82_FR_43488 82 FR 43310 - Amendment to Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries Under CERCLA

82 FR 43310 - Amendment to Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries Under CERCLA

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 178 (September 15, 2017)

Page Range43310-43312
FR Document2017-19593

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the agency) is taking final action to amend the Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries to update an existing reference to a standard practice revised by ASTM International, a widely recognized standards development organization. Specifically, this final rule amends the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule to reference ASTM International's E2247-16 ``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural Property'' and allow for its use to satisfy the statutory requirements for conducting all appropriate inquires under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 178 (Friday, September 15, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43310-43312]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19593]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 312

[EPA-HQ-OLEM-2016-0786; FRL-9967-46-OLEM]
RIN 2050-AG94


Amendment to Standards and Practices for All Appropriate 
Inquiries Under CERCLA

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the agency) 
is taking final action to amend the Standards and Practices for All 
Appropriate Inquiries to update an existing reference to a standard 
practice revised by ASTM International, a widely recognized standards 
development organization. Specifically, this final rule amends the All 
Appropriate Inquiries Rule to reference ASTM International's E2247-16 
``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I 
Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural 
Property'' and allow for its use to satisfy the statutory requirements 
for conducting all appropriate inquires under the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

DATES: This final rule is effective on March 14, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2016-0786. All documents in the docket are 
listed on the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. Docket materials 
are also available in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center Reading Room. 
Please see https://www.epa.gov/dockets/epa-docket-center-reading-room 
or call (202) 566-1744 for more information on the Docket Center 
Reading Room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, contact the 
CERCLA Call Center at 800-424-9346 or TDD 800-553-7672 (hearing 
impaired). In the Washington, DC metropolitan area, call 703-412-9810 
or TDD 703-412-3323. For more detailed information on specific aspects 
of this rule, contact Patricia Overmeyer, Office of Brownfields and 
Land Revitalization (5105T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460-0002, 202-566-2774, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Purpose of This Regulatory Action

    EPA is publishing this final rule to revise an existing reference 
in 40 CFR part 312 to include the updated version of a standard 
practice recently made available by ASTM International (E2247-16).

B. Does this action apply to me?

    This action offers certain parties the option of using an available 
industry standard to conduct all appropriate inquiries at certain 
properties. Parties purchasing large tracts of forested land and 
parties purchasing large rural properties may use the ASTM E2247-16 
standard practice to comply with the all appropriate inquiries 
requirements of CERCLA. This rule does not require any entity to use 
this standard. Any party who wants to claim protection from liability 
under CERCLA may follow the regulatory requirements of the All 
Appropriate Inquiries Rule at 40 CFR part 312, use the ASTM E1527-13 
Standard Practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments to comply 
with the all appropriate inquiries provision of CERCLA, or use the 
standard recognized in this final rule, the ASTM E2247-16 standard, as 
applicable.
    Entities potentially affected by this action, or who may choose to 
use the newly referenced ASTM standard to perform all appropriate 
inquiries, include public and private parties who, as bona fide 
prospective purchasers, contiguous property owners, or innocent 
landowners, are purchasing large tracts of forested lands or large 
rural properties and intend to claim a limitation on CERCLA liability 
in conjunction with the property purchase. In addition, any entity 
conducting a site characterization or assessment on a property that 
consists of large tracts of forested land or a large rural property 
with a brownfields grant awarded under CERCLA Section104(k)(2)(B)(ii) 
may be affected by this action. This includes state, local and Tribal 
governments that receive brownfields site assessment grants. A summary 
of the potentially affected industry sectors (by North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes) is displayed in the table 
below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Industry category                       NAICS code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate...........................  531
Insurance.............................  52412
Banking/Real Estate Credit............  52292
Environmental Consulting Services.....  54162
State, Local and Tribal Government....  926110, 925120
Federal Government....................  925120, 921190, 924120
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The list of potentially affected entities in the above table may 
not be exhaustive. Our aim is to provide a guide for readers regarding 
those entities that EPA is aware potentially could be affected by this 
action. However, this action may affect other entities not listed in 
the table. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this 
action to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the 
preceding section entitled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

C. Statutory Authority

    This final rule amends the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule setting 
federal standards for the conduct of ``all appropriate inquiries'' at 
40 CFR part 312. The All Appropriate Inquiries Rule sets forth 
standards and practices necessary for fulfilling the requirements of 
CERCLA section 101(35)(B) as required to obtain CERCLA liability relief 
and for conducting site characterizations and assessments with the use 
of brownfields grants per CERCLA section 104(k)(2)(B)(ii).

