Environmental Protection Agency June 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 101 - 150 of 163
Diuron; Pesticide Tolerance
This regulation establishes tolerances for diuron in or on cactus (with regional restrictions for use); spearmint, tops; peppermint, tops; and fish-freshwater finfish, farm raised. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) and the Catfish Farmers of America requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
Methods for Testing Efficacy of Skin-Applied Repellents; Notice of Public Meeting
EPA's Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division in cooperation with the Registration Division and the Field and External Affairs Division will host a public workshop on June 19, 2007. The purpose of the workshop is to share technical information on updates and latest developments in repellents efficacy testing, and alternatives to human subjects testing for efficacy of skin-applied repellents. Experts in product performance testing from other agencies of the Federal government, Department of Defense, United States Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control, and private laboratories have been invited and are expected to attend. The invitation is also extended to the general public. Proceedings from this meeting will inform EPA for completing OPPTS Harmonized Guideline 810.3700. The revised OPPTS Harmonized 810.3700 testing guideline, Product Performance of Skin-Applied Repellents of Insect and other Arthropods, has already been through the Science Advisory Panel and the Human Studies Review Board review in recent years. The guideline provides guidance for adequate testing of performance of skin-applied repellents on insects and other arthropods of human health significance.
Adequacy Status of Motor Vehicle Budgets in Submitted Yuma PM10
In this notice, EPA is notifying the public that the Agency has found that the motor vehicle emissions budgets for PM10 in the Yuma PM10 Maintenance Plan are adequate for transportation conformity purposes. The Yuma PM10 Maintenance Plan was submitted to EPA on August 17, 2006 by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as a revision to the Arizona state implementation plan (SIP). As a result of our finding, the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Federal Highway Administration must use the motor vehicle emissions budgets from the submitted Yuma PM10 Maintenance Plan for future conformity determinations.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Environmental Impact Assessment of Nongovernmental Activities in Antarctica (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 1808.05, OMB Control No. 2020-0007
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2007. 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.
Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Allocation of Essential Use Allowances for Calendar Year 2007
With this action, EPA is allocating essential use allowances for import and production of Class I stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) for calendar year 2007. Essential use allowances enable a person to obtain controlled Class I ODSs as part of an exemption to the regulatory ban on the production and import of these chemicals, which became effective as of January 1, 1996. EPA allocates essential use allowances for exempted production or import of a specific quantity of Class I ODSs solely for the designated essential purpose. The allocations in this action total 167.0 metric tons (MT) of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) for use in metered dose inhalers (MDIs) for 2007.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NESHAP for Gasoline Distribution Facilities (Renewal), EPA ICR Number 1659.06, OMB Control Number 2060-0325
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR which is abstracted below describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost.
Redesignation of the Toledo, Ohio Area to Attainment for the 8-Hour Ozone Standard
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) submitted a request on December 22, 2006, and supplemented it on March 9, 2007, for redesignation of the Toledo, Ohio area which includes Lucas and Wood Counties to attainment for the 8-hour ozone standard. EPA is proposing to approve several elements associated with of this request. First, EPA is making a determination that complete, quality-assured ambient air quality data indicate that the Toledo area has attained the 8-hour ozone standard. Second, EPA is proposing to approve, as revisions to the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP), the State's plans for maintaining the 8-hour ozone NAAQS through 2018. Third, EPA is proposing to redesignate the Toledo area to attainment for the 8- hour ozone standard, based on a finding that the requirements for this redesignation have been satisfied. Fourth, EPA finds adequate and is proposing to approve the State's 2009 and 2018 Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets (MVEBs) for the Toledo area.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; State Operating Permit Regulations (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 1587.07, OMB Control No. 2060-0243
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost.
Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Allocation of Essential Use Allowances for Calendar Year 2008
EPA is proposing to allocate essential use allowances for import and production of Class I ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) for calendar year 2008. Essential use allowances enable a person to obtain controlled Class I ODSs as part of an exemption to the regulatory ban on the production and import of these chemicals, which became effective as of January 1, 1996. EPA allocates essential use allowances for exempted production or import of a specific quantity of Class I substances solely for the designated essential purpose. The proposed allocations total 27.0 metric tons (MT) of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) for use in metered dose inhalers (MDIs) for 2008.
Notice of Meeting of the EPA's Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC)
Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, notice is hereby given that a meeting via conference call of the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC) will be held June 29th, 2007 at 3 p.m. EDT. The CHPAC was created to advise the Environmental Protection Agency on science, regulations, and other issues relating to children's environmental health.
