[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63711-63712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30259]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5344-5]


XL Community Pilot Program

SUMMARY: This document responds to President Clinton's March 16, 1995 
initiatives listed in the report, Reinventing Environmental Regulation. 
In the report, EPA committed to implementing pilot programs to develop 
innovative alternatives to the current environmental management system. 
These programs will give a limited number of regulated entities and 
communities an opportunity to demonstrate excellence and leadership in 
environmental protection. These reinvention pilot programs, entitled 
Project XL, will focus on four areas: facilities, industry sectors, 
federal government agencies, and communities. This Federal Register 
Notice addresses the XL Community Pilot Program and is a solicitation 
for pilot project proposals and comments on all aspects of the XL 
Community Pilot Program. An earlier Federal Register Notice published 
on May 23, 1995 (60 FR 27282 discusses the XL pilot programs for 
facilities, industry sectors, and Federal government agencies.
    Today, EPA is announcing the XL Community Pilot Program to join 
with local governments, communities, states, federal recognized tribes, 
and others to conduct a limited number of pilot projects that 
demonstrate and assess the merits of community-designed and directed 
strategies for achieving greater environmental quality and sustainable 

[[Page 63712]]
economic goals. These pilots will build on the experience gained in the 
Administration's Empowerment Zone and Ecosystem Management Initiatives. 
Both of these efforts encourage participants to achieve their 
community's economic development and environmental quality goals by 
using community-based planning to mobilize the resources necessary to 
sustain economic and environmental health. XL Community pilots will 
integrate the mutually supportive goals of economic development and 
environmental protection at the community level utilizing full public 
participation.
    In the XL Communities Pilot Program EPA will assist local 
communities to achieve superior environmental performance. Through the 
XL Communities Pilot Program, EPA will offer assistance in one or more 
areas, depending on the nature of the proposed project--flexiblility in 
the implementation of environmental regulations, technical support, 
coordination of federal programs, the identification of government 
resources, and other type of support identified on a case by case 
basis--in exchange for a commitment on the part of the community entity 
to go beyond the environmental results of compliance and achieve 
greater environmental quality that would have been realized under 
traditional approaches.
    In a separate reinvention effort, also included in the initiatives 
announced by the President on March 16, 1995, the Agency's Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) is developing an 
enforcement policy for communities whose facilities are not in 
compliance with environmental regulations and are willing to enter into 
compliance agreements to make progress towards meeting environmental 
standards. These agreements may extend across more than one 
environmental program and would recognize the need for flexibility in 
approach or timing. (For information on this policy contact Kenneth 
Harmon; Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance; (202) 564-
7049.)
    This document includes: background information on the XL 
Communities Pilot Program; a description of the Program; its 
relationship to other regulatory reinvention activities; the criteria, 
process, and timing for the selection of projects; and an invitation 
for public comment.
    This Notice invites proposals from local governments, community 
groups, and other public and private entities interested in initiating 
pilot programs.

    Dated: December 6, 1995.
Leonard Fleckenstein,
Office of Sustainable Ecosystems and Communities.
[FR Doc. 95-30259 Filed 12-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M