part 322 were added on Aug. 29, 1995 (60 FR 44761); a requirement for an avoidance, minimization and compensation statement in applications for activities erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:39 Nov 15, 2011 Jkt 226001 involving discharge of dredged or fill material at 33 CFR part 325 was added on April 10, 2008 (73 FR 19670); amended Administrative Penalties on June 25, 2004 (69 FR 35518; 33 CFR part 326); the civil monetary penalty inflation adjustment rule at 33 CFR part 326 was added on June 25, 2004 (69 FR 35515); minor editorial changes to reflect the change in title of the National Ocean Service and address at 33 CFR part 325 were made on May 13, 1997 (62 FR 26230). In accordance with the E.O., the USACE plan is to solicit comments regarding the questions posed below in the Proposal Section in order to achieve the goals of the E.O. to make regulations more effective and less burdensome. The E.O. further directs each agency to periodically review its existing significant regulations to determine whether any such regulations should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed to make the agency’s regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in achieving the regulatory objectives. The USACE is proposing the existing five-year reauthorization process of the NWPs, general conditions, and definitions as the periodic review of regulations. Section 404(e) of the Clean Water Act provides the statutory authority for the Secretary of the Army, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, to issue general permits on a nationwide basis for any category of activities involving discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. Activities authorized by NWPs must be similar in nature, cause only minimal adverse environmental effects when performed separately, and cause only minimal cumulative adverse effect on the aquatic environment. The NWP program is designed to provide timely authorizations for the regulated public while protecting the Nation’s aquatic resources. The NWP program allows the Corps to authorize activities with minimal adverse environmental impacts on the aquatic environment in a timely manner. The NWP program also allows the Corps to focus its limited resources on more extensive evaluation of projects that have the potential for causing environmentally damaging adverse effects. Each five-year review of the NWPs allows for revision of the NWPs, general conditions, and definitions to facilitate clarity for the regulated public, government personnel, and interested parties, while ensuring protection of the aquatic environment. Making the text of the NWPs clearer and easier to understand also facilitates compliance with these permits, which benefits the aquatic environment. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 During the NWP reissuance process, there is a request for public comments published in the Federal Register, which complies with the E.O. general principle of allowing for public participation and an open exchange of ideas. While anyone, at any time, may submit suggestions to Corps Headquarters for new NWPs or changes to existing NWPs, comments for the NWP program are normally submitted during the reauthorization process; the most recent notice requesting comments on the NWP program occurred in the Federal Register published on February 16, 2011 (76 FR 9174), with the comment period ending on April 18, 2011. Therefore, USACE is currently complying with the E.O. 13563 direction to periodically review its existing significant regulations. However, there may be additional ways in which the NWP reauthorization process may further comply with E.O. 13563. The E.O.’s intent is to ensure that regulations are accessible, consistent, written in plain language and are easy to understand, while protecting public health, welfare, safety, and our environment while promoting economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation. These goals are what the Regulations improvement and the periodic reissuance of the NWP program would accomplish. Proposal To comply with E.O. 13563, the publication of the Federal Register notice to solicit comments on how the Regulations should be evaluated for modification, streamlining, expansion, or repeal is the USACE’s first step to develop a plan that ensures that the agency’s regulations are effective and not burdensome. Furthermore, comments are requested pursuant to the E.O. directing each agency to periodically review its existing significant regulations to determine whether any such regulations should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed so as to make the agency’s regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in achieving the regulatory objectives. The publication of the Federal Register notice to solicit comments on the existing NWP Program re-authorization process every five years is part of USACE’s plan to ensure the periodic review of regulations. Input from a wide variety of constituents is important, and applicants, affected landowners, the general public, consultants, tribal, state and local government, and other agencies are likely to have knowledge about the full effects of the regulations E:\FR\FM\16NOP1.SGM 16NOP1 erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules on people and the economy, and to offer ideas on how to streamline or improve them. This request for information will inform the USACE’s decision on whether adjustment to the regulation is necessary and appropriate, and whether additional guidance, education, or outreach would better assist the Regulation’s users, agencies, and the public to address critical issues. The URL for a Web site that includes the Regulations, as well as all of the Corps Regulatory Program’s current regulations and supporting program data and information is https:// www.usace.army.mil/CECW/Pages/ reg_materials.aspx. Furthermore, each of the 38 Corps districts has issued local public notices announcing the publication of this Federal Register notice and the request for comments. The Corps will evaluate all comments received to develop its list of review priorities, and will publish a notice in the Federal Register that summarizes the comments received and lists the priorities. The Web site will be updated as proposed revisions and final revisions to its regulations occur. Please email your response to the questions below to regulatory.review@usace.army.mil and be sure to number your responses in association with each question. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive, and respondents are encouraged to raise additional issues or make suggestions unrelated to these questions. Respondents are also encouraged to share examples and a detailed explanation of how the suggestion will support the goals of the Regulations review process. We are seeking public comment for a period of 60 days ending January 17, 2012, after which it will revise the plan and make it available to the public. 1. How should the Corps modify its Regulations to ensure that they are serving their stated purpose efficiently and effectively? Please provide specific recommendations on edits that could be made and suggestions on appropriate outreach and timing. 2. How can we reduce burdens and maintain flexibility for participants in the regulatory process in a way that will promote the protection of waters of the United States via the improvement of the Regulations? 3. How can the process set forth in the Regulations better achieve simplified and efficient outcomes? 4. How can the Regulations be changed to better harmonize with, be consistent with, and coordinate effectively with, other federal regulations and environmental review procedures? VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:39 Nov 15, 2011 Jkt 226001 5. How can we ensure that information developed to support findings under the Regulations are guided by objective scientific evidence? 6. Are there better ways to encourage public participation and an open exchange of views as part of the regulatory review? Please cite specific areas where improvements could be made and indicate what tools or mechanisms might be made available to achieve this goal. 7. The NWP program allows for comment and periodic review during the reauthorization process every five years. How else can the periodic review of the NWP program be utilized to comply with this E.O.? 8. How else might we modify, clarify, or improve the Regulations to reduce burdens, promote predictability, and increase efficiency? Authority We are proposing to improve the Regulations and comply with the direction to perform a periodic regulatory review with the existing reauthorization of the NWP program, which were issued under the authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et seq.), and Section 103 of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1413). Dated: November 10, 2011. Approved. Michael G. Ensch, Chief, Operations and Regulatory, Directorate of Civil Works. [FR Doc. 2011–29633 Filed 11–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R03–OAR–2011–0913; FRL–9492–9] Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; District of Columbia; Regional Haze State Implementation Plan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the District of Columbia State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the District of Columbia through the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) on October 27, 2011 that addresses regional haze for the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 70929 first implementation period. This revision addresses the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA’s rules that require states to prevent any future, and remedy any existing, anthropogenic impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I areas caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a wide geographic area (also referred to as the ‘‘regional haze program’’). States are required to assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. EPA is proposing to determine that the Regional Haze plan submitted by the District of Columbia satisfies these requirements of the CAA. EPA is also proposing to approve this revision as meeting the infrastructure requirements relating to visibility protection for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and the 1997 and 2006 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS. DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 16, 2011. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA– R03–OAR–2011–0913 by one of the following methods: A. https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. B. Email: fernandez.cristina@epa.gov C. Mail: EPA–R03–OAR–2011–0913, Cristina Fernandez, Associate Director, Office of Air Program Planning, Mailcode 3AP30, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. D. Hand Delivery: At the previouslylisted EPA Region III address. 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–R03–OAR–2011– 0913. 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 email. 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 E:\FR\FM\16NOP1.SGM 16NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70927-70929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29633]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

