82 FR 50418 - Fast-41 Best Practices: Delegated State Permitting Programs
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 209 (October 31, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 209 (October 31, 2017)
| Page Range | 50418-50420 | |
| FR Document | 2017-23686 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 50418-50420] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-23686] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OA-2017-0600; FRL-9968-25-OA] Fast-41 Best Practices: Delegated State Permitting Programs AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). [[Page 50419]] ACTION: Notice; request for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On January 18, 2017, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, published Recommended Best Practices for Environmental Reviews and Authorizations for Infrastructure Projects, available at https://www.permits.performance.gov. In accordance with Section 41006 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST- 41), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment. Specifically, EPA is seeking feedback on whether any of the best practices are generally applicable on a delegation or authorization-wide basis to permitting under FAST-41. DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 20, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit comments and additional materials, identified by docket EPA-HQ-OA-2017-0600 to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The 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 accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The 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 https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Gentile, Office of Policy, Mail Code 1104-A, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-3158; email address: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FAST-41 seeks to enhance coordination and transparency of Federal environmental reviews and authorizations required prior to construction of covered infrastructure projects. This statute applies specifically to authorizations and environmental reviews which are led by and/or issued by a Federal agency. However, states may choose to participate in the environmental review and authorization process under FAST-41. This statute only applies to ``covered projects'' which 42 U.S.C. 4370m(6)(A) defines as: The term ``covered project'' means any activity in the United States that requires authorization or environmental review by a Federal agency involving construction of infrastructure for renewable or conventional energy production, electricity transmission, surface transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, water resource projects, broadband, pipelines, manufacturing, or any other sector as determined by a majority vote of the Council that-- (i)(I) is subject to NEPA; (II) is likely to require a total investment of more than $200,000,000; and (III) does not qualify for abbreviated authorization or environmental review processes under any applicable law; or (ii) is subject to NEPA and the size and complexity of which, in the opinion of the Council, make the project likely to benefit from enhanced oversight and coordination, including a project likely to require-- (I) authorization from or environmental review involving more than 2 Federal agencies; or (II) the preparation of an environmental impact statement under NEPA. FAST-41 required the establishment of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC) which is a council that includes a chair and then representatives of certain Federal agencies, the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Council agencies include agencies that may be involved in authorization or environmental review of a covered project. The EPA is one such agency and is represented on the FPISC. Pursuant to FAST-41, the FPISC is charged with issuing recommendations on best practices to support the goals of FAST-41. See, e.g., 42 U.S.C. 4370m-1(c)(2)(B). In essence, the best practices are aimed at streamlining and improving the process by which the Federal government undertakes environmental reviews and authorizations for covered projects. States may voluntarily choose to participate in the FAST-41 process and make subject to the process all State agencies that have jurisdiction, are required to undertake a review or analysis, or are required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license or other approval for a covered project. Current Request for Comment On January 18, 2017, the FPISC published a document titled, Recommended Best Practices for Environmental Reviews and Authorizations for Infrastructure Projects, which is available online at https://www.permits.performance.gov. This document identifies best practices consistent with the FAST-41 guidelines described in 42 U.S.C. 4370m- 1(c)(2)(B). Specifically, these best practices regard: 42 U.S.C. 4370m-1(c)(2)(B) ``(i) enhancing early stakeholder engagement, including fully considering and, as appropriate, incorporating recommendations provided in public comments on any proposed covered project; (ii) ensuring timely decisions regarding environmental reviews and authorizations, including through the development of performance metrics; (iii) improving coordination between Federal and non-Federal governmental entities, including through the development of common data standards and terminology across agencies; (iv) increasing transparency; (v) reducing information collection requirements and other administrative burdens on agencies, project sponsors, and other interested parties; (vi) developing and making available to applicants appropriate geographic information systems and other tools; (vii) creating and distributing training materials useful to Federal, State, tribal, and local permitting officials; and (viii) addressing other aspects of infrastructure permitting, as determined by the Council.'' 