Draft Guidance for Future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting of Combined Sewer Systems, 12837-12838 [2024-03398]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 20, 2024 / Notices processor wishing to engage in a use of a chemical substance designated by EPA as a significant new use must submit a notice to EPA at least 90 days before commencing manufacture of the new chemical substance or before engaging in the significant new use. The submitter of a notice to EPA for which EPA has made a finding of ‘‘not likely to present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment’’ may commence manufacture of the chemical substance or manufacture or processing for the significant new use notwithstanding any remaining portion of the applicable review period. D. Does this action have any incremental economic impacts or paperwork burdens? No. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 II. Statements of Findings Under TSCA Section 5(a)(3)(C) In this unit, EPA provides the following information (to the extent that such information is not claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI)) on the PMNs, MCANs, and SNUNs for which, during this period, EPA has made findings under TSCA section 5(a)(3)(C) that the new chemical substances or significant new uses are not likely to present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment: The following list provides the EPA case number assigned to the TSCA section 5(a) submission and the chemical identity (generic name if the specific name is claimed as CBI). • P–23–0017, Hydrolyzed collagen, polymer with aromatic isocyanate, Ntriethoxysylil-alkanamine, pectic polysaccharide and poly alkyl alcohol (Generic Name). • P–23–0068, 1,3Isobenzofurandione, hexahydro-, polymer with 1,4cyclohexanedimethanol, isononanoate (CASRN 2773548–84–6). To access EPA’s decision document describing the basis of the ‘‘not likely to present an unreasonable risk’’ finding made by EPA under TSCA section 5(a)(3)(C), look up the specific case number at https://www.epa.gov/ reviewing-new-chemicals-under-toxicsubstances-control-act-tsca/chemicalsdetermined-not-likely. Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. Dated: February 13, 2024. Shari Z. Barash, Acting Director, New Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. [FR Doc. 2024–03364 Filed 2–16–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:54 Feb 16, 2024 Jkt 262001 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OW–2023–0475; FRL 10889–01– OW] Draft Guidance for Future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting of Combined Sewer Systems Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice; request for comment. AGENCY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comment on this draft Guidance to clarify and inform future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting actions for communities with combined sewer systems. This draft Guidance highlights the available approaches for permitting combined sewer overflow (CSO) communities nearing completion of the projects and activities identified in their Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP). The draft Guidance summarizes options under the Clean Water Act (CWA) that are articulated in the 1994 Combined Sewer Overflow Control Policy and the option to use the EPA’s 2012 Integrated Planning Framework to look holistically at future investments in controlling wastewater and stormwater discharges and improving water quality. DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 21, 2024. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OW–2023–0475, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov (our preferred method). Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center, Water Docket, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. • Hand Delivery or Courier: EPA Docket Center, WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. The Docket Center’s hours of operations are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except Federal Holidays). Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket ID No. for this rulemaking. Comments received may be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. For detailed instructions on sending comments, see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12837 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Kazior, Office of Wastewater Management, Water Permits Division (MC4203M), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564–2696; email address: kazior.kathryn@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting Documentation. The docket contains supporting materials that were referenced in the development of this Guidance. I. Executive Summary The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Policy (CSO Policy) was issued in 1994 and incorporated into the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 2000.1 Since its issuance, communities with combined sewer systems nationwide have made substantial progress toward the goals established in the CSO Policy. During this same time, many factors that influence how communities address CSOs have evolved. Recognizing these ongoing changes and to aid communities addressing multiple municipal CWA requirements, in 2012, the EPA developed an Integrated Planning Framework that clarifies CWA flexibilities and offers a voluntary opportunity for a municipality to prioritize and sequence, where appropriate, those infrastructure projects that provide the greatest or fastest environmental and public health benefits. Integrated planning was added to the CWA in 2019.2 The EPA is issuing this draft Guidance to clarify and inform future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting actions for communities with CSOs. This draft Guidance would be applicable to permitting actions once the CSO permittee has completed construction of CSO controls and demonstrated that they are achieving the performance objectives outlined in their Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP). The draft Guidance is intended to 1 In the Wet Weather Water Quality Act of 2000, Congress added section 402(q) to the CWA to provide that each permit, order, or decree issued after December 21, 2000, for a discharge from a municipal combined storm and sanitary sewer shall conform to the 1994 Combined Sewer Overflow Control Policy (33 U.S.C. 1342(q)(1)). 2 In the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (H.R. 7279), Congress added section 402(s) to the CWA that defines an Integrated Plan as one developed in accordance with the 2012 Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework; and requires the EPA to inform municipalities of the opportunity to develop an Integrated Plan that may inform permit terms and conditions to help meet their existing CWA obligations (33 U.S.C. 1342(s)). These amendments clarified that municipalities may develop an Integrated Plan as defined under the CWA and the permitting authority may develop NPDES permit terms and conditions informed by that plan. E:\FR\FM\20FEN1.SGM 20FEN1 12838 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 20, 2024 / Notices clarify the options available for CSO communities when they are nearing completion of the projects and activities identified in their LTCPs and inform future permitting actions consistent with the CSO Policy, and the CWA. In addition, the draft Guidance provides recommendations for permitting authorities on how to develop future CSO permits in more transparent, equitable, and resilient ways. II. Public Participation The EPA requests public comment on the draft Guidance. B. Written Comments Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2023– 0475, at https://www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), or the other methods identified in the ADDRESSES section. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from the docket. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit to the EPA’s docket at https://www.regulations.gov any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI), Proprietary Business Information (PBI), 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 (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). Please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets for additional submission methods; the full EPA public comment policy; information about CBI, PBI, or multimedia submissions; and general guidance on making effective comments. III. General Information ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 What action is the EPA taking? The agency is requesting comments on this draft Guidance to clarify and inform future NPDES permitting actions for communities with CSOs. Visit the EPA website at: https://www.epa.gov/ npdes/combined-sewer-overflowcontrol-policy for a copy of the draft Guidance. The draft Guidance will also be available at: https:// 16:54 Feb 16, 2024 Jkt 262001 Radhika Fox, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water. [FR Doc. 2024–03398 Filed 2–16–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meetings (Authority: Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b) Vicktoria J. Allen, Deputy Secretary of the Commission. [FR Doc. 2024–03459 Filed 2–15–24; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 6715–01–P FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meetings 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 12, 2024. PLACE: The Richard V. Backley Hearing Room, Room 511, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 504 North, Washington, DC 20004 (enter from F Street entrance). STATUS: Open. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The Commission will consider and act upon the following in open session: Morton Salt, Inc., Docket No. CENT 2023–0120. (Issues include whether the Commission has authority to review the Secretary’s decision to issue a notice of pattern of violations.) Any person attending this meeting who requires special accessibility features and/or auxiliary aids, such as sign language interpreters, must inform the Commission in advance of those needs. Subject to 29 CFR 2706.150(a)(3) and 2706.160(d). TIME AND DATE: PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFO: Emogene Johnson (202) 434–9935/(202) 708–9300 for TDD Relay/1–800–877– 8339 for toll free. Phone Number for Listening to Meeting: 1–(866) 236–7472. Passcode: 678–100. Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552b. Dated: February 15, 2024. Sarah L. Stewart, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2024–03544 Filed 2–15–24; 4:15 pm] Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. and its continuation at the conclusion of the open meeting on February 29, 2024. PLACE: 1050 First Street NE, Washington, DC and virtual (This meeting will be a hybrid meeting.) STATUS: This meeting will be closed to the public. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Compliance matters pursuant to 52 U.S.C. 30109. Matters concerning participation in civil actions or proceedings or arbitration. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Judith Ingram, Press Officer. Telephone: (202) 694–1220. TIME AND DATE: A. Request for Public Comments VerDate Sep<11>2014 www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2023–0475. BILLING CODE 6735–01–P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company The notificants listed below have applied under the Change in Bank Control Act (Act) (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) and § 225.41 of the Board’s Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.41) to acquire shares of a bank or bank holding company. The factors that are considered in acting on the applications are set forth in paragraph 7 of the Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(7)). The public portions of the applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, if any, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank(s) indicated below and at the offices of the Board of Governors. This information may also be obtained on an expedited basis, upon request, by contacting the appropriate Federal Reserve Bank and from the Board’s Freedom of Information Office at https://www.federalreserve.gov/foia/ request.htm. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in paragraph 7 of the Act. Comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors, Ann E. Misback, Secretary of the Board, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20551–0001, not later than March 6, 2024. A. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (William Spaniel, Senior Vice President) 10 Independence Mall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106– 1521. Comments can also be sent electronically to comments.applications@phil.frb.org: 1. Castle Creek Capital Partners VIII, LP, San Diego, California; to acquire voting shares of Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc., Charlottesville, Virginia, and thereby indirectly acquire voting shares of Blue Ridge Bank, National Association, Martinsville, Virginia. E:\FR\FM\20FEN1.SGM 20FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12837-12838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03398]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0475; FRL 10889-01-OW]


