Environmental Protection Agency December 20, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ``Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2011 Renewable Fuel StandardsPetition for International Aggregate Compliance Approach'' (EPA ICR No. 2398.03, OMB Control No. 2060-0655 to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through February 28, 2014. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

EPA proposes to modify a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for placer mining operations in Idaho using small suction dredges (intake nozzle size of 5 inches in diameter or less and with equipment rated at 15 horsepower or less). When the 2013 GP was issued, the language of the GP contained a discrepancy with the total maximum daily load (TMDL) that was issued for Mores Creek. The GP did not include any reference to the tributaries of Mores, Elk or Grimes creeks that were included in the loading allocations of the TMDL. This modification proposes to rectify that discrepancy by including a reference to the tributaries within the GP requirements for Mores, Grimes and Elk creeks and listing the tributaries in Appendix F to the GP. Other parts of the GP are not open for public comment at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB), as previously announced, holds teleconference meetings the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. ET and two face-to-face meetings each calendar year. For 2014, teleconference only meetings will be February 19, 2014; March 19, 2014; April 16, 2014; May 21, 2014; June 18, 2014; July 16, 2014; September 17, 2014; October 15, 2014; November 19, 2014; and December 17, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. ET to discuss the ideas and views presented at the previous ELAB meetings, as well as new business. Items to be discussed by ELAB over these coming meetings include: (1) Issues in continuing the expansion of national environmental accreditation; (2) ELAB support to the Agency on issues relating to measurement and monitoring for all programs; and (3) follow-up on some of ELAB's past recommendations and issues. In addition to these teleconferences, ELAB will be hosting their two face- to-face meetings with teleconference line also available on January 27, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Louisville in Louisville, KY at 8:00 a.m. (CT) and on August 4, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC at 8:00 a.m. (ET). Written comments on laboratory accreditation issues and/or environmental monitoring or measurement issues are encouraged and should be sent to Ms. Lara P. Phelps, DFO, US EPA (E243-05), 109 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 or emailed to phelps.lara@epa.gov. Members of the public are invited to listen to the teleconference calls, and time permitting, will be allowed to comment on issues discussed during this and previous ELAB meetings. Those persons interested in attending should call Lara P. Phelps at (919) 541-5544 to obtain teleconference information. For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Lara P. Phelps at the number above. To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Lara P. Phelps, preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request.

This regulation establishes tolerances in or on multiple commodities and removes several established tolerances for residues of mandipropamid, which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invite public comment on the intent of the two agencies to find that Oregon has failed to submit an approvable Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program. The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA) directs states and territories with coastal zone management programs previously approved under Section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act to develop and implement coastal nonpoint programs, which must be submitted to NOAA and EPA for approval. Prior to making such a finding, NOAA and EPA invite public input on the two federal agencies' reasoning particularly because, among other things, a finding that a state has failed to submit an approvable program would lead to adverse financial consequences for the State in terms of federal grant funding.