Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter-Ecological Criteria, 29786-29788 [2018-13713]

Download as PDF 29786 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 123 / Tuesday, June 26, 2018 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES and secondary (welfare-based) O3 standards. The EPA will consult with the CASAC on the IRP and will also solicit comments from the public. As the review proceeds, the EPA will also request CASAC review of, and provide an opportunity for public comment on, other draft documents prepared for the review, which generally include the ISA, a risk/exposure assessment (REA), as warranted, and a policy assessment (PA). The EPA intends to provide the CASAC with a standardized set of key charge questions to consider in providing advice to the Administrator throughout the entire review, supplementing these questions with more detailed requests as necessary. More information on the updated process for the forthcoming ozone NAAQS review, including statutory, standardized charge questions, is contained in the Administrator’s May 9 2018 memorandum, ‘‘Back-to-Basics Process for Reviewing National Ambient Air Quality Standards.’’ 1 The ISA will build on the scientific assessment for the last review,2 focusing on assessing information newly available since the 2013 ISA. With regard to development of the ISA, the public is encouraged to assist in identifying relevant scientific information for the review by submitting research studies that were not part of the prior review, and have been published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The Agency is interested in obtaining newly available information, particularly concerning toxicological studies of effects of controlled exposure to O3 on laboratory animals, humans, and in vitro systems, as well as epidemiologic (observational) studies of health effects associated with ambient exposures of human populations to O3. The EPA also seeks recent information in other areas of O3 research such as chemistry and physics, sources and emissions, analytical methodology, transport and transformation in the environment, ambient concentrations, and effects on welfare 3 or the 1 Available at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/ production/files/2018-05/documents/image201805-09-173219.pdf. 2 The scientific assessment for the last review is documented in the Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Final Report, Feb 2013), EPA 600/R–10/076F. 3 Under CAA section 302(h), effects on welfare include, but are not limited to, ‘‘effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, manmade materials, animals, wildlife, weather, visibility, and climate, damage to and deterioration of property, and hazards to transportation, as well as effects on economic values and on personal comfort and wellbeing.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:24 Jun 25, 2018 Jkt 244001 environment. This and other selected literature relevant to a review of the air quality criteria and NAAQS will be considered for inclusion in the forthcoming ISA. In addition to the request to submit current peer reviewed research studies, other opportunities for submission of new peer-reviewed, published (or in-press) papers will be available as part of the public comment period on the draft ISA that will be reviewed by the CASAC. II. How To Submit Information and Comments to the Docket at www.regulations.gov Submit your comments and related information, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2018–0274 to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The 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. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (e.g., 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. When submitting comments, remember to: • Identify the action by docket number and other identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number). • Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/ or data that you used. • Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and suggest alternatives. • Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of profanity or personal threats. • Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified. When considering submitting CBI, do not submit this information to the EPA through www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD– ROM that you mail to the EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD–ROM the specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 2. Dated: June 12, 2018. Mary Ross, Deputy Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2018–13716 Filed 6–25–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2013–0620 and Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2014– 0128; FRL–9979–52–ORD] Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter—Ecological Criteria Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of public comment period. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public comment period for the draft document titled, ‘‘Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter—Ecological Criteria’’ (EPA/600/R–18/097). The draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) as part of the review of the secondary (welfare-based) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter. The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA’s decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. On January 28, 2016, EPA released a separate ISA as part of an independent review for the primary (health-based) NAAQS for oxides of nitrogen (EPA/600/R–15/068). SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM 26JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 123 / Tuesday, June 26, 2018 / Notices In addition, EPA also released a separate ISA to support the primary NAAQS review for oxides of sulfur (EPA/600/R– 17/451, December 13, 2017), and is currently reviewing the primary and non-ecological secondary (e.g., visibility, climate, materials damage) NAAQS for particulate matter. EPA is releasing this draft document to seek review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public (meeting date and location to be specified in a separate Federal Register notice). This draft document is not final, as described in EPA’s information quality guidelines, and it does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, Agency policy or views. When revising the document, EPA will consider any public comments submitted during the public comment period specified in this notice. The public comment period begins on June 26, 2018 and ends on September 4, 2018. Comments must be received on or before September 4, 2018. DATES: The ‘‘Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter—Ecological Criteria’’ will be available primarily via the internet on EPA’s Integrated Science Assessment home page at https://www.epa.gov/isa/ integrated-science-assessment-isaoxides-nitrogen-and-sulfur-ecological or the public docket at https:// www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2013–0620 and Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0128. A limited number of CD–ROM copies will be available. Contact Ms. Marieka Boyd by phone: 919–541–0031; fax: 919–541– 5078; or email: boyd.marieka@epa.gov to request a CD–ROM, and please provide your name, your mailing address, and the document title, ‘‘Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter—Ecological Criteria’’ to facilitate processing of your request. ADDRESSES: For information on the public comment period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; phone: 202–566–1752; fax: 202–566– 9744; or email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov. For technical information, contact Dr. Tara Greaver, NCEA; phone: 919–541– 2435; fax: 919–541–1818; or email: greaver.tara@epa.gov. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:24 Jun 25, 2018 Jkt 244001 I. Information About the Document Section 108(a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to identify certain pollutants which, among other things, ‘‘cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare’’ and to issue air quality criteria for them. These air quality criteria are to ‘‘accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air . . .’’ Under section 109 of the Act, EPA is then to establish NAAQS for each pollutant for which EPA has issued criteria. Section 109(d) of the Act subsequently requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health or welfare. EPA is also required to review and, if appropriate, revise the NAAQS (for more information on the NAAQS review process, see https:// www.epa.gov/naaqs). Oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter are three of six criteria pollutants for which EPA has established NAAQS. Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis for these standards by preparing an ISA (formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document). The ISA, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA’s decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), an independent science advisory committee whose review and advisory functions are mandated by Section 109(d)(2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged (among other things) with independent scientific review of the EPA’s air quality criteria. On August 21, 2013 (78 FR 53452), EPA formally initiated its current review of the air quality criteria for the ecological effects of oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulfur, and the associated secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS, requesting the submission of recent scientific information on specified topics. Similarly, on December 3, 2014 (79 FR 71764), EPA formally initiated its current review of the air quality criteria for the particulate matter NAAQS. EPA conducted two workshops—the first on March 4 to 6, 2014 for oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulfur (79 FR 8644, February 13, 2014), and the second on February 11, 2015 (79 FR 71764, December 3, 2014) for particulate PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29787 matter—to gather input from invited scientific experts, both internal and external to EPA, as well as from the public, regarding key science and policy issues relevant to the review of the these secondary NAAQS. Teleconference workshops with invited scientific experts, both internal and external to EPA, were held on August 25, 26, and 27, 2015 (80 FR 48316, August 12, 2015) and June 13, 2016 (81 FR 89262, May 11, 2016), to discuss initial draft materials prepared in the development of the draft ISA. These science and policy issues were incorporated into EPA’s ‘‘Draft Integrated Review Plan for the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur’’ as well as the ‘‘Integrated Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter.’’ The Draft Integrated Review Plan (IRP) for oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulfur was available for public comment (80 FR 69220, Monday, November 9, 2015) and discussion by the CASAC via publicly accessible teleconference consultation (80 FR 65223, February 10, 2016). The Draft IRP for particulate matter was available for public comment (81 FR 2297, April 19, 2016) and discussion by the CASAC via publicly accessible teleconference consultation (81 FR 13362, March 14, 2016) prior to release of the final document (81 FR 87933, December 6, 2016). The ‘‘First External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter—Ecological Criteria’’ was available for public comment (82 FR 15703, March 30, 2017) and discussed by CASAC and the public (82 FR 15701, March 30, 2017). The ‘‘Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter—Ecological Criteria’’ will be discussed at a public meeting for review by CASAC and the public. In addition to the public comment period announced in this notice, the public will have an opportunity to address the CASAC. A separate Federal Register notice will inform the public of the exact date and time of the CASAC meeting and of the procedures for public participation. II. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at www.regulations.gov Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2013– 0620 and Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR– 2014–0128, by one of the following method 2nds: E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM 26JNN1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 29788 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 123 / Tuesday, June 26, 2018 / Notices • www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov. • Fax: 202–566–9744. • Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202– 566–1752. • Hand Delivery: The ORD Docket is located in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The phone number for the Public Reading Room is 202–566–1744. Deliveries are only accepted during the docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. If you provide comments by mail or hand delivery, please submit three copies of the comments. For attachments, provide an index, number pages consecutively with the comments, and submit an unbound original and three copies. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2013– 0620 and Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR– 2014–0128. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will be marked ‘‘late,’’ and may only be considered if time permits. It is EPA’s policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket without change and to make the comments available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless a comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information through www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected. The www.regulations.gov website is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:24 Jun 25, 2018 Jkt 244001 information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/dockets. Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other materials, such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically on www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center. Dated: June 11, 2018. Mary A. Ross, Deputy Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2018–13713 Filed 6–25–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking; Notice of Meeting Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). ACTION: Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking, which will be held in Washington, DC. The Advisory Committee will provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of policy issues that have particular impact on small community banks throughout the United States and the local communities they serve, with a focus on rural areas. DATES: Wednesday, July 11, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the FDIC Board Room on the sixth floor of the FDIC Building located at 550 17th Street NW, Washington, DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for further information concerning the meeting may be directed to Mr. Robert E. Feldman, Committee Management Officer of the FDIC, at (202) 898–7043. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda: The agenda will include a discussion of current issues affecting community banking. The agenda is subject to change. Any changes to the agenda will be announced at the beginning of the meeting. Type of Meeting: The meeting will be open to the public, limited only by the space available on a first-come, firstserved basis. For security reasons, members of the public will be subject to security screening procedures and must present a valid photo identification to enter the building. The FDIC will provide attendees with auxiliary aids (e.g., sign language interpretation) required for this meeting. Those attendees needing such assistance should call (703) 562–6067 (Voice or TTY) at least two days before the meeting to make necessary arrangements. Written statements may be filed with the committee before or after the meeting. This meeting of the Advisory Committee on Community Banking will be Webcast live via the internet https://fdic.windrosemedia.com. Questions or troubleshooting help can be found at the same link. For optimal viewing, a high-speed internet connection is recommended. Further, a video of the meeting will be available on-demand approximately two weeks after the event. Dated: June 21, 2018. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Robert E. Feldman, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–13642 Filed 6–25–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6714–01–P SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION Notice of Agreements Filed The Commission hereby gives notice of the filing of the following agreement under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreement to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within twelve days of the date this notice appears in the Federal Register. Copies of the agreement are available through the Commission’s website (www.fmc.gov) or by contacting the Office of Agreements at (202) 523–5793 or tradeanalysis@ fmc.gov. Agreement No.: 201217–003. Title: Port of Long Beach Data Services Agreement. Parties: Port of Long Beach; PierPass LLC; LBCT LLC; SSA Terminals (Pier E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM 26JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29786-29788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13713]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-0620 and Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-
0128; FRL-9979-52-ORD]


Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for 
Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter--
Ecological Criteria

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 
public comment period for the draft document titled, ``Second External 
Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, 
Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter--Ecological Criteria'' (EPA/
600/R-18/097). The draft document was prepared by the National Center 
for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and 
Development (ORD) as part of the review of the secondary (welfare-
based) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for oxides of 
nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter. The Integrated 
Science Assessment (ISA), in conjunction with additional technical and 
policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA's decisions 
on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of 
possible alternative standards. On January 28, 2016, EPA released a 
separate ISA as part of an independent review for the primary (health-
based) NAAQS for oxides of nitrogen (EPA/600/R-15/068).

[[Page 29787]]

In addition, EPA also released a separate ISA to support the primary 
NAAQS review for oxides of sulfur (EPA/600/R-17/451, December 13, 
2017), and is currently reviewing the primary and non-ecological 
secondary (e.g., visibility, climate, materials damage) NAAQS for 
particulate matter.
    EPA is releasing this draft document to seek review by the Clean 
Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public (meeting date 
and location to be specified in a separate Federal Register notice). 
This draft document is not final, as described in EPA's information 
quality guidelines, and it does not represent, and should not be 
construed to represent, Agency policy or views. When revising the 
document, EPA will consider any public comments submitted during the 
public comment period specified in this notice.

DATES: The public comment period begins on June 26, 2018 and ends on 
September 4, 2018. Comments must be received on or before September 4, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: The ``Second External Review Draft Integrated Science 
Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate 
Matter--Ecological Criteria'' will be available primarily via the 
internet on EPA's Integrated Science Assessment home page at https://www.epa.gov/isa/integrated-science-assessment-isa-oxides-nitrogen-and-sulfur-ecological or the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-0620 and Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-
0128. A limited number of CD-ROM copies will be available. Contact Ms. 
Marieka Boyd by phone: 919-541-0031; fax: 919-541-5078; or email: 
[email protected] to request a CD-ROM, and please provide your name, 
your mailing address, and the document title, ``Second External Review 
Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of 
Sulfur, and Particulate Matter--Ecological Criteria'' to facilitate 
processing of your request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the public comment 
period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; 
phone: 202-566-1752; fax: 202-566-9744; or email: [email protected].
    For technical information, contact Dr. Tara Greaver, NCEA; phone: 
919-541-2435; fax: 919-541-1818; or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Information About the Document

