Environmental Protection Agency 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action announces the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) approval of alternative testing methods for use in measuring the levels of contaminants in drinking water and determining compliance with national primary drinking water regulations. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes EPA to approve the use of alternative testing methods through publication in the Federal Register. EPA is using this streamlined authority to make 99 additional methods available for analyzing drinking water samples required by regulation. This expedited approach provides public water systems, laboratories, and primary agencies with more timely access to new measurement techniques and greater flexibility in the selection of analytical methods, thereby reducing monitoring costs while maintaining public health protection.

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92463, EPA gives notice of a meeting of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board. The Board meets three times each calendar year at different locations along the U.S.-Mexico border and in Washington, DC. It was created by the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative Act of 1992. An Executive Order delegates implementing authority to the Administrator of EPA. The Board is responsible for providing advice to the President on environmental and infrastructure issues and needs within the States contiguous to Mexico. The statute calls for the Board to have representatives from U.S. Government agencies; the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas; tribal representation; and a variety of non-governmental officials. The purpose of this meeting is to hear presentations on local environmental issues as well as the theme selected for the Board's Twelfth Report: Innovation, including Incentives, to Prevent/ Reduce Pollution at the U.S. Mexico Border. The meeting also will include a public comment session and a business meeting on the second day. A copy of the meeting agenda will be posted at https://www.epa.gov/ ocem/gneb.

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.

EPA is approving revisions to the Minnesota State Implementation Plan (SIP) for ozone and particulate matter (PM) which address the ``good neighbor'' provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA). These provisions require each state to submit a SIP that prohibits emissions that adversely affect another state's air quality. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has adequately addressed the four distinct elements related to the impact of interstate transport of air pollutants. These include prohibiting significant contribution to nonattainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in another state, interference with maintenance of the NAAQS in another state, interference with plans in another state to prevent significant deterioration of air quality, and interference with plans in another state to protect visibility.

EPA is taking direct final action on the standards of performance for equipment leaks of VOC in the Synthetic Organic Chemicals Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI) and Petroleum Refineries. On November 16, 2007, EPA promulgated amendments and established new standards for these industries. Following that action, the Administrator received a petition for reconsideration. In response to the petition, EPA granted a stay of certain provisions in the final amendments and new standards. In this action, EPA is extending the stay of the requirements under reconsideration until a final decision is reached on these issues.

EPA is making an interim final determination to extend the stay of certain requirements in the standards of performance for equipment leaks of VOC in the Synthetic Organic Chemicals Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI) and Petroleum Refineries.

Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires any person who intends to manufacture (defined by statute to include import) a new chemical (i.e., a chemical not on the TSCA Inventory) to notify EPA and comply with the statutory provisions pertaining to the manufacture of new chemicals. Under sections 5(d)(2) and 5(d)(3) of TSCA, EPA is required to publish a notice of receipt of a premanufacture notice (PMN) or an application for a test marketing exemption (TME), and to publish periodic status reports on the chemicals under review and the receipt of notices of commencement to manufacture those chemicals. This status report, which covers the period from April 14, 2008 through May 9, 2008, consists of the PMNs and TMEs, both pending or expired, and the notices of commencement to manufacture a new chemical that the Agency has received under TSCA section 5 during this time period.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit the following fifty-two existing, approved, continuing Information Collection Requests (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the purpose of renewing the ICRs. Before submitting the ICRs to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collections as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

EPA expressed environmental concerns about the increase in noise that would disproportionately affect minority and low-income populations in the vicinity of Nellis AFB. EPA recommended additional specific commitments to mitigate adverse noise effects; salvage, recycle, and reuse of demolition waste; and use of materials with recycled content. Rating EC2.

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 request ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This ICR is scheduled to expire on October 30, 2008. 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.

