[Federal Register: December 2, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 231)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 71523-71524]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02de02-43]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 451
[FRL-7415-6]
RIN 2040-AD55
Extension of Comment Period for Effluent Limitations Guidelines
and New Source Performance Standards for the Concentrated Aquatic
Animal Production Point Source Category; Proposed Rule
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: EPA proposed effluent limitations guidelines and standards for
the Concentrated Aquatic Animals Production (CAAP) Category on
September 12, 2002. The proposed regulations would apply to discharges
from certain facilities in the CAAP Category that grow, contain or
produce aquatic animals above 100,000 pounds. EPA is extending the
comment period by approximately six weeks. The comment period will now
close on January 27, 2003. EPA has carefully considered the court-
ordered promulgation date in making the decision to extend the comment
period for this rulemaking.
DATES: Comments regarding the proposed rule will be accepted on or
before January 27, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to W-02-01, Ms. Marta E. Jordan,
Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. For hand-deliveries or Federal
Express, please send comments to Ms. Marta E. Jordan, Office of Water,
Engineering and Analysis Division, Room 6233M, 1301 Constitution
Avenue, NW., 6th Floor, Connecting Wing, Washington, DC 20460. EPA
requests an original and three copies of your written comments and
enclosures (including copies of references). Comments may be sent by
email to the following e-mail address: aquaticanimals@epa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marta E. Jordan, Engineering and
Analysis Division (4303T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone (202) 566-1049,
fax (202) 566-1053 or E-Mail jordan.marta@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA proposed effluent limitations guidelines
and standards for the CAAP Category on September 12, 2002, see 67 FR
57871. The proposed regulation would apply to producers of aquatic
animals which produce at least 100,000 pounds of animals per year in
one of three specific production systems. EPA proposed to establish
requirements for the production of aquatic animals in flow through,
recirculating, and net pen systems. EPA proposes to establish numeric
limitations for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in the wastewater
discharged from flow through and recirculating systems. EPA also
proposes to require the development and implementation of Best
Management Practices (BMPs) to
[[Page 71524]]
control the discharge of pollutants from flow through, recirculating
and net pens systems. EPA described the bases for these requirements in
section VIII of the preamble to the proposed regulation (67 FR 57895).
EPA held three public meetings to provide an overview of the
proposed rule and opportunities for the regulated community and other
interested parties to ask questions on issues pertaining to the
proposed rule.
EPA received several requests to extend the comment period to allow
more time to address the issues on which EPA solicited public comment.
The requests for an extension pointed out that this is a very busy
season for a large portion of this industry. Many sectors are involved
in harvest through the fall months. EPA agrees that many producers may
need more time to develop comments to the proposal. The comment period
for the proposed rule is extended until January 27, 2003.
EPA is scheduled to take final action on effluent limitations
guidelines and new source performance standards for this industry by
June 2004. EPA is using its best efforts to comply with this deadline
and expects to meet the schedule even with this extension of the
comment period.
Dated: November 25, 2002.
G. Tracy Mehan, III,
Assistant Administrator for Water.
[FR Doc. 02-30466 Filed 11-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P