Environmental Protection Agency January 4, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) announces the availability of up to $615,000 to address critical pest management needs of U.S. minor and specialty crop growers. The Agency anticipates funding up to five projects. The project period of performance is 3 years, with the possibility of extension. Proposed projects should address minor and specialty crop producers' critical pest management needs and demonstrate the importance and relevancy of the project to implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). This request for proposal was developed in response to recommendations made by the Committee to Advise on Reassessment and Transition (CARAT), a joint EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture-sponsored federal advisory committee established to advise on the implementation of the FQPA, that the Agency facilitate the transition to reduced-risk pest management approaches for minor and specialty crops. You may access the full text of the grant announcement at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/grants/index.htm.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92- 463, the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD), gives notice of one meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Land Subcommittee.

EPA today, pursuant to section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. 7543(b), is granting California its request for a waiver of Federal preemption for its Engine Manufacturers Diagnostics regulations for 2007 and subsequent model year heavy-duty vehicle engines (2007 EMD standards). By letter dated March 7, 2005, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) requested that EPA grant California a waiver of federal preemption for its 2007 EMD standards, which require the functional monitoring of major emission control components/systems.

Notice is hereby given that the State of Wisconsin is revising its approved Public Water System Supervision Program. Wisconsin has revised its Public Notification (PN) Rule; its Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions (LCRMR) Rule; and Radionuclides Rule. EPA has determined that these revisions by the State are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve these revisions to the State of Wisconsin's Public Water System Supervision Program. This approval action does not extend to public water systems (PWSs) in Indian Country, as that term is defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151. By approving these rules, EPA does not intend to affect the rights of federally recognized Indian tribes in Wisconsin, nor does it intend to limit existing rights of the State of Wisconsin. Any interested party may request a public hearing. A request for a public hearing must be submitted by February 3, 2006, to the Regional Administrator at the EPA Region 5 address shown below. The Regional Administrator may deny frivolous or insubstantial requests for a hearing. However, if a substantial request for a public hearing is made by February 3, 2006, EPA Region 5 will hold a public hearing. If EPA Region 5 does not receive a timely and appropriate request for a hearing and the Regional Administrator does not elect to hold a hearing on his own motion, this determination shall become final and effective on February 3, 2006. Any request for a public hearing shall include the following information: the name, address, and telephone number of the individual, organization, or other entity requesting a hearing; a brief statement of the requesting person's interest in the Regional Administrator's determination and a brief statement of the information that the requesting person intends to submit at such hearing; and the signature of the individual making the request, or, if the request is made on behalf of an organization or other entity, the signature of a responsible official of the organization or other entity.

EPA is finalizing approval of a revision to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDCAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision was proposed in the Federal Register on February 25, 2004 and concerns oxides of nitrogen (NOX) emissions from stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is revising its regulations implementing the Privacy Act (PA). In accordance with the principles of the National Performance Review, EPA is streamlining and condensing its regulations by removing superfluous language and using simpler language whenever possible. In addition, these regulations contain exemptions for existing systems and add new exempted system of records.

EPA's Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC), Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) Process Improvement Workgroup will hold a public meeting on January 31, 2006. An agenda for this meeting is being developed and will be posted on EPA's website. The workgroup is developing advice and recommendations on topics related to EPA's registration process.