Redesignation of the Columbus, OH Area to Attainment for the 8-Hour Ozone Standard
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) submitted a request on December 28, 2006, and supplemented it on January 12, 2007 and March 9, 2007, for redesignation of the Columbus, Ohio area which includes Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Knox, Licking, and Madison Counties to attainment for the 8-hour ozone standard. EPA is proposing to approve several elements associated with this request. First, EPA is making a determination that complete, quality-assured ambient air quality data indicate that the Columbus area has attained the 8-hour ozone standard. Second, EPA is proposing to approve, as revisions to the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP), the State's plans for maintaining the 8-hour ozone NAAQS through 2018. Third, EPA is proposing to redesignate the Columbus area to attainment for the 8-hour ozone standard, based on a finding that the requirements for this redesignation have been satisfied. Fourth, EPA finds adequate and is proposing to approve the State's 2009 and 2018 Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets (MVEBs) for the Columbus area.
Determination of Attainment, Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; Ohio; Redesignation of Youngstown, OH to Attainment of the 8-Hour Ozone Standard
On February 15, 2007, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA), submitted a request to redesignate its portion of the Youngstown area (Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties) to attainment of the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and a request for EPA approval of an ozone maintenance plan. EPA is making a determination that the Youngstown, Ohio ozone nonattainment area has attained the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This determination is based on three years of complete, quality assured ambient air quality monitoring data for the 2004-2006 ozone seasons that demonstrate that the 8-hour ozone NAAQS has been attained in the area. EPA is approving, as a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision, the State's maintenance plan for the Ohio portion of the area. As a result, Ohio has satisfied the criteria for redesignation of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties to attainment and EPA is approving the requested redesignation. Further, EPA is approving, for purposes of transportation conformity, the motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for the years 2009 and 2018 that are contained in the 8-hour ozone maintenance plan for the area.
Ambient Air Monitoring Regulations: Correcting and Other Amendments
The EPA is proposing to correct and clarify parts of a recent final rule published on October 17, 2006, that amended the ambient air monitoring requirements for criteria pollutants. The proposed changes include several instances where the wording in the preamble and regulatory text were not completely consistent, several regulatory text passages that contained some imprecise language, two instances of regulatory text omission, an outdated address reference, and numerous publication errors in tables and equations. EPA is also proposing to allow EPA Regional Administrators to approve departures from the minimum number of PM10 monitors otherwise specified in the rule. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, we are taking direct final action on the amendments because we view the amendments as non-controversial and anticipate no adverse comments. If we receive no adverse comments, we will take no further action on this proposed rule.
Ambient Air Monitoring Regulations: Correcting and Other Amendments
The EPA is taking direct final action on ``Ambient Air Monitoring Regulations: Correcting and Other Amendments'' to correct and clarify parts of a recent final rule published on October 17, 2006, that amended the ambient air monitoring requirements for criteria pollutants. These errors included several instances where the wording in the preamble and regulatory text were not completely consistent, several regulatory text passages that contained some imprecise language, two instances of regulatory text omission, an outdated address reference, and numerous publication errors in tables and equations. EPA is also amending the monitoring rule to allow EPA Regional Administrators to approve departures from the minimum number of PM10 monitors otherwise specified in the rule. The October 17, 2006, final rule revised requirements for reference and equivalent method determinations, modified requirements for general monitoring network design, and modified other requirements pertaining to quality assurance, annual network plans and assessments, data reporting, monitoring methodology, and probe and monitor siting criteria. All other preamble and regulatory text printed in the October 17, 2006, final rule is correct.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program Final Rulemaking Under Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, EPA ICR Number 1596.06, OMB Control Number 2006-0226
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2007. 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.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Hazardous Waste Specific Unit Requirements, and Special Waste Processes and Types; EPA ICR No. 1572.07, OMB Control No. 2050-0050
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2007. 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.
Request for Nominations to the National and Governmental Advisory Committees to the U.S. Representative to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to fill vacancies on the National Advisory Committee (NAC) and the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to the U.S. Representative to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). Vacancies on these two committees are expected to be filled by September, so we encourage nominations to be submitted by July 15, 2007.