    Section 108(a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to 
identify certain pollutants which, among other things, ``cause or 
contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to 
endanger public health or welfare'' and to issue air quality criteria 
for them. These air quality criteria are to ``accurately reflect the 
latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of 
all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be 
expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air . . .'' 
Under section 109 of the Act, EPA is then to establish NAAQS for each 
pollutant for which EPA has issued criteria. Section 109(d) of the Act 
subsequently requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of 
existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in scientific 
knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health or welfare. 
EPA is also required to review and, if appropriate, revise the NAAQS 
(for more information on the NAAQS review process, see https://www.epa.gov/naaqs).
    Oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter are 
three of six criteria pollutants for which EPA has established NAAQS. 
Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis for these standards by 
preparing an ISA (formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document). 
The ISA, in conjunction with additional technical and policy 
assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA's decisions on the 
adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible 
alternative standards. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee 
(CASAC), an independent science advisory committee whose review and 
advisory functions are mandated by Section 109(d)(2) of the Clean Air 
Act, is charged (among other things) with independent scientific review 
of the EPA's air quality criteria.
    On August 21, 2013 (78 FR 53452), EPA formally initiated its 
current review of the air quality criteria for the ecological effects 
of oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulfur, and the associated 
secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS, requesting the submission of recent 
scientific information on specified topics. Similarly, on December 3, 
2014 (79 FR 71764), EPA formally initiated its current review of the 
air quality criteria for the particulate matter NAAQS. EPA conducted 
two workshops--the first on March 4 to 6, 2014 for oxides of nitrogen 
and oxides of sulfur (79 FR 8644, February 13, 2014), and the second on 
February 11, 2015 (79 FR 71764, December 3, 2014) for particulate 
matter--to gather input from invited scientific experts, both internal 
and external to EPA, as well as from the public, regarding key science 
and policy issues relevant to the review of the these secondary NAAQS. 
Teleconference workshops with invited scientific experts, both internal 
and external to EPA, were held on August 25, 26, and 27, 2015 (80 FR 
48316, August 12, 2015) and June 13, 2016 (81 FR 89262, May 11, 2016), 
to discuss initial draft materials prepared in the development of the 
draft ISA.
    These science and policy issues were incorporated into EPA's 
``Draft Integrated Review Plan for the Secondary National Ambient Air 
Quality Standard for Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulfur'' as well 
as the ``Integrated Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards for Particulate Matter.'' The Draft Integrated Review Plan 
(IRP) for oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulfur was available for 
public comment (80 FR 69220, Monday, November 9, 2015) and discussion 
by the CASAC via publicly accessible teleconference consultation (80 FR 
65223, February 10, 2016). The Draft IRP for particulate matter was 
available for public comment (81 FR 2297, April 19, 2016) and 
discussion by the CASAC via publicly accessible teleconference 
consultation (81 FR 13362, March 14, 2016) prior to release of the 
final document (81 FR 87933, December 6, 2016). The ``First External 
Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, 
Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter--Ecological Criteria'' was 
available for public comment (82 FR 15703, March 30, 2017) and 
discussed by CASAC and the public (82 FR 15701, March 30, 2017).
    The ``Second External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment 
for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter--
Ecological Criteria'' will be discussed at a public meeting for review 
by CASAC and the public. In addition to the public comment period 
announced in this notice, the public will have an opportunity to 
address the CASAC. A separate Federal Register notice will inform the 
public of the exact date and time of the CASAC meeting and of the 
procedures for public participation.

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

    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-
0620 and Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0128, by one of the following 
method 2nds:

[[Page 29788]]

     www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for 
submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 202-566-9744.
     Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket 
Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202-566-1752.
     Hand Delivery: The ORD Docket is located in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004.
    The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The phone 
number for the Public Reading Room is 202-566-1744. Deliveries are only 
accepted during the docket's normal hours of operation, and special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. If you 
provide comments by mail or hand delivery, please submit three copies 
of the comments. For attachments, provide an index, number pages 
consecutively with the comments, and submit an unbound original and 
three copies.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-
2013-0620 and Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0128. Please ensure that 
your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. 
Comments received after the closing date will be marked ``late,'' and 
may only be considered if time permits. It is EPA's policy to include 
all comments it receives in the public docket without change and to 
make the comments available online at www.regulations.gov, including 
any personal information provided, unless a comment includes 
information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or 
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not 
submit information through www.regulations.gov or email that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected. The www.regulations.gov 
website is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not 
know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the 
body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA 
without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the public docket and made available on the internet. If you 
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name 
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any 
disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to 
technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA 
may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid 
the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of 
any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public 
docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the 
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other materials, 
such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
on www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center.

    Dated: June 11, 2018.
Mary A. Ross,
Deputy Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2018-13713 Filed 6-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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