[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 26149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13087]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 136

[FRL-5509-7]


Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Oil 
and Grease and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons: Reopening of Comment 
Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; reopening of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening 
the comment period for the proposal to amend the Guidelines 
Establishing Test Procedures under section 304(h) of the Clean Water 
Act to replace existing gravimetric test procedures for the 
conventional pollutant ``oil and grease'' with EPA Method 1664, which 
was published in the Federal Register on January 23, 1996 (61 FR 1730). 
The public comment period for the proposed rule ended on March 25, 
1996.
    EPA has received several requests for an extension of time to 
comment on the proposed rule, on the grounds that several issues that 
the rule addresses require additional time for a proper evaluation. The 
Agency has determined that an extension of time is in the public 
interest, and that an additional 60 days to comment on the proposed 
rule is reasonable.

DATES: Comments on this proposal will be accepted until July 23, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the proposed rule to ``Method 
1664'' Comment Clerk; Water Docket MC-4101; Environmental Protection 
Agency; 401 M Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20460. Commenters are 
requested to submit any references cited in their comments. Commenters 
are also requested to submit an original and 3 copies of their written 
comments and enclosures. Commenters who want receipt of their comments 
acknowledged should include a self addressed, stamped envelope. All 
comments must be postmarked or delivered by hand by July 23, 1996. No 
facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ben Honaker, Engineering and 
Analysis Division (4303), USEPA Office of Science and Technology, 401 M 
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C., 20460, or call (202) 260-2272.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 23, 1996, EPA published a 
proposed rule at 61 FR 1730 to replace existing gravimetric procedures 
for the conventional pollutant ``oil and grease'' (40 CFR 401.16) with 
EPA Method 1664 as part of EPA's effort to reduce dependency on the use 
of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Method 1664 uses normal hexane (n-
hexane) as the extraction solvent in place of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-
trifluoroethane (CFC-113). This proposal would withdraw approval of EPA 
Method 413.1 and Standard Methods Method 5520B, which use CFC-113 as 
the extraction solvent. In an effort to provide for the use and 
depletion of existing laboratory stocks of CFC-113, EPA plans to 
implement the required use of Method 1664 no sooner than six months 
after the final rule is published in the Federal Register. Method 1664 
was also proposed for the determination of total petroleum 
hydrocarbons.
    This extension of time for comment neither represents any 
modification of the proposed rule, nor indicates a change in the 
Agency's interpretation of the existing requirements. The extension of 
time for receipt of comments simply provides those interested parties 
an additional 60 days to provide comments to the Agency on the proposed 
rule. All other requirements stipulated in the initial proposal for 
receipt of comments still apply.
    All written comments submitted in accordance with the instructions 
in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and received by July 23, 1996, 
including those received between the close of the comment period on 
March 25, 1996, and the publication of this notice, will be entered 
into the public record and considered by EPA before promulgation of the 
final rule.

    Dated: May 17, 1996.
Robert Perciasepe,
Assistant Administrator for Water.
[FR Doc. 96-13087 Filed 5-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P