Final Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter-Ecological Criteria, 66327-66328 [2020-23100]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 202 / Monday, October 19, 2020 / Notices by Virgil G. Hobbs III, Administrator, Southeastern Power Administration, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document, with the original signature and date, is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register. Signed in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2020. Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy. [FR Doc. 2020–23113 Filed 10–16–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–ORD–2013–0620 and EPA–HQ– OAR–2014–0128; FRL–10015–76–76–ORD] Final Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter— Ecological Criteria Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of a final document titled, ‘‘Final Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter—Ecological Criteria’’ (EPA/600/R–20/278). The document was prepared by the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) 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. This ISA represents an update of the 2008 Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur— Ecological Criteria (EPA/600/R–08/ 082F) and the 2009 Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (EPA/ 600/AR–08/139F). The ISA, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides the basis for EPA’s decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:05 Oct 16, 2020 Jkt 253001 appropriateness of possible alternative standards. DATES: The document will be available on or about October 16, 2020. ADDRESSES: The ‘‘Final 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 for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter page at https://www.epa.gov/isa/ integrated-science-assessment-isaoxides-nitrogen-oxides-sulfur-andparticulate-matter or the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID: [EPA–HQ–ORD–2013–0620 and EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0128]. A limited number of CD–ROM copies will be available. Contact Ms. Marieka Boyd by phone: 919–541–0031; or email: boyd.marieka@epa.gov to request a CD– ROM, and please provide your name, your mailing address, and the document title, ‘‘Final 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 technical information, contact Tara Greaver; phone: 919–541–2435; or email: Greaver.Tara@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Information About the Document Section 108(a) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to identify certain air pollutants, emissions of 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. The 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)(1) of the Act subsequently requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health or welfare. EPA is also required to review and, if appropriate, revise the NAAQS, based on the revised air quality criteria (for more information on the NAAQS review process, see https:// www.epa.gov/naaqs). EPA has established NAAQS for six criteria pollutants. Presently the EPA is PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66327 reviewing the secondary air quality criteria and NAAQS for oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter. Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis for these standards by preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) (formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document). The ISA provides the scientific basis for EPA’s decisions, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, 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 4–6, 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 25–27, 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 E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1 66328 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 202 / Monday, October 19, 2020 / Notices 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 at meetings on May 24–25, 2017 (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’’ was available for public comment (83 FR 29786, June 26, 2018) and discussed by CASAC and the public at meetings on September 5–6, 2018 (83 FR 31755, July 9, 2018), and April 27, 2020 (85 FR 16093, March 20, 2020). Subsequently, CASAC provided a letter of their review on May 5, 2020, to the EPA Administrator, which can be viewed at: https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/ sabproduct.nsf/LookupWebReports LastMonthCASAC/66330096471849 EE85258561006CC856/$File/EPACASAC-20-004.pdf. The Administrator responded to the CASAC’s letter on the Second External Review Draft on June 15, 2020, and the letter is available at: https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/ sabproduct.nsf/0/66330096471849 EE85258561006CC856/$File/EPACASAC-20-004.Response.pdf. EPA has considered comments by the CASAC and by the public in preparing this final ISA. Dated: October 13, 2020. Vanessa Holt, Acting Director, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2020–23100 Filed 10–16–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES [CERCLA–10–2020–0141; FRL–10015–33– Region 10] Proposed CERCLA Prospective Purchaser Agreement; TriStar North Inc. Former Kaiser Smelter Site, Mead, Washington Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice; request for public comment. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:05 Oct 16, 2020 Jkt 253001 In accordance with of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (‘‘CERCLA’’), notice is hereby given of a proposed prospective purchaser agreement concerning the Former Kaiser Smelter Site, Mead, Washington, with the following settling party: TriStar North, Inc. The agreement requires the settling party to provide full cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) cleanup activities, provide access to the property, and exercise appropriate care with regard to existing contamination, in addition to making a payment of $50,000 to EPA. For thirty (30) days following the date of publication of this document, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the agreement. The Agency will consider all comments and may modify or withdraw its consent to the agreement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the agreement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The Agency’s response to any comments received will be available electronically for public inspection at https://www.regulations.gov. SUMMARY: Comments must be submitted on or before November 18, 2020. DATES: The proposed agreement is available electronically for public inspection at https://semspub.epa.gov/ src/collection/10/SC39959. Submit your comments, identified by EPA Docket No. CERCLA–10–2020–0141, by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov. Follow on-line 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. ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Email: Brooks Stanfield, Federal On-SceneCoordinator, at stanfield.brooks@epa.gov. • Written comments submitted by mail are temporarily suspended, and no hand deliveries will be accepted. We encourage the public to submit comments via https:// www.regulations.gov. Instructions: Direct your comments to EPA Docket No. CERCLA–10–2020– 0141. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https:// www.regulations.gov or email. The https://www.regulations.gov 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 https:// 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. Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https:// semspub.epa.gov/src/collections/10/AR/ WAN001020091 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 material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in the hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available electronically in https://semspub.epa.gov/src/ collections/10/AR/WAN001020091. EPA is temporarily suspending its Docket Center and Regional Records Centers for public visitors to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID–19. In addition, many site information repositories are closed, and information E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 202 (Monday, October 19, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66327-66328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23100]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-0620 and EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0128; FRL-10015-76-76-ORD]


Final Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, 
Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter--Ecological Criteria

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the 
availability of a final document titled, ``Final Integrated Science 
Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate 
Matter--Ecological Criteria'' (EPA/600/R-20/278). The document was 
prepared by the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment 
(CPHEA) 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. This ISA represents an update of the 2008 
Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur--
Ecological Criteria (EPA/600/R-08/082F) and the 2009 Integrated Science 
Assessment for Particulate Matter (EPA/600/AR-08/139F). The ISA, in 
conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides 
the basis for EPA's decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and 
the appropriateness of possible alternative standards.

DATES: The document will be available on or about October 16, 2020.

ADDRESSES: The ``Final 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 for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, 
and Particulate Matter page at https://www.epa.gov/isa/integrated-science-assessment-isa-oxides-nitrogen-oxides-sulfur-and-particulate-matter or the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID: 
[EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-0620 and EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0128]. A limited number of 
CD-ROM copies will be available. Contact Ms. Marieka Boyd by phone: 
919-541-0031; or email: [email protected] to request a CD-ROM, and 
please provide your name, your mailing address, and the document title, 
``Final 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 technical information, contact 
Tara Greaver; phone: 919-541-2435; 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 air pollutants, emissions of 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. The 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)(1) of the Act subsequently requires periodic review and, if 
appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria to reflect 
advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on 
public health or welfare. EPA is also required to review and, if 
appropriate, revise the NAAQS, based on the revised air quality 
criteria (for more information on the NAAQS review process, see https://www.epa.gov/naaqs).
    EPA has established NAAQS for six criteria pollutants. Presently 
the EPA is reviewing the secondary air quality criteria and NAAQS for 
oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter. 
Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis for these standards by 
preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) (formerly called an 
Air Quality Criteria Document). The ISA provides the scientific basis 
for EPA's decisions, in conjunction with additional technical and 
policy assessments, 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 4-6, 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 25-27, 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

[[Page 66328]]

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 at meetings on 
May 24-25, 2017 (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'' was available for public comment (83 FR 29786, 
June 26, 2018) and discussed by CASAC and the public at meetings on 
September 5-6, 2018 (83 FR 31755, July 9, 2018), and April 27, 2020 (85 
FR 16093, March 20, 2020). Subsequently, CASAC provided a letter of 
their review on May 5, 2020, to the EPA Administrator, which can be 
viewed at: https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/
LookupWebReportsLastMonthCASAC/66330096471849EE85258561006CC856/$File/
EPA-CASAC-20-004.pdf. The Administrator responded to the CASAC's letter 
on the Second External Review Draft on June 15, 2020, and the letter is 
available at: https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/0/
66330096471849EE85258561006CC856/$File/EPA-CASAC-20-004.Response.pdf. 
EPA has considered comments by the CASAC and by the public in preparing 
this final ISA.

    Dated: October 13, 2020.
Vanessa Holt,
Acting Director, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2020-23100 Filed 10-16-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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