Environmental Protection Agency August 5, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under 122(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency has entered into a settlement with Herbert N. Francis concerning the Ore Knob Mine Superfund Site located in Laurel Springs, Ashe County, North Carolina. The settlement addresses cost incurred by the agency in conducting a fund lead Removal.

The EPA is proposing to approve a limited maintenance plan submitted by the State of Washington on July 1, 2013, for the Thurston County maintenance area (Thurston County) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers (PM10). The EPA is also proposing to approve both local and state regulatory updates related to this maintenance plan.

EPA is proposing to approve Maine's October 13, 2012, request for an exemption from the nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions control requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) in relation to the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (standards or NAAQS). EPA's proposed approval of Maine's request is based on a technical demonstration submitted to EPA by Maine's Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) showing that NOX emissions in Maine are not having a significant adverse impact on the ability of any nonattainment area located in the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) to attain the ozone standards during times when elevated ozone levels are monitored in those areas. Additionally, EPA is also proposing to approve the State of Maine's February 11, 2013 request that EPA approve a ``limited opt-out'' or ``restructuring'' of the Act's OTR requirements pertaining to nonattainment New Source Review (NSR) permitting requirements applicable to major new and modified stationary sources of volatile organic compounds (VOC). EPA is proposing to approve Maine's request because a technical demonstration submitted by ME DEP shows convincingly that the control of VOC emissions throughout the entire State of Maine through implementation of the VOC nonattainment NSR permitting requirements will not significantly contribute to the attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone standards in any area of the OTR.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates representing tribal governments and communities to be considered for appointment to the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). Vacancies are anticipated to be filled by February, 2014. Sources in addition to this Federal Register Notice may be utilized in the solicitation of nominees. Background: NACEPT is a federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92-463. EPA established NACEPT in 1988 to provide advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, management and technology issues. Members serve as representatives from academia, industry, non- governmental organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments. Members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for two year terms. The Council usually meets 2-3 times annually face-to-face or via video/ teleconference and the average workload for the members is approximately 10 to 15 hours per month. Members serve on the Council in a voluntary capacity. However, EPA provides reimbursement for travel and incidental expenses associated with official government business. EPA is seeking nominations from candidates representing tribal governments/communities. Within these sectors, EPA is seeking nominees with knowledge in community sustainability, public health and health disparities, land use and sustainable development, green jobs and economic initiatives, energy, and environmental financing. Nominees will be considered according to the mandates of FACA, which requires committees to maintain diversity across a broad range of constituencies, sectors, and groups. EPA values and welcomes diversity. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, EPA encourages nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups, as well as geographic locale. The following criteria will be used to evaluate nominees: