81 FR 22263 - Change in Public Notice Procedures for EPA Region 5's Proposed Establishment of TMDLs and Proposed Impaired Waters Listings Under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 73 (April 15, 2016)

Page Range		22263-22264
FR Document		2016-08828

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is announcing a change to its procedures for issuing public notices seeking comment when the Region proposes to list impaired waters after disapproving or partially disapproving a state's list of impaired waters (303(d) list) under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d), or the Region proposes to establish a total maximum daily load (TMDL) under CWA Section 303(d). For any future proposed action to include waters on a state's 303(d) list or establish a TMDL, EPA Region 5 will provide public notice on the 303(d)/TMDL Program Web page (http://www.epa.gov/ tmdl/impaired-waters-and-tmdls-region-5) rather than by publication in the Federal Register.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 73 (Friday, April 15, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22263-22264]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08828]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-R05-OW-2016; FRL-9945-18-Region 5]


Change in Public Notice Procedures for EPA Region 5's Proposed 
Establishment of TMDLs and Proposed Impaired Waters Listings Under 
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of change in public notice procedures.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is 
announcing a change to its procedures for issuing public notices 
seeking comment when the Region proposes to list impaired waters after 
disapproving or partially disapproving a state's list of impaired 
waters (303(d) list) under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d), or the 
Region proposes to establish a total maximum daily load (TMDL) under 
CWA Section 303(d). For any future proposed action to include waters on 
a state's 303(d) list or establish a TMDL, EPA Region 5 will provide 
public notice on the 303(d)/TMDL Program Web page (http://www.epa.gov/tmdl/impaired-waters-and-tmdls-region-5) rather than by publication in 
the Federal Register.

DATES: This change in procedures will be effective on April 15, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vilma Rivera-Carrero at (312) 886-7795 
or by email at [email protected]; or Donna Keclik at (312) 
886-6766 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces a change in procedures 
by which EPA Region 5 issues public notices seeking comment under 40 
CFR 130.7(d)(2) for its proposed listing of impaired waters where the 
Region disapproves a state's 303(d) list, or proposes to establish 
TMDLs.
    Under Section 303(d)(1)(A) of the CWA, each state is required to 
identify and prioritize the waters within its boundaries for which 
technology-based effluent limitations and other required controls are 
not stringent enough to achieve the applicable water quality standards. 
See also 40 CFR 130.7(b)(1). Each state must submit biennially a 303(d) 
list to the EPA Regional Administrator for review and approval. See 40 
CFR 130.7(d)(1). Within 30 days of a state's submission, EPA must 
approve or disapprove the state's list. If EPA disapproves the state's 
303(d) list, it must identify the impaired waters that should be listed 
within 30 days from the date of disapproval. EPA regulations provide 
that the Regional Administrator must promptly issue a public notice 
seeking comment on EPA's listing decision. After considering public 
comment and making appropriate revisions, the Region is required to 
transmit the list to the state. See 40 CFR 130.7(d)(2).
    Under Section 303(d)(1)(C) of the CWA, each state is required to 
establish TMDLs for 303(d) listed waters. See also 40 CFR 130.7(c)(1). 
After a state develops a TMDL, the state must submit the TMDL to EPA 
for review and approval. See 40 CFR 130.7(d)(1). Within 30 days of a 
state's submission, EPA must approve or disapprove the state's TMDL. If 
EPA disapproves the state's TMDL, it must establish the TMDL within 30 
days from the date of disapproval. EPA may also establish TMDLs in 
certain circumstances where the State has not previously submitted a 
TMDL for review. EPA regulations provide that the Regional 
Administrator must promptly issue a public notice seeking comment on 
EPA's TMDL. After considering public comment and making appropriate 
revisions, the Region is required to transmit the TMDL to the state. 
See 40 CFR 130.7(d)(2).
    In the past, EPA Region 5 has issued public notices through 
publication in the Federal Register. In light of EPA's quest for 
improvements in efficiency, EPA Region 5 intends to notify the public 
of listing and TMDL actions under 40 CFR 130.7(d)(2) by placing notices 
directly on the Regional Internet Page rather than by publication in 
the Federal Register. The Region believes that placing the notices on 
the 303(d)/TMDL Program Web page (http://www.epa.gov/tmdl/impaired-
waters-

[[Page 22264]]

and-tmdls-region-5) provides a more effective, and efficient of 
providing notice. The Region also plans to issue notifications to the 
affected states so that these states can include links to the notices 
on their state Web sites. The letters and accompanying documents 
transmitting final lists and/or federal TMDLs to the state will also be 
accessible from the 303(d)/TMDL Program Web page.
    To the extent that this announcement may be considered a rule, EPA 
considers it to be a procedural rule, which is exempt from notice and 
comment rulemaking requirements under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A).

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1313(d); 40 CFR 130.7.