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of List Decisions
This notice announces the availability of EPA's Responsiveness Summary Concerning EPA's March 31, 2005 Public Notice of Final Decisions to Add Waters and Pollutants to Louisiana's 2002 and 2004 Section 303(d) Lists. On April 12, 2005, EPA published a notice in the Federal Register at Volume 70, Number 69, pages 19079-19080 providing the public the opportunity to review its final decisions to add waters and pollutants to Louisiana's 2002 and 2004 Section 303(d) Lists as required by EPA's Public Participation regulations (40 CFR Part 25). Based on the Responsiveness Summary, no further action is warranted regarding EPA's Final Action on Louisiana's 2002 and 2004 Section 303(d) Lists.
Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of an Upcoming Closed Meeting of the Science Advisory Board's Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards Committee, Sunshine Act Meeting
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a closed meeting of the SAB's Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards (STAA) Committee to recommend to the Administrator the recipients of the Agency's 2007 Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards.
EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Guidance Regarding Clean Water Act Jurisdiction after Rapanos
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are today issuing agency guidance, effective immediately, regarding Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the consolidated cases Rapanos v. United States and Carabell v. United States (``Rapanos''). The agencies are issuing this guidance to ensure that jurisdictional determinations, administrative enforcement actions, and other relevant agency actions being conducted under the CWA are consistent with the Rapanos decision and provide effective protection for public health and the environment. The agencies are concurrently providing a six-month public comment period to solicit input on early experience with implementing the guidance. The agencies, within nine months from the date of issuance, will either reissue, revise, or suspend the guidance after carefully considering the public comments received and field experience with implementing the guidance.
EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Request for Nominations of Candidates for the EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and the Science Advisory Board
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is soliciting nominations for consideration of membership on EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), and EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB or Board) and its Subcommittees.
Science Advisory Board Staff Office EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Notification of Public Advisory Committee Meeting of the CASAC Panel for Review of EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) Activities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Panel for Review of EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (LRRP) Activities (CASAC Panel) to conduct a peer review of EPA's Draft Approach for Estimating Changes in Children's IQ from Lead Dust Generated During Renovation, Repair, and Painting in Residences and Child-Occupied Facilities (Draft LRRP Activity IQ-Change Methodology, June 2007) and the Draft Final Report on Characterization of Dust Lead Levels After Renovation, Repair, and Painting Activities (OPPT Dust Study, January 2007).
Phase 2 of the Final Rule To Implement the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard-Notice of Reconsideration
On December 19, 2006, EPA published, as a proposed rule, a notice of reconsideration for several aspects of the November 29, 2005, Phase 2 of the final rule to implement the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). These issues relate to nitrogen oxide (NOX) reasonably available control technology (RACT) for electric generating units (EGUs) in Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) states and to certain new source review (NSR) provisions. The notice of reconsideration was published as a result of a petition for reconsideration which had been submitted by the Natural Resources Defense Council. In this action, EPA summarizes and responds to comments received in response to the notice of reconsideration, and EPA announces its final actions taken in response to these comments. As a result of this reconsideration process, EPA is changing the deadline for states in the CAIR region to submit EGU NOX RACT SIPs subpart 2 ozone nonattainment areas classified as moderate and above. EPA is also modifying its guidance on the issue of NOX RACT for EGUs in CAIR states.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Revisions to the Nevada State Implementation Plan; Stationary Source Permits
On April 17, 2007 (72 FR 19144), EPA proposed certain approvals and certain disapprovals of revisions to the Nevada State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted to EPA by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. These revisions involve State rules governing applications for, and issuance of, permits for stationary sources, but not including review and permitting of major sources and major modifications under parts C and D of title I of the Clean Air Act. EPA is extending the comment period to August 17, 2007.
