Treatment of Indian Tribes in a Similar Manner as States for Purposes of Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, 2791-2803 [2016-00736]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules collection requirements as defined in 5 CFR part 1320 that are not already required by law or not already approved for use. Accordingly, the review provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 do not apply. List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 261 Prohibitions, Law enforcement, National forests. Therefore, for the reasons set out in the preamble, we propose to amend part 261 of title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: PART 261—PROHIBITIONS or segment of the Chattooga River within National Forest System land in, on, or upon any floatable object or craft of every kind or description, unless permitted under a special use authorization. (f) Violating or failing to comply with any of the terms or conditions of any special use authorization or permit authorizing the occupancy and use specified in paragraph (d) or (e) of this section is prohibited. Dated: December 21, 2015. Thomas L. Tidwell, Chief, Forest Service. [FR Doc. 2016–00888 Filed 1–15–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P 1. The authority citation for part 261 continues to read as follows: ■ ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1011(f); 16 U.S.C. 4601–6d, 472, 551, 620(f), 1133(c)–(d)(1), 1246(i). 40 CFR Part 130 [EPA–HQ–OW–2014–0622; FRL–9941–33– OW] Subpart C—Prohibitions in Regions ■ 2. Revise § 261.77 to read as follows: RIN 2040–AF52 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS § 261.77 Prohibitions in Region 8, Southern Region. (a) Using or occupying any area of National Forest System land abutting the Chattooga River for the purpose of entering or going upon the River in, on, or upon any floatable object or craft of every kind or description, unless authorized by permit or through a special use authorization. (The Chattooga River is located in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina, the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina and the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia.) (b) Using or occupying within the scope of any commercial operation or business any area of National Forest System land abutting the Chattooga River for the purpose of entering or going upon the River in, on, or upon any floatable object or craft of every kind or description, unless permitted under a special use authorization. (c) Violating or failing to comply with any of the terms or conditions of any special use authorization or permit authorizing the occupancy and use specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section is prohibited. (d) Entering, going, riding, or floating upon any portion or segment of the Chattooga River within National Forest System land in, on, or upon any floatable object or craft of every kind or description, unless authorized by a permit or through a special use authorization. (e) Entering, going, riding, or floating within the scope of any commercial operation or business upon any portion VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 Treatment of Indian Tribes in a Similar Manner as States for Purposes of Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: In section 518(e) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), Congress authorized EPA to treat eligible federally recognized Indian tribes in a similar manner as states for purposes of administering section 303 and certain other provisions of the CWA, and directed the agency to promulgate regulations effectuating this authorization. EPA has issued regulations establishing a process for federally recognized tribes to obtain treatment in a similar manner as states (TAS) for several provisions of the CWA; 50 tribes, for example, have obtained TAS authority to issue water quality standards under CWA section 303(c). EPA, however, has not yet promulgated regulations expressly establishing a process for such tribes to obtain TAS authority to administer the water quality restoration provisions of CWA section 303(d), including issuing lists of impaired waters and developing total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) under CWA section 303(d), as states routinely do. EPA is now proposing to remedy this gap. By establishing regulatory procedures for eligible tribes to obtain TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, the proposed rule would enable eligible tribes to obtain SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 2791 authority to identify impaired waters on their reservations and to establish TMDLs, which serve as plans for attaining and maintaining applicable water quality standards (WQS). The proposal is comparable to similar regulations that EPA issued in the 1990s for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS and CWA Section 402 and 404 Permitting Programs, and includes features designed to minimize paperwork and unnecessary reviews. EPA requests comments on all aspects of the proposed rule. DATES: EPA must receive comments on or before March 21, 2016. EPA will discuss this proposed rule and answer questions about it in one or more webinars during the above comment period. If you are interested, see EPA’s Web site at https://www2.epa.gov/tmdl/ tribal-consultation-rulemaking-providemore-opportunities-tribes-engage-cleanwater-act for the date and time of the webinar(s) and instructions on how to register and participate. Additionally, under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a copy of your comments on or before February 18, 2016. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket identification (ID) No. EPA–HQ–OW–2014–0622, at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https:// www2.epa.gov/dockets/commentingepa-dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Furtak, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 2792 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules (4503T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 566–1167; fax number: (202) 566–1331; email address: TASTMDL@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This supplementary information is organized as follows: I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me? B. Over what area may tribes apply for TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? C. What should I consider as i prepare my comments for EPA? 1. Resubmitting Relevant Comments From Consultations and Listening Sessions 2. Submitting CBI 3. Tips for Preparing Your Comments II. What is the statutory and regulatory history of TAS under the CWA? A. Statutory History B. Regulatory History III. Why might a tribe be interested in seeking TAS authority for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? IV. What program responsibilities would tribes have upon obtaining TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? A. Identification of Impaired Waters and Submission of Section 303(d) Lists B. Establishment and Submission of TMDLs C. EPA Review of Lists and TMDLs V. What are EPA’s proposed procedures for a tribe to seek TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? VI. What special circumstances may exist regarding qualification for TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? VII. What procedure would EPA follow in reviewing a tribe’s TAS application? A. Notice to Appropriate Governmental Entities B. Avoidance of Duplicative Notice and Comment Procedures C. Treatment of Competing or Conflicting Claims D. EPA’s Decision Process VIII. What is an example of a stepwise approach for tribes applying for TAS for CWA programs? IX. What financial and technical support is available from EPA to tribes as they choose to develop and implement a CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? X. 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 (PRA) C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism F. Executive Order 13175: Tribal Consultation and Coordination G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks 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 I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me? This proposed rule applies to federally recognized tribal governments with reservations interested in seeking TAS eligibility to administer the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. Although this proposed rule would not apply directly to any other entity, state and local governments or other Indian tribes, as well as other entities, may be interested to the extent they are adjacent to the Indian reservation1 lands of TAS applicant tribes, share water bodies with such tribes, and/or discharge pollutants to waters of the United States located within or adjacent to such reservations. The table below provides examples of entities that could be affected by this action or have an interest in it. Category Examples of potentially affected or interested entities Tribes .................................................................. Federally recognized tribes with reservations that are interested in applying for TAS for CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL Program, and other interested tribes. States adjacent to reservations of potential applicant tribes. Industrial and other commercial entities discharging pollutants to waters within or adjacent to reservations of potential applicant tribes. Publicly owned treatment works or other facilities discharging pollutants to waters within or adjacent to reservations of potential applicant tribes. States .................................................................. Industry dischargers ........................................... Municipal dischargers ......................................... If you have questions regarding the effect of this proposed rule on a particular entity, please consult the person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS B. Over what area may tribes apply for TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? Under section 518(e) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1377(e), Indian tribes may seek TAS authorization to administer certain CWA programs pertaining to water resources of their reservations. Tribes are not eligible to administer CWA programs pertaining to any nonreservation Indian country 2 or any other type of non-reservation land. The term 1 See ‘‘Over What Area May Tribes Apply for TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program?’’ below. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 ‘‘federal Indian reservation’’ is defined at CWA section 518(h)(1) to include all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through the reservation. See CWA sections 518(e)(2), (h)(1); see also 40 CFR 131.3(k). EPA’s longstanding position is that reservations include both formal reservations (e.g., named reservations established through federal treaties with tribes, federal statutes, or Executive Orders of the President) as well as tribal trust lands that may not be formally designated as reservations, but that qualify as informal reservations. See, e.g., 56 FR 64876, 64881 (December 12, 1991); Arizona Public Service Co. v. EPA, 211 F.3d 1280, 1292–1294 (D.C. Cir. 2000), cert. denied sub nom., Michigan v. EPA, 532 U.S. 970 (2001). Tribes may seek TAS authorization for both formal and informal reservations, and both types of lands are referred to herein as ‘‘reservations.’’ Although this proposal would facilitate eligible tribes’ administration of an additional regulatory program, nothing in this proposed rule changes, expands, or contracts the geographic scope of potential tribal TAS eligibility under the CWA. 2 The term Indian country is defined at 18 U.S.C. 1151. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? II. What is the statutory and regulatory history of TAS under the CWA? 1. Resubmitting Relevant Comments from Consultations and Listening Sessions. EPA held multiple consultations and listening sessions with tribes and states concerning TAS for CWA section 303(d) lists and TMDLs, and considered views and comments received from these sessions in developing this proposal. This proposed rule has evolved from the materials EPA shared at the time. Therefore, if you submitted comments based on these sessions and want EPA to consider them as part of the public comment opportunity for this proposed action, you must resubmit your comments to EPA in accordance with the instructions outlined in this document. 2. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI to EPA through https:// www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disc that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disc as CBI and then identify electronically within the disc 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. EPA will not disclose information so marked except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 2. 3. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments, remember to: • Identify the proposed action by docket number and other identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number). • Explain why you agree or disagree, suggest alternatives, substitute language for your requested changes. • Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/ or data that you used. • If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced. • Provide specific examples that help to illustrate your concerns. • Explain your views as clearly as possible. • Submit your comments consistent with the DATES section of this document. A. Statutory History Congress added section 518 to the CWA as part of amendments made in 1987. Section 518(e) authorizes EPA to treat eligible Indian tribes in the same manner as it treats states for a variety of purposes, including administering each of the principal CWA regulatory programs and receiving grants under several CWA funding authorities. Section 518(e) is commonly known as the ‘‘TAS’’ provision. Section 303 is expressly identified in section 518(e) as one of the provisions available for TAS. Section 518(e) also requires EPA to promulgate regulations specifying the TAS process for applicant tribes. Section 518(h) defines ‘‘Indian tribe’’ to mean any Indian tribe, band, group, or community recognized by the Secretary of the Interior and exercising governmental authority over a federal Indian reservation. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 B. Regulatory History Pursuant to section 518(e), EPA promulgated several final regulations establishing TAS criteria and procedures for Indian tribes interested in administering programs under the Act. The relevant regulations addressing TAS requirements for the principal CWA regulatory programs are: • 40 CFR 131.8 for section 303(c) water quality standards, published at 56 FR 64876 (December 12, 1991) (final rule); • 40 CFR 131.4(c) for CWA section 401 water quality certification, published at 56 FR 64876 (December 12, 1991); • 40 CFR 123.31–34 for CWA section 402 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and other provisions, and 40 CFR 501.22–25 for the sewage sludge management program. Final rule published December 22, 1993 (58 FR 67966); and • 40 CFR 233.60–62 for CWA section 404 dredge or fill permits. Final rule published February 11, 1993 (58 FR 8172). In 1994, EPA amended the above regulations to simplify the TAS process and eliminate unnecessary and duplicative procedural requirements. See 59 FR 64339 (December 14, 1994) (the ‘‘Simplification Rule’’). For example, the Simplification Rule eliminated the need for a tribe to prequalify for TAS before applying to administer the section 402 and section 404 permit programs. Instead, the rule provided that a tribe would seek to establish its TAS eligibility at the PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 2793 program approval stage (subject to notice and comment procedures in the Federal Register). However, the rule retained the separate TAS prequalification requirement (including local notice and comment procedures) for section 303(c) water quality standards and section 401 water quality certifications. Id.; see also, 40 CFR 131.8(c)(2), (3).3 The TAS regulations for CWA regulatory programs have remained intact since promulgation of the Simplification Rule. EPA is now proposing to address a gap in its current TAS regulations, by proposing regulations that would specify how tribes may seek TAS for the Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. III. Why might a tribe be interested in seeking TAS authority for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program? TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program would provide a tribe with the opportunity to participate directly in restoring and protecting its reservation waters through implementing the Program, as Congress authorized under CWA section 518(e). In the rest of this document, EPA refers to the functions identified in CWA section 303(d) regarding listing of impaired waters and establishment of TMDLs as the ‘‘Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program’’ or ‘‘303(d) Program.’’ Section 303(d) provides for states and authorized tribes to: (1) Develop lists of impaired waters (and establish priority rankings for waters on the lists) and (2) establish TMDLs for these waters. By listing impaired waters, a state or authorized tribe identifies those waters in its territory that are not currently meeting EPA-approved or EPApromulgated WQS (collectively referred to as ‘‘applicable WQS’’). A TMDL is a planning document intended to address impairment of waters, including the calculation and allocation to point and nonpoint sources of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet applicable WQS, with a margin of safety. By obtaining TAS for section 303(d), tribes can take the lead role in identifying and establishing a priority ranking for impaired water bodies on their reservations and in establishing 3 Under the CWA and EPA’s regulations, tribes may simultaneously (1) apply for TAS under CWA section 518 for the purpose of administering water quality standards and (2) submit actual standards for EPA review under section 303(c). Although they may proceed together, a determination of TAS eligibility and an approval of actual water quality standards are two distinct actions. E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 2794 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS TMDLs and submitting them to EPA for approval. These are important informational and planning steps that tribes can take to restore and maintain the quality of reservation waters. TMDLs must allocate the total pollutant load among contributing point sources (‘‘waste load allocations’’ or ‘‘WLAs’’) and nonpoint sources (‘‘load allocations’’ or ‘‘LAs’’) (40 CFR 130.2). Point source WLAs are addressed through the inclusion of water qualitybased effluent limits in national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permits issued to such sources. Under EPA’s regulations, NPDES permitting authorities shall ensure that ‘‘[e]ffluent limits developed to protect a narrative water quality criterion, a numeric water quality criterion, or both, are consistent with the assumptions and requirements of any available wasteload allocation for the discharge prepared by the State and approved by EPA pursuant to 40 CFR 130.7.’’ 40 CFR 122.44(d)(1)(vii)(B). WLAs under 40 CFR 122.44(d)(1)(vii)(B) would include WLAs developed by a tribe with TAS authorization and approved by EPA pursuant to 40 CFR 130.7. For water bodies impaired by pollutants from nonpoint sources, authorized tribes would not acquire new or additional implementation authorities when listing such impaired water bodies and establishing TMDLs. Instead, the mechanisms for implementing the nonpoint source pollutant reductions (LAs) identified in any tribal TMDLs would include existing tribal authorities, other federal agencies’ policies and procedures, as well as voluntary and incentive-based programs. This proposed rule would not require anything of tribes that are not interested in TAS for the 303(d) Program. Based on pre-proposal input, not all tribes will be interested in obtaining TAS for 303(d), and some may consider other approaches that might benefit their reservation waters. Clean Water Act section 319 watershed-based plans, for example, may help tribes protect and restore water resources threatened or impaired by nonpoint source pollution.4 IV. What program responsibilities would tribes have upon obtaining TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? The goal of the CWA is ‘‘to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, 4 See Handbook for Developing and Managing Tribal Nonpoint Source Pollution Programs under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, February 2010, available at https://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/ files/2015-09/documents/2010_02_19_nps_tribal_ pdf_tribal_handbook2010.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.’’ CWA section 101(a). Identification of impaired waters and TMDLs are important tools for achieving that goal. After a tribe receives EPA approval of its eligibility to implement a CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, it is treated in a manner similar to a state and, for purposes of list and TMDL development, it would become an ‘‘authorized tribe.’’ Generally, the federal statutory and regulatory requirements for state 303(d) programs would be applicable to authorized tribes (see proposed § 130.16(c)(5)). The following paragraphs identify important 303(d) Program responsibilities that tribes with TAS would assume and implement. A. Identification of Impaired Waters and Submission of Section 303(d) Lists Under section 303(d) of the CWA, every two years authorized tribes would be required to develop lists of waters not meeting, or not expected to meet, applicable water quality standards. 40 CFR 130.7(d). These lists are commonly called ‘‘impaired waters lists’’ or ‘‘303(d) lists.’’ Impaired waters are waters for which technology-based limitations and other required controls are not stringent enough to meet applicable CWA water quality standards. Threatened waters are waters that currently attain applicable WQS, but for which existing and readily available data and information indicate that applicable WQS will likely not be met by the time the next list of impaired or threatened waters is due to EPA.5 The authorized tribe’s section 303(d) list would include all impaired and threatened waters. In this document, EPA uses the term ‘‘impaired waters’’ to refer to both impaired and threatened waters.6 The authorized tribe would be required to ‘‘assemble and evaluate all existing and readily available information’’ in developing its section 303(d) list. 40 CFR 130.7(b)(5). EPA’s regulations include a non-exhaustive list of water quality-related data and information to be considered. Id. The tribe would establish priorities for 5 Guidance for 2006 Assessment, Listing and Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314 of the Clean Water Act, July 29, 2005, available at https://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/ lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/upload/2006irg-report.pdf. 6 Under EPA’s regulations, ‘‘water quality limited segments’’ include both impaired waters and threatened waters, and are defined as ‘‘any segment where it is known that water quality does not meet applicable water quality standards, and/or is not expected to meet applicable water quality standards, even after the application of the technology-based effluent limitations required by sections 301(b) and 306 of the Act.’’ 40 CFR 130.2(j). PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 development of TMDLs for waters on its section 303(d) list based on the severity of the pollution and the uses to be made of the waters. 40 CFR 130.7(b)(4). The tribe would then submit its list of impaired waters to EPA for review and approval. Like states, authorized tribes would be required to submit their ‘‘303(d) lists’’ to EPA for approval every two years on April 1 (lists are due April 1 of even-numbered years). As indicated in § 130.16(c)(5) of the proposed rule, a tribe gaining TAS status would be provided at least 24 months to submit its first impaired waters list to EPA. The tribe’s first impaired waters list would be due to EPA the next listing cycle due date that is at least 24-months from the later of (1) the date the tribe’s TAS application for 303(d) is approved, or (2) the date EPA-approved/promulgated WQS for the tribe’s waters are effective. (See section VII for the procedure EPA would follow in reviewing a tribe’s TAS application.). Thus, for example, if EPA approves a tribe’s TAS application on March 15, 2016, and the tribe’s WQS on June 30, 2016, the tribe’s first list would be due on April 1, 2020. The tribe could submit its list to EPA prior to that date, if it chooses. Most tribes that would be eligible for TAS authorization under today’s proposed rule are likely to be recipients of CWA section 106 grants and would thus be required to submit section 106 grant work plans annually. If a tribe’s CWA section 106 grant work plan includes ambient water quality monitoring activities, the tribe is also required to develop an assessment report pursuant to the CWA section 106 grant reporting requirements.7 EPA encourages tribes that obtain TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Program and also develop CWA section 106 assessment reports to combine their CWA section 303(d) impaired waters list with their CWA section 106 assessment report, and submit the combined report electronically through the Assessment TMDL Tracking and Implementation System (ATTAINS).8 In this way such tribes could create a combined CWA 303(d)/106 report that is similar to a 7 See Final Guidance on Awards of Grants to Indian Tribes under Section 106 of the Clean Water Act (https://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/ 2014-09/documents/final-tribal-guidance.pdf) at page 8–1. 8 See ‘‘Water Quality Assessment and TMDL Information,’’ available at https://ofmpub.epa.gov/ waters10/attains_index.home. E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules state’s CWA 303(d)/305(b) 9 ‘‘Integrated Report.’’ 10 B. Establishment and Submission of TMDLs Under the CWA, each state and authorized tribe must, ‘‘from time to time,’’ establish and submit TMDLs for pollutants causing impairments in all the waters on its 303(d) list. CWA sections 303(d)(1)(C) and 303(d)(2). States and authorized tribes set priorities for developing TMDLs for their impaired and listed waters. TMDLs must be established ‘‘at a level necessary to implement the applicable water quality standards with seasonal variations and a margin of safety which takes into account any lack of knowledge concerning the relationship between effluent limitations and water quality.’’ CWA section 303(d)(1)(C). Where a TMDL makes allocation tradeoffs between point and nonpoint sources, the TMDL record must also demonstrate ‘‘reasonable assurance’’ that the nonpoint source allocations will be achieved. 40 CFR 130.2(i). Calculations to establish TMDLs must be subject to public review. 40 CFR 130.7(c)(1)(ii). Once established, the state or authorized tribe submits the TMDL to EPA for review. C. EPA Review of Lists and TMDLs Once EPA receives a list or TMDL, it must either approve or disapprove that list or TMDL within 30 days. CWA section 303(d)(2). If EPA disapproves the list or TMDL, EPA must establish a replacement list or TMDL within 30 days of disapproval. 40 CFR 130.7(d)(2). asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS V. What are EPA’s proposed procedures for a tribe to seek TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program? Consistent with the statutory requirement in section 518 of the CWA, the proposed rule would establish the procedures by which an Indian tribe may apply and qualify for TAS for purposes of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. Such procedures would be codified in a new section 130.16 of the water quality planning and management regulation. Section 130.16 would 9 CWA section 305(b) requires states to provide every two years an assessment of the quality of all their waters. EPA explicitly exempted tribes from the section 305(b) reporting requirement. See 40 CFR 130.4(a); 54 FR 14354, 14357 (April 11, 1989). 10 See Guidance for 2006 Assessment, Listing and Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314 of the Clean Water Act, July 29, 2005, (available at https://water.epa.gov/ lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/upload/2006irgreport.pdf) for more information on the Integrated Report. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 identify (1) the criteria an applicant tribe would be required to meet to be treated in a similar manner as states, (2) the information the tribe would be required to provide in its application to EPA, and (3) the procedure EPA would use to review the tribal application. Proposed section 130.16 is intended to ensure that tribes treated in a similar manner as states for the purposes of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program are qualified, consistent with CWA requirements, to conduct a Listing and TMDL Program. The procedures are meant to provide more opportunities for tribes to engage fully in the Program and are not intended to act as a barrier to tribal assumption of the 303(d) Program. The TAS procedures in this proposed rule are closely based on the existing TAS regulation at 40 CFR 131.8, which establishes the TAS process for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program. EPA established the TAS process for WQS in 1991, and that program has been the focus of the great majority of TAS activity for regulatory programs under the CWA as well as all of the other environmental statutes administered by the Agency. The WQS TAS rule has proven very effective in ensuring that applicant tribes satisfy statutory TAS criteria and are prepared to administer WQS programs under the Act. It thus served as a useful model for this proposed TAS rule. The TAS criteria tribes would be required to meet for purposes of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program originate in CWA section 518. As reflected in the proposed regulatory language, the tribe must: (1) Be federally recognized and meet the definitions in § 131.3(k) and (l); (2) carry out substantial governmental duties and powers; (3) have appropriate authority to regulate the quality of reservation waters; and (4) be reasonably expected to be capable of administering the Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. These criteria are discussed below. The first criterion for TAS would require the tribe to be federally recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and meet the definitions in § 131.3(k) and (l). The tribe may address the recognition requirement either by stating that it is included on the list of federally recognized tribes published periodically by DOI, or by submitting other appropriate documentation (e.g., if the tribe is federally recognized but is not yet included on the DOI list). The definition of ‘‘tribe’’ in § 131.3(l), along with requiring federal recognition, additionally requires that the tribe is PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 2795 exercising governmental authority over a Federal Indian reservation. ‘‘Federal Indian reservation’’ is defined in § 131.3(k) as ‘‘all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through the reservation.’’ (See further discussion of the term ‘‘reservation’’ in section I B. of this preamble.). The governmental authority and reservation aspects of these definitions would be addressed in the tribe’s application, including as part of its descriptive statements that it currently carries out substantial governmental duties and powers over a defined area, and that it has authority to regulate water quality over a reservation. The second criterion would require the tribe to have a governing body ‘‘carrying out substantial governmental duties and powers.’’ The Agency considers ‘‘substantial governmental duties and powers’’ to mean that the tribe is currently performing governmental functions to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the affected population within a defined geographical area. See 54 FR at 39101. Examples of such functions may include, but are not limited to, the power to tax, the power of eminent domain, and police power. Federal recognition by DOI would not, in and of itself, satisfy this criterion. EPA expects that most tribes should be able to meet this criterion without much difficulty. Id. To address the second criterion, the tribe would be required to submit a descriptive statement demonstrating that the tribal governing body is currently carrying out substantial governmental duties and powers over a defined area. The descriptive statement should: (1) Describe the form of tribal government; (2) describe the types of essential governmental functions currently performed, such as those listed above; and (3) identify the sources of authorities to perform these functions (e.g., tribal constitutions and codes). The third criterion, concerning tribal authority, means that a tribe seeking TAS for purposes of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program must adequately demonstrate authority to manage and protect water resources within the borders of the tribe’s reservation. To verify authority and satisfy the third criterion of the proposed rule, a tribe would be required to include a statement signed by the tribal legal counsel, or an equivalent official, explaining the legal basis for the tribe’s E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 2796 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules regulatory authority, and appropriate additional documentation (e.g., maps, tribal codes and ordinances). In promulgating prior CWA TAS regulations, EPA took an initial cautious approach that required tribes applying for eligibility to administer regulatory programs under the statute to demonstrate their inherent tribal authority over the relevant regulated activities on their reservations. See, e.g., 56 FR at 64877–81. This included a demonstration of inherent regulatory authority over the activities of non-tribal members on lands they own in fee within a reservation under the principles of Montana v. United States, 450 U.S. 544 (1981), and its progeny. Montana held that, absent a federal grant of authority, tribes generally lack inherent jurisdiction over nonmember activities on nonmember fee land, but retain inherent civil jurisdiction over nonmember activities within the reservation where (i) nonmembers enter into ‘‘consensual relationships with the tribe or its members, through commercial dealing, contracts, leases, or other arrangements’’ or (ii) ‘‘. . . [nonmember] conduct threatens or has some direct effect on the political integrity, the economic security, or the health or welfare of the tribe.’’ Montana, 450 U.S. at 565–66. In addressing the second exception of Montana regarding the effects of nonmember conduct, EPA has previously described the Agency’s operating approach to require a showing that the potential impacts of regulated activities on the tribe are serious and substantial. 56 FR at 64878. EPA also explained that the activities regulated under the various environmental statutes, including the CWA, generally have serious and substantial potential impacts on human health and welfare. Id. EPA described the Agency’s expert assessment regarding the critical importance of water quality management to self-government and also explained that because of the mobile nature of pollutants in surface waters and the relatively small size of water bodies on reservations, it would be very likely that any water quality impairment on non-Indian fee land within a reservation would also impair water quality on tribal lands. Id. at 64878–79. EPA stated that its generalized findings regarding the relationship of water quality to tribal health and welfare would supplement the factual showing tribes would make in applying for TAS. Id. EPA reiterates the generalized statutory and factual findings set forth in those prior TAS rulemakings and believes they apply equally to TAS applications for the VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 CWA Section 303(d) Program. As discussed below, EPA has also separately proposed to revise its interpretation of the CWA tribal provision by conclusively determining that Congress intended to delegate authority to eligible tribes to regulate their entire reservations under the CWA irrespective of land ownership. If and when this revised interpretation is finalized, it will be applied in reviewing any TAS application submitted under the regulations proposed today. Unless and until that revised interpretation is finalized, however, EPA will continue to evaluate TAS applications consistent with the Agency’s current approach and will continue to apply the generalized findings set forth in prior CWA TAS rulemakings in making case-by-case determinations regarding tribes’ inherent regulatory authority. In prior CWA TAS promulgations, EPA recognized that there was significant support for the view that Congress had intended to delegate authority to eligible Indian tribes to administer CWA regulatory programs over their entire reservations, irrespective of land ownership, and EPA expressly stated that the issue of tribal authority under the CWA remained open for further consideration in light of additional congressional or judicial guidance. See, e.g., 56 FR at 64878–81. On August 7, 2015, EPA published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to reinterpret the CWA tribal provision as including such an express delegation of authority by Congress. 80 FR 47430. If EPA finalizes that reinterpretation, applicant Indian tribes would no longer be required to demonstrate inherent authority to regulate their reservation waters under the CWA. Among other things, tribes would thus no longer be required to meet the test established in Montana v. United States, 450 U.S. 544 (1981), and its progeny with regard to exercises of inherent tribal regulatory authority over nonmember activity. Id. Instead, a tribe would be able to rely on the congressional delegation of authority included in section 518 of the statute as the source of authority to administer CWA regulatory programs over its entire reservation as part of its legal statement. The proposed TAS rule for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program is intended to provide appropriate TAS application and review procedures irrespective of which interpretation of tribal authority under the Act applies. As explained in EPA’s proposed reinterpretation, EPA’s existing TAS regulations—including 40 CFR 131.8, upon which this proposed rule is modeled—accommodate either PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 interpretation of tribal authority under the CWA and provide appropriate application procedures to ensure that relevant jurisdictional information is provided to EPA and made available for comment. 80 FR 47430. EPA thus proposes to establish the basic TAS application and review procedures proposed today notwithstanding that the proposed reinterpretation remains pending. Once these rules are finalized, EPA will review any TAS applications for the CWA Section 303(d) Program in accordance with the interpretation of CWA tribal jurisdiction that applies at the time. The fourth criterion would require that the tribe, in the Regional Administrator’s judgment, be reasonably expected to be capable of administering an effective CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. To meet this requirement, tribes would either: (1) show that they have the necessary management and technical skills, or (2) submit a plan detailing steps for acquiring the necessary management and technical skills. When considering tribal capability, EPA would also consider whether the tribe can demonstrate the existence of institutions that exercise executive, legislative, and judicial functions, and whether the tribe has a history of successful managerial performance of public health or environmental programs. The specific information required for tribal applications to EPA is described in proposed § 130.16 (a) and (b). The application would be required, in general, to include a statement regarding federal recognition by DOI, documentation that the tribal governing body is exercising substantial duties and powers, documentation of tribal authority to regulate water quality on the reservation, a narrative statement of tribal capability to administer the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, and any other information requested by the Regional Administrator. Consistent with EPA’s other TAS regulations, the proposed rule also provides that where a tribe has previously qualified for TAS for purposes of a different EPA program, the tribe is only required to provide information that has not been submitted as part of a prior TAS application. To facilitate review of tribal applications, EPA would request that a tribal application inform EPA whether the tribe has been approved for TAS or deemed eligible to receive authorization for any other EPA program. See 59 FR at 64340. E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules The TAS application procedures and criteria for the CWA Sections 303(c) WQS and 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Programs are similar in many respects, and a tribe interested in both programs may wish to streamline the application process by combining a request for TAS eligibility for 303(c) and 303(d) into a single application. Although a tribe would not be required to do so, EPA’s proposed approach would allow a tribe to submit a combined application, which addresses the criteria and application requirements of § 131.8 and proposed § 130.16, to EPA if the tribe is interested in applying for TAS for both the CWA Section 303(c) and 303(d) Programs. VI. What special circumstances may exist regarding qualification for TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS There could be rare instances where special circumstances limit or preclude a particular tribe’s ability to be authorized to administer the 303(d) Program over its reservation. For example, there could be a separate federal statute establishing unique jurisdictional arrangements for a specific state or a specific reservation that could affect a tribe’s ability to exercise authority under the CWA. It is also possible that provisions in particular treaties or tribal constitutions could limit a tribe’s ability to exercise relevant authority.11 The application requirements of § 130.16 (a) and (b) would require tribes to submit a statement of their legal counsel (or equivalent official) describing the basis for their assertion of authority. The statement can include copies of documents such as tribal constitutions, by-laws, charters, executive orders, codes, ordinances, and resolutions. If EPA finalizes this proposed action, the requirement for a legal counsel’s statement would ensure that applicant tribes appropriately describe the bases of their authority and address any special circumstances regarding their assertion of authority to administer the 303(d) Program. The proposed rule would provide an 11 EPA takes no position in this proposal regarding whether any particular tribe or Indian reservation is subject to any potential impediment relating to authority to take on the 303(d) Program. Any such issue would need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis and with the benefit of a full record of relevant information that would be developed during the processing of a particular TAS application. To the extent EPA is ever called upon to make a decision regarding this type of issue, such a decision would be rendered in the context of EPA’s final action on a specific TAS application, and any judicial review of that decision would occur in that context. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 appropriate opportunity for ‘‘appropriate governmental entities’’ (i.e., states, tribes and other federal entities located contiguous to the reservation of the applicant tribe) to comment on an applicant tribe’s assertion of authority and, among other things, inform EPA of any special circumstances that they believe could affect a tribe’s ability to administer the 303(d) Program. EPA is also aware that section 10211(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (‘‘SAFETEA’’), Public Law 109–59, 119 Stat. 1144 (August 10, 2005) established a unique TAS requirement with respect to Indian tribes located in the State of Oklahoma. Under section 10211(b) of SAFETEA, tribes in Oklahoma seeking TAS under a statute administered by EPA for the purpose of administering an environmental regulatory program must, in addition to meeting applicable TAS requirements under the relevant EPAadministered environmental statute, enter into a cooperative agreement with the state that is subject to EPA approval and that provides for the tribe and state to jointly plan and administer program requirements. This requirement of SAFETEA applies apart from, and in addition to, existing TAS criteria, including the TAS criteria set forth in section 518 of the CWA. EPA’s proposal relates solely to the CWA TAS requirement; it would thus have no effect on the separate requirement of section 10211(b) of SAFETEA. VII. What procedure would EPA follow in reviewing a tribe’s TAS application? A. Notice to Appropriate Governmental Entities The proposed EPA review procedure, included in § 130.16(c), specifies that the Regional Administrator, following receipt of tribal applications, would process such applications in a timely manner. EPA would promptly notify the tribe that the complete application has been received. Within 30 days after receipt of a tribe’s complete TAS application for 303(d), EPA would provide notice to appropriate governmental entities (i.e., states, tribes, and other federal entities located contiguous to the reservation of the applicant tribe) of the complete application and the substance of and basis for the tribe’s assertion of authority over reservation waters, and would provide a 30 day opportunity to comment to EPA on the tribe’s assertion of authority. See, e.g., 56 FR at 64844. EPA would also provide, consistent with prior practice, sufficiently broad PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 2797 notice (e.g., through local newspapers, electronic media, or other appropriate media) to inform other potentially interested entities of the applicant tribe’s complete application and of the opportunity to provide relevant information regarding the tribe’s assertion of authority. As described below, this aspect of EPA’s review procedure would apply unless such process would be duplicative of a notice and comment process already performed in connection with the same tribe’s prior application for TAS for another CWA regulatory program. B. Avoidance of Duplicative Notice and Comment Procedures EPA is proposing to include provisions intended to help avoid unnecessary and wasteful duplication of the notice and comment procedures described in VII A. Specifically, EPA proposes that, where a tribe has previously qualified for TAS for a CWA regulatory program12 and EPA has provided notice and an opportunity to comment on the tribe’s assertion of authority as part of its review of the prior application, no further notice would be provided with regard to the same tribe’s application for the 303(d) Program, unless the section 303(d) TAS application presents different jurisdictional issues or significant new factual or legal information relevant to jurisdiction to the Regional Administrator. Proposed § 130.16(c)(4). This proposed approach would apply to all tribes that have previously obtained TAS for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program, CWA Section 402 NPDES Program or Sewage Sludge Management Program, or CWA Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit Program. Where different jurisdictional issues or information are not present, additional notice and comment are likely to be duplicative of the process already undertaken during EPA’s review of the prior TAS application. Under these circumstances, the proposed rule would avoid such duplication of efforts by authorizing the relevant EPA Regional Administrator to process a TAS application for the 303(d) Program without a second notice and comment process. Where different jurisdictional issues or new or changed information is present, the notice and comment process described in § 130.16(c)(2) would apply. For example, if the geographic reservation area over which 12 Specifically, the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program, CWA Section 402 NPDES Program or Sewage Sludge Management Program, or CWA Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit Program. E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 2798 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS an applicant tribe asserts authority is different from the area covered by a prior TAS application or EPA approval, the process proposed in § 130.16(c)(2) would apply and would provide an appropriate opportunity for comment on the tribe’s assertion of authority over the new area. In such circumstances, a tribe may find it appropriate and useful to update its prior TAS application at the same time it applies for TAS for 303(d). This would help ensure that the tribe’s TAS eligibility for the various CWA programs covers the same geographic area. Such a combined TAS application would be subject to the § 130.16(c)(2) notice and comment process. EPA requests comment on its proposed approach or alternative approaches. In addition, we request comment on whether the § 130.16(c)(4) notice and comment exemption should instead be available only prospectively—i.e., only where the applicant tribe obtains TAS for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program, CWA Section 402 NPDES Program or Sewage Sludge Management Program, or CWA section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit Program after this proposed rule is finalized (and, again, only if different jurisdictional issues or significant new factual or legal information relevant to jurisdiction are not present in the tribe’s 303(d) TAS application). One practical result of this alternative approach would be that if one of the 50 tribes that has previously obtained TAS for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program were to apply for TAS for the 303(d) Program after this proposed rule is finalized, the notice and comment process would be required. C. Treatment of Competing or Conflicting Claims Where a tribe’s assertion of authority is subject to a competing or conflicting claim, the proposed procedures provide that the Regional Administrator, after due consideration and in consideration of any other comments received, would determine whether the tribe has adequately demonstrated authority to regulate water quality on the reservation for purposes of the 303(d) Program. Where the Regional Administrator concludes that a tribe has not adequately demonstrated its authority with respect to an area in dispute, then tribal assumption of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program may be restricted accordingly. If a dispute is focused on a limited area, this would not VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 necessarily delay EPA’s decision to treat the tribe in a similar manner as a state for non-disputed areas. This proposed procedure does not imply that states, tribes, other federal agencies, or any other entity have veto power over tribal TAS applications. Rather, it is intended to assist EPA in gathering information that may be relevant to the Agency’s determination whether the applicant tribe has the necessary authority to administer the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. EPA would not rely solely on the assertions of a commenter who challenges a tribe’s assertion of authority, but rather make an independent evaluation of the tribal showing. D. EPA’s Decision Process The proposed rule requires EPA to process a tribe’s TAS application in a timely manner, but does not specify a precise time frame for review of tribal TAS applications. Each TAS application will present its own set of legal and factual issues, and EPA anticipates that in some cases it may be necessary to request additional information when examining tribal TAS applications. Similarly, the Agency’s experience with states applying for various EPA programs and with tribes applying for TAS for the WQS Program indicates that additional engagement between EPA and the applicant may be necessary before final decisions are made. EPA expects that similar exchanges with tribes will often be helpful and enhance EPA’s processing of tribal TAS applications for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. Where the Regional Administrator determines that a tribal TAS application satisfies the requirements of proposed § 130.16(a) and (b), the Regional Administrator would promptly notify the tribe that the tribe has qualified for TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. A decision by the Regional Administrator that a tribe does not meet the requirements for TAS for purposes of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program would not preclude the tribe from resubmitting the application at a future date. If the Regional Administrator determines that a tribal application is deficient or incomplete, EPA will identify such deficiencies and gaps so the tribe can make changes as appropriate or necessary. PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 VIII. What is an example of a stepwise approach for tribes applying for TAS authority for CWA programs? EPA expects that the tribes most likely to be interested in applying for TAS for the 303(d) Program will be those that also have TAS for CWA section 303(c) and have applicable WQS for their reservation waters. EPA has taken final action approving TAS for WQS for 50 tribes. Forty-two of those tribes have EPA-approved WQS, and one tribe without TAS for WQS has federally promulgated WQS.13 By virtue of their involvement in the WQS Program, these tribes will already have demonstrated an interest in directly administering certain fundamental elements of the CWA as well as the resources and capacity to do so. Since applicable WQS are a foundation of the approach to protecting water quality under the CWA, establishing EPAapproved/EPA-promulgated WQS for reservation water bodies will be an important first step for tribes interested in protecting and restoring their reservation waters. As tribes gain experience developing and administering applicable WQS on their reservations, they may become interested in greater involvement in additional programs—such as the 303(d) Program—designed to ensure that applicable WQS are achieved. Obtaining TAS to implement a CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program for its reservation waters is one potential next step for interested tribes. Under section 303(d), a tribe would use applicable WQS as the basis for identifying impaired waters and calculating TMDLs, which quantify the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet the WQS. Table 1, below, is an example of one step-wise approach that tribes may follow in developing their water quality programs under the CWA and ultimately seeking TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. This is only one possible approach, and, under this approach, not all the identified steps would need to be taken sequentially (e.g., some could be completed in parallel). 13 A chart listing EPA approvals for tribes to administer a WQS program, and EPA’s approvals of tribes’ WQS is available at https://water.epa.gov/ scitech/swguidance/standards/wqslibrary/ approvtable.cfm. E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules 2799 TABLE 1—EXAMPLE OF A STEP-WISE APPROACH TO REGULATORY ACTIVITIES FOR TRIBES INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR TAS AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE CWA SECTION 303(d) IMPAIRED WATER LISTING AND TMDL PROGRAM Step 1: Tribe seeks TAS for CWA 303(c): WQS Step 2: Tribe Adopts WQS ................................. Step 3: Tribe seeks TAS for CWA Section 303(d): Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. Step 4: Tribe implements the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Step 5: Tribe implements TMDLs (not required by 40 CFR 130.7). Step 6: Tribe seeks other CWA regulatory programs. The proposed rule does not require tribes to have applicable WQS in place on their reservations prior to applying for TAS eligibility for the 303(d) Program. Under section 303(d), however, states and authorized tribes must develop lists of impaired waters and TMDLs based on applicable WQS. CWA sections 303(d)(1) and (2). Although EPA expects that the tribes most likely to be interested in administering the 303(d) Program are those that do have such WQS, the proposed rule would not preclude other tribes from obtaining TAS status for section 303(d) purposes and thus ensuring that TAS eligibility requirements are satisfactorily addressed prior to expending resources on developing WQS. This approach would also allow tribes, at their discretion, to streamline and minimize expenditures on TAS procedures by combining TAS requests for sections 303(c) and 303(d) into a single application. Since authorized tribes must list waters and develop TMDLs based on applicable WQS, however, EPA also specifically invites public comment on whether applicable WQS should instead be a prerequisite for obtaining TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. The proposed rule also does not require tribes seeking TAS eligibility for the 303(d) Program to have previously VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 • Tribe decides to evaluate and address water quality within its reservation by establishing WQS under the CWA. • Tribe identifies and inventories reservation water bodies. • Tribe applies for TAS for WQS. • Tribe develops its water quality goals. • Tribe drafts WQS for EPA approval. • EPA approves tribal WQS. • Tribe decides to assess water quality conditions (i.e., comparing water quality monitoring data and information against applicable WQS), identify impaired waters, and develop TMDLs. • Tribe applies for TAS to implement a 303(d) program under the CWA. • EPA approves TAS for 303(d). Tribe conducts activities required by 40 CFR 130.7, including but not limited to: • Assembles and evaluates all existing and readily available water quality-related data and information on reservation water bodies (data may have been gathered by an established, comprehensive monitoring program). • Develops section 303(d) list of impaired waters (that is, reservation water bodies that do not meet or are not likely to meet applicable WQS). • Prioritizes list of impaired water bodies for TMDL development. • Submits section 303(d) list to EPA for approval. • Develops TMDLs for listed waters. • Submits TMDLs to EPA for approval. • Carry out watershed-specific plans to implement TMDLs. • Monitors TMDL implementation and effectiveness. Possibilities include: • CWA Section 402 NPDES Program. • CWA Section 405 Sewage Sludge Management Program. • CWA Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit Program. obtained EPA approval for TAS for the WQS Program. EPA specifically invites public comment on whether a tribe applying for TAS for the 303(d) Program should instead be required to have already received EPA approval—or at least simultaneously apply—for TAS for CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program. IX. What financial and technical support is available from EPA to tribes as they choose to develop and implement a CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program? Pre-proposal input from tribes indicates that resources and funding available for TMDL development will be important considerations for tribes in deciding whether to apply for TAS for CWA section 303(d) purposes. The Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program is not a grant program, and no federal grant funds are available directly from the Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. A tribe may be able to use its General Assistance Program (GAP) Grant under the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act to support development of a section 303(d) program and capacity to implement such a program, but GAP funds are not available for ongoing program implementation. Tribes interested in this approach would need to contact their Regional GAP Program coordinator. In addition, existing PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 sources of tribal funding such as CWA section 319 grants and section 106 grants are already tightly constrained and may not be available to support additional work under section 303(d). Some tribes that receive CWA funding may be able to identify program activities that could also support 303(d) activities (e.g., assessing water quality to develop impaired water lists, developing a nonpoint source watershed plan that would also implement the nonpoint source portions of a TMDL), but the availability of such opportunities is uncertain. As resources allow, EPA may be able to work cooperatively with tribes, as appropriate, on impaired water listing and TMDL issues in Indian country. For example, EPA may develop training and/or provide other technical support to tribes interested in obtaining TAS for 303(d) and implementing a CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program if EPA staff and other resources are available to do so. As a general matter, however, EPA cannot assure that funding will be available for a tribe developing or implementing the 303(d) Program, and a tribe considering whether to apply to administer the Program will need to carefully assess its priorities and the availability of EPA assistance or other resources. E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 2800 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules X. