[Federal Register: October 1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 190)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53304]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc99-37]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 122, 123, 124, 130, and 131
[FRL-6446-8]
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.
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. It is EPA's intent to provide the public and all stakeholders an
adequate period of time to fully analyze the issues and prepare
comprehensive comments. Therefore, we are extending the comment period
an additional 60 days for a total comment period of 120 days.
DATES: Comments on these proposals must be submitted on or before
December 22, 1999. Comments provided electronically will be considered
timely if they are submitted by 11:59 P.M. (Eastern time) December 22,
1999.
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, SW, 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 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: .
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hazel Groman, US EPA, Office of
Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (4503F), 401 M. St., SW, Washington, DC
20640, (202) 260-4078 for the TMDL rule. Kim Kramer, Office of
Wastewater Management, 401 M. St., SW, Washington, DC 20640, Mail Code
4203, e-mail: Kramer.Kim@epa.gov, telephone: (202) 260-8541 for
information regarding the NPDES provisions, or Susan Gilbertson, Office
of Science and Technology, 401 M. St., SW, Washington, DC 20640, Mail
Code 4305, e-mail: Gilbertson.Sue@epa.gov, telephone (202) 260-7301 for
information regarding the water quality standards provisions.
Dated: September 24, 1999.
Dana D. Minerva,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Water.
[FR Doc. 99-25307 Filed 9-28-99; 2:26 pm]
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