Availability of FY 06 Grantee Performance Evaluation Reports for the Eight States of EPA Region 4 and 15 Local Agencies, and FY 05 Grantee Performance Evaluation Reports for Four Local Agencies
EPA's grant regulations (40 CFR 35.115) require the Agency to evaluate the performance of agencies which receive grants. EPA's regulations for regional consistency (40 CFR 56.7) require that the Agency notify the public of the availability of the reports of such evaluations. EPA performed end-of-year evaluations of eight state air pollution control programs (Alabama Department of Environmental Management; Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Commonwealth of Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection; Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality; North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources; South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control; and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) and 15 local programs (City of Huntsville Division of Natural Resources, AL; Jefferson County Department of Health, AL; Broward County Environmental Protection Department, FL; City of Jacksonville Environmental Quality Division, FL; Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, FL; Miami-Dade County Air Quality Management Division, FL; Palm Beach County Health Department, FL; Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management, FL; Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department, NC; Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency, NC; Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency, NC; Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau, TN; Memphis-Shelby County Health Department, TN; Knox County Department of Air Quality Management, TN; and Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Public Health Department, TN). The 23 evaluations were conducted to assess the agencies' FY 06 performance under the grants awarded by EPA under authority of section 105 of the Clean Air Act. EPA Region 4 has prepared reports for each agency identified above and these reports are now available for public inspection. The evaluation for the remaining local government (Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, KY) will be published at a later date. In addition, EPA performed end-of-year evaluations in FY 05 of four local air pollution control programs (Broward County Environmental Protection Department, FL; Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management, FL; Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, KY; and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau, TN). EPA has prepared reports for these evaluations and these reports are now available for public inspection.
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments
EPA expressed environmental concerns about impacts to coral reef ecosystems and recommended additional mitigation for sedimentation impacts, evaluation of a less-damaging alternative, and selection of Sella Bay coral reef restoration as compensatory mitigation. Rating EC2. EIS No. 20070091, ERP No. D-NPS-F65066-MN, Pipestone National Monument General Management Plan, Implementation, Pipestone County, MN Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about habitat, historic preservation, land use, threatened and endangered species, and noise. EPA suggested modifications to existing alternatives, and recommended green architectural features. Rating EC2. EIS No. 20070109, ERP No. D-NGB-E11062-MS, Camp Shelby Joint Force Training Center, Implementation of Installation Mission Support Activities, Renewal of Special Use Permit, DeSoto National Forest, in portions of Forrest, George and Perry Counties, MS Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about wetland and water quality impacts associated with the proposed action. EPA supports a comprehensive monitoring program to ensure that the ongoing impacts from military training are assessed and appropriately addressed/ mitigated once identified. Rating EC2. EIS No. 20070115, ERP No. D-FAA-E51052-FL, Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport, Proposed Development and Extension of Runway 9R/27L and other Associated Airport Projects, Funding, U.S. Army COE Section 404 Permit and NPDES Permit, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, FL Summary: EPA expressed concern about aircraft noise impacts and air quality impacts related to PM2.5. EPA recommends that the final EIS discuss approaches to minimize and mitigate noise and air quality impacts. Rating EC2. EIS No. 20070123, ERP No. D-IBR-K31019-CA, North Sonoma County Agricultural Reuse Project, Construct and Operate a Recycled Water to Agricultural Lands, Sonona County, CA Summary: EPA expressed concern about air and water quality impacts. Rating EC2. EIS No. 20070072, ERP No. DA-FHW-E40339-NC, NC 12 Replacement of Herbert C. Bonner Bridge (Bridge No. 11) Revisions and Additions, over Oregon Inlet Construction, Funding, U.S. Coast Guard Permit, Special- Use-Permit, Right-of-Way Permit, U.S. Army COE Section 10 and 404 Permit, Dare County, NC Summary: EPA expressed concern about impacts to a national wildlife refuge and national seashore and questioned the long-term effects to water quality and migratory birds. Rating EC2. EIS No. 20070063, ERP No. DS-USN-D52000-00, Introduction of F/A 18 E/F (Super Hornet) Aircraft, Updated Information, Construction and Operation of an Outlying Landing Field, Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, VA; Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, NC Summary: EPA has concerns about the potential environmental impacts of locating an outlying landing field in close proximity to the nationally-significant Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. EPA recommends that the Navy reconsider other available alternatives. Rating EC2. FINAL EISs EIS No. 20070099, ERP No. F-SFW-K65313-CA, San Joaquin Valley Operations and Maintenance Program Habitat Conservation Plan, Application for Incidental Take Permits, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Fresno, Kings, Kern Mariposa, Madera and Tulare Counties, CA Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. EIS No. 20070148, ERP No. F-FHW-E40796-NC, U.S 64 Corridor Project, Transportation Improvements in the Vicinity of the City of Asheboro and Improved Access to the NC Zoological Park, Funding and COE Section 404 Permit, Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Project No. R-2536, Randolph County, NC Summary: EPA continues to have environmental concerns about stream/ wetland impacts, terrestrial forest impacts, and short-term air quality impacts. EPA requested additional interchange design considerations to avoid and minimize impacts to streams and wetlands. EIS No. 20070156, ERP No. F-NOA-K90031-CA, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) Project, Establishment of No-ake and Limited- Take Marine Zones, Protection of Sanctuary Biodiversity, CA Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. EIS No. 20070161, ERP No. F-IBR-G39046-00, Upper Rio Grande Basin Water Operations Review, Preferred Alternative E-3, To Develop an Integrated Plan for Water Operations at the Existing Facilities, NM, CO and TX Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the pareparing agency. EIS No. 20070162, ERP No. F-FRC-G03033-LA, Kinder Morgan Louisiana Pipeline Project, Natural Gas Pipeline Facilities, Construction and Operation, U.S. Army COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, Evangeline, Cameron, and Acadia Parishes, LA Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. EIS No. 20070126, ERP No. FS-AFS-K65286-CA, Watdog Project, Preferred Alternative is B, Feather River Ranger District, Plumas National Forest, Butte and Plumas Counties, CA Summary: EPA has continuing concerns about cumulative impacts to watersheds and short-term impacts to old-forest species, and continues to recommend a less-intensive harvest alternative.