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders can be found at https://www2.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders. 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 and was, therefore, not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) EPA has submitted the information collection requirements in this proposed legislative rule to OMB for approval under the PRA. The Information Collection Request (ICR) document that EPA prepared has been assigned EPA ICR number 2515.01. You can find a copy of the ICR in the docket for this proposed rule, and it is briefly summarized here. If EPA finalizes the proposed rule, this ICR would supplement the current information collection requirements in EPA ICR number 1560.10 (National Water Quality Inventory Reports (Renewal)) and address the tribes’ CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL TAS application and 303(d) Program implementation burden, as well as EPA’s burden for reviewing the tribes’ applications and 303(d) Program submittals. OMB approved the existing ICR number 1560.10 in December 2012. This proposed legislative rule would establish a process for tribes to obtain TAS for the 303(d) Program. As described in the ICR, EPA estimates the total burden on tribes to apply for TAS for the 303(d) Program would be 3,240 staff hours annually for an estimated 12 tribes that would apply for and receive TAS approval per year. Tribes that receive TAS approval would then need to implement the requirements of section 303(d) to list impaired waters, set TMDL priorities, and develop TMDLs. EPA estimates that such 303(d) Program implementation burden would entail 86,664 staff hours for the estimated 12 tribes. ICR 1560.10 already includes the estimated burden for states to implement section 303(d), but does not include estimates for tribes. Therefore, the ICR for this proposed rule includes tribal section 303(d) implementation burden as well as the TAS application burden described in the previous paragraph. As discussed in section V, EPA’s regulations require that a tribe seeking to administer a CWA regulatory program VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 must submit information to EPA demonstrating that the tribe meets the statutory criteria described in section V. EPA requires this information in order to determine that the tribe is eligible to administer the program. Similarly, EPA requires the information—in this case, the lists of impaired waters and the TMDLs—from the authorized tribes once they begin implementing the program. Respondents/affected entities: Any federally recognized tribe with a reservation can potentially apply to administer a regulatory program under the CWA. Tribes with TAS for the 303(d) Program would then implement the Program, as described in section IV. Respondent’s obligation to respond: The information discussed in this proposed rule is required from a tribe only if the tribe seeks and is found eligible to administer a CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. See EPA’s proposed regulations cited in section V of this document. Estimated number of respondents: The total potential pool of respondents is the over 300 tribes with reservations. Although there are 566 federally recognized Indian tribes in the United States, the CWA allows only those tribes with reservations to apply for authority to administer programs. EPA estimates that an average of 12 tribes per year would apply under this proposed rule, and an average of 12 tribes per year would implement the 303(d) Program over the three year period of the ICR. Frequency of response: Application by a tribe to be eligible to administer the 303(d) Program is a one-time collection of information. Tribes submit impaired water lists to EPA every two years, and submit TMDLs to EPA from time to time as described in section IV of this document. Total estimated burden: 89,904 tribal staff hours per year for TAS for 303(d) Program application activities and 303(d) Program implementation activities. Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b). This estimate may overstate actual burden because EPA used a conservatively high estimate of the annual rate of tribal applications. This estimate was used to ensure that the ICR does not underestimate tribal burden, given that EPA used a simplifying steady-state assumption in estimating annualized tribal application costs. Also, EPA used conservatively high estimates of 303(d) implementation burden (i.e., 303(d) listing and number of TMDLs that tribes would submit to EPA annually), as further described in the draft ICR number 2515.01. PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Total estimated cost: $4,185,269, including staff salaries and the cost of support contractors for an annual average of 12 tribes to apply for TAS and implement the 303(d) Program. This action does not entail capital or operation and maintenance costs. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA’s regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9. Submit your comments on the Agency’s need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden to EPA using the docket identified in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this proposed rule. You may also send your ICR-related comments to OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs via email to oira_submissions@omb.eop.gov, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA. Since OMB is required to make a decision concerning the ICR between 30 and 60 days after receipt, OMB must receive comments no later than February 18, 2016. EPA will respond to any ICRrelated comments in the final rule. C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This action will not impose any requirements on small entities. This action affects only Indian tribes that seek TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, local or tribal governments or the private sector. 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. This proposed action would only apply to tribal governments that seek eligibility to administer the 303(d) Program. Although it could be of interest to some state governments, it E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS would not apply directly to any state government or to any other entity. In the spirit of Executive Order 13132, and consistent with EPA policy to promote communications between EPA and state and local governments, EPA consulted with state associations and representatives of state governments to obtain meaningful and timely input for consideration in this proposal. By letter dated September 19, 2014, EPA invited 10 national and regional state associations to an October 1, 2014, informational meeting at EPA in Washington, DC.14 As a result of this meeting and other outreach, EPA participated in two follow-on meetings with a subset of these associations and their members as well as certain individual states during the month of October 2014. Records of these meetings and copies of written comments and questions submitted by states and state associations are included in the docket for this proposed rule. Some participants expressed interest in: (1) the nature of comments received from tribes during the pre-proposal tribal consultation and coordination (April 8–June 6, 2014); (2) where they could find the list of tribes having TAS for the WQS Program; (3) whether the TAS process for CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program would be consistent with other TAS processes; and (4) whether there is a process in place to consult with states where a tribe applies for TAS for 303(d). Some states also had questions about issues unique to their situations. EPA considered this input in developing the proposed rule, particularly in developing sections V to IX. EPA specifically solicits additional comment on this proposed action from state officials. F. Executive Order 13175: Tribal Consultation and Coordination This action has tribal implications because it will directly affect tribes interested in administering the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. However, it would neither impose substantial direct compliance costs on federally recognized tribal governments, nor preempt tribal law. Tribes are not required to administer a 303(d) program. Where a tribe chooses to do so, the 14 The ten associations were: the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, the Western Governors’ Association, the Southern Governors’ Association, the Midwestern Governors Association, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors, the Environmental Council of the States, the Association of Clean Water Administrators, and the Western States Water Council. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 proposed rule will provide a regulatory process for the tribe to apply and for EPA to act on the tribe’s application. EPA consulted and coordinated with tribal officials under the EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes early in the process of developing this proposed regulation to permit them to have meaningful and timely input into its development. A summary of that consultation and coordination follows. EPA initiated a tribal consultation and coordination process for this action by sending a ‘‘Notification of Consultation and Coordination’’ letter on March 28, 2014, to all 566 federally-recognized tribes. The letter invited tribal leaders and designated consultation representative(s) to participate in the tribal consultation and coordination process. EPA held a webinar concerning this matter for tribal representatives on April 29, 2014. A total of 46 tribal representatives participated. Additionally, tribes and tribal organizations sent five comment letters to EPA. Records of this webinar and copies of written comments and questions submitted by tribes and intertribal consortia are included in the docket for this proposed rule. Tribal comments generally supported EPA’s plan to propose a TAS rule for the 303(d) Program. Some comments expressed the need for additional financial and technical support as tribes obtain TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. EPA considered the tribal comments in developing this proposal, and intends to remain sensitive to tribal resource issues in its budgeting and planning process. However, EPA cannot assure or assume that additional funding will be available for a tribe developing or implementing the 303(d) Program. A tribe choosing to administer such programs will need to carefully weigh its priorities and any available EPA assistance as described in section IX above. EPA specifically solicits additional comment on this proposed action From tribal officials. G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks that EPA has reason to think could disproportionately affect children, per the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory action’’ in section 2–202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to Executive Order PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 2801 13045 because it does not concern an environmental health or safety risk. H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act This rulemaking does not involve technical standards. J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations The proposed rule would not have potential to cause disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority, lowincome, or indigenous populations. This proposed rule would have no direct impacts on human health or the environment. The proposed rule would affect processes and information collection only. The proposed rule would put in place the procedures interested tribes would follow to seek TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. The action is likely to result in the collection of information or data that could be used to assess potential impacts on the health or environmental conditions in Indian country (see sections III and IV). As described in sections III and IV, above, under CWA section 303(d), authorized tribes would be required to develop lists of impaired waters, submit these lists to EPA, and develop TMDLs for pollutants causing impairments in the waters on the 303(d) lists. TAS for 303(d) would provide authorized tribes the opportunity to participate directly in protecting their reservation waters through the Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, as Congress intended through CWA section 518(e). EPA also expects this proposed rule would advance the goals of the CWA as interested tribes apply for TAS to administer the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program for reservation water bodies. The action is likely to increase the availability of information to indigenous populations as interested tribes obtain TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program and begin implementing the Program. In short, tribes with TAS assume the primary role in deciding (1) what waters on their reservations are E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 2802 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules impaired and in need of restoration, (2) the priority ranking for TMDL development, and (3) what the TMDLs and pollutant source allocations for those waters should look like. EPA provided meaningful participation opportunities for tribes in the development of this proposed rule, as described in ‘‘F. Executive Order 13175: Tribal Consultation and Coordination,’’ above. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 130 Environmental protection, Grant programs-environmental protection, Indians-lands, Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water pollution control, Water supply. Dated: January 6, 2016. Gina McCarthy, Administrator. For the reasons stated in the preamble, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes to amend 40 CFR part 130 as follows: PART 130—WATER QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT 1. The authority citation for part 130 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. ■ 2. Add § 130.16 to read as follows: asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS § 130.16 Treatment of Indian Tribes in a similar manner as States for purposes of section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. (a) The Regional Administrator may accept and approve a tribal application for purposes of administering the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program if the tribe meets the following criteria: (1) The Indian tribe is recognized by the Secretary of the Interior and meets the definitions in § 131.3 (k) and (l) of this chapter; (2) The Indian tribe has a governing body carrying out substantial governmental duties and powers; (3) The CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program to be administered by the Indian tribe pertains to the management and protection of water resources that are within the borders of the Indian reservation and held by the Indian tribe, within the borders of the Indian reservation and held by the United States in trust for Indians, within the borders of the Indian reservation and held by a member of the Indian tribe if such property interest is subject to a trust restriction on alienation, or otherwise within the borders of the Indian reservation; and VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 (4) The Indian tribe is reasonably expected to be capable, in the Regional Administrator’s judgment, of carrying out the functions of an effective CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program in a manner consistent with the terms and purposes of the Act and applicable regulations. (b) Requests by Indian tribes for administration of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Waters Listing and TMDL Program should be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Administrator. The application shall include the following information, provided that where the tribe has previously qualified for eligibility or ‘‘treatment as a state’’ (TAS) under another EPA-administered program, the tribe need only provide the required information that has not been submitted in a previous application: (1) A statement that the tribe is recognized by the Secretary of the Interior. (2) A descriptive statement demonstrating that the tribal governing body is currently carrying out substantial governmental duties and powers over a defined area. The statement should: (i) Describe the form of the tribal government; (ii) Describe the types of governmental functions currently performed by the tribal governing body such as, but not limited to, the exercise of police powers affecting (or relating to) the health, safety, and welfare of the affected population, taxation, and the exercise of the power of eminent domain; and (iii) Identify the source of the tribal government’s authority to carry out the governmental functions currently being performed. (3) A descriptive statement of the tribe’s authority to regulate water quality. The statement should include: (i) A map or legal description of the area over which the tribe asserts authority to regulate surface water quality; (ii) A statement by the tribe’s legal counsel (or equivalent official) that describes the basis for the tribe’s assertion of authority and may include a copy of documents such as tribal constitutions, by-laws, charters, executive orders, codes, ordinances, and/or resolutions that support the tribe’s assertion of authority; and (iii) An identification of the surface waters that the tribe proposes to assess for potential impaired water listing and TMDL development. (4) A narrative statement describing the capability of the Indian tribe to administer an effective CWA Section PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. The narrative statement should include: (i) A description of the Indian tribe’s previous management experience that may include the administration of programs and services authorized by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450, et seq.), the Indian Mineral Development Act (25 U.S.C. 2101, et seq.), or the Indian Sanitation Facility Construction Activity Act (42 U.S.C. 2004a); (ii) A list of existing environmental or public health programs administered by the tribal governing body and copies of related tribal laws, policies, and regulations; (iii) A description of the entity (or entities) that exercise the executive, legislative, and judicial functions of the tribal government; (iv) A description of the existing, or proposed, agency of the Indian tribe that will assume primary responsibility for establishing, reviewing, implementing and revising impaired water lists and TMDLs; (v) A description of the technical and administrative capabilities of the staff to administer and manage an effective CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program or a plan that proposes how the tribe will acquire the needed administrative and technical expertise. The plan must address how the tribe will obtain the funds to acquire the administrative and technical expertise. (5) Additional documentation required by the Regional Administrator that, in the judgment of the Regional Administrator, is necessary to support a tribal application. (c) Procedure for processing a tribe’s application. (1) The Regional Administrator shall process an application of a tribe submitted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section in a timely manner. The Regional Administrator shall promptly notify the tribe of receipt of the application. (2) Except as provided below in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, within 30 days after receipt of the tribe’s application the Regional Administrator shall provide appropriate notice. Notice shall: (i) Include information on the substance and basis of the tribe’s assertion of authority to regulate the quality of reservation waters; and (ii) Be provided to all appropriate governmental entities. (iii) Provide 30 days for comments to be submitted on the tribal application. Comments shall be limited to the tribe’s assertion of authority. E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2016 / Proposed Rules (3) If a tribe’s asserted authority is subject to a competing or conflicting claim, the Regional Administrator, after due consideration, and in consideration of other comments received, shall determine whether the tribe has adequately demonstrated that it meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section. (4) Where EPA has previously determined that a tribe qualifies for TAS for the CWA Section 303(c) Water Quality Standards Program, CWA Section 402 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program, or CWA Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit Program, and EPA has provided notice and an opportunity to comment on the tribe’s assertion of authority to appropriate governmental entities as part of its review of the prior application, no further notice to governmental entities, as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, shall be provided with regard to the same tribe’s application for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, unless the application presents to the EPA Regional Administrator different jurisdictional issues or significant new factual or legal information relevant to jurisdiction. (5) Where the Regional Administrator determines that a tribe meets the requirements of this section, he or she shall promptly provide written notification to the tribe that the tribe is authorized to administer the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. Such tribe shall be considered a ‘‘State’’ for purposes of CWA section 303(d) and its implementing regulations. With respect to the timing requirement for submittal of an authorized tribe’s first list of impaired waters pursuant to § 130.7(d)(1), the tribe’s first list is due on the next listing cycle due date that is 24 months after the later of either: (i) The date EPA approves the tribe’s TAS application pursuant to this section or (ii) The date EPA-approved or EPApromulgated water quality standards become effective for the tribe’s reservation waters. [FR Doc. 2016–00736 Filed 1–15–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Jan 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 180 [EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0032; FRL–9939–32] Withdrawal of Pesticide Petitions for Establishment or Modification of Pesticide Chemical Tolerances or Tolerance Exemptions Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of withdrawal of pesticide petitions. AGENCY: This document announces the withdrawal of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of tolerances or tolerance exemptions for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. The petitions were either withdrawn voluntarily by the petitioners or by the Agency. DATES: The pesticide petitions in this document are withdrawn as of January 19, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Lewis, Registration Division (RD) (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; main telephone number: (703) 305–7090; email address: RDFRNotices@epa.gov. The mailing address for each contact person is: Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: 2803 NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. 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 OPP Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. II. What action is the agency taking? EPA is announcing the withdrawal of pesticide petitions received under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a, requesting the establishment or modification of tolerances or tolerance exemptions in 40 CFR part 180 for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various food commodities. Pursuant to 40 CFR 180.7(f), a summary of each of the petitions covered by this document, prepared by the petitioner, was included in a docket EPA created for each rulemaking. The docket for each of the petitions is available online at https:// www.regulations.gov. Withdrawals by Petitioners 1. PP 0E7820 (spirodiclofen). EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of February 4, 2010 (76 FR 17374) (EPA–HQ–OPP–2011–0087), which announced the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 0E7820) by Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR–4), 500 College Road East, Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition proposed to establish tolerances in 40 CFR part 180 for residues of the insecticide spirodiclofen, 3-(2,4I. General Information dichlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1A. Does this action apply to me? oxaspiro[4,5]dec-3-en-4-yl 2,2dimethylbutanoate, in or on sugar apple, Although this action only applies to the petitioners in question, it is directed cherimoya, atemoya, custard apple, ilama, soursop, biriba, guava, feijoa, to the public in general. Since various jaboticaba, wax jambu, starfruit, individuals or entities may be passionfruit, persimmon and acerola at interested, the Agency has not 0.45 ppm; and lychee, longan, Spanish attempted to describe all the specific lime, rambutan and pulasan at 3.5 ppm. entities that may be interested in this On April 17, 2014, IR–4 notified EPA action. If you have any questions regarding this action, please consult the that it was withdrawing this petition. 2. PP 9E7632 (spirodiclofen). EPA person listed at the end of the issued a notice in the Federal Register withdrawal summary for the pesticide of February 4, 2010 (75 FR 5790) (EPA– petition of interest. HQ–OPP–2009–0861), which B. How can I get copies of this document announced the filing of a pesticide and other related information? petition (PP 9E7632) by Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR–4), 500 The docket for this action, identified College Road East, Suite 201 W, by docket identification (ID) number Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0008, is available proposed to amend the tolerances in 40 at https://www.regulations.gov or at the CFR 180.608 by revising the tolerance OPP Docket in the Environmental expression under paragraphs (a)(1) and Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ (a)(2) to read as follows: (a)(1). DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. Tolerances are established for residues PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1

