Environmental Protection Agency January 26, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

All ten EPA Regions today are proposing for public comment the draft 2016 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) pesticide general permit (PGP)the ``draft 2016 PGP.'' The draft 2016 PGP covers point source discharges from the application of pesticides to waters of the United States. Once finalized, the draft 2016 PGP will replace the existing permit that will expire at midnight on October 31, 2016. The draft 2016 PGP has the same conditions and requirements as the 2011 PGP and would authorize certain point source discharges from the application of pesticides to waters of the United States in accordance with the terms and conditions described therein. EPA proposes to issue this permit for five (5) years in all areas of the country where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority. EPA solicits public comment on all aspects of the draft 2016 PGP. This Federal Register notice describes the draft 2016 PGP in general and also includes specific topics about which the Agency is particularly seeking comment. The fact sheet accompanying the permit contains supporting documentation. EPA encourages the public to read the fact sheet to better understand the draft 2016 PGP.

On November 27, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested information related to hazardous air pollutant emissions from sources in the oil and natural gas production and natural gas transmission and storage segments of the oil and natural gas sector. The deadline to respond to our request was January 26, 2016. In response to requests from several stakeholders, the EPA is extending the period to respond to our request for information to March 11, 2016.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92- 463, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hereby provides notice that the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Executive Committee will host a public teleconference convening on February 8, 2016, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm Eastern Time. The primary discussion will focus on the consolidated report incorporating the five subcommittee reports, which addresses the research and future direction of the Office of Research and Development's (ORD) National Research Programs. The five subcommittees are: Air, Climate and Energy; Chemical Safety for Sustainability and Human Health Risk Assessment; Homeland Security; Safe and Sustainable Water Resources; and Sustainable and Healthy Communities. The report also provides advice on two ORD Cross-Cutting Research Roadmaps: Environmental Justice and Climate Change. There will be a public comment period from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm Eastern Time on February 8, 2016. For information on registering to participate on the teleconference or to provide public comment, please see the DATES and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION sections below. Due to a limited number of telephone lines, attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance registration is required. Registration for participating via teleconference closes February 4, 2016. The deadline to sign up to speak during the public comment period or to submit written public comment is February 4, 2016.

The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``NSPS for Phosphate Fertilizer Industry (40 CFR part 60, subparts T, U, V, W, and X) (Renewal)'' (EPA ICR No. 1061.13, OMB Control No. 2060-0037), 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.). This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through January 31, 2016. Public comments were previously requested, via the Federal Register (80 FR 32116), on June 5, 2015 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. A fuller description of the ICR is given below, including its estimated burden and cost to the public. 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.