81 FR 21863 - Extension of Public Comment Period for the Draft EPA-USGS Technical Report: Protecting Aquatic Life From Effects of Hydrologic Alteration

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 71 (April 13, 2016)

Page Range		21863-21864
FR Document		2016-08491

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the draft technical report: Protecting Aquatic Life from Effects of Hydrologic Alteration. In response to stakeholder requests, the comment period will be extended for an additional 45 days, from May 3, 2016 to June 17, 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21863-21864]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08491]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0335; FRL-9944-91-OW]


Extension of Public Comment Period for the Draft EPA-USGS 
Technical Report: Protecting Aquatic Life From Effects of Hydrologic 
Alteration

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the 
comment period for the draft technical report: Protecting Aquatic Life 
from Effects of Hydrologic Alteration. In response to stakeholder 
requests, the comment period will be extended for an additional 45 
days, from May 3, 2016 to June 17, 2016.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 17, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2015-0335, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. EPA 
may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be

[[Page 21864]]

accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the 
official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish 
to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents 
located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or 
other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full 
EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia 
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please 
visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana Eignor, Health and Ecological 
Criteria Division, Office of Water (Mail Code 4304T), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 566-1143; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 1, 2016 (81 FR 10620), EPA and 
United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced the availability of 
the draft technical report: Protecting Aquatic Life from Effects of 
Hydrologic Alteration, and opened a 60-day public review and comment 
period to solicit additional scientific views, data, and information 
regarding the science and technical approach used in the derivation of 
the draft technical document.
    The original deadline to submit comments was May 2, 2016. This 
action extends the comment period for 45 days. Written comments must 
now be received by June 17, 2016. The draft report and other supporting 
materials may also be viewed and downloaded from EPA's Web site at 
https://www.epa.gov/wqc/aquatic-life-ambient-water-quality-criteria#draft.

    Dated: April 6, 2016.
Joel Beauvais,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 2016-08491 Filed 4-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Notices 21863