Agencies

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2791-2803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00736]

=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 130

[EPA-HQ-OW-2014-0622; FRL-9941-33-OW]
RIN 2040-AF52

Treatment of Indian Tribes in a Similar Manner as States for
Purposes of Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: In section 518(e) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), Congress
authorized EPA to treat eligible federally recognized Indian tribes in
a similar manner as states for purposes of administering section 303
and certain other provisions of the CWA, and directed the agency to
promulgate regulations effectuating this authorization. EPA has issued
regulations establishing a process for federally recognized tribes to
obtain treatment in a similar manner as states (TAS) for several
provisions of the CWA; 50 tribes, for example, have obtained TAS
authority to issue water quality standards under CWA section 303(c).
EPA, however, has not yet promulgated regulations expressly
establishing a process for such tribes to obtain TAS authority to
administer the water quality restoration provisions of CWA section
303(d), including issuing lists of impaired waters and developing total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs) under CWA section 303(d), as states
routinely do. EPA is now proposing to remedy this gap. By establishing
regulatory procedures for eligible tribes to obtain TAS for the CWA
Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, the proposed
rule would enable eligible tribes to obtain authority to identify
impaired waters on their reservations and to establish TMDLs, which
serve as plans for attaining and maintaining applicable water quality
standards (WQS). The proposal is comparable to similar regulations that
EPA issued in the 1990s for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS and CWA Section
402 and 404 Permitting Programs, and includes features designed to
minimize paperwork and unnecessary reviews. EPA requests comments on
all aspects of the proposed rule.

DATES: EPA must receive comments on or before March 21, 2016. EPA will
discuss this proposed rule and answer questions about it in one or more
webinars during the above comment period. If you are interested, see
EPA's Web site at https://www2.epa.gov/tmdl/tribal-consultation-rulemaking-provide-more-opportunities-tribes-engage-clean-water-act for
the date and time of the webinar(s) and instructions on how to register
and participate. Additionally, under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA),
comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of
consideration if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a
copy of your comments on or before February 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket identification
(ID) No. EPA-HQ-OW-2014-0622, at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments
cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. EPA may publish any
comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of
the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment
policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general
guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Furtak, Assessment and Watershed
Protection Division, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds

[[Page 2792]]

(4503T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 566-1167; fax number:
(202) 566-1331; email address: TASTMDL@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This supplementary information is organized
as follows:

I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
B. Over what area may tribes apply for TAS for the CWA Section
303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program?
C. What should I consider as i prepare my comments for EPA?
1. Resubmitting Relevant Comments From Consultations and
Listening Sessions
2. Submitting CBI
3. Tips for Preparing Your Comments
II. What is the statutory and regulatory history of TAS under the
CWA?
A. Statutory History
B. Regulatory History
III. Why might a tribe be interested in seeking TAS authority for
the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program?
IV. What program responsibilities would tribes have upon obtaining
TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL
program?
A. Identification of Impaired Waters and Submission of Section
303(d) Lists
B. Establishment and Submission of TMDLs
C. EPA Review of Lists and TMDLs
V. What are EPA's proposed procedures for a tribe to seek TAS for
the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program?
VI. What special circumstances may exist regarding qualification for
TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL
program?
VII. What procedure would EPA follow in reviewing a tribe's TAS
application?
A. Notice to Appropriate Governmental Entities
B. Avoidance of Duplicative Notice and Comment Procedures
C. Treatment of Competing or Conflicting Claims
D. EPA's Decision Process
VIII. What is an example of a stepwise approach for tribes applying
for TAS for CWA programs?
IX. What financial and technical support is available from EPA to
tribes as they choose to develop and implement a CWA Section 303(d)
impaired water listing and TMDL program?
X. 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 (PRA)
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Tribal Consultation and Coordination
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From
Environmental Health Risks 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

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

This proposed rule applies to federally recognized tribal
governments with reservations interested in seeking TAS eligibility to
administer the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL
Program. Although this proposed rule would not apply directly to any
other entity, state and local governments or other Indian tribes, as
well as other entities, may be interested to the extent they are
adjacent to the Indian reservation\1\ lands of TAS applicant tribes,
share water bodies with such tribes, and/or discharge pollutants to
waters of the United States located within or adjacent to such
reservations. The table below provides examples of entities that could
be affected by this action or have an interest in it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ See ``Over What Area May Tribes Apply for TAS for the CWA
Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program?'' below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples of potentially affected or
Category interested entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tribes....................... Federally recognized tribes with
reservations that are interested in
applying for TAS for CWA Section 303(d)
impaired water listing and TMDL Program,
and other interested tribes.
States....................... States adjacent to reservations of
potential applicant tribes.
Industry dischargers......... Industrial and other commercial entities
discharging pollutants to waters within
or adjacent to reservations of potential
applicant tribes.
Municipal dischargers........ Publicly owned treatment works or other
facilities discharging pollutants to
waters within or adjacent to
reservations of potential applicant
tribes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have questions regarding the effect of this proposed rule on
a particular entity, please consult the person listed in the preceding
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

B. Over what area may tribes apply for TAS for the CWA Section 303(d)
impaired water listing and TMDL program?

Under section 518(e) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1377(e), Indian tribes
may seek TAS authorization to administer certain CWA programs
pertaining to water resources of their reservations. Tribes are not
eligible to administer CWA programs pertaining to any non-reservation
Indian country \2\ or any other type of non-reservation land. The term
``federal Indian reservation'' is defined at CWA section 518(h)(1) to
include all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the
jurisdiction of the United States Government notwithstanding the
issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through the
reservation. See CWA sections 518(e)(2), (h)(1); see also 40 CFR
131.3(k). EPA's longstanding position is that reservations include both
formal reservations (e.g., named reservations established through
federal treaties with tribes, federal statutes, or Executive Orders of
the President) as well as tribal trust lands that may not be formally
designated as reservations, but that qualify as informal reservations.
See, e.g., 56 FR 64876, 64881 (December 12, 1991); Arizona Public
Service Co. v. EPA, 211 F.3d 1280, 1292-1294 (D.C. Cir. 2000), cert.
denied sub nom., Michigan v. EPA, 532 U.S. 970 (2001). Tribes may seek
TAS authorization for both formal and informal reservations, and both
types of lands are referred to herein as ``reservations.''
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\2\ The term Indian country is defined at 18 U.S.C. 1151.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Although this proposal would facilitate eligible tribes'
administration of an additional regulatory program, nothing in this
proposed rule changes, expands, or contracts the geographic scope of
potential tribal TAS eligibility under the CWA.

[[Page 2793]]

C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

1. Resubmitting Relevant Comments from Consultations and Listening
Sessions. EPA held multiple consultations and listening sessions with
tribes and states concerning TAS for CWA section 303(d) lists and
TMDLs, and considered views and comments received from these sessions
in developing this proposal. This proposed rule has evolved from the
materials EPA shared at the time. Therefore, if you submitted comments
based on these sessions and want EPA to consider them as part of the
public comment opportunity for this proposed action, you must resubmit
your comments to EPA in accordance with the instructions outlined in
this document.
2. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI to EPA through https://www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disc
that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disc as CBI and then
identify electronically within the disc 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. EPA will not disclose information so
marked except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) part 2.
3. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments,
remember to:
Identify the proposed action by docket number and other
identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and
page number).
Explain why you agree or disagree, suggest alternatives,
substitute language for your requested changes.
Describe any assumptions and provide any technical
information and/or data that you used.
If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be
reproduced.
Provide specific examples that help to illustrate your
concerns.
Explain your views as clearly as possible.
Submit your comments consistent with the DATES section of
this document.

II. What is the statutory and regulatory history of TAS under the CWA?

A. Statutory History

Congress added section 518 to the CWA as part of amendments made in
1987. Section 518(e) authorizes EPA to treat eligible Indian tribes in
the same manner as it treats states for a variety of purposes,
including administering each of the principal CWA regulatory programs
and receiving grants under several CWA funding authorities. Section
518(e) is commonly known as the ``TAS'' provision. Section 303 is
expressly identified in section 518(e) as one of the provisions
available for TAS.
Section 518(e) also requires EPA to promulgate regulations
specifying the TAS process for applicant tribes. Section 518(h) defines
``Indian tribe'' to mean any Indian tribe, band, group, or community
recognized by the Secretary of the Interior and exercising governmental
authority over a federal Indian reservation.

B. Regulatory History

Pursuant to section 518(e), EPA promulgated several final
regulations establishing TAS criteria and procedures for Indian tribes
interested in administering programs under the Act. The relevant
regulations addressing TAS requirements for the principal CWA
regulatory programs are:
40 CFR 131.8 for section 303(c) water quality standards,
published at 56 FR 64876 (December 12, 1991) (final rule);
40 CFR 131.4(c) for CWA section 401 water quality
certification, published at 56 FR 64876 (December 12, 1991);
40 CFR 123.31-34 for CWA section 402 National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and other provisions, and
40 CFR 501.22-25 for the sewage sludge management program. Final rule
published December 22, 1993 (58 FR 67966); and
40 CFR 233.60-62 for CWA section 404 dredge or fill
permits. Final rule published February 11, 1993 (58 FR 8172).
In 1994, EPA amended the above regulations to simplify the TAS
process and eliminate unnecessary and duplicative procedural
requirements. See 59 FR 64339 (December 14, 1994) (the ``Simplification
Rule''). For example, the Simplification Rule eliminated the need for a
tribe to prequalify for TAS before applying to administer the section
402 and section 404 permit programs. Instead, the rule provided that a
tribe would seek to establish its TAS eligibility at the program
approval stage (subject to notice and comment procedures in the Federal
Register). However, the rule retained the separate TAS prequalification
requirement (including local notice and comment procedures) for section
303(c) water quality standards and section 401 water quality
certifications. Id.; see also, 40 CFR 131.8(c)(2), (3).\3\ The TAS
regulations for CWA regulatory programs have remained intact since
promulgation of the Simplification Rule. EPA is now proposing to
address a gap in its current TAS regulations, by proposing regulations
that would specify how tribes may seek TAS for the Section 303(d)
Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\3\ Under the CWA and EPA's regulations, tribes may
simultaneously (1) apply for TAS under CWA section 518 for the
purpose of administering water quality standards and (2) submit
actual standards for EPA review under section 303(c). Although they
may proceed together, a determination of TAS eligibility and an
approval of actual water quality standards are two distinct actions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Why might a tribe be interested in seeking TAS authority for the
CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program?

TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL
Program would provide a tribe with the opportunity to participate
directly in restoring and protecting its reservation waters through
implementing the Program, as Congress authorized under CWA section
518(e). In the rest of this document, EPA refers to the functions
identified in CWA section 303(d) regarding listing of impaired waters
and establishment of TMDLs as the ``Section 303(d) Impaired Water
Listing and TMDL Program'' or ``303(d) Program.'' Section 303(d)
provides for states and authorized tribes to: (1) Develop lists of
impaired waters (and establish priority rankings for waters on the
lists) and (2) establish TMDLs for these waters. By listing impaired
waters, a state or authorized tribe identifies those waters in its
territory that are not currently meeting EPA-approved or EPA-
promulgated WQS (collectively referred to as ``applicable WQS''). A
TMDL is a planning document intended to address impairment of waters,
including the calculation and allocation to point and nonpoint sources
of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and
still meet applicable WQS, with a margin of safety.
By obtaining TAS for section 303(d), tribes can take the lead role
in identifying and establishing a priority ranking for impaired water
bodies on their reservations and in establishing

[[Page 2794]]

TMDLs and submitting them to EPA for approval. These are important
informational and planning steps that tribes can take to restore and
maintain the quality of reservation waters.
TMDLs must allocate the total pollutant load among contributing
point sources (``waste load allocations'' or ``WLAs'') and nonpoint
sources (``load allocations'' or ``LAs'') (40 CFR 130.2). Point source
WLAs are addressed through the inclusion of water quality-based
effluent limits in national pollutant discharge elimination system
(NPDES) permits issued to such sources. Under EPA's regulations, NPDES
permitting authorities shall ensure that ``[e]ffluent limits developed
to protect a narrative water quality criterion, a numeric water quality
criterion, or both, are consistent with the assumptions and
requirements of any available wasteload allocation for the discharge
prepared by the State and approved by EPA pursuant to 40 CFR 130.7.''
40 CFR 122.44(d)(1)(vii)(B). WLAs under 40 CFR 122.44(d)(1)(vii)(B)
would include WLAs developed by a tribe with TAS authorization and
approved by EPA pursuant to 40 CFR 130.7. For water bodies impaired by
pollutants from nonpoint sources, authorized tribes would not acquire
new or additional implementation authorities when listing such impaired
water bodies and establishing TMDLs. Instead, the mechanisms for
implementing the nonpoint source pollutant reductions (LAs) identified
in any tribal TMDLs would include existing tribal authorities, other
federal agencies' policies and procedures, as well as voluntary and
incentive-based programs.
This proposed rule would not require anything of tribes that are
not interested in TAS for the 303(d) Program. Based on pre-proposal
input, not all tribes will be interested in obtaining TAS for 303(d),
and some may consider other approaches that might benefit their
reservation waters. Clean Water Act section 319 watershed-based plans,
for example, may help tribes protect and restore water resources
threatened or impaired by nonpoint source pollution.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\4\ See Handbook for Developing and Managing Tribal Nonpoint
Source Pollution Programs under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act,
February 2010, available at https://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/2010_02_19_nps_tribal_pdf_tribal_handbook2010.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. What program responsibilities would tribes have upon obtaining TAS
for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program?

The goal of the CWA is ``to restore and maintain the chemical,
physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters.'' CWA
section 101(a). Identification of impaired waters and TMDLs are
important tools for achieving that goal. After a tribe receives EPA
approval of its eligibility to implement a CWA Section 303(d) Impaired
Water Listing and TMDL Program, it is treated in a manner similar to a
state and, for purposes of list and TMDL development, it would become
an ``authorized tribe.'' Generally, the federal statutory and
regulatory requirements for state 303(d) programs would be applicable
to authorized tribes (see proposed Sec. 130.16(c)(5)). The following
paragraphs identify important 303(d) Program responsibilities that
tribes with TAS would assume and implement.

