Environmental Protection Agency June 10, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA expressed environmental concerns due to wetland and aquatic resource impacts, and mitigation related to these impacts. Rating EC2.

On October 27, 2003, and December 24, 2003, the EPA revised regulations governing the major New Source Review (NSR) programs mandated by parts C and D of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). The rule changes from October 27, 2003, provide a category of equipment replacement activities that are deemed to be routine maintenance, repair and replacement (RMRR) activities and, therefore, are not subject to Major NSR requirements under the exclusion, while the December 24, 2003 rule changes amended the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) provisions of state programs that did not have approved state rules for PSD. Also on December 24, 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stayed the new RMRR rules, pending judicial review. Following these actions, the Administrator received petitions for reconsideration. On July 1, 2004, we, the EPA, announced our reconsideration of certain issues arising from these two final rules and requested comment on those issues. After carefully considering all of the comments and information received through our reconsideration process, we have concluded that no additional changes are necessary to the final rules. With respect to all other issues raised by the petitioners, we deny the requests for reconsideration.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency invites nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointments to fill several vacancies on the Good Neighbor Environmental Board. The Board advises the President and Congress on environmental and infrastructure issues along the United States border with Mexico. It is managed by EPA. For this round of recruitment, given the nature of current vacancies, and given the goal of maintaining diverse representation across geographic locations and sectors, those meeting the following criteria are especially encouraged to apply: (1) Individuals living in the U.S. border states of Texas and New Mexico, particularly border communities, who (2) have experience and expertise in either local or county government; the academic sector; or the private sector. Other individuals with other types of expertise living in the other two U.S. border states also are welcome to apply for membership. Individuals may apply themselves, or be nominated. Letters of reference are encouraged. In addition, from the federal agency contingent of the Board, senior officials from the following departments have, or will be, ending their terms shortly, and successors will be appointed: Department of Health and Human Services; Department of the Interior; and the Environmental Protection Agency. The deadline for receiving applications for membership is August 15. All appointments will be made by the Administrator of EPA. The announcement of new appointments is scheduled for early October 2005, in advance of the Board's next meeting, which will take place on October 17-19, 2005, on Tohono O'odham Nation land near Tucson, Arizona.

Louisiana has applied to the EPA for final authorization of the changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The EPA has determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization, and is authorizing the State's changes through this immediate final action. The EPA is publishing this rule to authorize the changes without a prior proposal because we believe this action is not controversial and do not expect comments that oppose it. Unless we receive written comments which oppose this authorization during the comment period, the decision to authorize Louisiana's changes to its hazardous waste program will take effect. If we receive comments that oppose this action, we will publish a document in the Federal Register withdrawing this rule before it takes effect, and a separate document in the proposed rules section of this Federal Register will serve as a proposal to authorize the changes.