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: information gathered while developing Massachusetts small MS4 general
Newton Tedder, Stormwater and responses, EPA modified the initial permit. EPA has obtained concurrence
Construction Permits Section OEP 06–4, draft general permits and issued a draft from the appropriate federal services
Environmental Protection Agency, 5 permit covering all eligible operators in (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
Post Office Square—Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts pursuant to 40 CFR National Marine Fisheries Service)
Massachusetts 02109–3912; 617–918– 124.6. EPA took public comments on regarding the requirements of this
1038; tedder.newton@epa.gov. this draft permit from September 30, general permit.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 2014 to February 27, 2015. EPA received In accordance with the National
over 150 unique written letters and oral Historic Preservation Act, EPA has
General Information comments on the draft permit. established provisions and
EPA is reissuing three final NPDES Concurrent with the release of the final documentation requirements for
permits for discharges of stormwater permit and supplemental materials EPA operators seeking coverage under the
from small MS4s to certain waters will make available a Response to Massachusetts small MS4 general
within the Commonwealth of Comments received on the draft permit. permit to ensure that discharges or
Massachusetts. The three general The Response to Comments will be actions taken under this permit will not
permits are: available on the EPA Web site listed adversely affect historic properties and
MAR041000—Traditional cities and above. Changes to the permit resulting places.
towns from public comments include, but are Authority: This action is being taken
MAR042000—Non-traditional state, not limited to: Reduction of certain under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251
federal, county, and other publicly reporting requirements and metrics, et seq.
owned MS4s reorganization of certain requirements
Dated: April 4, 2016.
MAR043000—Non-traditional for clarity, and extension of deadlines
for certain required tasks and reports H. Curtis Spalding,
transportation MS4s Regional Administrator, Region 1.
within the permit.
While these are technically distinct [FR Doc. 2016–08503 Filed 4–12–16; 8:45 am]
permits, for convenience they have been Obtaining Authorization
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
grouped into a single document and this In order for a small MS4 operator to
document refers to the ‘‘permit’’ in the obtain authorization to discharge, it
singular. The final general permit, must submit a complete and accurate ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
appendices and attachments, as well as NOI containing the information in AGENCY
response to comments on the draft Appendix E of the general permit. The
permit and supplemental fact sheet [EPA–HQ–OW–2015–0335; FRL–9944–91–
NOI must be submitted on or before OW]
information are available at http:// September 29, 2017 (90 days from the
www.epa.gov/region1/npdes/ effective date of the final permit). A Extension of Public Comment Period
stormwater/MS4_MA.html. small MS4 operator must meet the for the Draft EPA–USGS Technical
The conditions in the general permit eligibility requirements of the general Report: Protecting Aquatic Life From
are established pursuant to Clean Water permit found in Part 1.2 and Part 1.9 Effects of Hydrologic Alteration
Act (CWA) section 402(p)(3)(iii) to prior to submission of its NOI. A small
ensure that pollutant discharges from MS4 operator will be authorized to AGENCY: Environmental Protection
small MS4s are reduced to the discharge under the permit upon receipt Agency (EPA).
Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP), of written notice from EPA following a ACTION: Notice; extension of comment
protect water quality, and satisfy the public notice of the submitted NOI. EPA period.
appropriate requirements of the CWA. will authorize the discharge, request
Further information on the requirements additional information, or require the SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection
of the permit related to MEP and water small MS4 to apply for an alternative Agency (EPA) is extending the comment
quality may be found in EPA’s Response permit or an individual permit. NOIs period for the draft technical report:
to Comments document on the above may be submitted electronically to EPA Protecting Aquatic Life from Effects of
Web site. at stormwater.reports@epa.gov or sent Hydrologic Alteration. In response to
EPA issued a final general permit to via regular or overnight mail to: United stakeholder requests, the comment
address stormwater discharges from States Environmental Protection period will be extended for an
small MS4s in Massachusetts and New Agency, Stormwater and Construction additional 45 days, from May 3, 2016 to
Hampshire on May 1, 2003. The 2003 Permits Section OEP 06–1, 5 Post Office June 17, 2016.
general permit required small MS4 Square—Suite 100, Boston, DATES: Comments must be received on
operators to develop and implement a Massachusetts 02109–3912. A copy of or before June 17, 2016.
Stormwater Management Program the NOI shall also be sent to MassDEP ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
(SWMP) designed to control pollutants at the following address: Massachusetts identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
to the maximum extent practicable and Department of Environmental OW–2015–0335, to the Federal
protect water quality. This final general Protection, One Winter Street—5th eRulemaking Portal: http://
permit for Massachusetts MS4s builds Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
on the requirements of the 2003 general ATTN: Frederick Civian, Stormwater instructions for submitting comments.
permit. During 2010, EPA drafted two Once submitted, comments cannot be
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Coordinator.
separate Small MS4 general permits to edited or withdrawn. EPA may publish
replace the 2003 Small MS4 permit for Other Legal Requirements any comment received to its public
eligible operators located in In accordance with the Endangered docket. Do not submit electronically any
Massachusetts; one for operators located Species Act (ESA), EPA has updated the information you consider to be
in the North Coastal watershed and the provisions and necessary actions and Confidential Business Information (CBI)
other for those located in the Interstate, documentation related to potential or other information whose disclosure is
Merrimack and South Coastal impacts to endangered species from restricted by statute. Multimedia
watersheds. Based on comments and discharges and related actions under the submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be

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21864 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2016 / Notices