A. Identification of Impaired Waters and Submission of Section 303(d)
Lists

Under section 303(d) of the CWA, every two years authorized tribes
would be required to develop lists of waters not meeting, or not
expected to meet, applicable water quality standards. 40 CFR 130.7(d).
These lists are commonly called ``impaired waters lists'' or ``303(d)
lists.'' Impaired waters are waters for which technology-based
limitations and other required controls are not stringent enough to
meet applicable CWA water quality standards. Threatened waters are
waters that currently attain applicable WQS, but for which existing and
readily available data and information indicate that applicable WQS
will likely not be met by the time the next list of impaired or
threatened waters is due to EPA.\5\ The authorized tribe's section
303(d) list would include all impaired and threatened waters. In this
document, EPA uses the term ``impaired waters'' to refer to both
impaired and threatened waters.\6\ The authorized tribe would be
required to ``assemble and evaluate all existing and readily available
information'' in developing its section 303(d) list. 40 CFR
130.7(b)(5). EPA's regulations include a non-exhaustive list of water
quality-related data and information to be considered. Id. The tribe
would establish priorities for development of TMDLs for waters on its
section 303(d) list based on the severity of the pollution and the uses
to be made of the waters. 40 CFR 130.7(b)(4). The tribe would then
submit its list of impaired waters to EPA for review and approval.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\5\ Guidance for 2006 Assessment, Listing and Reporting
Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314 of the
Clean Water Act, July 29, 2005, available at https://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/upload/2006irg-report.pdf.
\6\ Under EPA's regulations, ``water quality limited segments''
include both impaired waters and threatened waters, and are defined
as ``any segment where it is known that water quality does not meet
applicable water quality standards, and/or is not expected to meet
applicable water quality standards, even after the application of
the technology-based effluent limitations required by sections
301(b) and 306 of the Act.'' 40 CFR 130.2(j).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Like states, authorized tribes would be required to submit their
``303(d) lists'' to EPA for approval every two years on April 1 (lists
are due April 1 of even-numbered years). As indicated in Sec.
130.16(c)(5) of the proposed rule, a tribe gaining TAS status would be
provided at least 24 months to submit its first impaired waters list to
EPA. The tribe's first impaired waters list would be due to EPA the
next listing cycle due date that is at least 24-months from the later
of (1) the date the tribe's TAS application for 303(d) is approved, or
(2) the date EPA-approved/promulgated WQS for the tribe's waters are
effective. (See section VII for the procedure EPA would follow in
reviewing a tribe's TAS application.). Thus, for example, if EPA
approves a tribe's TAS application on March 15, 2016, and the tribe's
WQS on June 30, 2016, the tribe's first list would be due on April 1,
2020. The tribe could submit its list to EPA prior to that date, if it
chooses.
Most tribes that would be eligible for TAS authorization under
today's proposed rule are likely to be recipients of CWA section 106
grants and would thus be required to submit section 106 grant work
plans annually. If a tribe's CWA section 106 grant work plan includes
ambient water quality monitoring activities, the tribe is also required
to develop an assessment report pursuant to the CWA section 106 grant
reporting requirements.\7\ EPA encourages tribes that obtain TAS for
the CWA Section 303(d) Program and also develop CWA section 106
assessment reports to combine their CWA section 303(d) impaired waters
list with their CWA section 106 assessment report, and submit the
combined report electronically through the Assessment TMDL Tracking and
Implementation System (ATTAINS).\8\ In this way such tribes could
create a combined CWA 303(d)/106 report that is similar to a

[[Page 2795]]

state's CWA 303(d)/305(b) \9\ ``Integrated Report.'' \10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\7\ See Final Guidance on Awards of Grants to Indian Tribes
under Section 106 of the Clean Water Act (https://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-09/documents/final-tribal-guidance.pdf) at
page 8-1.
\8\ See ``Water Quality Assessment and TMDL Information,''
available at https://ofmpub.epa.gov/waters10/attains_index.home.
\9\ CWA section 305(b) requires states to provide every two
years an assessment of the quality of all their waters. EPA
explicitly exempted tribes from the section 305(b) reporting
requirement. See 40 CFR 130.4(a); 54 FR 14354, 14357 (April 11,
1989).
\10\ See Guidance for 2006 Assessment, Listing and Reporting
Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314 of the
Clean Water Act, July 29, 2005, (available at https://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/upload/2006irg-report.pdf) for more
information on the Integrated Report.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Establishment and Submission of TMDLs

Under the CWA, each state and authorized tribe must, ``from time to
time,'' establish and submit TMDLs for pollutants causing impairments
in all the waters on its 303(d) list. CWA sections 303(d)(1)(C) and
303(d)(2). States and authorized tribes set priorities for developing
TMDLs for their impaired and listed waters.
TMDLs must be established ``at a level necessary to implement the
applicable water quality standards with seasonal variations and a
margin of safety which takes into account any lack of knowledge
concerning the relationship between effluent limitations and water
quality.'' CWA section 303(d)(1)(C). Where a TMDL makes allocation
tradeoffs between point and nonpoint sources, the TMDL record must also
demonstrate ``reasonable assurance'' that the nonpoint source
allocations will be achieved. 40 CFR 130.2(i). Calculations to
establish TMDLs must be subject to public review. 40 CFR
130.7(c)(1)(ii). Once established, the state or authorized tribe
submits the TMDL to EPA for review.

C. EPA Review of Lists and TMDLs

Once EPA receives a list or TMDL, it must either approve or
disapprove that list or TMDL within 30 days. CWA section 303(d)(2). If
EPA disapproves the list or TMDL, EPA must establish a replacement list
or TMDL within 30 days of disapproval. 40 CFR 130.7(d)(2).

V. What are EPA's proposed procedures for a tribe to seek TAS for the
CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program?

Consistent with the statutory requirement in section 518 of the
CWA, the proposed rule would establish the procedures by which an
Indian tribe may apply and qualify for TAS for purposes of the CWA
Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. Such procedures
would be codified in a new section 130.16 of the water quality planning
and management regulation. Section 130.16 would identify (1) the
criteria an applicant tribe would be required to meet to be treated in
a similar manner as states, (2) the information the tribe would be
required to provide in its application to EPA, and (3) the procedure
EPA would use to review the tribal application. Proposed section 130.16
is intended to ensure that tribes treated in a similar manner as states
for the purposes of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and
TMDL Program are qualified, consistent with CWA requirements, to
conduct a Listing and TMDL Program. The procedures are meant to provide
more opportunities for tribes to engage fully in the Program and are
not intended to act as a barrier to tribal assumption of the 303(d)
Program.
The TAS procedures in this proposed rule are closely based on the
existing TAS regulation at 40 CFR 131.8, which establishes the TAS
process for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program. EPA established the TAS
process for WQS in 1991, and that program has been the focus of the
great majority of TAS activity for regulatory programs under the CWA as
well as all of the other environmental statutes administered by the
Agency. The WQS TAS rule has proven very effective in ensuring that
applicant tribes satisfy statutory TAS criteria and are prepared to
administer WQS programs under the Act. It thus served as a useful model
for this proposed TAS rule.
The TAS criteria tribes would be required to meet for purposes of
the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program
originate in CWA section 518. As reflected in the proposed regulatory
language, the tribe must: (1) Be federally recognized and meet the
definitions in Sec. 131.3(k) and (l); (2) carry out substantial
governmental duties and powers; (3) have appropriate authority to
regulate the quality of reservation waters; and (4) be reasonably
expected to be capable of administering the Impaired Water Listing and
TMDL Program. These criteria are discussed below.
The first criterion for TAS would require the tribe to be federally
recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and meet the
definitions in Sec. 131.3(k) and (l). The tribe may address the
recognition requirement either by stating that it is included on the
list of federally recognized tribes published periodically by DOI, or
by submitting other appropriate documentation (e.g., if the tribe is
federally recognized but is not yet included on the DOI list). The
definition of ``tribe'' in Sec. 131.3(l), along with requiring federal
recognition, additionally requires that the tribe is exercising
governmental authority over a Federal Indian reservation. ``Federal
Indian reservation'' is defined in Sec. 131.3(k) as ``all land within
the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the
United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent,
and including rights-of-way running through the reservation.'' (See
further discussion of the term ``reservation'' in section I B. of this
preamble.). The governmental authority and reservation aspects of these
definitions would be addressed in the tribe's application, including as
part of its descriptive statements that it currently carries out
substantial governmental duties and powers over a defined area, and
that it has authority to regulate water quality over a reservation.
The second criterion would require the tribe to have a governing
body ``carrying out substantial governmental duties and powers.'' The
Agency considers ``substantial governmental duties and powers'' to mean
that the tribe is currently performing governmental functions to
promote the health, safety, and welfare of the affected population
within a defined geographical area. See 54 FR at 39101. Examples of
such functions may include, but are not limited to, the power to tax,
the power of eminent domain, and police power. Federal recognition by
DOI would not, in and of itself, satisfy this criterion. EPA expects
that most tribes should be able to meet this criterion without much
difficulty. Id.
To address the second criterion, the tribe would be required to
submit a descriptive statement demonstrating that the tribal governing
body is currently carrying out substantial governmental duties and
powers over a defined area. The descriptive statement should: (1)
Describe the form of tribal government; (2) describe the types of
essential governmental functions currently performed, such as those
listed above; and (3) identify the sources of authorities to perform
these functions (e.g., tribal constitutions and codes).
The third criterion, concerning tribal authority, means that a
tribe seeking TAS for purposes of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water
Listing and TMDL Program must adequately demonstrate authority to
manage and protect water resources within the borders of the tribe's
reservation. To verify authority and satisfy the third criterion of the
proposed rule, a tribe would be required to include a statement signed
by the tribal legal counsel, or an equivalent official, explaining the
legal basis for the tribe's

[[Page 2796]]

regulatory authority, and appropriate additional documentation (e.g.,
maps, tribal codes and ordinances).
In promulgating prior CWA TAS regulations, EPA took an initial
cautious approach that required tribes applying for eligibility to
administer regulatory programs under the statute to demonstrate their
inherent tribal authority over the relevant regulated activities on
their reservations. See, e.g., 56 FR at 64877-81. This included a
demonstration of inherent regulatory authority over the activities of
non-tribal members on lands they own in fee within a reservation under
the principles of Montana v. United States, 450 U.S. 544 (1981), and
its progeny. Montana held that, absent a federal grant of authority,
tribes generally lack inherent jurisdiction over nonmember activities
on nonmember fee land, but retain inherent civil jurisdiction over
nonmember activities within the reservation where (i) nonmembers enter
into ``consensual relationships with the tribe or its members, through
commercial dealing, contracts, leases, or other arrangements'' or (ii)
``. . . [nonmember] conduct threatens or has some direct effect on the
political integrity, the economic security, or the health or welfare of
the tribe.'' Montana, 450 U.S. at 565-66.
In addressing the second exception of Montana regarding the effects
of nonmember conduct, EPA has previously described the Agency's
operating approach to require a showing that the potential impacts of
regulated activities on the tribe are serious and substantial. 56 FR at
64878. EPA also explained that the activities regulated under the
various environmental statutes, including the CWA, generally have
serious and substantial potential impacts on human health and welfare.
Id. EPA described the Agency's expert assessment regarding the critical
importance of water quality management to self-government and also
explained that because of the mobile nature of pollutants in surface
waters and the relatively small size of water bodies on reservations,
it would be very likely that any water quality impairment on non-Indian
fee land within a reservation would also impair water quality on tribal
lands. Id. at 64878-79. EPA stated that its generalized findings
regarding the relationship of water quality to tribal health and
welfare would supplement the factual showing tribes would make in
applying for TAS. Id. EPA reiterates the generalized statutory and
factual findings set forth in those prior TAS rulemakings and believes
they apply equally to TAS applications for the CWA Section 303(d)
Program. As discussed below, EPA has also separately proposed to revise
its interpretation of the CWA tribal provision by conclusively
determining that Congress intended to delegate authority to eligible
tribes to regulate their entire reservations under the CWA irrespective
of land ownership. If and when this revised interpretation is
finalized, it will be applied in reviewing any TAS application
submitted under the regulations proposed today. Unless and until that
revised interpretation is finalized, however, EPA will continue to
evaluate TAS applications consistent with the Agency's current approach
and will continue to apply the generalized findings set forth in prior
CWA TAS rulemakings in making case-by-case determinations regarding
tribes' inherent regulatory authority.
In prior CWA TAS promulgations, EPA recognized that there was
significant support for the view that Congress had intended to delegate
authority to eligible Indian tribes to administer CWA regulatory
programs over their entire reservations, irrespective of land
ownership, and EPA expressly stated that the issue of tribal authority
under the CWA remained open for further consideration in light of
additional congressional or judicial guidance. See, e.g., 56 FR at
64878-81. On August 7, 2015, EPA published in the Federal Register a
proposed rule to reinterpret the CWA tribal provision as including such
an express delegation of authority by Congress. 80 FR 47430. If EPA
finalizes that reinterpretation, applicant Indian tribes would no
longer be required to demonstrate inherent authority to regulate their
reservation waters under the CWA. Among other things, tribes would thus
no longer be required to meet the test established in Montana v. United
States, 450 U.S. 544 (1981), and its progeny with regard to exercises
of inherent tribal regulatory authority over nonmember activity. Id.
Instead, a tribe would be able to rely on the congressional delegation
of authority included in section 518 of the statute as the source of
authority to administer CWA regulatory programs over its entire
reservation as part of its legal statement.
The proposed TAS rule for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water
Listing and TMDL Program is intended to provide appropriate TAS
application and review procedures irrespective of which interpretation
of tribal authority under the Act applies. As explained in EPA's
proposed reinterpretation, EPA's existing TAS regulations--including 40
CFR 131.8, upon which this proposed rule is modeled--accommodate either
interpretation of tribal authority under the CWA and provide
appropriate application procedures to ensure that relevant
jurisdictional information is provided to EPA and made available for
comment. 80 FR 47430. EPA thus proposes to establish the basic TAS
application and review procedures proposed today notwithstanding that
the proposed reinterpretation remains pending. Once these rules are
finalized, EPA will review any TAS applications for the CWA Section
303(d) Program in accordance with the interpretation of CWA tribal
jurisdiction that applies at the time.
The fourth criterion would require that the tribe, in the Regional
Administrator's judgment, be reasonably expected to be capable of
administering an effective CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing
and TMDL Program. To meet this requirement, tribes would either: (1)
show that they have the necessary management and technical skills, or
(2) submit a plan detailing steps for acquiring the necessary
management and technical skills. When considering tribal capability,
EPA would also consider whether the tribe can demonstrate the existence
of institutions that exercise executive, legislative, and judicial
functions, and whether the tribe has a history of successful managerial
performance of public health or environmental programs.
The specific information required for tribal applications to EPA is
described in proposed Sec. 130.16 (a) and (b). The application would
be required, in general, to include a statement regarding federal
recognition by DOI, documentation that the tribal governing body is
exercising substantial duties and powers, documentation of tribal
authority to regulate water quality on the reservation, a narrative
statement of tribal capability to administer the CWA Section 303(d)
Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, and any other information
requested by the Regional Administrator.
Consistent with EPA's other TAS regulations, the proposed rule also
provides that where a tribe has previously qualified for TAS for
purposes of a different EPA program, the tribe is only required to
provide information that has not been submitted as part of a prior TAS
application. To facilitate review of tribal applications, EPA would
request that a tribal application inform EPA whether the tribe has been
approved for TAS or deemed eligible to receive authorization for any
other EPA program. See 59 FR at 64340.

[[Page 2797]]

The TAS application procedures and criteria for the CWA Sections
303(c) WQS and 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Programs are
similar in many respects, and a tribe interested in both programs may
wish to streamline the application process by combining a request for
TAS eligibility for 303(c) and 303(d) into a single application.
Although a tribe would not be required to do so, EPA's proposed
approach would allow a tribe to submit a combined application, which
addresses the criteria and application requirements of Sec. 131.8 and
proposed Sec. 130.16, to EPA if the tribe is interested in applying
for TAS for both the CWA Section 303(c) and 303(d) Programs.

VI. What special circumstances may exist regarding qualification for
TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) impaired water listing and TMDL program?