Petition for Reconsideration and Proposal for Withdrawal of Findings of Significant Contribution and Rulemaking for Georgia for Purposes of Reducing Ozone Interstate Transport
In this action, we are requesting comments on EPA's response to a Petition for Reconsideration regarding a final rule we issued under Section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) related to the interstate transport of nitrogen oxides (NOX). On April 21, 2004, we issued a final rule (Phase II NOX SIP Call Rule) that required the State of Georgia to submit revisions to its State Implementation Plan (SIP) that prohibit specified amounts of NOX emissionsone of the precursors to ozone (smog) pollutionfor the purposes of reducing NOX and ozone transport across State boundaries in the eastern half of the United States. This rule became effective on June 21, 2004. Subsequently, the Georgia Coalition for Sound Environmental Policy (GCSEP or Petitioners) filed a Petition for Reconsideration requesting that EPA reconsider the applicability of the NOX SIP Call Rule to the State of Georgia. In response to this Petition, and based upon review of additional available information, EPA is proposing to remove Georgia from the NOX SIP call region. Specifically, EPA proposes to rescind the applicability of the requirements of the Phase II NOX SIP Call Rule to the State of Georgia, only.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; VOC and NOX
EPA is taking final action to approve revisions to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revisions were submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to establish and require reasonably available control technology (RACT) for five major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) pursuant to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's (Pennsylvania's or the Commonwealth's) SIP-approved generic RACT regulations. EPA is approving these revisions in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans for Arizona; Maricopa County PM-10 Nonattainment Area; Serious Area Plan for Attainment of the 24-Hour and Annual PM-10 Standards
On July 25, 2002, EPA approved under the Clean Air Act (CAA) the serious area particulate matter (PM-10) plan for the Maricopa County portion of the metropolitan Phoenix (Arizona) nonattainment area (Maricopa County area). Among other things, EPA approved the best available control measure (BACM) and most stringent measure (MSM) demonstrations in the plan and granted the State's request for an attainment date extension for the area. EPA's approval was challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In response to the Court's remand, EPA reassessed the BACM and MSM demonstrations for the significant source categories of on-road motor vehicles and nonroad engines and equipment exhaust, specifically regarding whether California Air Resources Board (CARB) diesel is a BACM and/or MSM. As a result of this reassessment, EPA again approved the BACM and MSM demonstrations in the plan and granted the State's request to extend the attainment deadline from 2001 to 2006. In light of its recent finding that the Maricopa County area failed to attain the 24-hour PM- 10 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) by December 31, 2006, EPA is again reassessing the BACM and MSM demonstrations in the plan and is again proposing to approve these demonstrations.
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; Responsibility and Organization for Response; General Organization Concepts
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule in the Federal Register on September 15, 1994 that revised the National Contingency Plan to incorporate amendments to the Clean Water Act that were enacted with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. This document is being issued to update one of the figures, ``U.S. Coast Guard Districts Atlantic and Pacific Area Commands,'' found in the National Contingency Plan. The United States Coast Guard revised their District boundaries in November 2006.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Virginia; Amendments to the Open Burning Regulation
EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This SIP revision pertains to the amendments of Virginia's open burning regulation. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).