33 CFR Chapter II


USACE's Plan for Retrospective Review Under E.O. 13563

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking public 
input on its plan to retrospectively review its Regulations 
implementing the USACE Regulatory Program at 33 CFR parts 320-332 and 
334. Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review'' (E.O.), issued on January 18, 2011, directs Federal agencies 
to review existing significant regulations and identify those that can 
be made more effective or less burdensome in achieving regulatory 
objectives. The Regulations are essential for implementation of the 
Regulatory mission; thus, USACE believes they are a significant rule 
warranting review pursuant to E.O. 13563. The E.O. further directs each 
agency to periodically review its existing significant regulations to 
determine whether any such regulations should be modified, streamlined, 
expanded, or repealed so as to make the agency's regulatory program 
more effective or less burdensome in achieving the regulatory 
objectives. Section 404(e) of the Clean Water Act authorizes USACE to 
development general permits, including nationwide permits (NWPs), for 
minor activities in waters of the U.S. for a period of five years. 
Accordingly, every five years, USACE undergoes a reauthorization 
process for the NWP program and includes public notice and provides an 
opportunity for public hearing. Comments for the NWP program are 
submitted during the reauthorization process. Therefore, USACE is 
currently complying with the E.O. 13563 direction to periodically 
review its existing significant regulations. Other regulations will be 
reviewed on an as-needed basis in accordance with new laws, court 
cases, etc.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 17, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number COE-
2011-0028, by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Email: regulatory.review@usace.army.mil Include the docket number, 
COE-2011-0028, in the subject line of the message.
    Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CECW-CO-R (Ms. Amy S. 
Klein), 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20314-1000.
    Hand Delivery/Courier: Due to security requirements, we cannot 
receive comments by hand delivery or courier.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket number COE-2011-0028. 
All comments received will be included in the public docket without 
change and may be made available on-line at https://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided, unless the commenter 
indicates that 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 regulations.gov or 
email. The regulations.gov Web site is an anonymous access system, 
which means we will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email 
directly to the Corps without going through regulations.gov, your email 
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, we recommend 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 we cannot read your 
comment because of technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, we may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
comments should avoid the use of any special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov. All documents in 
the docket are listed. Although listed in the index, some information 
is not publicly available, such as CBI or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as 
copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be 
publicly available only in hard copy form.