II. Background

    On January 11, 2002, President Bush signed the Small Business 
Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (``the Brownfields 
Amendments''). In general, the Brownfields Amendments to CERCLA provide 
funds to assess and clean up brownfields sites; clarify CERCLA 
liability provisions related to innocent purchasers of contaminated 
properties; and provide funding to enhance State and Tribal cleanup 
programs. Subtitle B of the Brownfields Amendments revises some of the 
provisions of CERCLA section 101(35) and limits Superfund liability 
under Section 107 for bona fide prospective purchasers and contiguous 
property owners, in addition to clarifying the requirements necessary 
to establish the innocent landowner

[[Page 43311]]

defense under CERCLA. The Brownfields Amendments clarified the 
requirement that parties purchasing potentially contaminated property 
undertake ``all appropriate inquiries'' into prior ownership and use of 
property prior to purchasing the property to qualify for protection 
from CERCLA liability.
    The Brownfields Amendments required EPA to develop regulations 
establishing standards and practices for how to conduct all appropriate 
inquiries. EPA promulgated regulations that set standards and practices 
for all appropriate inquiries on November 1, 2005 (70 FR 66070). In the 
final regulation, EPA referenced, and recognized as compliant with the 
final rule, the ASTM E1527-05 ``Standard Practice for Environmental 
Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process.'' The 
regulation was amended in December 2013 to recognize the revised ASTM 
E1527-13, ``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase 
I Environmental Site Assessment Process'' (78 FR 79319). EPA also 
amended the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule in December 2008 to 
recognize another ASTM standard as compliant with the final rule, the 
ASTM E2247-08 ``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: 
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural 
Property'' (73 FR 78651). Therefore, the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule 
(40 CFR part 312) currently allows for the use of both the ASTM E1527-
13 and the ASTM E2247-08 standards to conduct all appropriate 
inquiries, in lieu of following requirements included in the final 
rule. Note that in October 2014, EPA withdrew the reference to the ASTM 
E1527-05 standard from the AAI rule (79 FR 60087).
    Since EPA promulgated the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule setting 
standards and practices for the conduct of all appropriate inquiries, 
ASTM International published a revised Phase I site assessment standard 
for conducting Phase I environmental site assessments of large tracts 
of rural and forestland properties. This standard, ASTM E2247-16, 
``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I 
Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural 
Property,'' was reviewed by EPA, in response to a request for its 
review by ASTM International, and determined by EPA to be compliant 
with the requirements of the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule. EPA 
proposed to amend the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule to recognize the 
updated ASTM E2247-16 standard on June 20, 2017 (82 FR 28040).

III. Summary of Comments

    EPA received one comment on the proposed rule published June 20, 
2017. Although the commenter generally supports the Agency's proposed 
action, the commenter raised a concern regarding the proposed effective 
date of the action. The commenter offered that parties using the 
previous version of the ASTM E2247 standard (ASTM E2247-08) would not 
have sufficient time to transition to the new standard, given that EPA 
proposed an effective date of 90 days following publication of a direct 
final rule, which was published on the same day as the proposed rule. 
Given the concern raised by the commenter, EPA decided to extend the 
effective date of its action in this final rule. This final rule will 
become effective 180 days following the publication of this final rule 
in Federal Register. The extended effective date will give parties 
using the ASTM E2247-08 standard sufficient time to transition to the 
new standard, ASTM E2247-16. The Agency notes that this action does not 
require any party to use the ASTM E2247-16 standard. Any party 
conducting all appropriate inquiries to comply with the CERCLA 
requirements at section 101(35)(B) for the innocent landowner defense, 
the contiguous property owner liability protection, or the bona fide 
prospective purchaser liability protection may continue to follow the 
provisions of the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule at 40 CFR part 312, 
use the ASTM E1527-13 Standard or use the ASTM E2247-16 standard, as 
applicable.