42 U.S.C. 4370m-1(c)(2)(B) Under a number of federal environmental laws, the EPA delegates, approves, or authorizes state governments to issue permits or other authorizations under these laws. The EPA has already taken a number of steps related to best practices for delegated and authorized state permitting programs. These include establishing minimum program requirements for authorized and delegated programs consistent with the underlying statutory obligations. In addition, the EPA regularly communicates with delegated and authorized programs regarding program implementation and oversight. One example of this is that in 2016, the EPA initiated an agency-wide effort, with the consultation and collaboration of stakeholder associations throughout, to articulate a common set of principles and best practices for promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of delegated, authorized, and approved state permitting programs. On August [[Page 50420]] 30, 2016, the EPA formally transmitted the final principles and best practices for permitting to the Environmental Council of the States. See Promoting Environmental Program Health and Integrity: Principles and Best Practices for Oversight of State Permitting Programs, available online at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-10/documents/principles_and_best_practices_for_oversight_of_state_permitting_programs.pdf. These best practices and principles dovetail with the FPISC's best practices. 42 U.S.C. 4370m-5(a)(1) Consistent with the EPA's obligation under 42 U.S.C. 4370m-5(a)(1), the EPA is now seeking public comment to determine whether and the extent to which any of the best practices identified by the FPISC are generally applicable on a delegation- or authorization-wide basis to permitting under FAST-41. This document satisfies EPA's obligation under FAST-41 to solicit public participation on the FPISC best practices. Authority: Public Law 114-94, div. D, title XLI, sec. 41006(a)(1), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1758. Dated: October 25, 2017. Samantha K. Dravis, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2017-23686 Filed 10-30-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
![50418 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 209 / Tuesday, October 31, 2017 / Notices
Dated: October 18, 2017. City of Leon, Bexar County, Texas, and 2018 MVEBs contained in the
Andrew D. Sawyers, EPA Docket Number 06–06–17 and Attainment Demonstration for Kenosha
Director, Office of Wastewater Management. should be addressed to Lawrence County in Wisconsin are adequate for
[FR Doc. 2017–23567 Filed 10–30–17; 8:45 am] Andrews at the address listed above. transportation conformity purposes.
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Receipt of these MVEBs was announced
Jacob Piehl, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, on EPA’s transportation conformity Web
Texas 75202–2733 or call (214) 665– site, and no comments were submitted.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 2138. The finding is available at EPA’s
AGENCY Dated: October 16, 2017.
conformity Web site: https://
www.epa.gov/state-and-local-
[FRL–9970–18–Region 6] Samuel Coleman,
transportation/adequacy-review-state-
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
Notice of Proposed Administrative implementation-plan-sip-submissions-
[FR Doc. 2017–23684 Filed 10–30–17; 8:45 am] conformity.
Settlement Pursuant to the BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
Comprehensive Environmental The 2017 and 2018 MVEBs, in tons
Response, Compensation, and Liability per day (tpd), for VOCs and NOX for the
Act Kenosha County, Wisconsin area are as
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
follows:
AGENCY: Environmental Protection AGENCY
Agency (EPA). [EPA–R05–OAR–2017–0212; FRL–9970–15– Kenosha NOX (tpd) VOCs (tpd)
ACTION: Notice; request for public Region 5] County
comment. 2017 .......... 3.05 1.56
Adequacy Status of the Kenosha
SUMMARY: In accordance with section County, Wisconsin Area for Submitted 2018 .......... 2.75 1.44
122(h)(1) of the Comprehensive 8-Hour Ozone Attainment
Environmental Response, Demonstration for Transportation Transportation conformity is required
Compensation, and Liability Act, as Conformity Purposes by section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act.
amended (‘‘CERCLA’’), notice is hereby EPA’s conformity rule requires that
AGENCY: Environmental Protection transportation plans, programs, and
given of a proposed administrative Agency (EPA).