[[Page 70928]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy S. Klein, Headquarters, U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Regulatory Community of 
Practice, Washington, DC 20314-1000, by phone at (202) 761-4559 or by 
email at regulatory.review@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review'' (E.O.), was issued to improve regulation and regulatory 
review, which includes public participation, integration and 
innovation, flexible approaches, and science. Agencies shall consider 
how best to promote retrospective analysis of rules that may be 
outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome, and to 
modify, streamline, expand or repeal them. In accordance with the E.O., 
the USACE plan is to solicit comments on its Regulations to make the 
Regulatory Program more effective and less burdensome.
    The USACE Regulatory Program's regulations are found at 33 CFR 
parts 320-332 and 334. The current Regulations were published in the 
Federal Register on November 13, 1986 (51 FR 41206). These Regulations 
describe the fundamental procedures, policies, authorities, and 
guidelines of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Regulatory Program. 
Since the 1986 Regulations were issued, parts of these regulations have 
been modified. The changes that have occurred since 1986 include, but 
are not limited to: the Nationwide Permit regulations at 33 CFR part 
330 were amended on November 22, 1991 (56 FR 59110); regulations 
governing the administrative appeal program at 33 CFR part 331 were 
added on March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11708) and March 28, 2000 (65 FR 16486); 
regulations addressing compensatory mitigation for losses of aquatic 
resources at 33 CFR part 332 were added on April 10, 2008 (73 FR 
19594); further revisions to the Clean Water Act regulatory definition 
of dredged material at 33 CFR part 323 were made on January 17, 2001 
(66 FR 4550); final revisions to the Clean Water Act definitions of 
fill materials and discharge of fill material at 33 CFR part 323 were 
made on May 9, 2002 (67 FR 31129); revisions to the Clean Water Act 
regulatory definition of ``discharge of dredged material'' Final Rule 
at 33 CFR part 323 were made on December 30, 2008 (73 FR 79641); 
updates regarding structures in fairways and anchorage areas at 33 CFR 
part 322 were added on Aug. 29, 1995 (60 FR 44761); a requirement for 
an avoidance, minimization and compensation statement in applications 
for activities involving discharge of dredged or fill material at 33 
CFR part 325 was added on April 10, 2008 (73 FR 19670); amended 
Administrative Penalties on June 25, 2004 (69 FR 35518; 33 CFR part 
326); the civil monetary penalty inflation adjustment rule at 33 CFR 
part 326 was added on June 25, 2004 (69 FR 35515); minor editorial 
changes to reflect the change in title of the National Ocean Service 
and address at 33 CFR part 325 were made on May 13, 1997 (62 FR 26230). 
In accordance with the E.O., the USACE plan is to solicit comments 
regarding the questions posed below in the Proposal Section in order to 
achieve the goals of the E.O. to make regulations more effective and 
less burdensome.
    The E.O. further directs each agency to periodically review its 
existing significant regulations to determine whether any such 
regulations should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed to 
make the agency's regulatory program more effective or less burdensome 
in achieving the regulatory objectives. The USACE is proposing the 
existing five-year reauthorization process of the NWPs, general 
conditions, and definitions as the periodic review of regulations.
    Section 404(e) of the Clean Water Act provides the statutory 
authority for the Secretary of the Army, after notice and opportunity 
for public hearing, to issue general permits on a nationwide basis for 
any category of activities involving discharges of dredged or fill 
material into waters of the United States. Activities authorized by 
NWPs must be similar in nature, cause only minimal adverse 
environmental effects when performed separately, and cause only minimal 
cumulative adverse effect on the aquatic environment. The NWP program 
is designed to provide timely authorizations for the regulated public 
while protecting the Nation's aquatic resources. The NWP program allows 
the Corps to authorize activities with minimal adverse environmental 
impacts on the aquatic environment in a timely manner. The NWP program 
also allows the Corps to focus its limited resources on more extensive 
evaluation of projects that have the potential for causing 
environmentally damaging adverse effects.
    Each five-year review of the NWPs allows for revision of the NWPs, 
general conditions, and definitions to facilitate clarity for the 
regulated public, government personnel, and interested parties, while 
ensuring protection of the aquatic environment. Making the text of the 
NWPs clearer and easier to understand also facilitates compliance with 
these permits, which benefits the aquatic environment.
    During the NWP reissuance process, there is a request for public 
comments published in the Federal Register, which complies with the 
E.O. general principle of allowing for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. While anyone, at any time, may submit suggestions to 
Corps Headquarters for new NWPs or changes to existing NWPs, comments 
for the NWP program are normally submitted during the reauthorization 
process; the most recent notice requesting comments on the NWP program 
occurred in the Federal Register published on February 16, 2011 (76 FR 
9174), with the comment period ending on April 18, 2011. Therefore, 
USACE is currently complying with the E.O. 13563 direction to 
periodically review its existing significant regulations. However, 
there may be additional ways in which the NWP reauthorization process 
may further comply with E.O. 13563.
    The E.O.'s intent is to ensure that regulations are accessible, 
consistent, written in plain language and are easy to understand, while 
protecting public health, welfare, safety, and our environment while 
promoting economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job 
creation. These goals are what the Regulations improvement and the 
periodic reissuance of the NWP program would accomplish.