There could be rare instances where special circumstances limit or
preclude a particular tribe's ability to be authorized to administer
the 303(d) Program over its reservation. For example, there could be a
separate federal statute establishing unique jurisdictional
arrangements for a specific state or a specific reservation that could
affect a tribe's ability to exercise authority under the CWA. It is
also possible that provisions in particular treaties or tribal
constitutions could limit a tribe's ability to exercise relevant
authority.\11\
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\11\ EPA takes no position in this proposal regarding whether
any particular tribe or Indian reservation is subject to any
potential impediment relating to authority to take on the 303(d)
Program. Any such issue would need to be addressed on a case-by-case
basis and with the benefit of a full record of relevant information
that would be developed during the processing of a particular TAS
application. To the extent EPA is ever called upon to make a
decision regarding this type of issue, such a decision would be
rendered in the context of EPA's final action on a specific TAS
application, and any judicial review of that decision would occur in
that context.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The application requirements of Sec. 130.16 (a) and (b) would
require tribes to submit a statement of their legal counsel (or
equivalent official) describing the basis for their assertion of
authority. The statement can include copies of documents such as tribal
constitutions, by-laws, charters, executive orders, codes, ordinances,
and resolutions. If EPA finalizes this proposed action, the requirement
for a legal counsel's statement would ensure that applicant tribes
appropriately describe the bases of their authority and address any
special circumstances regarding their assertion of authority to
administer the 303(d) Program. The proposed rule would provide an
appropriate opportunity for ``appropriate governmental entities''
(i.e., states, tribes and other federal entities located contiguous to
the reservation of the applicant tribe) to comment on an applicant
tribe's assertion of authority and, among other things, inform EPA of
any special circumstances that they believe could affect a tribe's
ability to administer the 303(d) Program.
EPA is also aware that section 10211(b) of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (``SAFETEA''),
Public Law 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144 (August 10, 2005) established a
unique TAS requirement with respect to Indian tribes located in the
State of Oklahoma. Under section 10211(b) of SAFETEA, tribes in
Oklahoma seeking TAS under a statute administered by EPA for the
purpose of administering an environmental regulatory program must, in
addition to meeting applicable TAS requirements under the relevant EPA-
administered environmental statute, enter into a cooperative agreement
with the state that is subject to EPA approval and that provides for
the tribe and state to jointly plan and administer program
requirements. This requirement of SAFETEA applies apart from, and in
addition to, existing TAS criteria, including the TAS criteria set
forth in section 518 of the CWA. EPA's proposal relates solely to the
CWA TAS requirement; it would thus have no effect on the separate
requirement of section 10211(b) of SAFETEA.

VII. What procedure would EPA follow in reviewing a tribe's TAS
application?

A. Notice to Appropriate Governmental Entities

The proposed EPA review procedure, included in Sec. 130.16(c),
specifies that the Regional Administrator, following receipt of tribal
applications, would process such applications in a timely manner. EPA
would promptly notify the tribe that the complete application has been
received. Within 30 days after receipt of a tribe's complete TAS
application for 303(d), EPA would provide notice to appropriate
governmental entities (i.e., states, tribes, and other federal entities
located contiguous to the reservation of the applicant tribe) of the
complete application and the substance of and basis for the tribe's
assertion of authority over reservation waters, and would provide a 30
day opportunity to comment to EPA on the tribe's assertion of
authority. See, e.g., 56 FR at 64844. EPA would also provide,
consistent with prior practice, sufficiently broad notice (e.g.,
through local newspapers, electronic media, or other appropriate media)
to inform other potentially interested entities of the applicant
tribe's complete application and of the opportunity to provide relevant
information regarding the tribe's assertion of authority. As described
below, this aspect of EPA's review procedure would apply unless such
process would be duplicative of a notice and comment process already
performed in connection with the same tribe's prior application for TAS
for another CWA regulatory program.

B. Avoidance of Duplicative Notice and Comment Procedures

EPA is proposing to include provisions intended to help avoid
unnecessary and wasteful duplication of the notice and comment
procedures described in VII A. Specifically, EPA proposes that, where a
tribe has previously qualified for TAS for a CWA regulatory program\12\
and EPA has provided notice and an opportunity to comment on the
tribe's assertion of authority as part of its review of the prior
application, no further notice would be provided with regard to the
same tribe's application for the 303(d) Program, unless the section
303(d) TAS application presents different jurisdictional issues or
significant new factual or legal information relevant to jurisdiction
to the Regional Administrator. Proposed Sec. 130.16(c)(4). This
proposed approach would apply to all tribes that have previously
obtained TAS for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program, CWA Section 402
NPDES Program or Sewage Sludge Management Program, or CWA Section 404
Dredge and Fill Permit Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\12\ Specifically, the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program, CWA
Section 402 NPDES Program or Sewage Sludge Management Program, or
CWA Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where different jurisdictional issues or information are not
present, additional notice and comment are likely to be duplicative of
the process already undertaken during EPA's review of the prior TAS
application. Under these circumstances, the proposed rule would avoid
such duplication of efforts by authorizing the relevant EPA Regional
Administrator to process a TAS application for the 303(d) Program
without a second notice and comment process.
Where different jurisdictional issues or new or changed information
is present, the notice and comment process described in Sec.
130.16(c)(2) would apply. For example, if the geographic reservation
area over which

[[Page 2798]]

an applicant tribe asserts authority is different from the area covered
by a prior TAS application or EPA approval, the process proposed in
Sec. 130.16(c)(2) would apply and would provide an appropriate
opportunity for comment on the tribe's assertion of authority over the
new area. In such circumstances, a tribe may find it appropriate and
useful to update its prior TAS application at the same time it applies
for TAS for 303(d). This would help ensure that the tribe's TAS
eligibility for the various CWA programs covers the same geographic
area. Such a combined TAS application would be subject to the Sec.
130.16(c)(2) notice and comment process.
EPA requests comment on its proposed approach or alternative
approaches. In addition, we request comment on whether the Sec.
130.16(c)(4) notice and comment exemption should instead be available
only prospectively--i.e., only where the applicant tribe obtains TAS
for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program, CWA Section 402 NPDES Program
or Sewage Sludge Management Program, or CWA section 404 Dredge and Fill
Permit Program after this proposed rule is finalized (and, again, only
if different jurisdictional issues or significant new factual or legal
information relevant to jurisdiction are not present in the tribe's
303(d) TAS application). One practical result of this alternative
approach would be that if one of the 50 tribes that has previously
obtained TAS for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program were to apply for
TAS for the 303(d) Program after this proposed rule is finalized, the
notice and comment process would be required.

C. Treatment of Competing or Conflicting Claims

Where a tribe's assertion of authority is subject to a competing or
conflicting claim, the proposed procedures provide that the Regional
Administrator, after due consideration and in consideration of any
other comments received, would determine whether the tribe has
adequately demonstrated authority to regulate water quality on the
reservation for purposes of the 303(d) Program. Where the Regional
Administrator concludes that a tribe has not adequately demonstrated
its authority with respect to an area in dispute, then tribal
assumption of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL
Program may be restricted accordingly. If a dispute is focused on a
limited area, this would not necessarily delay EPA's decision to treat
the tribe in a similar manner as a state for non-disputed areas.
This proposed procedure does not imply that states, tribes, other
federal agencies, or any other entity have veto power over tribal TAS
applications. Rather, it is intended to assist EPA in gathering
information that may be relevant to the Agency's determination whether
the applicant tribe has the necessary authority to administer the CWA
Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. EPA would not
rely solely on the assertions of a commenter who challenges a tribe's
assertion of authority, but rather make an independent evaluation of
the tribal showing.

D. EPA's Decision Process

The proposed rule requires EPA to process a tribe's TAS application
in a timely manner, but does not specify a precise time frame for
review of tribal TAS applications. Each TAS application will present
its own set of legal and factual issues, and EPA anticipates that in
some cases it may be necessary to request additional information when
examining tribal TAS applications. Similarly, the Agency's experience
with states applying for various EPA programs and with tribes applying
for TAS for the WQS Program indicates that additional engagement
between EPA and the applicant may be necessary before final decisions
are made. EPA expects that similar exchanges with tribes will often be
helpful and enhance EPA's processing of tribal TAS applications for the
CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program.
Where the Regional Administrator determines that a tribal TAS
application satisfies the requirements of proposed Sec. 130.16(a) and
(b), the Regional Administrator would promptly notify the tribe that
the tribe has qualified for TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired
Water Listing and TMDL Program. A decision by the Regional
Administrator that a tribe does not meet the requirements for TAS for
purposes of the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL
Program would not preclude the tribe from resubmitting the application
at a future date. If the Regional Administrator determines that a
tribal application is deficient or incomplete, EPA will identify such
deficiencies and gaps so the tribe can make changes as appropriate or
necessary.

VIII. What is an example of a stepwise approach for tribes applying for
TAS authority for CWA programs?

EPA expects that the tribes most likely to be interested in
applying for TAS for the 303(d) Program will be those that also have
TAS for CWA section 303(c) and have applicable WQS for their
reservation waters. EPA has taken final action approving TAS for WQS
for 50 tribes. Forty-two of those tribes have EPA-approved WQS, and one
tribe without TAS for WQS has federally promulgated WQS.\13\ By virtue
of their involvement in the WQS Program, these tribes will already have
demonstrated an interest in directly administering certain fundamental
elements of the CWA as well as the resources and capacity to do so.
Since applicable WQS are a foundation of the approach to protecting
water quality under the CWA, establishing EPA-approved/EPA-promulgated
WQS for reservation water bodies will be an important first step for
tribes interested in protecting and restoring their reservation waters.
As tribes gain experience developing and administering applicable WQS
on their reservations, they may become interested in greater
involvement in additional programs--such as the 303(d) Program--
designed to ensure that applicable WQS are achieved. Obtaining TAS to
implement a CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program
for its reservation waters is one potential next step for interested
tribes. Under section 303(d), a tribe would use applicable WQS as the
basis for identifying impaired waters and calculating TMDLs, which
quantify the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can
receive and still meet the WQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\13\ A chart listing EPA approvals for tribes to administer a
WQS program, and EPA's approvals of tribes' WQS is available at
https://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/wqslibrary/approvtable.cfm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 1, below, is an example of one step-wise approach that tribes
may follow in developing their water quality programs under the CWA and
ultimately seeking TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water
Listing and TMDL Program. This is only one possible approach, and,
under this approach, not all the identified steps would need to be
taken sequentially (e.g., some could be completed in parallel).

[[Page 2799]]

Table 1--Example of a Step-Wise Approach to Regulatory Activities for
Tribes Interested in Applying for TAS Authority To Implement the CWA
Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 1: Tribe seeks TAS for Tribe decides to evaluate and
CWA 303(c): WQS. address water quality within its
reservation by establishing WQS under
the CWA.
Tribe identifies and inventories
reservation water bodies.
Tribe applies for TAS for WQS.
Step 2: Tribe Adopts WQS..... Tribe develops its water quality
goals.
Tribe drafts WQS for EPA
approval.
EPA approves tribal WQS.
Step 3: Tribe seeks TAS for Tribe decides to assess water
CWA Section 303(d): Impaired quality conditions (i.e., comparing
Water Listing and TMDL water quality monitoring data and
Program. information against applicable WQS),
identify impaired waters, and develop
TMDLs.
Tribe applies for TAS to
implement a 303(d) program under the
CWA.
EPA approves TAS for 303(d).
Step 4: Tribe implements the Tribe conducts activities required by 40
CWA Section 303(d) Impaired CFR 130.7, including but not limited to:
Water Listing and TMDL Assembles and evaluates all
Program. existing and readily available water
quality-related data and information on
reservation water bodies (data may have
been gathered by an established,
comprehensive monitoring program).
Develops section 303(d) list of
impaired waters (that is, reservation
water bodies that do not meet or are not
likely to meet applicable WQS).
Prioritizes list of impaired
water bodies for TMDL development.
Submits section 303(d) list to
EPA for approval.
Develops TMDLs for listed
waters.
Submits TMDLs to EPA for
approval.
Step 5: Tribe implements Carry out watershed-specific
TMDLs (not required by 40 plans to implement TMDLs.
CFR 130.7). Monitors TMDL implementation and
effectiveness.
Step 6: Tribe seeks other CWA Possibilities include:
regulatory programs. CWA Section 402 NPDES Program.
CWA Section 405 Sewage Sludge
Management Program.
CWA Section 404 Dredge and Fill
Permit Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The proposed rule does not require tribes to have applicable WQS in
place on their reservations prior to applying for TAS eligibility for
the 303(d) Program. Under section 303(d), however, states and
authorized tribes must develop lists of impaired waters and TMDLs based
on applicable WQS. CWA sections 303(d)(1) and (2). Although EPA expects
that the tribes most likely to be interested in administering the
303(d) Program are those that do have such WQS, the proposed rule would
not preclude other tribes from obtaining TAS status for section 303(d)
purposes and thus ensuring that TAS eligibility requirements are
satisfactorily addressed prior to expending resources on developing
WQS. This approach would also allow tribes, at their discretion, to
streamline and minimize expenditures on TAS procedures by combining TAS
requests for sections 303(c) and 303(d) into a single application.
Since authorized tribes must list waters and develop TMDLs based on
applicable WQS, however, EPA also specifically invites public comment
on whether applicable WQS should instead be a prerequisite for
obtaining TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and
TMDL Program.
The proposed rule also does not require tribes seeking TAS
eligibility for the 303(d) Program to have previously obtained EPA
approval for TAS for the WQS Program. EPA specifically invites public
comment on whether a tribe applying for TAS for the 303(d) Program
should instead be required to have already received EPA approval--or at
least simultaneously apply--for TAS for CWA Section 303(c) WQS Program.

IX. What financial and technical support is available from EPA to
tribes as they choose to develop and implement a CWA Section 303(d)
impaired water listing and TMDL program?

Pre-proposal input from tribes indicates that resources and funding
available for TMDL development will be important considerations for
tribes in deciding whether to apply for TAS for CWA section 303(d)
purposes. The Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program is not a grant
program, and no federal grant funds are available directly from the
Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. A tribe may be able to use its
General Assistance Program (GAP) Grant under the Indian Environmental
General Assistance Program Act to support development of a section
303(d) program and capacity to implement such a program, but GAP funds
are not available for ongoing program implementation. Tribes interested
in this approach would need to contact their Regional GAP Program
coordinator. In addition, existing sources of tribal funding such as
CWA section 319 grants and section 106 grants are already tightly
constrained and may not be available to support additional work under
section 303(d). Some tribes that receive CWA funding may be able to
identify program activities that could also support 303(d) activities
(e.g., assessing water quality to develop impaired water lists,
developing a nonpoint source watershed plan that would also implement
the nonpoint source portions of a TMDL), but the availability of such
opportunities is uncertain.
As resources allow, EPA may be able to work cooperatively with
tribes, as appropriate, on impaired water listing and TMDL issues in
Indian country. For example, EPA may develop training and/or provide
other technical support to tribes interested in obtaining TAS for
303(d) and implementing a CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and
TMDL Program if EPA staff and other resources are available to do so.
As a general matter, however, EPA cannot assure that funding will be
available for a tribe developing or implementing the 303(d) Program,
and a tribe considering whether to apply to administer the Program will
need to carefully assess its priorities and the availability of EPA
assistance or other resources.