IV. What does this action do?

    This final rule amends the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule to allow 
the use of the recently revised ASTM standard, E2247-16 ``Standard 
Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site 
Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural Property,'' for conducting 
all appropriate inquiries, as required under CERCLA for establishing 
the innocent landowner defense, as well as qualifying for the bona fide 
prospective purchaser and contiguous property owner liability 
protections.
    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272)) directs 
agencies to use technical standards that are developed or adopted by 
voluntary consensus standards bodies, unless their use would be 
inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impracticable. ASTM 
International is an internationally recognized voluntary consensus 
standard body. The ASTM E2247-16 ``Standard Practice for Environmental 
Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for 
Forestland or Rural Property'' includes an environmental site 
assessment process that EPA finds is not inconsistent with the 
standards and practices included in the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule.
    With this action, EPA is establishing that, parties seeking 
liability relief under CERCLA's landowner liability protections, as 
well as recipients of brownfields grants for conducting site 
assessments, will be considered to be in compliance with the 
requirements for all appropriate inquiries, as required in the 
Brownfields Amendments to CERCLA, if such parties satisfy the 
applicability requirements and comply with the procedures provided in 
the ASTM E2247-16, ``Standard Practice for Environmental Site 
Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for 
Forestland or Rural Property.'' EPA made this determination based upon 
the Agency's finding that the ASTM E2247-16 standard is ``not 
inconsistent with,'' and compliant with the All Appropriate Inquiries 
Rule. The Agency notes that this action does not require any party to 
use the ASTM E2247-16 standard. Any party conducting all appropriate 
inquiries to comply with the CERCLA requirements at section 101(35)(B) 
for the innocent landowner defense, the contiguous property owner 
liability protection, or the bona fide prospective purchaser liability 
protection may continue to follow the provisions of the All Appropriate 
Inquiries Rule at 40 CFR part 312, use the ASTM E1527-13 Standard or 
use the ASTM E2247-16 standard, as applicable.
    In taking this action, the Agency is allowing for the use of an 
additional recognized standard or customary business practice, in 
complying with a federal regulation. This action does not require any 
person to use the newly revised standard. This action merely allows for 
the use of ASTM International's E2247-16 ``Standard Practice for 
Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 
Process for Forestland or Rural Property'' for those parties purchasing 
relatively large tracts of rural property or forestlands who want to 
use the ASTM E2247-16 standard in lieu of the following specific 
requirements of the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule or the ASTM E1527-13 
standard.
    The Agency notes that there are no significant differences between 
the regulatory requirements in the All

[[Page 43312]]

Appropriate Inquiries Rule and the standards and practices included in 
the two ASTM standards (ASTM E1527-13 and ASTM E2247-16). To facilitate 
an understanding of the revisions to the ASTM E2247-08 Standard 
Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site 
Assessment Standard for Forestland or Rural Property, which was 
recognized by EPA as compliant with the requirements of the all 
appropriate inquiries regulation in 2013, and the revised ASTM E2247-16 
Standard, which replaces the ASTM E2247-08 standard, EPA developed, and 
placed in the docket for this action, the document ``Summary of Updates 
and Revisions to ASTM E2247 Standard Practice for Environmental Site 
Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for 
Forestland or Rural Property.'' Also in the docket for this action is 
the document ``Comparison of the All Appropriate Inquiries Regulation, 
the ASTM E1527-13 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process and the 
ASTM E2247-16 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for 
Forestland or Rural Property Standard.'' This document provides an 
overview of the similarities and slight differences between the AAI 
regulatory requirements and the requirements included in the two ASTM 
phase I environmental site assessment standards.
    This action includes no changes to the All Appropriate Inquiries 
Rule other than to update the reference in the regulation for the ASTM 
E2247 standard. This action replaces the reference to the ASTM E2247-08 
``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I 
Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural 
Property'' in the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule with the updated ASTM 
E2247-16 standard of the same name. EPA's only action with this final 
rule is recognition of the ASTM E2247-16 standard as compliant with the 
All Appropriate Inquires Rule.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 
Executive Order 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011), this action is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' and is therefore not subject to 
OMB review. Further, this action will not have a significant impact on 
a substantial number of small entities and, as a result, is not subject 
to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this 
action does not contain a Federal mandate that may result in 
expenditures of $100 million or more for State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate or the private sector in any one year, 
and does not contain regulatory requirements that might significantly 
or uniquely affect small governments, it is not subject to Sections 
202, 203, and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 
(Pub. L. 104-4). This action does not create new binding legal 
requirements that substantially and directly affect Tribes under 
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This action does 
not have significant Federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Because this final rule was not 
reviewed under Executive Order 12866, this final rule is not subject to 
Executive Order 13211, entitled Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, 
May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children 
from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 
23, 1997). This final rule does not contain any information collections 
subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq., nor does it require any special considerations 
under Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).

A. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

    This action involves technical standards. This action allows for 
the use of the ASTM International Standard known as Standard E2247-16 
and entitled ``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: 
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural 
Property.''

B. Congressional Review Act

    This action is subject to the Congressional Review Act (CRA), and 
the EPA will submit a rule report to each House of Congress and to the 
Comptroller General of the United States. This action is not a ``major 
rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 312

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Hazardous substances, Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Superfund.

    Dated: August 31, 2017.
Barry N. Breen,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Land and Emergency 
Management.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Environmental 
Protection Agency amends title 40 chapter I of the Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 312--INNOCENT LANDOWNERS, STANDARDS FOR CONDUCTING ALL 
APPROPRIATE INQUIRIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 312 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Section 101(35)(B) of CERCLA, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
9601(35)(B).


0
2. Amend Sec.  312.11 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  312.11   References.

* * * * *
    (a) The procedures of ASTM International Standard E2247-16 entitled 
``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I 
Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural 
Property.'' This standard is available from ASTM International at 
www.astm.org, 1-610-832-9585.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-19593 Filed 9-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                43310            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  Dated: August 31, 2017.                               CERCLA Call Center at 800–424–9346 or                 receive brownfields site assessment
                                                Barry N. Breen,                                         TDD 800–553–7672 (hearing impaired).                  grants. A summary of the potentially
                                                Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of               In the Washington, DC metropolitan                    affected industry sectors (by North
                                                Land and Emergency Management.                          area, call 703–412–9810 or TDD 703–                   American Industry Classification
                                                ■ Accordingly, EPA withdraws the                        412–3323. For more detailed                           System (NAICS) codes) is displayed in
                                                amendment to 40 CFR 312.11(a),                          information on specific aspects of this               the table below.
                                                published in the Federal Register on                    rule, contact Patricia Overmeyer, Office
                                                June 20, 2017 (82 FR 28009), as of                      of Brownfields and Land Revitalization                     Industry category                NAICS code
                                                September 15, 2017.                                     (5105T), U.S. Environmental Protection
                                                                                                        Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue                      Real Estate ....................    531
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–19594 Filed 9–14–17; 8:45 am]                                                                   Insurance .......................   52412
                                                                                                        NW., Washington, DC 20460–0002, 202–
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                                                                        Banking/Real Estate                 52292
                                                                                                        566–2774, or overmeyer.patricia@                        Credit.
                                                                                                        epa.gov.                                              Environmental Con-                  54162
                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              sulting Services.
                                                                                                                                                              State, Local and Tribal             926110, 925120
                                                AGENCY                                                  I. General Information                                  Government.
                                                                                                                                                              Federal Government ......           925120, 921190,
                                                40 CFR Part 312                                         A. Purpose of This Regulatory Action
                                                                                                                                                                                                    924120
                                                [EPA–HQ–OLEM–2016–0786; FRL–9967–                         EPA is publishing this final rule to
                                                46–OLEM]                                                revise an existing reference in 40 CFR                   The list of potentially affected entities
                                                                                                        part 312 to include the updated version               in the above table may not be
                                                RIN 2050–AG94                                           of a standard practice recently made                  exhaustive. Our aim is to provide a
                                                                                                        available by ASTM International                       guide for readers regarding those
                                                Amendment to Standards and                              (E2247–16).                                           entities that EPA is aware potentially
                                                Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries
                                                                                                        B. Does this action apply to me?                      could be affected by this action.
                                                Under CERCLA
                                                                                                                                                              However, this action may affect other
                                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                          This action offers certain parties the             entities not listed in the table. If you
                                                Agency (EPA).                                           option of using an available industry                 have questions regarding the
                                                                                                        standard to conduct all appropriate                   applicability of this action to a
                                                ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                        inquiries at certain properties. Parties              particular entity, consult the person
                                                SUMMARY:    The U.S. Environmental                      purchasing large tracts of forested land              listed in the preceding section entitled
                                                Protection Agency (EPA or the agency)                   and parties purchasing large rural                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
                                                is taking final action to amend the                     properties may use the ASTM E2247–16
                                                                                                        standard practice to comply with the all              C. Statutory Authority
                                                Standards and Practices for All
                                                Appropriate Inquiries to update an                      appropriate inquiries requirements of                   This final rule amends the All
                                                existing reference to a standard practice               CERCLA. This rule does not require any                Appropriate Inquiries Rule setting
                                                revised by ASTM International, a                        entity to use this standard. Any party                federal standards for the conduct of ‘‘all
                                                widely recognized standards                             who wants to claim protection from                    appropriate inquiries’’ at 40 CFR part
                                                development organization. Specifically,                 liability under CERCLA may follow the                 312. The All Appropriate Inquiries Rule
                                                this final rule amends the All                          regulatory requirements of the All                    sets forth standards and practices
                                                Appropriate Inquiries Rule to reference                 Appropriate Inquiries Rule at 40 CFR                  necessary for fulfilling the requirements
                                                ASTM International’s E2247–16                           part 312, use the ASTM E1527–13                       of CERCLA section 101(35)(B) as
                                                ‘‘Standard Practice for Environmental                   Standard Practice for Phase I                         required to obtain CERCLA liability
                                                Site Assessments: Phase I                               Environmental Site Assessments to                     relief and for conducting site
                                                Environmental Site Assessment Process                   comply with the all appropriate                       characterizations and assessments with
                                                for Forestland or Rural Property’’ and                  inquiries provision of CERCLA, or use                 the use of brownfields grants per
                                                allow for its use to satisfy the statutory              the standard recognized in this final                 CERCLA section 104(k)(2)(B)(ii).
                                                requirements for conducting all                         rule, the ASTM E2247–16 standard, as
                                                                                                        applicable.                                           II. Background
                                                appropriate inquires under the
                                                Comprehensive Environmental                                Entities potentially affected by this                 On January 11, 2002, President Bush
                                                Response, Compensation and Liability                    action, or who may choose to use the                  signed the Small Business Liability
                                                Act (CERCLA).                                           newly referenced ASTM standard to                     Relief and Brownfields Revitalization
                                                                                                        perform all appropriate inquiries,                    Act (‘‘the Brownfields Amendments’’).
                                                DATES: This final rule is effective on                                                                        In general, the Brownfields
                                                                                                        include public and private parties who,
                                                March 14, 2018.                                         as bona fide prospective purchasers,                  Amendments to CERCLA provide funds
                                                ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a                    contiguous property owners, or                        to assess and clean up brownfields sites;
                                                docket for this action under Docket ID                  innocent landowners, are purchasing                   clarify CERCLA liability provisions
                                                No. EPA–HQ–OLEM–2016–0786. All                          large tracts of forested lands or large               related to innocent purchasers of
                                                documents in the docket are listed on                   rural properties and intend to claim a                contaminated properties; and provide
                                                the https://www.regulations.gov Web                     limitation on CERCLA liability in                     funding to enhance State and Tribal
                                                site. Docket materials are also available               conjunction with the property purchase.               cleanup programs. Subtitle B of the
                                                in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center                   In addition, any entity conducting a site             Brownfields Amendments revises some
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES




                                                Reading Room. Please see https://                       characterization or assessment on a                   of the provisions of CERCLA section
                                                www.epa.gov/dockets/epa-docket-                         property that consists of large tracts of             101(35) and limits Superfund liability
                                                center-reading-room or call (202) 566–                  forested land or a large rural property               under Section 107 for bona fide
                                                1744 for more information on the                        with a brownfields grant awarded under                prospective purchasers and contiguous
                                                Docket Center Reading Room.                             CERCLA Section104(k)(2)(B)(ii) may be                 property owners, in addition to
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For                    affected by this action. This includes                clarifying the requirements necessary to
                                                general information, contact the                        state, local and Tribal governments that              establish the innocent landowner


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:21 Sep 14, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00014   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15SER1.SGM   15SER1


                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                        43311

                                                defense under CERCLA. The                               standard on June 20, 2017 (82 FR                      internationally recognized voluntary
                                                Brownfields Amendments clarified the                    28040).                                               consensus standard body. The ASTM
                                                requirement that parties purchasing                                                                           E2247–16 ‘‘Standard Practice for
                                                                                                        III. Summary of Comments
                                                potentially contaminated property                                                                             Environmental Site Assessments: Phase
                                                undertake ‘‘all appropriate inquiries’’                    EPA received one comment on the                    I Environmental Site Assessment
                                                into prior ownership and use of                         proposed rule published June 20, 2017.                Process for Forestland or Rural
                                                property prior to purchasing the                        Although the commenter generally                      Property’’ includes an environmental
                                                property to qualify for protection from                 supports the Agency’s proposed action,                site assessment process that EPA finds
                                                CERCLA liability.                                       the commenter raised a concern                        is not inconsistent with the standards
                                                   The Brownfields Amendments                           regarding the proposed effective date of              and practices included in the All
                                                required EPA to develop regulations                     the action. The commenter offered that                Appropriate Inquiries Rule.
                                                establishing standards and practices for                parties using the previous version of the                With this action, EPA is establishing
                                                how to conduct all appropriate                          ASTM E2247 standard (ASTM E2247–                      that, parties seeking liability relief
                                                inquiries. EPA promulgated regulations                  08) would not have sufficient time to                 under CERCLA’s landowner liability
                                                that set standards and practices for all                transition to the new standard, given                 protections, as well as recipients of
                                                appropriate inquiries on November 1,                    that EPA proposed an effective date of                brownfields grants for conducting site
                                                2005 (70 FR 66070). In the final                        90 days following publication of a direct             assessments, will be considered to be in
                                                regulation, EPA referenced, and                         final rule, which was published on the                compliance with the requirements for
                                                recognized as compliant with the final                  same day as the proposed rule. Given                  all appropriate inquiries, as required in
                                                rule, the ASTM E1527–05 ‘‘Standard                      the concern raised by the commenter,                  the Brownfields Amendments to
                                                Practice for Environmental Site                         EPA decided to extend the effective date              CERCLA, if such parties satisfy the
                                                Assessments: Phase I Environmental                      of its action in this final rule. This final          applicability requirements and comply
                                                Site Assessment Process.’’ The                          rule will become effective 180 days                   with the procedures provided in the
                                                regulation was amended in December                      following the publication of this final               ASTM E2247–16, ‘‘Standard Practice for
                                                2013 to recognize the revised ASTM                      rule in Federal Register. The extended                Environmental Site Assessments: Phase
                                                E1527–13, ‘‘Standard Practice for                       effective date will give parties using the            I Environmental Site Assessment
                                                Environmental Site Assessments: Phase                   ASTM E2247–08 standard sufficient                     Process for Forestland or Rural
                                                I Environmental Site Assessment                         time to transition to the new standard,               Property.’’ EPA made this determination
                                                Process’’ (78 FR 79319). EPA also                       ASTM E2247–16. The Agency notes that                  based upon the Agency’s finding that
                                                amended the All Appropriate Inquiries                   this action does not require any party to             the ASTM E2247–16 standard is ‘‘not
                                                Rule in December 2008 to recognize                      use the ASTM E2247–16 standard. Any                   inconsistent with,’’ and compliant with