Proposal

    To comply with E.O. 13563, the publication of the Federal Register 
notice to solicit comments on how the Regulations should be evaluated 
for modification, streamlining, expansion, or repeal is the USACE's 
first step to develop a plan that ensures that the agency's regulations 
are effective and not burdensome. Furthermore, comments are requested 
pursuant to the E.O. directing each agency to periodically review its 
existing significant regulations to determine whether any such 
regulations should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed so 
as to make the agency's regulatory program more effective or less 
burdensome in achieving the regulatory objectives. The publication of 
the Federal Register notice to solicit comments on the existing NWP 
Program re-authorization process every five years is part of USACE's 
plan to ensure the periodic review of regulations.
    Input from a wide variety of constituents is important, and 
applicants, affected landowners, the general public, consultants, 
tribal, state and local government, and other agencies are likely to 
have knowledge about the full effects of the regulations

[[Page 70929]]

on people and the economy, and to offer ideas on how to streamline or 
improve them. This request for information will inform the USACE's 
decision on whether adjustment to the regulation is necessary and 
appropriate, and whether additional guidance, education, or outreach 
would better assist the Regulation's users, agencies, and the public to 
address critical issues.
    The URL for a Web site that includes the Regulations, as well as 
all of the Corps Regulatory Program's current regulations and 
supporting program data and information is https://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/Pages/reg_materials.aspx. Furthermore, each of the 38 Corps 
districts has issued local public notices announcing the publication of 
this Federal Register notice and the request for comments. The Corps 
will evaluate all comments received to develop its list of review 
priorities, and will publish a notice in the Federal Register that 
summarizes the comments received and lists the priorities. The Web site 
will be updated as proposed revisions and final revisions to its 
regulations occur.
    Please email your response to the questions below to 
regulatory.review@usace.army.mil and be sure to number your responses 
in association with each question. These questions are not intended to 
be exhaustive, and respondents are encouraged to raise additional 
issues or make suggestions unrelated to these questions. Respondents 
are also encouraged to share examples and a detailed explanation of how 
the suggestion will support the goals of the Regulations review 
process. We are seeking public comment for a period of 60 days ending 
January 17, 2012, after which it will revise the plan and make it 
available to the public.
    1. How should the Corps modify its Regulations to ensure that they 
are serving their stated purpose efficiently and effectively? Please 
provide specific recommendations on edits that could be made and 
suggestions on appropriate outreach and timing.
    2. How can we reduce burdens and maintain flexibility for 
participants in the regulatory process in a way that will promote the 
protection of waters of the United States via the improvement of the 
Regulations?
    3. How can the process set forth in the Regulations better achieve 
simplified and efficient outcomes?
    4. How can the Regulations be changed to better harmonize with, be 
consistent with, and coordinate effectively with, other federal 
regulations and environmental review procedures?
    5. How can we ensure that information developed to support findings 
under the Regulations are guided by objective scientific evidence?
    6. Are there better ways to encourage public participation and an 
open exchange of views as part of the regulatory review? Please cite 
specific areas where improvements could be made and indicate what tools 
or mechanisms might be made available to achieve this goal.
    7. The NWP program allows for comment and periodic review during 
the reauthorization process every five years. How else can the periodic 
review of the NWP program be utilized to comply with this E.O.?
    8. How else might we modify, clarify, or improve the Regulations to 
reduce burdens, promote predictability, and increase efficiency?

Authority

    We are proposing to improve the Regulations and comply with the 
direction to perform a periodic regulatory review with the existing 
reauthorization of the NWP program, which were issued under the 
authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), 
Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et 
seq.), and Section 103 of the Marine Protection Research and 
Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1413).

    Dated: November 10, 2011.

    Approved.
Michael G. Ensch,
Chief, Operations and Regulatory, Directorate of Civil Works.
[FR Doc. 2011-29633 Filed 11-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.