Environmental Protection Agency 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule implements a recommendation from the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for a decrease in the assessment rate from $1.50 to $0.75 per ton of Washington apricots handled for the 2015-2016 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee locally administers the marketing order and is comprised of producers and handlers of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The new assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.

This document withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2011 to establish a regulation for the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP). The FMPP is a competitive grant program that makes funds available to eligible entities for projects to establish, expand, and promote farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities. The proposed rule would have established eligibility and application requirements, the review and approval process, and grant administration procedures for the FMPP. Additionally, the proposed rule announced AMS's intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information collection for the FMPP. AMS is consolidating the procedures for all of its grant programs, including the FMPP, into one regulation. Thus, a separate regulation for the FMPP is no longer needed and the 2011 proposed rule is withdrawn.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection Export Certificate Request Forms OMB No. 0581-0283.

This rule prescribes late payment and interest charges on past due assessments under the Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order). The Order is administered by the National Processed Raspberry Council (Council) with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the Order, assessments are collected from domestic producers and importers and used for research and promotion projects designed to maintain and expand the market for processed raspberries. This rule implements authority contained in the Order that allows the Council to collect late payment and interest charges on past due assessments. Three additional changes are being made to reflect current practices and update the Order and regulations. The changes will contribute to effective administration of the program and were unanimously recommended by the Council.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for NEW information collection for the Fruit and Vegetable Specialty Crops Inspection Division.

This proposed rule would address recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) following their October 2014 meeting. These recommendations pertain to the 2015 Sunset Review of substances on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). Consistent with the recommendations from the NOSB, this proposed rule would remove two non- organic agricultural substances from the National List for use in organic handling, fortified cooking winesmarsala wine and sherry wine. This proposed rule would also remove two listings for synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production on the National List, streptomycin and tetracycline, as their use exemptions expired on October 21, 2014.

This decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 905 (order), which regulates the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos (citrus) grown in Florida, and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. The amendments are based on proposals made by the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee), which is responsible for local administration of the order, and is comprised of growers and handlers. These amendments would: authorize regulation of new varieties and hybrids of citrus fruit; authorize the regulation of intrastate shipments of fruit; revise the process for redistricting the production area; change the term of office and tenure requirements for Committee members; authorize mail balloting procedures for Committee membership nominations; increase the capacity of financial reserve funds; authorize pack and container requirements for domestic shipments and authorize different regulations for different markets; eliminate the use of separate acceptance statements in the nomination process; and require handlers to register with the Committee. These proposed amendments are intended to improve the operation and administration of the order.

EPA is announcing its receipt of test data submitted pursuant to a test rule issued by EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). As required by TSCA, this document identifies each chemical substance and/or mixture for which test data have been received; the uses or intended uses of such chemical substance and/or mixture; and describes the nature of the test data received. Each chemical substance and/or mixture related to this announcement is identified in Unit I. under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of June 10, 2015, concerning amendments to terminate uses in certain pesticide registrations. This document corrects errors in the sections titled ``DATES'' and ``What action is the agency taking?''.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action finding that 24 states have failed to submit infrastructure State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to satisfy certain interstate transport requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) with respect to the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). Specifically, these requirements pertain to significant contribution to nonattainment, or interference with maintenance, of the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS in other states. These findings of failure to submit establish a 2-year deadline for the EPA to promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address the interstate transport SIP requirements pertaining to significant contribution to nonattainment and interference with maintenance unless, prior to the EPA promulgating a FIP, the state submits, and the EPA approves, a SIP that meets these requirements.