                                                another ASTM standard as compliant                      party conducting all appropriate                      the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule. The
                                                with the final rule, the ASTM E2247–08                  inquiries to comply with the CERCLA                   Agency notes that this action does not
                                                ‘‘Standard Practice for Environmental                   requirements at section 101(35)(B) for                require any party to use the ASTM
                                                Site Assessments: Phase I                               the innocent landowner defense, the                   E2247–16 standard. Any party
                                                Environmental Site Assessment Process                   contiguous property owner liability                   conducting all appropriate inquiries to
                                                for Forestland or Rural Property’’ (73 FR               protection, or the bona fide prospective              comply with the CERCLA requirements
                                                78651). Therefore, the All Appropriate                  purchaser liability protection may                    at section 101(35)(B) for the innocent
                                                Inquiries Rule (40 CFR part 312)                        continue to follow the provisions of the              landowner defense, the contiguous
                                                currently allows for the use of both the                All Appropriate Inquiries Rule at 40                  property owner liability protection, or
                                                ASTM E1527–13 and the ASTM E2247–                       CFR part 312, use the ASTM E1527–13                   the bona fide prospective purchaser
                                                08 standards to conduct all appropriate                 Standard or use the ASTM E2247–16                     liability protection may continue to
                                                inquiries, in lieu of following                         standard, as applicable.                              follow the provisions of the All
                                                requirements included in the final rule.                                                                      Appropriate Inquiries Rule at 40 CFR
                                                                                                        IV. What does this action do?
                                                Note that in October 2014, EPA                                                                                part 312, use the ASTM E1527–13
                                                withdrew the reference to the ASTM                        This final rule amends the All                      Standard or use the ASTM E2247–16
                                                E1527–05 standard from the AAI rule                     Appropriate Inquiries Rule to allow the               standard, as applicable.
                                                (79 FR 60087).                                          use of the recently revised ASTM                         In taking this action, the Agency is
                                                   Since EPA promulgated the All                        standard, E2247–16 ‘‘Standard Practice                allowing for the use of an additional
                                                Appropriate Inquiries Rule setting                      for Environmental Site Assessments:                   recognized standard or customary
                                                standards and practices for the conduct                 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment                 business practice, in complying with a
                                                of all appropriate inquiries, ASTM                      Process for Forestland or Rural                       federal regulation. This action does not
                                                International published a revised Phase                 Property,’’ for conducting all                        require any person to use the newly
                                                I site assessment standard for                          appropriate inquiries, as required under              revised standard. This action merely
                                                conducting Phase I environmental site                   CERCLA for establishing the innocent                  allows for the use of ASTM
                                                assessments of large tracts of rural and                landowner defense, as well as qualifying              International’s E2247–16 ‘‘Standard
                                                forestland properties. This standard,                   for the bona fide prospective purchaser               Practice for Environmental Site
                                                ASTM E2247–16, ‘‘Standard Practice for                  and contiguous property owner liability               Assessments: Phase I Environmental
                                                Environmental Site Assessments: Phase                   protections.                                          Site Assessment Process for Forestland
                                                I Environmental Site Assessment                           Section 12(d) of the National                       or Rural Property’’ for those parties
                                                Process for Forestland or Rural                         Technology Transfer and Advancement                   purchasing relatively large tracts of rural
                                                Property,’’ was reviewed by EPA, in                     Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–113, section                 property or forestlands who want to use
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                                                response to a request for its review by                 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272)) directs agencies to            the ASTM E2247–16 standard in lieu of
                                                ASTM International, and determined by                   use technical standards that are                      the following specific requirements of
                                                EPA to be compliant with the                            developed or adopted by voluntary                     the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule or
                                                requirements of the All Appropriate                     consensus standards bodies, unless their              the ASTM E1527–13 standard.
                                                Inquiries Rule. EPA proposed to amend                   use would be inconsistent with                           The Agency notes that there are no
                                                the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule to                   applicable law or otherwise                           significant differences between the
                                                recognize the updated ASTM E2247–16                     impracticable. ASTM International is an               regulatory requirements in the All


