Environmental Protection Agency March 7, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to determine that the Saint Louis PM2.5 nonattainment area in Illinois and Missouri has attained the 1997 annual fine particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This proposed determination of attainment is based upon complete, quality assured, quality controlled, and certified ambient air monitoring data, from the 2007-2009 monitoring period, which show that the Saint Louis area has monitored attainment of the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA also evaluated incomplete data from this period from other monitors in the area, as well as preliminary data available to date for 2010. EPA believes these data support the determination that the area has attained the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS. If this proposed determination is made final, the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available control measures (RACM) to include reasonably available control technology (RACT), a reasonable further progress plan, contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plans (SIPs) revisions related to attainment of the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS shall be suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA's determination that this area has attained the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS is not equivalent to redesignating the area to attainment. This action does not constitute a redesignation to attainment under section 107(d)(3) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) because the States of Missouri and Illinois have not yet submitted, and EPA has not yet approved, a maintenance plan for the area as required under that section and section 175A of the Act, nor has EPA promulgated a determination that the area has met other requirements for redesignation. The designation status of the area will remain nonattainment for the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS until such time as EPA determines that this area meets the CAA requirements for redesignation to attainment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the cancellation of a March 11, 2011 external peer review meeting of the draft document titled, ``A Method to Assess Climate-Relevant Decisions: Application in the Chesapeake Bay'' (EPA/600/R-10/096a), announced earlier (76 FR 4345, January 25, 2011). EPA has received the written reviews from the external peer review members as well as public comments received during the public comment period from August 31 to November 1, 2010 (announced in 75 FR 168, August 31, 2010). EPA has concluded that a public peer review meeting is not warranted as the comments from the peer reviewers and the public are not controversial or conflicting and can be readily accommodated. Consistent with EPA practices, we will post all of the peer reviewer's comments and those of the public along with EPA's responses when the final report is released publicly, within the next 120 days.

EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD), Kern County Air Pollution Control District (KCAPCD), and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). Under authority of the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act), we are approving local rules that define terms used in other air pollution regulations in these areas.

During a review of Texas' regulations, the EPA identified a variety of State-initiated changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). We have determined that these changes are minor and satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for Final authorization and are authorizing the State-initiated changes through this Direct Final action. 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. The EPA uses the regulations entitled ``Approved State Hazardous Waste Management Programs'' to provide notice of the authorization status of State programs and to incorporate by reference those provisions of the State statutes and regulations that will be subject to the EPA's inspection and enforcement. The rule codifies in the regulations the prior approval of Texas' hazardous waste management program and incorporates by reference authorized provisions of the State's statutes and regulations.