Environmental Protection Agency January 15, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): ``Foreign Purchaser Acknowledgement Statement of Unregistered Pesticides'' (FPAS) and identified by EPA ICR No. 0161.13 and OMB Control No. 2070-0027. The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized in this document. EPA has addressed the comments received in response to the previously provided public review opportunity issued in the Federal Register on May 8, 2015 (80 FR 26554). With this submission, EPA is providing an additional 30 days for public review.

This notice announces the availability of EPA's draft pollinator-only ecological risk assessment for the registration review of imidacloprid and opens a public comment period on this document. Registration review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. As part of the registration review process, the Agency has completed a comprehensive draft pollinator-only ecological risk assessment for all registered agricultural uses of imidacloprid, with focus on agricultural crops that are attractive to pollinators. After reviewing comments received during the public comment period, EPA will issue a revised pollinator risk assessment, explain any changes to the draft risk assessment, and respond to comments and may request public input on risk mitigation before completing a proposed registration review decision for imidacloprid. The revised risk assessment will also address the ecological risks for all other taxa, as well as a comprehensive draft human health risk assessment. Through the registration review program, EPA is ensuring that each pesticide's registration is based on current scientific and other knowledge, including its effects on human health and the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a partial approval and partial disapproval of revisions to the Sacramento Metropolitan (Metro) Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD or District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern the District's demonstration regarding Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements for the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). We are proposing action on a local SIP revision under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve revisions to the Operating Permits Program for the State of Missouri submitted on March 16, 2015. These revisions update the emissions fee for permitted sources as set by Missouri Statute from $40 to $48 per ton of air pollution emitted annually, effective January 1, 2016.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend specific provisions in the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule to streamline and improve implementation of the rule, to improve the quality and consistency of the data collected under the rule, and to clarify or provide minor updates to certain provisions that have been the subject of questions from reporting entities. This action also proposes confidentiality determinations for the reporting of certain data elements to the program. This action also proposes action in response to a petition to reconsider specific aspects of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule.