Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides-Health Criteria, 70040-70041 [2013-27979]

Download as PDF 70040 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 226 / Friday, November 22, 2013 / Notices from the most-recently approved ICR due to the use of updated labor rates. This ICR references labor rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate respondent burden costs, and references labor rates from OPM to calculate Agency burden costs. There is an increase in both capital/ startup and O&M costs as compared to the previous ICR; however, this change also is not due to any program changes. Similar to the respondent burden adjustments, the change is due to the increased number of sources estimated to be subject to the standard, and is not due to any program changes. John Moses, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. 2013–27980 Filed 11–21–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9903–22–ORD; Docket ID No. EPA– HQ–ORD–2013–0232] Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides—Health Criteria Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of Public Comment Period. AGENCY: EPA is announcing a 60-day public comment period for the draft document titled, ‘‘First External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides—Health Criteria’’ (EPA/600/R–13/202). The draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA’s Office of Research and Development as part of the review of the primary (health-based) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provide the scientific basis for EPA decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. EPA intends to develop a separate ISA, and NAAQS review, for the secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS for NO2, in conjunction with a review of the secondary NAAQS for sulfur dioxide. EPA is releasing this draft document to seek review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public (meeting date and location to be specified in a separate Federal Register notice). This draft document is not final as described in EPA’s information quality guidelines, emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:47 Nov 21, 2013 Jkt 232001 and it does not represent and should not be construed to represent Agency policy or views. EPA will consider any public comments submitted in response to this notice when revising the document. DATES: The 60-day public comment period begins November 22, 2013, and ends January 21, 2014. Comments must be received on or before January 21, 2014. ADDRESSES: The ‘‘First External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides—Health Criteria’’ will be available primarily via the Internet on NCEA’s home page under the Recent Additions and Publications menus at https://www.epa.gov/ncea or the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID: EPA–HQ–ORD–2013–0232. A limited number of CD–ROM copies will be available. Contact Ms. Marieka Boyd by phone: 919–541–0031; fax: 919–541–5078; or email: boyd.marieka@ epa.gov to request a CD–ROM, and please provide your name, your mailing address, and the document title, ‘‘First External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides—Health Criteria’’ to facilitate processing of your request. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the public comment period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; telephone: 202–566–1752; facsimile: 202–566–9744; or email: Docket_ORD@ epa.gov. For technical information, contact Dr. Molini Patel, NCEA; telephone: 919– 541–1492; facsimile: 919–541–1818; or email: patel.molini@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Information About the Document Section 108 (a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to identify certain pollutants which, among other things, ‘‘cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare’’ and to issue air quality criteria for them. These air quality criteria are to ‘‘accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air. . . .’’ Under section 109 of the Act, EPA is then to establish NAAQS for each pollutant for which EPA has issued criteria. Section 109 (d) of the Act subsequently requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health or welfare. EPA is also required to review PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and, if appropriate, revise the NAAQS, based on the revised air quality criteria (for more information on the NAAQS review process, see https://www.epa.gov/ ttn/naaqs/review.html). Nitrogen oxides are one of six criteria pollutants for which EPA has established NAAQS. Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis for these standards by preparing an ISA (formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document). The ISA, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. The CASAC, an independent science advisory committee whose review and advisory functions are mandated by Section 109 (d) (2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged (among other things) with independent scientific review of EPA’s air quality criteria. On February 10, 2012 (77 FR 7149), EPA formally initiated its current review of the air quality criteria for the health effects of nitrogen oxides and the primary (health-based) NO2 NAAQS, requesting the submission of recent scientific information on specified topics. EPA held a workshop February 29 to March 1, 2012, to discuss with invited scientific experts from internal and external to EPA, key science and policy issues relevant to the review of the health effects of nitrogen oxides (77 FR 7149). EPA’s ‘‘Draft Plan for Development of the Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides— Health Criteria’’ was made available for public comment on May 3, 2013 (78 FR 26026), and was discussed by the CASAC via a publicly accessible teleconference consultation on June 5, 2013 (78 FR 27234). On June 11, 2013, EPA held a workshop to discuss, with invited scientific experts, initial draft materials prepared in the development of the ISA (78 FR 27374). A draft Integrated Review Plan (IRP) is being