EPA and NHTSA, on behalf of the Department of Transportation, are each proposing rules to establish a comprehensive Phase 2 Heavy- Duty (HD) National Program that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption for new on-road heavy-duty vehicles. This technology-advancing program would phase in over the long-term, beginning in the 2018 model year and culminating in standards for model year 2027, responding to the President's directive on February 18, 2014, to develop new standards that will take us well into the next decade. NHTSA's proposed fuel consumption standards and EPA's proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emission standards are tailored to each of four regulatory categories of heavy-duty vehicles: Combination tractors; trailers used in combination with those tractors; heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans; and vocational vehicles. The proposal also includes separate standards for the engines that power combination tractors and vocational vehicles. Certain proposed requirements for control of GHG emissions are exclusive to EPA programs. These include EPA's proposed hydrofluorocarbon standards to control leakage from air conditioning systems in vocational vehicles, and EPA's proposed nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) standards for heavy-duty engines. Additionally, NHTSA is addressing misalignment in the Phase 1 standards between EPA and NHTSA to ensure there are no differences in compliance standards between the agencies. In an effort to promote efficiency, the agencies are also proposing to amend their rules to modify reporting requirements, such as the method by which manufacturers submit pre-model, mid-model, and supplemental reports. EPA's proposed HD Phase 2 GHG emission standards are authorized under the Clean Air Act and NHTSA's proposed HD Phase 2 fuel consumption standards authorized under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. These standards would begin with model year 2018 for trailers under EPA standards and 2021 for all of the other heavy-duty vehicle and engine categories. The agencies estimate that the combined standards would reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1 billion metric tons and save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of vehicles and engines sold during the Phase 2 program, providing over $200 billion in net societal benefits. As noted, the proposal also includes certain EPA-specific provisions relating to control of emissions of pollutants other than GHGs. EPA is seeking comment on non- GHG emission standards relating to the use of auxiliary power units installed in tractors. In addition, EPA is proposing to clarify the classification of natural gas engines and other gaseous-fueled heavy- duty engines, and is proposing closed crankcase standards for emissions of all pollutants from natural gas heavy-duty engines. EPA is also proposing technical amendments to EPA rules that apply to emissions of non-GHG pollutants from light-duty motor vehicles, marine diesel engines, and other nonroad engines and equipment. Finally, EPA is proposing to require that rebuilt engines installed in new incomplete vehicles meet the emission standards applicable in the year of assembly, including all applicable standards for criteria pollutants.

The Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS) will meet in Washington, DC, on Friday, July 31, 2015, 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. (EDT). The Subcommittee will discuss rural strategy; E-Enterprise; and other issues and recommendations to the Administrator regarding environmental issues affecting small communities. The Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) will meet in Washington, DC, on Thursday, July 30, 2015, 8:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (EDT), and Friday, July 31, 2015, 9:15 a.m.- 12:40 p.m. (EDT). The focus of the Committee meeting will be on issues pertaining to protecting America's waters; hydrofracturing; cleaning up our communities; air, climate and energy; and climate change resiliency and sustainability. These are open meetings, and all interested persons are invited to participate. The SCAS will hear comments from the public between 8:35 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, and the LGAC will hear comments from the public between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015. 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a determination of attainment regarding the Liberty-Clairton, Pennsylvania 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) nonattainment area (hereafter ``Liberty-Clairton Area'' or ``the Area''). EPA is determining that the Liberty-Clairton Area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), based upon quality-assured, quality-controlled and certified ambient air monitoring data for the calendar years 2012-2014. EPA's final ``clean data determination'' will suspend the requirements to submit for the Liberty-Clairton Area an attainment demonstration, reasonably available control measures (RACM), reasonable further progress (RFP), and contingency measures related to attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, for so long as the Area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. This final determination will not constitute a redesignation to attainment. This final action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a limited approval and limited disapproval of revisions to the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC), oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from open burning. Under authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), this action simultaneously approves a local rule that regulates these emission sources and directs BCAQMD to correct rule deficiencies.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). Included in this approval are the following three SIP demonstrations from FRAQMD: 2006 Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) Analysis for State Implementation Plan (SIP), November 2006; Reasonably Available Control Technology State Implementation Plan Revision Negative Declaration for Control Techniques Guidelines Issued 2006- 2008, June 1, 2009; and Reasonably Available Control Technology Analysis and Negative Declarations, July 3, 2014. The first two demonstrations address the 1997 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, and the third demonstration addresses the 2008 8-hour NAAQS for ozone. The submitted SIPs also contain negative declarations for volatile organic compound (VOC) source categories for the years 2006, 2009 and 2014. We are proposing to approve the submitted SIP revisions under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act). We are also proposing to approve a local rule that regulates gasoline dispending facilities.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating the materials submitted by Kansas that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the state implementation plan (SIP). 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 agency and approved by EPA. This update affects the SIP materials that are available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and the Regional Office.

EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of May 6, 2015, concerning Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses. The notice inadvertently identified the applications listed as being new active ingredients rather than new uses. This document corrects that error and also reopens the comment period for an additional 30 days. EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of prohexadione calcium in or on strawberry and watercress. Inter-Regional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by the registrants to voluntarily cancel their registrations of certain products containing the pesticides carfentrazone-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, dichlorprop-p, flufenpyr-ethyl, flutolanil, glyphosate, metsulfuron, MGK 264, paraquat dichloride, piperonyl butoxide, propoxur, pyrethrins, quizalofop, thifensulfuron-methyl, and tribenuron-methyl and to amend their malathion, propoxur, and sulfur dioxide product registrations to terminate one or more uses. The requests are to terminate the malathion use in or on cull fruits and vegetable dumps and terminate the sulfur dioxide use in or on grapes. The request would also terminate all indoor aerosol, spray, and liquid formulations of propoxur, terminate its use in food handling establishments, and terminate indoor crack and crevice use. The requests do not seek to cancel the last carfentrazone- ethyl, chlorsulfuron, dichlorprop-p, flutolanil, glyphosate, metsulfuron, MGK 264, paraquat dichloride, piperonyl butoxide, propoxur, pyrethrins, quizalofop, thifensulfuron-methyl, and tribenuron-methyl products registered for use in the United States. The requests, if granted, would terminate the last flufenpyr-ethyl products registered in the United States. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of these requests, or unless the registrants withdraw their requests. If these requests are granted, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted after the affected registrations have been cancelled or uses terminated only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms described in the final cancellation order.

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), ``National Water Quality Inventory Reports (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 1560.11, OMB Control No. 2040-0071) 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 submitting the ICR to OMB, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a request for renewal of an existing collection. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing performance specifications and test procedures for hydrogen chloride (HCl) continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) to provide sources and regulatory agencies with criteria and test procedures for evaluating the acceptability of HCl CEMS. The final performance specification (Performance Specification 18) includes requirements for initial acceptance, including instrument accuracy and stability assessments. This action also finalizes quality assurance (QA) procedures for HCl CEMS used for compliance determination at stationary sources. The QA procedures (Procedure 6) specify the minimum QA requirements necessary for the control and assessment of the quality of CEMS data submitted to the EPA. This action establishes consistent requirements for ensuring and assessing the quality of HCl data measured by CEMS. The affected systems are those used for determining compliance with emission standards for HCl on a continuous basis as specified in an applicable permit or regulation. The affected industries and their North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this preamble.

In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended, (``CAA'' or the ``Act''), notice is hereby given of a proposed consent decree to address a lawsuit filed by Sierra Club and California Communities Against Toxics (collectively ``Plaintiffs''): Sierra Club, et al. v. EPA, No. 13-1639 (D. DC). In this lawsuit, Plaintiffs allege that EPA has failed to review, and revise if necessary, the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (``NESHAP'') for publicly owned treatment works (``POTWs'') within eight years of initial promulgation. They also allege that EPA failed to promulgate ``residual risk'' standards for POTWs or to determine that residual risk standards for POTWs are not necessary within eight years of initial promulgation of the NESHAP. The proposed consent decree establishes deadlines for EPA to take proposed and final action for meeting EPA's obligations under the applicable CAA provisions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving an Early Progress Plan and motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) for Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Wisconsin submitted an Early Progress Plan for Sheboygan County on January 16, 2015. This submittal was developed to establish MVEBs for the Sheboygan 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. This approval of the Early Progress Plan for the Sheboygan 8-hour ozone area is based on EPA's determination that Wisconsin has demonstrated that the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision containing these MVEBs, when considered with the emissions from all sources, shows some progress toward attainment from the 2011 base year through a 2015 target year.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a January 24, 2013 State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted for the State of Maryland by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). This revision pertains to preconstruction permitting requirements under Maryland's minor New Source Review (NSR) program. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is announcing its receipt of test data submitted pursuant to a test rule issued by EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). As required by TSCA, this document identifies each chemical substance and/or mixture for which test data have been received; the uses or intended uses of such chemical substance and/or mixture; and describes the nature of the test data received. Each chemical substance and/or mixture related to this announcement is identified in Unit I. under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.