[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 39934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17045]
[[Page 39934]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-9175-2; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-0934]
The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic
Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields and a Field-Based
Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Extension of public comment period to August 13, 2010.
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SUMMARY: EPA is announcing a second extension of the public comment
period for two related draft documents: (1) ``The Effects of
Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central
Appalachian Coalfields'' (EPA/600/R-09/138A) and (2) ``A Field-based
Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian
Streams'' (EPA/600/R-10/023A). We are specifically extending the
comment period to give the public additional time to evaluate the data
used to derive a benchmark for conductivity. The original Federal
Register notice announcing the public comment period was published on
April 12, 2010 (75 FR 18499), and an extension of the public comment
period was published on June 1, 2010 (75 FR 30393). By following the
link below, reviewers may download the initial data and EPA's
derivative data sets that were used to calculate the conductivity
benchmark. These reports were developed by the National Center for
Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and
Development as part of a set of actions taken by EPA to further clarify
and strengthen environmental permitting requirements for Appalachian
mountaintop removal and other surface coal mining projects, in
coordination with federal and state regulatory agencies (http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/mining.html).
Both documents will be reviewed by an independent Mountaintop
Mining Advisory Panel convened by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB).
The SAB's public meeting is scheduled for July 20-22, 2010, and was
announced in the Federal Register on May 25, 2010 (75 FR 29339). The
public comment period described above and the SAB meeting follow
separate processes and provide separate opportunities for all
interested parties to comment on the document. EPA intends to forward
to the SAB those comments received as of July 13, 2010 for
consideration by the SAB Panel. Those comments received after July 13
will also be made available to the SAB review panel for their
consideration as they complete their Panel report. When finalizing the
draft documents, EPA will consider the comments from the SAB review as
well as any significant public comments that it receives in accordance
with this notice.
EPA is releasing these draft documents for the purpose of pre-
dissemination peer review under applicable information quality
guidelines. The documents have not been formally disseminated by EPA.
They do not represent and should not be construed to represent a final
Agency policy or determination; however, the documents reflect EPA's
best interpretation of the available science. The draft documents are
available via the Internet on NCEA's home page under the Recent
Additions and Publications menus at http://www.epa.gov/ncea.
DATES: The public comment period began on April 12, 2010 and ends on
August 13, 2010. Technical comments should be in writing and must be
received by EPA by August 13, 2010.
ADDRESSES: The draft reports, ``The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and
Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian
Coalfields'' and ``A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for
Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams'' are available primarily
via the Internet on the National Center for Environmental Assessment's
home page under the Recent Additions and Publications menus at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. A limited number of paper copies are available,
contact the EPA; telephone: (703-347-8629); facsimile: (703-347-8691).
If you are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, your
mailing address, and the document titles (1) ``The Effects of
Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central
Appalachian Coalfields'' and (2) ``A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark
for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams.''
Comments may be submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov,
by mail, by facsimile, or by hand delivery/courier. Please follow the
detailed instructions provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
of Federal Register Notice (75 FR 30393).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on submitting comments
to the docket, please contact the Office of Environmental Information
Docket; telephone: 202-566-1752; facsimile: 202-566-1753; or e-mail:
[email protected]. For technical information, please leave a message
at 703-347-8629 or send e-mail to [email protected].
Dated: July 6, 2010.
Rebecca Clark,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2010-17045 Filed 7-12-10; 8:45 am]
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