[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45728-45729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17238]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7243-3]


Water Quality Trading Policy; Proposed Policy; Re-Opening Comment 
Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice, request for comment; re-opening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On May 15, 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 
(EPA's) invited public comment on its proposed Policy on Water Quality 
Trading (``proposed policy''). Today's action extends the due date for 
comments to July 15, 2002. The purpose of the proposed policy is to 
signal EPA support for soundly designed water quality trading programs 
developed by States and Tribes. Another purpose is to propose program 
components that EPA believes are appropriate for trading programs to be 
soundly designed and to operate successfully. In addition, the proposed 
policy is intended to address issues left open and limitations 
encountered implementing projects under EPA's January 1996 Effluent 
Trading Policy and May 1996 draft Framework for Watershed-Based Trading 
(EPA 800-R-96-001).
    Water quality trading is a voluntary incentive-based approach to 
more efficiently protect and restore the nation's waters. The proposed 
policy addresses trading to maintain water quality in unimpaired 
waters, trading in

[[Page 45729]]

impaired waters before development of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) 
and trading to meet TMDLs. While the focus is on nutrients and 
sediment, the policy also discusses the potential for trading other 
pollutants under certain circumstances.
    The proposed policy is available for review at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading.htm

DATES: The Agency requests comments on the proposed policy posted at 
http://www.epa.gov.owow/watershed/trading.htm. Comments must be 
received or post-marked by midnight on Monday, July 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The proposed policy is available for review at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading.htm. Please send an original and 
three copies of your written comments and enclosures to W-02-07 Comment 
Clerk, Water Docket (MC4101), EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460. Comments may also be submitted electronically to 
[email protected]. Electronic comments must be submitted as an 
ASCII, WP5.1, WP6.1 or WP8 file avoiding the use of special characters 
and form of encryption. Electronic comments must be identified by the 
docket number W-02-07. Comments and data will also be accepted on disks 
in WP 5.1, 6.1, 8 or ASCII file format. Electronic comments on this 
notice may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries. Hand 
deliveries should be delivered to: EPA's Water Docket at 401 M Street, 
SW., Room EB57, Washington, DC 20460.
    The record for this proposed policy has been established under 
docket number W-02-07, and includes supporting documentation as well as 
printed, paper versions of electronic comments. The record is available 
for inspection from 9 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays at the Water Docket, EB 57, USEPA Headquarters, 401 M St SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. For access to docket materials, please call 202/
260-3027 to schedule an appointment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Batchelor, EPA, Office of Water, 
(202) 564-5764, [email protected]. or Lynda Hall Wynn, EPA, 
Office of Water, (202) 564-0472, [email protected].

    Dated: July 2, 2002.
Elisabeth LaRoe,
Director, Water Policy Staff, Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 02-17238 Filed 7-9-02; 8:45 am]
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