Environmental Protection Agency March 14, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA is amending the transportation conformity rule to finalize provisions that were proposed on August 13, 2010. These amendments restructure several sections of the transportation conformity rule so that they apply to any new or revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards. EPA is also finalizing several clarifications to improve implementation of the rule. EPA is not taking a final action at this time on the proposal that areas analyze a near-term analysis year when using the budget test. The Clean Air Act requires federally supported transportation plans, transportation improvement programs, and projects to be consistent with (conform to) the purpose of the state air quality implementation plan. EPA consulted with the U.S. Department of Transportation and they concur in the development of this final rule.

The EPA invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to the Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB). The ELAB is a multi-stakeholder federal advisory committee that provides independent advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator, Science Advisor, and Forum on Environmental Measurements about cross-cutting issues related to enhancing measurement programs in the EPA, and facilitating the operation and expansion of national environmental accreditation. This notice solicits nominations to fill six new vacancies. To maintain diverse representation, nominees will be selected from the following stakeholder work force sectors: Academia. Business and industry. Environmental laboratory commercial, municipal, small, other. Environmental laboratory suppliers of services. State and local government agencies. Tribal governments and indigenous groups. Trade associations. Within these sectors, the EPA is seeking nominees with knowledge in methods development; measurements; monitoring and regulatory programs; quality systems; and environmental accreditation. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, the EPA encourages nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups. All nominations will be fully considered. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to this advisory committee. Individuals may self-nominate. Nominees should possess the following qualifications: Demonstrated experience with environmental measurement programs and environmental accreditation; Willingness to commit time to the committee, and demonstrated ability to work constructively and effectively on committees; Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication and consensus-building skills; and Ability to serve a two-year appointment and volunteer approximately five to seven hours per month to support the activities of the ELAB. How to Submit Nominations: Nominations can be submitted in electronic format (preferred) to Lara P. Autry, Designated Federal Officer, US EPA, MC E243-05, 109 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, or emailed to autry.lara@epa.gov and should be received by April 13, 2012 for October 2012 appointment. To be considered, all nomination packages should include: Current contact information for the nominee, including the nominee's name, organization (and position within that organization), current business address, email address, and daytime telephone number. A brief statement describing the nominee's interest in serving on the ELAB. A resume describing the professional and educational qualifications of the nominee, including a list of relevant activities, and any current or previous service on advisory committees. Letter(s) of recommendation from a third party supporting the nomination. For further questions regarding this notice, please contact Lara P. Autry on (919) 541-5544 or autry.lara@epa.gov.

This document announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.

EPA is taking final action to approve the state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), to demonstrate that the State meets the requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) with respect to sections 110(a)(2)(C) and (J), of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a state implementation plan (SIP) for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. TDEC certified that the Tennessee SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Tennessee (hereafter referred to as ``infrastructure submission''). Tennessee's infrastructure submission, provided to EPA on December 14, 2007, and clarified in a subsequent May 28, 2009, submission, addressed the required infrastructure elements for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, however the subject of this notice is limited to infrastructure elements 110(a)(2)(C) and (J). All other applicable Tennessee infrastructure elements will be addressed in a separate rulemaking.