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, 1432.25, is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2008. 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 direct final action to add Method 207 to the promulgated test methods in 40 CFR Part 51. Appendix M contains recommended test methods that are provided for the States to use in their State Implementation Plans. Therefore, this method may be used as an alternative to existing test methods for measuring volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. This pre-survey method was developed by the corn wet-milling industry specifically to VOC mass emissions from processes within the corn wet-milling industry. It provides a systematic approach to develop a specific list of target organic compounds and the appropriate methods to measure those target compounds during subsequent VOC emissions testing. After using the pre-survey procedure, the tester will have sufficient information to design a comprehensive testing program using Method 18 and other appropriate methods to measure the mass of VOC emissions during the actual emissions testing. This method is an alternative to existing test methods and does not add any new reporting requirements to the reporting requirements that already exist. While it is an alternative method, it is the recommended method for measuring VOC mass emissions from corn wet-milling facilities.

This regulation establishes tolerances for combined residues of hexythiazox in or on corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; and corn, field, forage. Gowan Company requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

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 Mid-Cycle Subcommittee.

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.

As part of its review of the air quality criteria and National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM), EPA is announcing that a workshop to evaluate initial draft materials for the PM Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) is being organized by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), and will be held on June 16 and 17, 2008, in Research Triangle Park, NC. The workshop will be open to attendance by interested public observers on a first- come, first-served basis up to the limits of available space.

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) submitted a SIP revision consisting of a maintenance plan that provides for continued attainment of the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for at least 10 years after the April 30, 2004 designations, as well as a 2002 base-year inventory for the Lawrence County Area. EPA is proposing approval of the maintenance plan and the 2002 base-year inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) submitted a SIP revision consisting of a maintenance plan that provides for continued attainment of the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for at least 10 years after the April 30, 2004 designations, as well as a 2002 base-year inventory for the Juniata County Area. EPA is proposing approval of the maintenance plan and the 2002 base-year inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This revision pertains to the removal of a nitrogen oxide (NOX) RACT permit for sources located at the Norfolk Southern Corporation in Roanoke, Virginia, which have permanently shut down. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) as submitted by the Governor of North Dakota with a letter dated March 8, 2007. The revisions affect certain air pollution control rules regarding general provisions, open burning restrictions, permitting, and fugitive emissions. In addition, EPA is proposing to take direct final action approving a revision to a chapter of the SIP regarding an alternative monitoring plan for the Tesoro Mandan Refinery. EPA is also providing notice that on August 22, 2007, North Dakota was delegated authority to implement and enforce certain New Source Performance Standards, as in effect on January 31, 2006. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial SIP revision and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the preamble to the direct final rule. If EPA receives no adverse comments, EPA will not take further action on this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, EPA will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. EPA will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

The Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to authorize states to operate their hazardous waste management programs in lieu of the federal program. Utah has applied to EPA for final authorization of the changes to its hazardous waste program under RCRA. EPA has determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization and is authorizing Utah's changes through this final action.

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been received from the state of Massachusetts requesting a determination by the Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for the waters of Cape Cod Bay in the towns of Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans, Brewster, Dennis, Yarmouth, Barnstable, Sandwich and Bourne.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public teleconference of the SAB Ecological Processes and Effects Committee Augmented for the Advisory on EPA's Ecological Research Program Multi-Year Plan (Plan). The teleconference is being held to discuss the Committee's draft advisory report.

EPA is extending the public comment period for the proposed rule entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; State of California; PM-10; Revision of Designation; Redesignation of the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin PM-10 Nonattainment Area to Attainment; Approval of PM-10 Maintenance Plan for the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin; Approval of Commitments for the East Kern PM-10 Nonattainment Area.'' The proposed rule was published on April 25, 2008 (73 FR 22307). The State of California has since provided technical corrections to the motor vehicle emissions budgets in the 2007 San Joaquin Valley PM-10 Maintenance Plan that EPA is proposing to approve. EPA believes the technical corrections are minor and do not impact other aspects of the April 25, 2008 proposal. EPA is extending the public comment period for the proposed rule until June 10, 2008 in order to provide the public with the opportunity to consider these technical corrections.