accompanied by a written comment. Chemical Safety Advisory Committee follow the instructions at http://
The written comment is considered the (CSAC). At this meeting, entitled www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
official comment and should include ‘‘Orientation Session of the Chemical Additional instructions on
discussion of all points you wish to Safety Advisory Committee (CSAC),’’ commenting or visiting the docket,
make. EPA will generally not consider the CSAC will consider and review along with more information about
comments or comment contents located background information on the Toxic dockets, is available at http://
outside of the primary submission (i.e., Substances Control Act (TSCA), the www.epa.gov/dockets.
on the web, cloud, or other file sharing TSCA Work Plan Chemical Program, Requests to present oral comments,
system). For additional submission and aspects of TSCA risk assessment and requests for special
methods, the full EPA public comment approaches. accommodations. Submit requests for
policy, information about CBI or special accommodations, or requests to
DATES: The meeting will be held on May present oral comments to the DFO listed
multimedia submissions, and general
11, 2016, from approximately 1:00 p.m. under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
guidance on making effective
to 5:00 p.m. (EST). This is an open CONTACT.
comments, please visit http://
public meeting that will be conducted
www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
over the Internet using Adobe Connect.
epa-dockets. Scott Lynn, Ph.D., DFO, Office of
Registration is required to attend this
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: meeting. Please visit: http:// Science Coordination and Policy
Diana Eignor, Health and Ecological www.epa.gov/csac to register. (7201M), Environmental Protection
Criteria Division, Office of Water (Mail Comments. The Agency encourages Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Code 4304T), Environmental Protection written comments to be submitted on or Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue before April 26, 2016, and requests for number: (202) 564–2631; email address:
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone oral comments be submitted on or lynn.scott@epa.gov.
number: (202) 566–1143; email address: before May 4, 2016. Written comments SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
eignor.diana@epa.gov. may be submitted until noon on May 10,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
I. General Information
2016; however, anyone submitting
1, 2016 (81 FR 10620), EPA and United written comments after April 26, 2016, A. Does this action apply to me?
States Geological Survey (USGS) should contact the Designated Federal This action is directed to the public
announced the availability of the draft Official (DFO) listed under FOR FURTHER in general. This action may, however, be
technical report: Protecting Aquatic Life INFORMATION CONTACT. For additional of interest to those involved in the
from Effects of Hydrologic Alteration, instructions, see Unit I.C. under manufacture, processing, distribution,
and opened a 60-day public review and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Webcast. disposal, and/or the assessment of risks
comment period to solicit additional Please refer to the following Web site for involving chemical substances and
scientific views, data, and information information on how to access the mixtures. Since other entities may also
regarding the science and technical meeting webcast: http://www.epa.gov/ be interested, the Agency has not
approach used in the derivation of the csac. attempted to describe all the specific
draft technical document. Special accommodations. For entities that may be affected by this
The original deadline to submit
information on access or services for action.
comments was May 2, 2016. This action
individuals with disabilities, and to
extends the comment period for 45 B. What should I consider as I prepare
request accommodation of a disability,
days. Written comments must now be my comments for EPA?
please contact the DFO listed under FOR
received by June 17, 2016. The draft 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at least
report and other supporting materials information to EPA through
10 days prior to the meeting to give EPA
may also be viewed and downloaded regulations.gov or email. If your
time to process your request.
from EPA’s Web site at https:// comments contain any information that
www.epa.gov/wqc/aquatic-life-ambient- ADDRESSES: Meeting: This meeting will
be webcast. Please refer to the following you consider to be CBI or otherwise
water-quality-criteria#draft. protected, please contact the DFO listed
Web site for information on how to
Dated: April 6, 2016.
access the webcast: http://www.epa.gov/ under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Joel Beauvais, CONTACT to obtain special instructions
csac.
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of before submitting your comments.
Comments. Submit your comments, 2. Tips for preparing your comments.
Water. identified by docket identification (ID)
[FR Doc. 2016–08491 Filed 4–12–16; 8:45 am] When preparing and submitting your
number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2015–0234, by comments, see the commenting tips at
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P one of the following methods: http://www.epa.gov/dockets/
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// comments.html.
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION instructions for submitting comments. C. How may I participate in this
AGENCY Do not electronically submit meeting?
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2015–0234; FRL–9939–82] information you consider to be You may participate in this meeting
Confidential Business Information (CBI) by following the instructions in this
Orientation Session for the Chemical or other information whose disclosure is unit. To ensure proper receipt by EPA,
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Safety Advisory Committee; Notice of restricted by statute. it is imperative that you identify docket
Public Meeting • Mail: OPPT Docket, Environmental ID number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2015–0234
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ in the subject line on the first page of
Agency (EPA). DC) (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. your request.
ACTION: Notice.
NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. 1. Written comments. The Agency
• Hand Delivery: To make special encourages written comments be
SUMMARY: There will be a half-day arrangements for hand delivery or submitted, using the instructions in
orientation meeting of the new delivery of boxed information, please ADDRESSES and Unit I.B., on or before

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Document Created: 2016-04-13 03:11:50
Document Modified: 2016-04-13 03:11:50

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice; extension of comment period.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before June 17, 2016.
Contact		Diana Eignor, Health and Ecological Criteria Division, Office of Water (Mail Code 4304T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460;
FR Citation		81 FR 21863