Biennial Determination of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's Compliance With Applicable Federal Environmental Laws for the Period 2004 to 2006
Based on documentation submitted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or ``we'') determined that between 2004 and 2006, DOE operated the WIPP facility in compliance with applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and permit requirements designated in Section 9(a)(1) of the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act, as amended. The Secretary of Energy was notified of the determination via a letter from EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson dated May 31, 2007.
Notice of Final NPDES General Permit; Final NPDES General Permit for New and Existing Sources and New Dischargers in the Offshore Subcategory of the Oil and Gas Extraction Category for the Western Portion of the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico (GMG290000)
EPA Region 6 today issues a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for the Western Portion of the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico (No. GMG290000). The general permit authorizes discharges from new sources, existing sources, and new dischargers in the Offshore Subcategory of the Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category (40 CFR Part 435, Subpart A). The reissued permit will become effective October 1, 2007. The existing permit published in the Federal Register, at 69 FR 60150 on October 7, 2004, authorizes discharges from exploration, development, and production facilities located in and discharging to Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico seaward of the outer boundary of the territorial seas offshore of Louisiana and Texas. Today's action reissues the current permit which will expire on November 7, 2007. A copy of the Region's responses to comments and the final permit may be obtained from the EPA Region 6 internet site: https:// www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6wq/6wq.htm.
Final NPDES General Permit for Discharges From the Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category to Coastal Waters in Texas (TXG330000)
EPA Region 6 today issues a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit regulating discharges from oil and gas wells in the Coastal Subcategory in Texas and regulating produced water discharges from wells in the Stripper and Offshore Subcategories which discharge into coastal waters of Texas. The general permit prohibits the discharge of drilling fluid, drill cuttings, produced sand and well treatment, completion and workover fluids. Produced water discharges are prohibited, except from wells in the Stripper Subcategory located east of the 98th meridian whose produced water comes from the Carrizo/Wilcox, Reklaw or Bartosh formations in Texas. Monitoring for oil and grease and total dissolved solids is required for those produced water discharges. Discharge of dewatering effluent is prohibited, except from reserve pits which have not received drilling fluids and/or drill cuttings since January 15, 1997. The discharge of deck drainage, formation test fluids, sanitary waste, domestic waste and miscellaneous discharges is authorized. A copy of the Region's final permit may be obtained from the EPA Region 6 Internet site: https://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6wq/6wq.htm.
Reproposal of the Reissuance of Two General NPDES Permits (GPs), One for Aquaculture Facilities in Idaho Subject to Wasteload Allocations Under Selected Total Maximum Daily Loads (Permit Number IDG-13-0000) and One for Fish Processors Associated With Aquaculture Facilities in Idaho (Permit Number IDG-13-2000)
On September 27, 2004, a general permit regulating the activities of aquaculture facilities in Idaho and associated on-site fish processors expired. On June 19, 2006, the Director, Office of Water and Watersheds, EPA Region 10, proposed to reissue three general permits to cover facilities covered under the previous permit. These general permits also will cover facilities currently operating under individual permits, thereby terminating the authorization to discharge under the individual permits. This additional public notice is to invite comments on revised limits for some of the covered facilities and revised requirements for pollutant trading among the facilities, as well as revised determinations on the effect on listed species under the Endangered Species Act.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Redesignation of the Altoona 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area to Attainment and Approval of the Associated Maintenance Plan and 2002 Base-Year Inventory
EPA is proposing to approve a redesignation request and State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) is requesting that the Altoona ozone nonattainment area (``Altoona Area'' or ``Area'') be redesignated as attainment for the 8- hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The Area is comprised of Blair County, Pennsylvania. EPA is proposing to approve the ozone redesignation request for the Altoona Area. In conjunction with its redesignation request, the Commonwealth submitted a SIP revision consisting of a maintenance plan for the Altoona Area that provides for continued attainment of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS for at least 10 years after redesignation. EPA is proposing to make a determination that the Altoona Area has attained the 8-hour ozone NAAQS, based upon three years of complete, quality-assured ambient air quality monitoring data for 2003-2005. EPA's proposed approval of the 8-hour ozone redesignation request is based on its determination that the Altoona Area has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment specified in the Clean Air Act (CAA). In addition, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has also submitted a 2002 base-year inventory for the Altoona Area, and EPA is proposing to approve that inventory for the Altoona Area as a SIP revision. EPA is also providing information on the status of its adequacy determination for the motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) that are identified in the maintenance plan for the Altoona Area for purposes of transportation conformity, and is also proposing to approve those MVEBs. EPA is proposing approval of the redesignation request and of the maintenance plan and 2002 base- year inventory SIP revisions in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NSR): Emission Increases for Electric Generating Units