    Dated: March 25, 2016.
Tinka G. Hyde,
Director, Water Division, EPA Region 5.
[FR Doc. 2016-08828 Filed 4-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

22264 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices

and-tmdls-region-5) provides a more FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For low-income, multi-cultural, senior
effective, and efficient of providing information regarding this Request for citizens and other adults.
notice. The Region also plans to issue Nominations, please contact Mr. Javier The NEEAC is best served by a
notifications to the affected states so Araujo, Designated Federal Officer, structurally and geographically diverse
that these states can include links to the araujo.javier@epa.gov, 202–564–2642, group of individuals. Each individual
notices on their state Web sites. The U.S. EPA, Office of Environmental will demonstrate the ability to make a
letters and accompanying documents Education, William Jefferson Clinton time commitment. In addition, the
transmitting final lists and/or federal North Room 1426, 1200 Pennsylvania individual will demonstrate both strong
TMDLs to the state will also be Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460. leadership and analytical skills. Also,
accessible from the 303(d)/TMDL General Information concerning strong writing skills, communication
Program Web page. NEEAC can be found on the EPA Web skills and the ability to evaluate
To the extent that this announcement site at: http://www2.epa.gov/education/ programs in an unbiased manner are
may be considered a rule, EPA national-environmental-education- essential. Team players, which can meet
considers it to be a procedural rule, advisory-council. deadlines and review items on short
which is exempt from notice and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
notice are ideal candidates.
comment rulemaking requirements How to apply: Any interested and
National Environmental Education Act
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A). qualified individuals may be considered
requires that the council be comprised
for appointment on the National
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1313(d); 40 CFR of (11) members appointed by the
Environmental Education Advisory
130.7. Administrator of the EPA. Members
Council. In order to apply, the following
Dated: March 25, 2016. represent a balance of perspectives,
four items should be submitted in
Tinka G. Hyde,
professional qualifications, and electronic format to the Designated
experience. The Act specifies that Federal Officer, Javier Araujo,
Director, Water Division, EPA Region 5.
members must represent the following araujo.javier@epa.gov and contain the
[FR Doc. 2016–08828 Filed 4–14–16; 8:45 am]
sectors: Primary and secondary following: (1) Contact information
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P education (one of whom shall be a including name, address, phone and fax
classroom teacher), two members; numbers and an email address; (2) a
colleges and universities, two members; curriculum vitae or resume; (3) the
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
business and industry, two members; specific area of expertise in
AGENCY
non-profit organizations, two members; environmental education and the sector
[FRL–9945–16–OA] state departments of education and or slot the applicant is applying for; (4)
natural resources, two members, and recent service on other national
National Environmental Education one member to represent senior advisory committees or national
Advisory Council Americans. Members are chosen to professional organizations; a one page
represent various geographic regions of commentary on the applicant’s
AGENCY: Environmental Protection the country, and the Council strives for
Agency (EPA). philosophy regarding the need for,
a diverse representation. The development, implementation and or
ACTION: Notice. professional backgrounds of Council management of environmental
members should include education, education nationally.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental science, policy, or other appropriate
Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) Persons having questions about the
disciplines. Each member of the Council application procedure or who are
office of Public Engagement and shall hold office for a one (1) to three
Environmental Education is soliciting unable to submit applications by
(3) year period. Members are expected electronic means, should contact Javier
applications for environmental to participate in up to two (2) meetings
education professionals for Araujo (DFO), at the contact information
per year and monthly or more provided above in this notice. Non-
consideration to serve on the National conference calls per year. Members of electronic submissions must contain the
Environmental Education Advisory the council shall receive compensation same information as the electronic. The
Council (NEEAC). There are up to and allowances, including travel NEEAC staff Office will acknowledge
eleven vacancies on the Advisory expenses at a rate fixed by the receipt of the application. The NEEAC
Council that must be filled. Additional Administrator. staff office will develop a short list of
avenues and resources may be utilized Expertise Sought: The NEEAC staff candidates for more detailed
in the solicitation of applications. In an office seeks candidates with consideration. The short list candidates
effort to obtain nominations of diverse demonstrated experience and or will be required to fill out the
candidates, EPA encourages knowledge in any of the following Confidential Disclosure Form for
nominations of women and men of all environmental education issue areas: (a) Special Government Employees serving
racial and ethnic groups. Integrating environmental education Federal Advisory Committees at the
DATES: Applications date is extended into state and local education reform U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
thru April 29, 2016. and improvement; (b) state, local and (EPA form 3110–48). This confidential
ADDRESSES: Submit non-electronic tribal level capacity building for form allows government officials to
application materials to Javier Araujo, environmental education; (c) cross- determine whether there is a statutory
Designated Federal Officer, National sector partnerships to foster conflict between that person’s public
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Environmental Education Advisory environmental education; (d) leveraging responsibilities (which include
Council, U.S. Environmental Protection resources for environmental education; membership on a Federal Advisory
Agency, Office of Public Engagement (e) design and implementation of Committee) and private interests and
and Environmental Education (MC environmental education research; (f) activities and the appearance of a lack
1704A), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., evaluation methodology; professional of impartiality as defined by Federal
Room 1426 (WJCN), Washington, DC development for teachers and other regulation. The form may be viewed and
20460, Phone: (202) 564–2642, Fax (202) education professionals; and targeting downloaded from the following URL
564–2753, email: araujo.javier@epa.gov. under-represented audiences, including address. Please note this form is not an

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Document Created: 2016-04-15 00:55:31
Document Modified: 2016-04-15 00:55:31

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 of change in public notice procedures.
Dates		This change in procedures will be effective on April 15, 2016.
Contact		Vilma Rivera-Carrero at (312) 886-7795 or by email at [email protected]; or Donna Keclik at (312) 886-6766 or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 22263