developed that will characterize all of the phases of the review of the primary NAAQS for NO2, including the schedule for the entire review, the process for conducting the various phases of the review, and the key policy-relevant science issues that will guide the review. The draft IRP will incorporate a revised plan for ISA development after consideration of CASAC and public comments on the draft plan for development of the ISA. The draft IRP will be reviewed by CASAC and the public together with the first draft ISA at a public meeting. The availability of the draft IRP for review by CASAC and the public, and the date and location of the public meeting, will E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM 22NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 226 / Friday, November 22, 2013 / Notices emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES be announced in separate Federal Register notices. The ‘‘First External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides—Health Criteria’’ will be discussed at a public meeting for review by CASAC and the public. In addition to the public comment period announced in this notice, the public will have an opportunity to address CASAC. A separate Federal Register notice will inform the public of the exact date and time of the CASAC meeting and of the procedures for public participation in that CASAC meeting. II. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at www.regulations.gov Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2013– 0232, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov. • Fax: 202–566–9744. • Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202– 566–1752. • Hand Delivery: The ORD Docket is located in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is 202–566–1744. Such deliveries are only accepted during the docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. If you provide comments by mail or hand delivery, please submit three copies of the comments. For attachments, provide an index, number pages consecutively with the comments, and submit an unbound original and three copies. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2013– 0232. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will be marked ‘‘late,’’ and may only be considered if time permits. It is EPA’s policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket without change and to make the comments available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless a comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:47 Nov 21, 2013 Jkt 232001 (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information through www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected. The 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 email comment directly to EPA without going through www.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, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the 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 materials, such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center. Dated: October 30, 2013. Debra B. Walsh, Acting Deputy Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2013–27979 Filed 11–21–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER–FRL–9012–2] Environmental Impact Statements; Notice of Availability Responsible Agency: Office of Federal Activities, General Information (202) 564–7146 or https://www.epa.gov/ compliance/nepa/. Weekly Receipt of Environmental Impact Statements PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 70041 Filed 11/11/2013 through 11/15/2013. Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.9. NOTICE: Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act requires that EPA make public its comments on EISs issued by other Federal agencies. EPA’s comment letters on EISs are available at: https:// www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/ eisdata.html. EPA’s weekly receipt of EISs filed during the week of 11/04/2013 through 11/08/2013 can be found in Wednesday, November 20th, Federal Register publication and on EPA’s Web site at: https:// www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/ eisdata.html. EIS No. 20130338, Final EIS, USFS, OR, Summit Logan Valley Grazing Authorization Project, Review Period Ends: 12/30/2013, Contact: Randall J. Gould 541–820–3801. EIS No. 20130339, Draft EIS, BLM, OR, Oregon Sub-Region Greater SageGrouse Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment, Comment Period Ends: 02/20/2014, Contact: Joan Suther 541–573–4445. EIS No. 20130340, Draft EIS, USFS, AZ, Programmatic—Revision of the Coronado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, Comment Period Ends: 02/20/2014, Contact: Yolynda Begay 520–388–8370. EIS No. 20130341, Final Supplement, BLM, NV, Ruby Pipeline Project, Review Period Ends: 12/23/2013, Contact: Mark Mackiewicz 435–636– 3616. EIS No. 20130342, Draft EIS, USA, CA, Modernization and Repair of Piers 2 and 3 at Military Ocean Terminal Concord, Comment Period Ends: 01/06/2014, Contact: Malcolm E. Charles 925–246–4023. EIS No. 20130343, Draft Supplement, NPS, FL, Biscayne National Park Supplemental Draft General Management Plan, Comment Period Ends: 02/20/2014, Contact: Morgan Elmer 303–969–2317. EIS No. 20130344, Draft Supplement, FHWA, NC, Monroe Connector/ Bypass, Comment Period Ends: 01/06/2014, Contact: Jennifer Harris (NCDOT) 919–707–6025. EIS No. 20130345, Final EIS, DOE, LA, Lake Charles Carbon Capture and Sequestration Project, Review Period Ends: 12/23/2013, Contact: Pieri Fayish 412–386–5428. EIS No. 20130346, Draft EIS, USFS, CA, Blacksmith Forest Health Project, Comment Period Ends: 01/06/2014, Contact: Dana Walsh 530–333–5558. EIS No. 20130347, Final Supplement, USFS, CA, Southern California National Forests Land Management SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM 22NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70040-70041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27979]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9903-22-ORD; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-0232]


Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides--Health 
Criteria

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Public Comment Period.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is announcing a 60-day public comment period for the draft 
document titled, ``First External Review Draft Integrated Science 
Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides--Health Criteria'' (EPA/600/R-13/202). 
The draft document was prepared by the National Center for 
Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and 
Development as part of the review of the primary (health-based) 
national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide 
(NO2). The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), in 
conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provide 
the scientific basis for EPA decisions on the adequacy of the current 
NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. EPA 
intends to develop a separate ISA, and NAAQS review, for the secondary 
(welfare-based) NAAQS for NO2, in conjunction with a review 
of the secondary NAAQS for sulfur dioxide.
    EPA is releasing this draft document to seek review by the Clean 
Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public (meeting date 
and location to be specified in a separate Federal Register notice). 
This draft document is not final as described in EPA's information 
quality guidelines, and it does not represent and should not be 
construed to represent Agency policy or views. EPA will consider any 
public comments submitted in response to this notice when revising the 
document.

DATES: The 60-day public comment period begins November 22, 2013, and 
ends January 21, 2014. Comments must be received on or before January 
21, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The ``First External Review Draft Integrated Science 
Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides--Health Criteria'' will be available 
primarily via the Internet on NCEA's home page under the Recent 
Additions and Publications menus at https://www.epa.gov/ncea or the 
public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID: EPA-HQ-ORD-
2013-0232. A limited number of CD-ROM copies will be available. Contact 
Ms. Marieka Boyd by phone: 919-541-0031; fax: 919-541-5078; or email: 
boyd.marieka@epa.gov to request a CD-ROM, and please provide your name, 
your mailing address, and the document title, ``First External Review 
Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides--Health 
Criteria'' to facilitate processing of your request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the public comment 
period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; 
telephone: 202-566-1752; facsimile: 202-566-9744; or email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov.
    For technical information, contact Dr. Molini Patel, NCEA; 
telephone: 919-541-1492; facsimile: 919-541-1818; or email: 
patel.molini@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Information About the Document

    Section 108 (a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to 
identify certain pollutants which, among other things, ``cause or 
contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to 
endanger public health or welfare'' and to issue air quality criteria 
for them. These air quality criteria are to ``accurately reflect the 
latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of 
all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be 
expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air. . . .'' 
Under section 109 of the Act, EPA is then to establish NAAQS for each 
pollutant for which EPA has issued criteria. Section 109 (d) of the Act 
subsequently requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of 
existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in scientific 
knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health or welfare. 
EPA is also required to review and, if appropriate, revise the NAAQS, 
based on the revised air quality criteria (for more information on the 
NAAQS review process, see https://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/review.html).
    Nitrogen oxides are one of six criteria pollutants for which EPA 
has established NAAQS. Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis 
for these standards by preparing an ISA (formerly called an Air Quality 
Criteria Document). The ISA, in conjunction with additional technical 
and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA decisions 
on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of 
possible alternative standards. The CASAC, an independent science 
advisory committee whose review and advisory functions are mandated by 
Section 109 (d) (2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged (among other 
things) with independent scientific review of EPA's air quality 
criteria.
    On February 10, 2012 (77 FR 7149), EPA formally initiated its 
current review of the air quality criteria for the health effects of 
nitrogen oxides and the primary (health-based) NO2 NAAQS, 
requesting the submission of recent scientific information on specified 
topics. EPA held a workshop February 29 to March 1, 2012, to discuss 
with invited scientific experts from internal and external to EPA, key 
science and policy issues relevant to the review of the health effects 
of nitrogen oxides (77 FR 7149). EPA's ``Draft Plan for Development of 
the Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides--Health 
Criteria'' was made available for public comment on May 3, 2013 (78 FR 
26026), and was discussed by the CASAC via a publicly accessible 
teleconference consultation on June 5, 2013 (78 FR 27234). On June 11, 
2013, EPA held a workshop to discuss, with invited scientific experts, 
initial draft materials prepared in the development of the ISA (78 FR 
27374).
    A draft Integrated Review Plan (IRP) is being developed that will 
characterize all of the phases of the review of the primary NAAQS for 
NO2, including the schedule for the entire review, the 
process for conducting the various phases of the review, and the key 
policy-relevant science issues that will guide the review. The draft 
IRP will incorporate a revised plan for ISA development after 
consideration of CASAC and public comments on the draft plan for 
development of the ISA. The draft IRP will be reviewed by CASAC and the 
public together with the first draft ISA at a public meeting. The 
availability of the draft IRP for review by CASAC and the public, and 
the date and location of the public meeting, will

[[Page 70041]]

be announced in separate Federal Register notices.
    The ``First External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for 
Nitrogen Oxides--Health Criteria'' will be discussed at a public 
meeting for review by CASAC and the public. In addition to the public 
comment period announced in this notice, the public will have an 
opportunity to address CASAC. A separate Federal Register notice will 
inform the public of the exact date and time of the CASAC meeting and 
of the procedures for public participation in that CASAC meeting.

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

    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-
0232, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
     Email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov.
     Fax: 202-566-9744.
     Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket 
Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202-566-1752.
     Hand Delivery: The ORD Docket is located in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is 202-566-1744. Such deliveries are only accepted during 
the docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should 
be made for deliveries of boxed information. If you provide comments by 
mail or hand delivery, please submit three copies of the comments. For 
attachments, provide an index, number pages consecutively with the 
comments, and submit an unbound original and three copies.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-
2013-0232. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the 
specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will 
be marked ``late,'' and may only be considered if time permits. It is 
EPA's policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket 
without change and to make the comments available online at 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless a comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information through 
www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise 
protected. The 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 email comment directly to EPA without going through 
www.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, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact 
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you 
submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to 
consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or 
viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the 
EPA Docket Center homepage at www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the 
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 materials, 
such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center.

    Dated: October 30, 2013.
Debra B. Walsh,
Acting Deputy Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2013-27979 Filed 11-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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