The EPA is announcing a public hearing to be held on June 29, 2007 for the supplemental proposed rule on ``Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NSR): Emission Increases for Electric Generating Units.'' This rulemaking action was published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2007 and proposes options to change the emissions increase test used to determine if the NSR permitting program would apply when an existing power plant makes a physical or operational change. The public hearing will provide interested parties the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning these proposed changes.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Revision to the Texas State Implementation Plan Regarding a Negative Declaration for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry Batch Processing Source Category in El Paso County
Section 172(c)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires areas that are not attaining a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) to reduce emissions from existing sources by adopting, at a minimum, reasonably available control technology (RACT). EPA has established source categories for which RACT must be implemented. If no major sources of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in a particular source category exist in a nonattainment area, a State may submit a negative declaration for that category. Texas submitted a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision which included negative declarations for certain source categories in the El Paso 1-hour ozone standard nonattainment area. EPA previously approved the State's declaration that no major sources existed for 9 source categories in the El Paso area. In the approval EPA neglected to approve the negative declaration for the synthetic organic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI) batch processing category in the El Paso area. EPA is proposing to approve this negative declaration for the El Paso 1-hour ozone standard nonattainment area.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Revision to the Texas State Implementation Plan Regarding a Negative Declaration for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry Batch Processing Source Category in El Paso County
Section 172(c)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires areas that are not attaining a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) to reduce emissions from existing sources by adopting, at a minimum, reasonably available control technology (RACT). EPA has established source categories for which RACT must be implemented. If no major sources of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in a particular source category exist in a nonattainment area, a State may submit a negative declaration for that category. Texas submitted a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision which included negative declarations for certain source categories in the El Paso 1-hour ozone standard nonattainment area. EPA previously approved the State's declaration that no major sources existed for 9 source categories in the El Paso area. In the approval EPA neglected to approve the negative declaration for the synthetic organic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI) batch processing category in the El Paso area. EPA is approving this negative declaration for the El Paso 1-hour ozone standard nonattainment area.
External Peer Review of Draft Final Report: “Comparison of the Alternative Asbestos Control Method and the NESHAP Method for Demolition of Asbestos-Containing Buildings”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing an external peer review panel meeting to review the draft Final Report for the Alternative Asbestos Control Method (AACM) Demonstration Project. EPA will use comments and recommendations from the expert panel meeting to finalize the draft report. The U.S. EPA conducted a controlled demonstration to evaluate the AACM alongside the current National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) method in a remote, secure location at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. To facilitate side-by-side comparison, the demonstration used two similar structures with asbestos-containing materials. Additional information about this research project, including a description of the AACM and the project schedule, is available at https://epa.gov/region6/6xa/asbestos.htm.
Captan, 2,4-D, Dodine, DCPA, Endothall, Fomesafen, Propyzamide, Ethofumesate, Permethrin, Dimethipin, and Fenarimol; Proposed Tolerance Actions
EPA is proposing to revoke certain tolerances for captan, 2,4- D, dodine, endothall, propyzamide, permethrin, ethofumesate and dimethipin. Also, EPA is proposing to modify certain tolerances for captan, 2,4-D, dodine, DCPA, endothall, propyzamide, permethrin, ethofumesate, and fomesafen. In addition, EPA is proposing to establish new tolerances for captan, 2,4-D, dodine, propyzamide, permethrin, and ethofumesate. The regulatory actions proposed in this document are in follow-up to the Agency's reregistration program under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and the tolerance reassessment requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) section 408(q).
Human Studies Review Board; Notice of Public Meeting
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA or Agency) Office of the Science Advisor (OSA) announces a public meeting of the Human Studies Review Board (HSRB) to advise the Agency on EPA's scientific and ethical reviews of human subjects' research.