settlement concerning the Bandera Road projects conform to state air quality
ACTION: Notice of adequacy. implementation plans and establishes
Ground Water Plume Superfund Site,
located in City of Leon Valley, Bexar the criteria and procedures for
SUMMARY: In this notice, the
County, Texas. determining whether or not they do
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The settlement requires Savings conform. Conformity to a State
is notifying the public that we find that
Square Partners, Ltd., settling party, to Implementation Plan (SIP) means that
the motor vehicle emissions budgets
pay a total of $1,820,000 as payment of transportation activities will not
(MVEBs) for volatile organic compounds
past response costs to the Hazardous produce new air quality violations,
(VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) in
Substances Superfund. The settlement worsen existing violations, or delay
the Kenosha County, Wisconsin ozone
includes a covenant not to sue pursuant timely attainment of the national
nonattainment area are adequate for use
to sections 106 and 107(a) of CERCLA, ambient air quality standards.
in transportation conformity
42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607(a). determinations. Wisconsin submitted an The criteria by which we determine
For thirty (30) days following the date Attainment Demonstration for Kenosha whether a SIP’s MVEBs are adequate for
of publication of this notice, the Agency County on April 17, 2017. As a result of transportation conformity purposes are
will receive written comments relating our finding, this area must use these outlined in 40 CFR 93.118(e)(4). Please
to this notice and will receive written MVEBs from the submitted Attainment note that an adequacy review is separate
comments relating to the settlement. Demonstration for future transportation from EPA’s completeness review, and it
The Agency will consider all comments conformity determinations. also should not be used to prejudge
received and may modify or withdraw EPA’s ultimate approval of the SIP.
DATES: This finding is effective
its consent to the settlement if Even if we find a budget adequate, the
November 15, 2017.
comments received disclose facts or SIP could later be disapproved.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
considerations which indicate that the Michael Leslie, Environmental Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401–7671 q.
settlement is inappropriate, improper, Engineer, Control Strategies Section Dated: October 17, 2017.
or inadequate. The Agency’s response to (AR–18J), Air Programs Branch, Air and Robert A. Kaplan,
any comments received will be available Radiation Division, United States
for public inspection at 1445 Ross Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5.
Environmental Protection Agency, [FR Doc. 2017–23685 Filed 10–30–17; 8:45 am]
Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DATES: Comments must be submitted on Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 353–6680,
or before November 30, 2017. leslie.michael@epa.gov.
ADDRESSES: The proposed settlement SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
and additional background information Throughout this document, whenever AGENCY
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
relating to the settlement are available ‘‘we’’, ‘‘us’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
for public inspection at 1445 Ross EPA. [EPA–HQ–OA–2017–0600; FRL–9968–25–
Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. A OA]
copy of the proposed settlement may be Background
obtained from Lawrence Andrews, 1445 Today’s notice is an announcement of Fast-41 Best Practices: Delegated
Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733 a finding that we have already made. On State Permitting Programs
or by calling (214) 665–7397. Comments September 6, 2017, EPA sent a letter to
should reference the Bandera Road the Wisconsin Department of Natural AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Ground Water Plume Superfund Site, Resources stating that the 2017 and Agency (EPA).
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:37 Oct 30, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_50627/page/1.svg)
![50420 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 209 / Tuesday, October 31, 2017 / Notices
30, 2016, the EPA formally transmitted ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be quality, utility, and clarity of the
the final principles and best practices held at the U.S. Environmental information collected; ways to minimize
for permitting to the Environmental Protection Agency, William Jefferson the burden of the collection of
Council of the States. See Promoting Clinton (WJC) East Building, Rooms information on the respondents,
Environmental Program Health and 1117A & B, 1201 Constitution Avenue including the use of automated
Integrity: Principles and Best Practices NW., Washington, DC 20460. collection techniques or other forms of
for Oversight of State Permitting FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information technology; and ways to
Programs, available online at https:// more information about this meeting or further reduce the information
www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/ to request written materials, contact collection burden on small business
2016-10/documents/principles_and_ Tracey Ward of the Office of Ground concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
best_practices_for_oversight_of_state_ Water and Drinking Water, U.S. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor
permitting_programs.pdf. These best Environmental Protection Agency; by a collection of information unless it
practices and principles dovetail with phone at 202–564–3796 or by email at displays a currently valid Office of
the FPISC’s best practices. ward.tracey@epa.gov. For additional Management and Budget (OMB) control
information about the NDWAC meeting, number. No person shall be subject to
42 U.S.C. 4370m–5(a)(1)
please visit http://water.epa.gov/drink/ any penalty for failing to comply with
Consistent with the EPA’s obligation ndwac/ or www.regulations.gov (search a collection of information subject to the
under 42 U.S.C. 4370m–5(a)(1), the EPA for Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2015– PRA that does not display a valid OMB
is now seeking public comment to 0714). control number.
