Environmental Protection Agency 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the draft updated national recommended water quality criteria for the protection of human health announced in a previous notice entitled ``Updated National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health.'' In response to stakeholder requests, the EPA is extending the period of time in which the Agency will accept scientific views for an additional 30 days.

On May 19, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa (Bois Forte) had submitted a complete application under section 404 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requesting authorization to administer and enforce the requirements for TSCA sections 402(a), 402(c), and 406(b) in accordance with the provisions of TSCA for trust lands located within the exterior boundaries of the reservation. These programs ensure that: Individuals engaged in certain work that may disturb lead-based paint, including but not limited to abatement and renovation, are properly trained; that training programs are accredited; that contractors engaged in such activities are certified; that owners and occupants of target housing and/or child-occupied facilities are provided information concerning potential hazards of lead-based paint exposure before certain renovations are begun; and that the required work is performed in accordance with work practice standards. This notice announces receipt of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa's application and request for authorization to administer the program in lieu of the federal program. EPA has determined that the Bois Forte application is complete, and is now providing a 45-day public comment period and opportunity to request a public hearing.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to Clean Water Act Section 312(f)(3), the State of New York has determined that the protection and enhancement of the quality of the New York State (NYS or the State) area of Lake Erie requires greater environmental protection, and has petitioned the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, for a determination that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for those waters, so that the State may completely prohibit the discharge from all vessels of any sewage, whether treated or not, into such waters. NYS has proposed to establish a ``Vessel Waste No Discharge Zone'' for the NYS area of Lake Erie stretching from the Pennsylvania-New York State boundary to include the upper Niagara River to Niagara Falls. The proposed No Discharge Zone encompasses approximately 593 square miles and 84 linear shoreline miles, including the navigable portions of the Upper Niagara River and numerous other tributaries and harbors, embayments of the Lake including Barcelona Harbor, Dunkirk Harbor and Buffalo Outer Harbor, and other formally designated habitats and waterways of local, state, and national significance. On December 6, 2012, the EPA completed a review of NYS's petition and issued a tentative affirmative determination in the Federal Register that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels for such waters are reasonably available. During the 30-day public comment period, the EPA received significant comments regarding the availability of adequate pumpouts for commercial vessels. Specifically, two commenters submitted that the December 6, 2012 notice did not contain adequate information about the availability of pumpout facilities for large commercial vessels. Subsequently, the EPA and New York State collected additional information to demonstrate the reasonable availability of pumpout services for commercial vessels that use the New York area of Lake Erie.

This action announces the U.S. 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 21 additional methods available for analyzing drinking water samples. This expedited approach provides public water systems, laboratories, and primacy 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating the materials submitted by the State of Nevada that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Nevada State Implementation Plan (SIP). In this action, EPA is also notifying the public of the correction of certain typographical errors within the IBR table. The regulations affected by this update have been previously submitted by the State of Nevada and approved by EPA. This update affects the SIP materials that are available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center located at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and the EPA Regional Office.

This regulation amends tolerances for residues of pyroxasulfone in or on corn, field, forage and corn, field, grain. K-I Chemical U.S.A. Inc. c/o Landis International, Inc. requested these amended tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, four new equivalent methods: One for measuring concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), two for measuring ozone (O3) and one for measuring concentrations of lead (Pb), in the ambient air.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). Vacancies are anticipated to be filled by February 2015. Background: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC) on November 19, 1990, to provide independent advice and counsel to EPA on policy issues associated with implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1990. The Committee advises on economic, environmental, technical, scientific and enforcement policy issues. The programs falling under the purview of the committee include the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, emissions from vehicles and vehicle fuels, air toxic emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, operating permits and collecting fees, and other authorities. Members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for two-year terms with the possibility of reappointment to additional terms. The CAAAC usually meets two to three times annually and the average workload for the members is approximately 5 to 8 hours per month. Although we are unable to offer compensation or an honorarium for your services, you may receive travel and per diem allowances, according to applicable federal travel regulations. Additional information on these meetings, CAAAC and its Subcommittees can be found on the CAAAC Web site: https://www.epa.gov/air/caaac/. EPA is seeking nominations from academia, industry, non- governmental/environmental organizations, state and local government agencies, tribal governments, unions, trade associations, utilities, and lawyers/consultants. 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. The following criteria will be used to evaluate nominees:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a joint public meeting of the Chartered SAB and the EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) Chartered Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) to develop strategic advice on ORD's research activities, six joint SAB-BOSC public teleconference calls to prepare for the face-to-face meeting, and one public teleconference to orient new SAB members to ORD's work.

The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (doing business as The National Environmental Education Foundation or NEEF) was created by Section 10 of Public Law 101-619, the National Environmental Education Act of 1990. It is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to promote and support education and training as necessary tools to further environmental protection and sustainable, environmentally sound development. It provides the common ground upon which leaders from business and industry, all levels of government, public interest groups, and others can work cooperatively to expand the reach of environmental education and training programs beyond the traditional classroom. The Foundation promotes innovative environmental education and training programs such as environmental education for medical healthcare providers and broadcast meteorologists; it also develops partnerships with government and other organizations to administer projects that promote the development of an environmentally literal public. The Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as required by the terms of the Act, announces the following appointment to the National Environmental Education Foundation Board of Directors. The appointee is David M. Kiser, Ph.D., Vice President, Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability, International Paper.