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                                                43312            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Appropriate Inquiries Rule and the                      more for State, local, and tribal                       Dated: August 31, 2017.
                                                standards and practices included in the                 governments, in the aggregate or the                  Barry N. Breen,
                                                two ASTM standards (ASTM E1527–13                       private sector in any one year, and does              Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of
                                                and ASTM E2247–16). To facilitate an                    not contain regulatory requirements that              Land and Emergency Management.
                                                understanding of the revisions to the                   might significantly or uniquely affect                  For the reasons set out in the
                                                ASTM E2247–08 Standard Practice for                     small governments, it is not subject to               preamble, the Environmental Protection
                                                Environmental Site Assessments: Phase                   Sections 202, 203, and 205 of the                     Agency amends title 40 chapter I of the
                                                I Environmental Site Assessment                         Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995                  Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
                                                Standard for Forestland or Rural                        (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104–4). This action
                                                Property, which was recognized by EPA                   does not create new binding legal                     PART 312—INNOCENT
                                                as compliant with the requirements of                   requirements that substantially and                   LANDOWNERS, STANDARDS FOR
                                                the all appropriate inquiries regulation                directly affect Tribes under Executive                CONDUCTING ALL APPROPRIATE
                                                in 2013, and the revised ASTM E2247–                    Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,                 INQUIRIES
                                                16 Standard, which replaces the ASTM                    2000). This action does not have
                                                E2247–08 standard, EPA developed, and                   significant Federalism implications                   ■ 1. The authority citation for part 312
                                                placed in the docket for this action, the               under Executive Order 13132 (64 FR                    continues to read as follows:
                                                document ‘‘Summary of Updates and                       43255, August 10, 1999). Because this                   Authority: Section 101(35)(B) of CERCLA,
                                                Revisions to ASTM E2247 Standard                        final rule was not reviewed under                     as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9601(35)(B).
                                                Practice for Environmental Site                         Executive Order 12866, this final rule is
                                                Assessments: Phase I Environmental                                                                            ■ 2. Amend § 312.11 by revising
                                                                                                        not subject to Executive Order 13211,                 paragraph (a) to read as follows:
                                                Site Assessment Process for Forestland                  entitled Actions Concerning Regulations
                                                or Rural Property.’’ Also in the docket                 That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,              § 312.11   References.
                                                for this action is the document                         Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May                *      *    *     *    *
                                                ‘‘Comparison of the All Appropriate
                                                                                                        22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045,                      (a) The procedures of ASTM
                                                Inquiries Regulation, the ASTM E1527–
                                                                                                        entitled Protection of Children from                  International Standard E2247–16
                                                13 Phase I Environmental Site
                                                                                                        Environmental Health Risks and Safety                 entitled ‘‘Standard Practice for
                                                Assessment Process and the ASTM
                                                                                                        Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).                  Environmental Site Assessments: Phase
                                                E2247–16 Phase I Environmental Site
                                                                                                        This final rule does not contain any                  I Environmental Site Assessment
                                                Assessment Process for Forestland or
                                                Rural Property Standard.’’ This                         information collections subject to OMB                Process for Forestland or Rural
                                                document provides an overview of the                    approval under the Paperwork                          Property.’’ This standard is available
                                                similarities and slight differences                     Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et                from ASTM International at
                                                between the AAI regulatory                              seq., nor does it require any special                 www.astm.org, 1–610–832–9585.
                                                requirements and the requirements                       considerations under Executive Order                  *      *    *     *    *
                                                included in the two ASTM phase I                        12898, entitled Federal Actions to                    [FR Doc. 2017–19593 Filed 9–14–17; 8:45 am]