Findings of Failure To Attain; State of Arizona, Phoenix Nonattainment Area; State of California, Owens Valley Nonattainment Area; Particulate Matter of 10 Microns or Less
EPA is finalizing its findings that the Phoenix Planning Area (Phoenix nonattainment area) and the Owens Valley Planning Area (Owens Valley nonattainment area) did not attain the 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter of 10 microns or less (PM-10) by the deadline mandated in the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), December 31, 2006. These findings are based on monitored air quality data for the PM-10 NAAQS from 2004 through September 2006. Several Indian tribes have reservations located within the boundaries of the Phoenix and Owens Valley nonattainment areas. EPA implements CAA provisions for determining whether such areas have attained the NAAQS by the applicable attainment deadline. After affording the affected tribal leaders the opportunity to consult with EPA on its proposed actions, the Agency is also finding that the tribal areas have failed to attain the 24-hour PM-10 NAAQS. As a result of these failures to attain findings, Arizona and California must submit by December 31, 2007, plan provisions that provide for attainment of the 24-hour PM-10 NAAQS and that achieve 5 percent annual reductions in PM-10 or PM-10 precursor emissions as required by CAA section 189(d).
Ohio: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revision
Ohio has applied to EPA for final authorization of the changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). EPA has reviewed Ohio's application and has preliminarily determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization, and is proposing to authorize the State's changes.
Hazardous Waste Management System; Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste; Final Exclusion
EPA is granting a petition submitted by the Ford Motor Company Kansas City Assembly Plant (Ford) to exclude (or delist) a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge generated by Ford in Claycomo, Missouri, from the lists of hazardous wastes. This final rule responds to the petition submitted by Ford to delist F019 WWTP sludge generated from the facility's waste water treatment plant. After careful analysis and use of the Delisting Risk Assessment Software (DRAS), EPA has concluded the petitioned waste is not hazardous waste. This exclusion applies to 2,000 cubic yards per year of the F019 WWTP sludge. Accordingly, this final rule excludes the petitioned waste from the requirements of hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) when it is disposed in a Subtitle D Landfill.
Pesticides; Draft Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Antimicrobial Pesticide Products With Anthrax-Related Claims
The Agency is announcing the availability of, and seeking public comment on, a draft Pesticide Registration Notice entitled, ``Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticide Products With Anthrax-Related Claims.'' PR notices are issued by the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) to inform pesticide registrants and other interested persons about important policies, procedures, and registration related decisions. This particular notice would, once final, provide guidance to prospective applicants of antimicrobial products that make labeling claims to inactivate Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) spores (hereafter referred to as ``anthrax-related products'').
Pesticides; Food Packaging treated with a Pesticide; Reopening of Comment Period
EPA is reopening the public comment period for a proposed rule concerning pesticide-treated food packaging published in the Federal Register of April 6, 2007. Written comments were required to be submitted by April 21, 2007. EPA is reopening the comment period because the Agency received, considered and accepted a petition to extend the public comment period. This document reopens the comment period for an additional 30 days.
Prevention of Significant Deterioration New Source Review: Refinement of Increment Modeling Procedures
Under the requirements of the Clean Air Act (Act), the New Source Review (NSR) program includes Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) measures, which protect air quality in areas that currently have clean air. For some pollutants, the PSD program protects clean air through a system of ``increments.'' These increments specify the maximum extent to which the ambient concentration of these pollutants may be allowed to increase above the legally defined baseline concentration in an area with clean air. In this rulemaking, we propose to refine several aspects of the method that may be used to calculate an increase in concentration for increment purposes. These refinements are intended to clarify how States and regulated sources may calculate increases in concentrations for the purposes of determining compliance with the PSD increments.
Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program
On January 10, 2006, EPA proposed new requirements under the authority of section 402(c)(3) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to reduce exposure to lead hazards created by renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint in target housing. ``Target housing'' is defined in TSCA section 401 as any housing constructed before 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities (unless any child under age 6 resides or is expected to reside in such housing) or any 0-bedroom dwelling. The 2006 proposal would establish requirements for training renovators and dust sampling technicians; for certifying renovators, dust sampling technicians, and renovation firms; for accrediting providers of renovation and dust sampling technician training; for renovation work practices; and for recordkeeping. That proposal would also allow interested States, Territories, and Indian Tribes the opportunity to apply for and receive authorization to administer and enforce all of the elements of the new renovation requirements. This supplemental notice contains EPA's proposal to add child-occupied facilities to the buildings covered by the 2006 proposal. Child-occupied facilities may be located in public or commercial buildings or in target housing. A child-occupied facility would be defined as a building, or a portion of a building, constructed prior to 1978, visited regularly by the same child, under 6 years of age, on at least two different days within any week (Sunday through Saturday period), provided that each day's visit lasts at least 3 hours and the combined weekly visits last at least 6 hours, and the combined annual visits last at least 60 hours.
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