determine whether and the extent to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Details DATES: Written comments should be
which any of the best practices About Participating in the Meeting: submitted on or before January 2, 2018.
identified by the FPISC are generally Teleconferencing will be available If you anticipate that you will be
applicable on a delegation- or during the meeting. The number of submitting comments, but find it
authorization-wide basis to permitting teleconference connections available for difficult to do so within the period of
under FAST–41. This document the meeting is limited and will be time allowed by this notice, you should
satisfies EPA’s obligation under FAST– offered on a first-come, first-served advise the contacts below as soon as
41 to solicit public participation on the basis. The teleconference number is (1) possible.
FPISC best practices. 866–299–3188; when prompted, enter
conference code 202 564–7347. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
Authority: Public Law 114–94, div. D, title
XLI, sec. 41006(a)(1), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat.
Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@
Dated: October 23, 2017. fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.
1758.
Peter Grevatt,
Dated: October 25, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking additional information about the
Samantha K. Dravis, Water.
information collection, contact Cathy
Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2017–23566 Filed 10–30–17; 8:45 am] Williams at (202) 418–2918.
[FR Doc. 2017–23686 Filed 10–30–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork burdens, and as required by
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520),
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMISSION the FCC invites the general public and
AGENCY
[OMB 3060–1056] other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on the
[EPA–HQ–OW–2015–0714; FRL–9970–21– Information Collection Being Reviewed
OW] following information collections.
by the Federal Communications Comments are requested concerning:
Notice of a Public Meeting of the Commission Under Delegated Whether the proposed collection of
National Drinking Water Advisory Authority information is necessary for the proper
Council AGENCY: Federal Communications performance of the functions of the
Commission. Commission, including whether the
AGENCY: Environmental Protection information shall have practical utility;
Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice and request for
the accuracy of the Commission’s
comments.
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. burden estimate; ways to enhance the
SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort quality, utility, and clarity of the
SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental to reduce paperwork burdens, and as information collected; ways to minimize
Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing required by the Paperwork Reduction the burden of the collection of
a public meeting of the National Act (PRA), the Federal Communications information on the respondents,
Drinking Water Advisory Council Commission (FCC or Commission) including the use of automated
(NDWAC), as authorized under the Safe invites the general public and other collection techniques or other forms of
Drinking Water Act. During this Federal agencies to take this information technology; and ways to
meeting, the NDWAC will focus opportunity to comment on the further reduce the information
discussions on developing collection burden on small business
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
following information collections.
recommendations for the EPA Comments are requested concerning: concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
Administrator on Health Advisory Whether the proposed collection of OMB Control No.: 3060–1056.
Communications. information is necessary for the proper Title: Application for International
DATES: The meeting on December 7, performance of the functions of the Broadcast Station License.
2017, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 Commission, including whether the Form No.: FCC Form 421–IB.
p.m., eastern time; and December 8, information shall have practical utility; Type of Review: Extension of a
2017, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, eastern the accuracy of the Commission’s currently approved information
time. burden estimate; ways to enhance the collection.
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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:17:57
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:17:57
| 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; request for public comment. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received on or before November 20, 2017. | |
| Contact | Laura Gentile, Office of Policy, Mail Code 1104-A, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-3158; email | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 50418 |
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