                                                environmental site assessment                           Address Environmental Justice in                      BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                standards.                                              Minority Populations and Low-Income
                                                   This action includes no changes to the               Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16,
                                                All Appropriate Inquiries Rule other                    1994).                                                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
                                                than to update the reference in the                     A. National Technology Transfer and                   COMMISSION
                                                regulation for the ASTM E2247                           Advancement Act (NTTAA)
                                                standard. This action replaces the                                                                            47 CFR Part 97
                                                reference to the ASTM E2247–08                             This action involves technical                     [ET Docket No. 15–99; FCC 17–33]
                                                ‘‘Standard Practice for Environmental                   standards. This action allows for the use
                                                Site Assessments: Phase I                               of the ASTM International Standard                    WRC–12 Implementation Report and
                                                Environmental Site Assessment Process                   known as Standard E2247–16 and                        Order
                                                for Forestland or Rural Property’’ in the               entitled ‘‘Standard Practice for
                                                All Appropriate Inquiries Rule with the                 Environmental Site Assessments: Phase                 AGENCY:   Federal Communications
                                                updated ASTM E2247–16 standard of                       I Environmental Site Assessment                       Commission.
                                                the same name. EPA’s only action with                   Process for Forestland or Rural                       ACTION: Final rule; announcement of
                                                this final rule is recognition of the                   Property.’’                                           effective date.
                                                ASTM E2247–16 standard as compliant
                                                with the All Appropriate Inquires Rule.                 B. Congressional Review Act                           SUMMARY:  In this document, the Federal
                                                                                                                                                              Communications Commission
                                                V. Statutory and Executive Order                          This action is subject to the                       (Commission) announces that the Office
                                                Reviews                                                 Congressional Review Act (CRA), and                   of Management and Budget (OMB) has
                                                   Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR                   the EPA will submit a rule report to                  approved, for a period of three years, the
                                                51735, October 4, 1993) and Executive                   each House of Congress and to the                     information collection associated with
                                                Order 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,                    Comptroller General of the United                     the Commission’s Report and Order,
                                                2011), this action is not a ‘‘significant               States. This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’           FCC 17–33. The Commission also
                                                regulatory action’’ and is therefore not                as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                        announces the effective date of the
                                                subject to OMB review. Further, this                    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 312                   remaining part 97 Amateur Radio
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                                                action will not have a significant impact                                                                     Service rules adopted in FCC 17–33 that
                                                on a substantial number of small entities                 Environmental protection,                           had not yet been made effective. These
                                                and, as a result, is not subject to the                 Administrative practice and procedure,                rules do not require OMB approval. This
                                                Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601                Hazardous substances,                                 document is consistent with the Report
                                                et seq.). Because this action does not                  Intergovernmental relations, Reporting                and Order, which stated that the
                                                contain a Federal mandate that may                      and recordkeeping requirements,                       Commission would publish a document
                                                result in expenditures of $100 million or               Superfund.                                            in the Federal Register announcing


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Document Created: 2017-09-15 00:18:39
Document Modified: 2017-09-15 00:18:39
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis final rule is effective on March 14, 2018.
ContactFor general information, contact the CERCLA Call Center at 800-424-9346 or TDD 800-553-7672 (hearing impaired). In the Washington, DC metropolitan area, call 703-412-9810 or TDD 703-412-3323. For more detailed information on specific aspects of this rule, contact Patricia Overmeyer, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (5105T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460-0002, 202-566-2774, or [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 43310 
RIN Number2050-AG94
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Hazardous Substances; Intergovernmental Relations; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Superfund

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