The Small Community Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS) will meet via teleconference on Thursday, July 3, 2014, 2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (EDT). The Subcommittee will discuss small community issues related to EPA's Waters of the United States. This is an open meeting. Individuals or organizations wishing to address the Subcommittee meeting will be allowed a maximum of five minutes to present their point of view on issues pertaining to small communities. The Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) will meet via teleconference on Thursday, July 3, 2014, 2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (EDT). The Committee meeting will focus on the Protecting America's Waters Workgroup initial recommendations on the Waters of the United States. These are open meetings, and all interested persons are invited to participate. The Subcommittee will hear comments from the public between 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2014, and the Committee will hear comments from the public between 2:45 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2014. Individuals or organizations wishing to address the Subcommittee or the Committee will be allowed a maximum of five minutes to present their point of view. Also, written comments should be submitted electronically to eargle.frances@epa.gov. Please contact the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at the number listed below to schedule a time on the agenda. Time will be allotted on a first-come first-serve basis, and the total period for comments may be extended if the number of requests for appearances requires it.

In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of request for amendments by registrants to delete uses in certain pesticide registrations. FIFRA provides that a registrant of a pesticide product may at any time request that any of its pesticide registrations be amended to delete one or more uses. FIFRA further provides that, before acting on the request, EPA must publish a notice of receipt of any request in the Federal Register.

In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to address greenhouse gas emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units. Specifically, the EPA is proposing state- specific rate-based goals for carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector, as well as guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to achieve the state-specific goals. This rule, as proposed, would continue progress already underway to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants in the United States.

EPA received from Nation Ford Chemical (NFC) a request for a waiver from testing requirements promulgated by rule under section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act to ascertain whether certain specified chemical substances may be contaminated with halogenated dibenzodioxins (HDDs)/dibenzofurans (HDFs). EPA will accept comments on this request and will publish another Federal Register document on or before July 21, 2014, announcing its decision on this request.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hereby issues notice of the withdrawal of one Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for lead, as found in the document titled ``TMDLs for Lead and Siltation/ Turbidity for Big Creek near Sheridan, Arkansas.'' The TMDL was established by the EPA in March of 2008. This withdrawal action will not affect the TMDLs for Siltation/Turbidity established in the same TMDL document. The lead TMDL is being withdrawn in this unique circumstance based on uncertainty in the representativeness of the data associated with the original listing for lead in Big Creek near Sheridan (reach 08040203-904) and, therefore, the questionable need for the TMDL.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend the standards and practices for conducting all appropriate inquiries under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to remove the reference to ASTM International's E1527-05 standard practice. This 2005 standard practice recently was replaced with updated standard E1527-13 by ASTM International, a widely recognized standards development organization. Specifically, EPA is proposing to amend the ``All Appropriate Inquiries Rule'' to remove the reference to ASTM International's E1527-05 ``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process.''

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Delaware for the purpose of amending Delaware's ambient air quality standards. These amendments will bring the regulatory standards of sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and particulate matter up to date with current Federal requirements. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The revision involves removing the Commonwealth's portable fuel container (PFC) regulation which controlled evaporative emissions from new and in-use portable fuel containers from Pennsylvania's SIP because the Commonwealth's provisions are superseded by new, more stringent Federal PFC regulations. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the Commonwealth's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A more detailed description of the state submittal and EPA's evaluation is included in the notice of direct final rulemaking and the Technical Support Document (TSD) prepared in support of this rulemaking action. The TSD is available on www.regulations.gov under Docket ID No. EPA- R03-OAR-2014-0298. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action on two components of its annual rulemaking to establish the 2014 renewable fuels standards under Clean Air Act 211(o). The two components are an extension of the compliance demonstration deadline for the 2013 renewable fuel standards, and the associated deadline for submission of attest engagement reports for the 2013 renewable fuel standards. The new deadlines are September 30, 2014 and January 30, 2015, respectively. This action ensures timely amendment of existing deadlines, before compliance obligations would otherwise go into effect. The EPA intends to finalize the remaining portion of its rulemaking to establish the 2014 renewable fuel standards shortly.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns particulate matter (PM) emissions from agricultural sources. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes the semiannual regulatory agenda online (the e-Agenda) at https:// www.reginfo.gov and at www.regulations.gov to update the public about: Regulations and major policies currently under development, Reviews of existing regulations and major policies, and Rules and major policymakings completed or canceled since the last agenda.

As part of the review of the air quality criteria for sulfur oxides (SOX) and primary (health-based) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide (SO2), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a teleconference workshop to evaluate preliminary draft materials that will inform the development of the SOX Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for health effects. The workshop is being organized by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within the Office of Research and Development and will be held on June 23-24, 2014. Participation in the workshop will be by webinar or teleconference only.

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), Hazardous Waste Generator Standards (Renewal) (EPA ICR No. 0820.13, OMB Control No. 2050-0035) 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 October 31, 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.

The Director of the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division (CEPD), Environmental Protection AgencyRegion 2 (EPA), is issuing this Notice of a Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit, PRR040000/PRR04000F, for discharges from small municipal separate storm sewer systems (small MS4) from urbanized areas within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to waters of the United States. This draft NPDES general permit establishes Notice of Intent (NOI) requirements, standards, prohibitions and management practices for discharges of storm water from small MS4s urbanized areas. A prior Notice of Availability of a draft general permit was issued by EPA in November 2005. EPA has substantially modified the draft general permit and is issuing a new draft general permit pursuant to 40 CFR part 124.