Environmental Protection Agency February 8, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Ongoing needs for ocean disposal of dredged material and the proposed improvements to the Federal Gulfport Harbor navigation channel have resulted in the need for the designation of a new ODMDS off Gulfport, Mississippi. Gulfport Harbor is located in Harrison County, Mississippi, on Mississippi Sound about equidistant (80 miles) from New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. There are currently two existing U.S. EPA-designated ODMDSs located east and west of the Federal channel; however, these sites will not provide sufficient capacity to accommodate the anticipated disposal needs of the upcoming improvements at Gulfport Harbor. Need for Action: The Corps, Mobile District has requested that U.S. EPA designate a new ODMDS off Gulfport, Mississippi for the disposal of dredged material from the Gulfport Harbor area, when ocean disposal of dredged material is the preferred disposal alternative. An EIS is required to provide the necessary information to evaluate alternatives and designate the preferred ODMDS. Alternatives: ``No action'' alternative. The no action alternative is defined as not designating an ocean disposal site. Additional alternatives under consideration include: Nearshore Area Disposal Site; Mid-shelf Area Disposal Site; and a Deepwater Area Disposal Site. Scoping: Scoping will be accomplished by correspondence with affected Federal, State, and local agencies, and with anticipated interested parties. Appropriate Federal, State, and local entities will be invited to participate as a cooperating agency. Estimated Date of Release: It is anticipated that the Draft EIS will be made available for public review in spring 2006. Responsible Official: J.I. Palmer, Jr., Regional Administrator, Region 4.

EPA is proposing to approve the State of Mississippi's drinking water regulations for the Radionuclides, Arsenic, and Filter Backwash Recycling Rules. EPA has determined that these revisions are no less stringent than the corresponding Federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends on approving the program revisions.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request for a new Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

The EPA is taking final action making findings, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), that Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Virginia failed to make complete State implementation plan (SIP) submittals required under the CAA. Under the CAA and Phase II of EPA's nitrogen oxides (NOX) SIP Call regulations, these States were required to submit SIP measures providing for reductions in the emissions of NOX, an ozone precursor.

EPA is proposing to determine that the Ajo moderate PM-10 nonattainment area in Arizona has attained the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers (PM10). This determination is based upon monitored air quality data for the PM10 NAAQS during the years 2002-2004. EPA also finds that the Ajo area has continued to attain the PM10 NAAQS since 2004. Based on this determination, EPA is also proposing to determine that certain Clean Air Act requirements are not applicable for so long as the Ajo area continues to attain the PM10 NAAQS.

EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from solvent degreasers. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).

This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessment for the organochlorine pesticide lindane, gamma hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and the other HCH isomers, and opens a public comment period on these documents. In addition, this notice solicits public comment on risk reduction options for lindane and the other HCH isomers. This action follows up on issues discussed in the July 2002 Lindane RED, in public comments EPA received on that decision document and in the draft North American Regional Action Plan (NARAP) on Lindane and other HCH Isomers.