Environmental Protection Agency March 30, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public comment period for the draft document titled, ``First External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate MatterEcological Criteria'' (EPA/600/R-16/ 372). The draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) as part of the review of the secondary (welfare- based) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, and particulate matter. The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides the scientific basis for EPA's decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. On January 28, 2016, EPA released a separate ISA as part of an independent review for the primary (health- based) NAAQS for oxides of nitrogen (EPA/600/R-15/068). In addition, EPA is currently developing separate ISAs to support the primary NAAQS review for oxides of sulfur and the primary and non-ecological secondary (e.g., visibility, climate, materials damage) NAAQS review for particulate matter. EPA is releasing this draft document to seek review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public (meeting date and location to be specified in a separate Federal Register notice). This draft document is not final, as described in EPA's information quality guidelines, and it does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, Agency policy or views. When revising the document, EPA will consider any public comments submitted during the public comment period specified in this notice.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), ``Compliance Assurance Monitoring Program'' (EPA ICR No. 1663.09, OMB Control No. 2060-0376) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through March 31, 2017. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register (81 FR 44860) on July 11, 2016 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.

In accordance with the Presidential directive as expressed in the memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' and the Federal Register document published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) on January 26, 2017, the EPA is proposing to further delay the effective date for Partial Approval and Partial Disapproval of Attainment Plan for the Idaho Portion of the Logan, Utah/Idaho PM2.5 Nonattainment Area for up to 90 days.

In accordance with the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (``CERCLA''), notice is hereby given of the proposed administrative settlement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'') and the City of Central, CO (``Settling Party''). Pursuant to the terms of the proposed settlement, the Settling Party will enact a land use ordinance and conduct operations and maintenance activities over the Quartz Hill Tailings Pile, within the Central City/ Clear Creek Superfund Site. In exchange, the EPA will provide a covenant not to sue, and release certain liens against property owned by the Settling Party within the Central City/Clear Creek Superfund Site. The State of Colorado is also a signatory to the proposed agreement.