Proposed Revisions to the Water Quality Planning and Management Regulation, and Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program and Federal Antidegradation Policy in Support of Proposed Revisions to the Water Quality Planning and Management Regulation

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57834-57835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28044]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 122, 123, 124, 130, and 131

[FRL-6464-3]


Proposed Revisions to the Water Quality Planning and Management 
Regulation, and Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System Program and Federal Antidegradation Policy in 
Support of Proposed Revisions to the Water Quality Planning and 
Management Regulation

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On August 23, 1999, EPA issued two proposed rules to revise, 
clarify and strengthen the current regulatory requirements for 
identifying impaired waters and establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads 
(TMDLs) under the Clean Water Act: revisions to the Water Quality 
Planning and Management Regulation (64 FR 46012); and revisions to the 
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program and 
Federal Antidegradation Policy (64 FR 46058) in support of the 
revisions at 64 FR 46012. These proposed regulatory revisions address 
issues of fundamental importance to cleaning up our Nation's polluted 
waters. Listing impaired and threatened waters and establishing TMDLs 
are fundamental tools for identifying remaining sources of water 
pollution and achieving water quality goals. Clean-up plans developed 
consistent with these regulatory proposals will help to restore the 
health of thousands of miles of river and shoreline and make millions 
of lake acres safe for their designated uses.
    EPA sought comment on both sets of proposed rules by October 22, 
1999. In response to comments from the public requesting additional 
time to fully analyze the issues and prepare comprehensive comments, 
EPA extended the original comment period to December 22, 1999 (64 FR 
53304, October 1, 1999). Today, in response to Congressional direction 
in EPA's appropriations bill, EPA is extending the comment period to 
January 20, 2000.

DATES: Comments on these proposals must be submitted on or before 
January 20, 2000. Comments provided electronically will be considered 
timely if they are submitted by 11:59 P.M. (Eastern time) January 20, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the Proposed Revisions to the Water 
Quality Planning and Management Regulation to the Comment Clerk for the 
TMDL Program Rule, Water Docket (W-98-31), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20460.
    Send written comments on the Revisions to the NPDES Program and 
Federal Antidegradation Policy in Support of Proposed Revisions to the 
Water Quality Planning and Management Regulation to the Comment Clerk, 
Water Docket (W-99-04), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, 
S.W., Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA requests that commenters submit any references cited in their 
comments. EPA also requests that commenters submit an original and 3 
copies of their written comments and enclosures. Commenters that want 
receipt of their comments acknowledged should include a self-addressed, 
stamped envelope. All comments must be

[[Page 57835]]

postmarked or delivered by hand. No facsimiles (faxes) will be 
accepted.
    EPA will also accept comments electronically. Comments should be 
addressed to the following Internet address: ow-docket@epa.gov. 
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII or WordPerfect file 
avoiding the use of special characters and any form on encryption. 
Electronic comments must be identified by the appropriate docket number 
(W-98-31 for the TMDL rule and W-99-04 for the NPDES Program/Federal 
Antidegradation Policy rule), and may be filed online at many Federal 
depository Libraries. No confidential business information (CBI) should 
be sent via e-mail.
    A copy of the supporting documents cited in the proposals are 
available for review at EPA's Water Docket; Room EB-57 (East Tower 
Basement), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. For access to docket 
materials, call (202) 260-3027 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for an 
appointment. An electronic version of the TMDL proposal is available 
via the Internet at: <www.epa.gov/OWOW/tmdl/index.html>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hazel Groman, U.S. EPA, Office of 
Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (4503F), 401 M St., S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20640, (202) 401-4078 for the TMDL rule. Kim Kramer, Office of 
Wastewater Management, 401 M St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20640, Mail 
Code 4203, e-mail: Kramer.Kim@epa.gov, telephone: (202) 260-9541 for 
information regarding the NPDES provisions, or Susan Gilbertson, Office 
of Science and Technology, 401 M St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20640, 
Mail Code 4305, e-mail: Gilbertson.Sue@epa.gov, telephone (202) 260-
7301 for information regarding the water quality standards provisions.

    Dated: October 21, 1999.

J. Charles Fox,

Assistant Administrator for Water.
[FR Doc. 99-28044 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P