[[Page 2800]]

X. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders
can be found at https://www2.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

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 and was,
therefore, not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for
review.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

EPA has submitted the information collection requirements in this
proposed legislative rule to OMB for approval under the PRA. The
Information Collection Request (ICR) document that EPA prepared has
been assigned EPA ICR number 2515.01. You can find a copy of the ICR in
the docket for this proposed rule, and it is briefly summarized here.
If EPA finalizes the proposed rule, this ICR would supplement the
current information collection requirements in EPA ICR number 1560.10
(National Water Quality Inventory Reports (Renewal)) and address the
tribes' CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL TAS
application and 303(d) Program implementation burden, as well as EPA's
burden for reviewing the tribes' applications and 303(d) Program
submittals. OMB approved the existing ICR number 1560.10 in December
2012.
This proposed legislative rule would establish a process for tribes
to obtain TAS for the 303(d) Program. As described in the ICR, EPA
estimates the total burden on tribes to apply for TAS for the 303(d)
Program would be 3,240 staff hours annually for an estimated 12 tribes
that would apply for and receive TAS approval per year.
Tribes that receive TAS approval would then need to implement the
requirements of section 303(d) to list impaired waters, set TMDL
priorities, and develop TMDLs. EPA estimates that such 303(d) Program
implementation burden would entail 86,664 staff hours for the estimated
12 tribes. ICR 1560.10 already includes the estimated burden for states
to implement section 303(d), but does not include estimates for tribes.
Therefore, the ICR for this proposed rule includes tribal section
303(d) implementation burden as well as the TAS application burden
described in the previous paragraph.
As discussed in section V, EPA's regulations require that a tribe
seeking to administer a CWA regulatory program must submit information
to EPA demonstrating that the tribe meets the statutory criteria
described in section V. EPA requires this information in order to
determine that the tribe is eligible to administer the program.
Similarly, EPA requires the information--in this case, the lists of
impaired waters and the TMDLs--from the authorized tribes once they
begin implementing the program.
Respondents/affected entities: Any federally recognized tribe with
a reservation can potentially apply to administer a regulatory program
under the CWA. Tribes with TAS for the 303(d) Program would then
implement the Program, as described in section IV.
Respondent's obligation to respond: The information discussed in
this proposed rule is required from a tribe only if the tribe seeks and
is found eligible to administer a CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water
Listing and TMDL Program. See EPA's proposed regulations cited in
section V of this document.
Estimated number of respondents: The total potential pool of
respondents is the over 300 tribes with reservations. Although there
are 566 federally recognized Indian tribes in the United States, the
CWA allows only those tribes with reservations to apply for authority
to administer programs. EPA estimates that an average of 12 tribes per
year would apply under this proposed rule, and an average of 12 tribes
per year would implement the 303(d) Program over the three year period
of the ICR.
Frequency of response: Application by a tribe to be eligible to
administer the 303(d) Program is a one-time collection of information.
Tribes submit impaired water lists to EPA every two years, and submit
TMDLs to EPA from time to time as described in section IV of this
document.
Total estimated burden: 89,904 tribal staff hours per year for TAS
for 303(d) Program application activities and 303(d) Program
implementation activities. Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
This estimate may overstate actual burden because EPA used a
conservatively high estimate of the annual rate of tribal applications.
This estimate was used to ensure that the ICR does not underestimate
tribal burden, given that EPA used a simplifying steady-state
assumption in estimating annualized tribal application costs. Also, EPA
used conservatively high estimates of 303(d) implementation burden
(i.e., 303(d) listing and number of TMDLs that tribes would submit to
EPA annually), as further described in the draft ICR number 2515.01.
Total estimated cost: $4,185,269, including staff salaries and the
cost of support contractors for an annual average of 12 tribes to apply
for TAS and implement the 303(d) Program. This action does not entail
capital or operation and maintenance costs.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's
regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
Submit your comments on the Agency's need for this information, the
accuracy of the provided burden estimates and any suggested methods for
minimizing respondent burden to EPA using the docket identified in the
ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this proposed rule. You may also
send your ICR-related comments to OMB's Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs via email to oira_submissions@omb.eop.gov,
Attention: Desk Officer for EPA. Since OMB is required to make a
decision concerning the ICR between 30 and 60 days after receipt, OMB
must receive comments no later than February 18, 2016. EPA will respond
to any ICR-related comments in the final rule.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

I certify that this action will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This
action will not impose any requirements on small entities. This action
affects only Indian tribes that seek TAS for the CWA Section 303(d)
Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state,
local or tribal governments or the private sector.

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.
This proposed action would only apply to tribal governments that
seek eligibility to administer the 303(d) Program. Although it could be
of interest to some state governments, it

[[Page 2801]]

would not apply directly to any state government or to any other
entity.
In the spirit of Executive Order 13132, and consistent with EPA
policy to promote communications between EPA and state and local
governments, EPA consulted with state associations and representatives
of state governments to obtain meaningful and timely input for
consideration in this proposal. By letter dated September 19, 2014, EPA
invited 10 national and regional state associations to an October 1,
2014, informational meeting at EPA in Washington, DC.\14\ As a result
of this meeting and other outreach, EPA participated in two follow-on
meetings with a subset of these associations and their members as well
as certain individual states during the month of October 2014. Records
of these meetings and copies of written comments and questions
submitted by states and state associations are included in the docket
for this proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\14\ The ten associations were: the National Governors
Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the
Council of State Governments, the Western Governors' Association,
the Southern Governors' Association, the Midwestern Governors
Association, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors, the
Environmental Council of the States, the Association of Clean Water
Administrators, and the Western States Water Council.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some participants expressed interest in: (1) the nature of comments
received from tribes during the pre-proposal tribal consultation and
coordination (April 8-June 6, 2014); (2) where they could find the list
of tribes having TAS for the WQS Program; (3) whether the TAS process
for CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program would be
consistent with other TAS processes; and (4) whether there is a process
in place to consult with states where a tribe applies for TAS for
303(d). Some states also had questions about issues unique to their
situations. EPA considered this input in developing the proposed rule,
particularly in developing sections V to IX. EPA specifically solicits
additional comment on this proposed action from state officials.

F. Executive Order 13175: Tribal Consultation and Coordination

This action has tribal implications because it will directly affect
tribes interested in administering the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired
Water Listing and TMDL Program. However, it would neither impose
substantial direct compliance costs on federally recognized tribal
governments, nor preempt tribal law. Tribes are not required to
administer a 303(d) program. Where a tribe chooses to do so, the
proposed rule will provide a regulatory process for the tribe to apply
and for EPA to act on the tribe's application.
EPA consulted and coordinated with tribal officials under the EPA
Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes early in the
process of developing this proposed regulation to permit them to have
meaningful and timely input into its development. A summary of that
consultation and coordination follows.
EPA initiated a tribal consultation and coordination process for
this action by sending a ``Notification of Consultation and
Coordination'' letter on March 28, 2014, to all 566 federally-
recognized tribes. The letter invited tribal leaders and designated
consultation representative(s) to participate in the tribal
consultation and coordination process. EPA held a webinar concerning
this matter for tribal representatives on April 29, 2014. A total of 46
tribal representatives participated. Additionally, tribes and tribal
organizations sent five comment letters to EPA. Records of this webinar
and copies of written comments and questions submitted by tribes and
intertribal consortia are included in the docket for this proposed
rule.
Tribal comments generally supported EPA's plan to propose a TAS
rule for the 303(d) Program. Some comments expressed the need for
additional financial and technical support as tribes obtain TAS for the
CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. EPA
considered the tribal comments in developing this proposal, and intends
to remain sensitive to tribal resource issues in its budgeting and
planning process. However, EPA cannot assure or assume that additional
funding will be available for a tribe developing or implementing the
303(d) Program. A tribe choosing to administer such programs will need
to carefully weigh its priorities and any available EPA assistance as
described in section IX above.
EPA specifically solicits additional comment on this proposed
action From tribal officials.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks

EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks
that EPA has reason to think could disproportionately affect children,
per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in section 2-202 of
the Executive Order. This action is not subject to Executive Order
13045 because it does not concern an environmental health or safety
risk.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 because it is
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

The proposed rule would not have potential to cause
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority, low-income, or indigenous populations. This
proposed rule would have no direct impacts on human health or the
environment. The proposed rule would affect processes and information
collection only. The proposed rule would put in place the procedures
interested tribes would follow to seek TAS for the CWA Section 303(d)
Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program. The action is likely to result
in the collection of information or data that could be used to assess
potential impacts on the health or environmental conditions in Indian
country (see sections III and IV). As described in sections III and IV,
above, under CWA section 303(d), authorized tribes would be required to
develop lists of impaired waters, submit these lists to EPA, and
develop TMDLs for pollutants causing impairments in the waters on the
303(d) lists. TAS for 303(d) would provide authorized tribes the
opportunity to participate directly in protecting their reservation
waters through the Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL
Program, as Congress intended through CWA section 518(e). EPA also
expects this proposed rule would advance the goals of the CWA as
interested tribes apply for TAS to administer the CWA Section 303(d)
Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program for reservation water bodies.
The action is likely to increase the availability of information to
indigenous populations as interested tribes obtain TAS for the CWA
Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program and begin
implementing the Program. In short, tribes with TAS assume the primary
role in deciding (1) what waters on their reservations are

[[Page 2802]]

impaired and in need of restoration, (2) the priority ranking for TMDL
development, and (3) what the TMDLs and pollutant source allocations
for those waters should look like.
EPA provided meaningful participation opportunities for tribes in
the development of this proposed rule, as described in ``F. Executive
Order 13175: Tribal Consultation and Coordination,'' above.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 130

Environmental protection, Grant programs-environmental protection,
Indians-lands, Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Water pollution control, Water supply.

Dated: January 6, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency proposes to amend 40 CFR part 130 as follows:

PART 130--WATER QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 130 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.

0
2. Add Sec. 130.16 to read as follows:

Sec. 130.16 Treatment of Indian Tribes in a similar manner as States
for purposes of section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.

(a) The Regional Administrator may accept and approve a tribal
application for purposes of administering the Clean Water Act (CWA)
Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and Total Maximum Daily Load
(TMDL) Program if the tribe meets the following criteria:
(1) The Indian tribe is recognized by the Secretary of the Interior
and meets the definitions in Sec. 131.3 (k) and (l) of this chapter;
(2) The Indian tribe has a governing body carrying out substantial
governmental duties and powers;
(3) The CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program
to be administered by the Indian tribe pertains to the management and
protection of water resources that are within the borders of the Indian
reservation and held by the Indian tribe, within the borders of the
Indian reservation and held by the United States in trust for Indians,
within the borders of the Indian reservation and held by a member of
the Indian tribe if such property interest is subject to a trust
restriction on alienation, or otherwise within the borders of the
Indian reservation; and
(4) The Indian tribe is reasonably expected to be capable, in the
Regional Administrator's judgment, of carrying out the functions of an
effective CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program in
a manner consistent with the terms and purposes of the Act and
applicable regulations.
(b) Requests by Indian tribes for administration of the CWA Section
303(d) Impaired Waters Listing and TMDL Program should be submitted to
the appropriate EPA Regional Administrator. The application shall
include the following information, provided that where the tribe has
previously qualified for eligibility or ``treatment as a state'' (TAS)
under another EPA-administered program, the tribe need only provide the
required information that has not been submitted in a previous
application:
(1) A statement that the tribe is recognized by the Secretary of
the Interior.
(2) A descriptive statement demonstrating that the tribal governing
body is currently carrying out substantial governmental duties and
powers over a defined area. The statement should:
(i) Describe the form of the tribal government;
(ii) Describe the types of governmental functions currently
performed by the tribal governing body such as, but not limited to, the
exercise of police powers affecting (or relating to) the health,
safety, and welfare of the affected population, taxation, and the
exercise of the power of eminent domain; and
(iii) Identify the source of the tribal government's authority to
carry out the governmental functions currently being performed.
(3) A descriptive statement of the tribe's authority to regulate
water quality. The statement should include:
(i) A map or legal description of the area over which the tribe
asserts authority to regulate surface water quality;
(ii) A statement by the tribe's legal counsel (or equivalent
official) that describes the basis for the tribe's assertion of
authority and may include a copy of documents such as tribal
constitutions, by-laws, charters, executive orders, codes, ordinances,
and/or resolutions that support the tribe's assertion of authority; and
(iii) An identification of the surface waters that the tribe
proposes to assess for potential impaired water listing and TMDL
development.
(4) A narrative statement describing the capability of the Indian
tribe to administer an effective CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water
Listing and TMDL Program. The narrative statement should include:
(i) A description of the Indian tribe's previous management
experience that may include the administration of programs and services
authorized by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 450, et seq.), the Indian Mineral Development Act (25
U.S.C. 2101, et seq.), or the Indian Sanitation Facility Construction
Activity Act (42 U.S.C. 2004a);
(ii) A list of existing environmental or public health programs
administered by the tribal governing body and copies of related tribal
laws, policies, and regulations;
(iii) A description of the entity (or entities) that exercise the
executive, legislative, and judicial functions of the tribal
government;
(iv) A description of the existing, or proposed, agency of the
Indian tribe that will assume primary responsibility for establishing,
reviewing, implementing and revising impaired water lists and TMDLs;
(v) A description of the technical and administrative capabilities
of the staff to administer and manage an effective CWA Section 303(d)
Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program or a plan that proposes how the
tribe will acquire the needed administrative and technical expertise.
The plan must address how the tribe will obtain the funds to acquire
the administrative and technical expertise.
(5) Additional documentation required by the Regional Administrator
that, in the judgment of the Regional Administrator, is necessary to
support a tribal application.
(c) Procedure for processing a tribe's application. (1) The
Regional Administrator shall process an application of a tribe
submitted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section in a timely manner.
The Regional Administrator shall promptly notify the tribe of receipt
of the application.
(2) Except as provided below in paragraph (c)(4) of this section,
within 30 days after receipt of the tribe's application the Regional
Administrator shall provide appropriate notice. Notice shall:
(i) Include information on the substance and basis of the tribe's
assertion of authority to regulate the quality of reservation waters;
and
(ii) Be provided to all appropriate governmental entities.
(iii) Provide 30 days for comments to be submitted on the tribal
application. Comments shall be limited to the tribe's assertion of
authority.

[[Page 2803]]

(3) If a tribe's asserted authority is subject to a competing or
conflicting claim, the Regional Administrator, after due consideration,
and in consideration of other comments received, shall determine
whether the tribe has adequately demonstrated that it meets the
requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
(4) Where EPA has previously determined that a tribe qualifies for
TAS for the CWA Section 303(c) Water Quality Standards Program, CWA
Section 402 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program, or
CWA Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit Program, and EPA has provided
notice and an opportunity to comment on the tribe's assertion of
authority to appropriate governmental entities as part of its review of
the prior application, no further notice to governmental entities, as
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, shall be provided with
regard to the same tribe's application for the CWA Section 303(d)
Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, unless the application
presents to the EPA Regional Administrator different jurisdictional
issues or significant new factual or legal information relevant to
jurisdiction.
(5) Where the Regional Administrator determines that a tribe meets
the requirements of this section, he or she shall promptly provide
written notification to the tribe that the tribe is authorized to
administer the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL
Program. Such tribe shall be considered a ``State'' for purposes of CWA
section 303(d) and its implementing regulations. With respect to the
timing requirement for submittal of an authorized tribe's first list of
impaired waters pursuant to Sec. 130.7(d)(1), the tribe's first list
is due on the next listing cycle due date that is 24 months after the
later of either:
(i) The date EPA approves the tribe's TAS application pursuant to
this section or
(ii) The date EPA-approved or EPA-promulgated water quality
standards become effective for the tribe's reservation waters.

[FR Doc. 2016-00736 Filed 1-15-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

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