Draft Guidance for Future National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting of Combined Sewer Systems

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking 
comment on this draft Guidance to clarify and inform future National 
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting actions for 
communities with combined sewer systems. This draft Guidance highlights 
the available approaches for permitting combined sewer overflow (CSO) 
communities nearing completion of the projects and activities 
identified in their Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP). The draft Guidance 
summarizes options under the Clean Water Act (CWA) that are articulated 
in the 1994 Combined Sewer Overflow Control Policy and the option to 
use the EPA's 2012 Integrated Planning Framework to look holistically 
at future investments in controlling wastewater and stormwater 
discharges and improving water quality.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 21, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OW-2023-0475, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov 
(our preferred method). Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket 
Center, Water Docket, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: EPA Docket Center, WJC West 
Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. 
The Docket Center's hours of operations are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday (except Federal Holidays).
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket ID 
No. for this rulemaking. Comments received may be posted without change 
to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided. For detailed instructions on sending comments, see the 
``Public Participation'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Kazior, Office of Wastewater 
Management, Water Permits Division (MC4203M), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: (202) 564-2696; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting Documentation. The docket 
contains supporting materials that were referenced in the development 
of this Guidance.

I. Executive Summary

    The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Policy (CSO Policy) was 
issued in 1994 and incorporated into the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 
2000.\1\ Since its issuance, communities with combined sewer systems 
nationwide have made substantial progress toward the goals established 
in the CSO Policy. During this same time, many factors that influence 
how communities address CSOs have evolved. Recognizing these ongoing 
changes and to aid communities addressing multiple municipal CWA 
requirements, in 2012, the EPA developed an Integrated Planning 
Framework that clarifies CWA flexibilities and offers a voluntary 
opportunity for a municipality to prioritize and sequence, where 
appropriate, those infrastructure projects that provide the greatest or 
fastest environmental and public health benefits. Integrated planning 
was added to the CWA in 2019.\2\ The EPA is issuing this draft Guidance 
to clarify and inform future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
System (NPDES) permitting actions for communities with CSOs. This draft 
Guidance would be applicable to permitting actions once the CSO 
permittee has completed construction of CSO controls and demonstrated 
that they are achieving the performance objectives outlined in their 
Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP). The draft Guidance is intended to

[[Page 12838]]

clarify the options available for CSO communities when they are nearing 
completion of the projects and activities identified in their LTCPs and 
inform future permitting actions consistent with the CSO Policy, and 
the CWA. In addition, the draft Guidance provides recommendations for 
permitting authorities on how to develop future CSO permits in more 
transparent, equitable, and resilient ways.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ In the Wet Weather Water Quality Act of 2000, Congress added 
section 402(q) to the CWA to provide that each permit, order, or 
decree issued after December 21, 2000, for a discharge from a 
municipal combined storm and sanitary sewer shall conform to the 
1994 Combined Sewer Overflow Control Policy (33 U.S.C. 1342(q)(1)).
    \2\ In the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (H.R. 7279), 
Congress added section 402(s) to the CWA that defines an Integrated 
Plan as one developed in accordance with the 2012 Integrated 
Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework; and 
requires the EPA to inform municipalities of the opportunity to 
develop an Integrated Plan that may inform permit terms and 
conditions to help meet their existing CWA obligations (33 U.S.C. 
1342(s)). These amendments clarified that municipalities may develop 
an Integrated Plan as defined under the CWA and the permitting 
authority may develop NPDES permit terms and conditions informed by 
that plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Public Participation

A. Request for Public Comments

    The EPA requests public comment on the draft Guidance.

B. Written Comments

    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-
0475, at https://www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), or the 
other methods identified in the ADDRESSES section. Once submitted, 
comments cannot be edited or removed from the docket. The EPA may 
publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit to the 
EPA's docket at https://www.regulations.gov any information you 
consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI), Proprietary 
Business Information (PBI), 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 (i.e., on the web, 
cloud, or other file sharing system). Please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets for additional submission methods; the 
full EPA public comment policy; information about CBI, PBI, or 
multimedia submissions; and general guidance on making effective 
comments.

III. General Information

What action is the EPA taking?

    The agency is requesting comments on this draft Guidance to clarify 
and inform future NPDES permitting actions for communities with CSOs. 
Visit the EPA website at: https://www.epa.gov/npdes/combined-sewer-overflow-control-policy for a copy of the draft Guidance. The draft 
Guidance will also be available at: https://www.regulations.gov, Docket 
ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0475.

Radhika Fox,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 2024-03398 Filed 2-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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