[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 66097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27616]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 86

[AMS-FRL-7401-9]
RIN 2060-AJ90


Control of Emissions From Spark Ignition Marine Vessels and 
Highway Motorcycles; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is extending the comment 
period for a proposed rule addressing new emission standards for spark-
ignition marine vessels and highway motorcycles. The proposed rule was 
published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2002 (67 FR 53050). The 
comment period for the proposed rule is extended by 60 days and thus 
will end on January 7, 2003.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted through January 
7, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments: You may send written comments in paper form or by 
e-mail. We must receive them by November 8, 2002. Send paper copies of 
written comments (in duplicate if possible) to the contact person 
listed below. You may also submit comments via e-mail to 
[email protected]. In your correspondence, refer to Docket A-2000-02. 
Docket: Materials relevant to this rulemaking are contained in Public 
Docket Number A-2000-02 at the following address: EPA Docket Center 
(EPA/DC), Public Reading Room, Room B102, EPA West Building, 1301 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except on government holidays. You can reach the Reading Room 
by telephone at (202) 566-1742, and by facsimile at (202) 566-1741. The 
telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742. You may be 
charged a reasonable fee for photocopying docket materials, as provided 
in 40 CFR part 2.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Borushko, U.S. EPA, National 
Vehicle and Fuels Emission Laboratory, 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 
48105; Telephone (734) 214-4334; FAX: (734) 214-4816; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register of August 14, 2002 (67 FR 
53049). That document included a deadline for written comments of 
November 8, 2002. Since that time, we have received requests for an 
extension of that deadline to allow additional time to review and 
comment on the proposed emission standards and related requirements. As 
a result of such requests, EPA is extending the comment period on the 
proposed rule to January 7, 2003.
    The requests received by the EPA regarding an extension of the 
comment period have several common concerns. These common concerns 
involve issues such as: impact on small businesses; technical 
feasibility of the standards; cost of the standards; the contribution 
of motorcycles and boats to pollution; and impacts on performance and 
safety. The EPA continues to study and evaluate these issues and many 
others, and will consider all relevant information presented by 
stakeholders. The extended comment period allows stakeholders an 
increased opportunity to participate in the regulatory process by 
providing additional information, preferably with supporting data, 
regarding these and other issues to the EPA.
    In the NPRM we requested comment on promulgating standards that 
would require the use of low permeability fuel tanks and fuel hoses on 
highway motorcycles. We did not, however, specifically propose such 
requirements, and although the NPRM preamble language detailed what 
these requirements might look like and draft regulatory language was 
placed in the public docket, no proposed regulatory language was 
included in the NPRM. However, since the NPRM was published, EPA has 
finalized regulations for recreational vehicles that include 
requirements for control of permeation emissions from fuel tanks and 
hoses. If we were to finalize requirements for permeation control from 
highway motorcycles, it is highly likely that the regulations would be 
modeled after those in the recently finalized recreational vehicle 
regulations. Interested parties wishing more detail on the type of 
regulatory program EPA is considering for highway motorcycle permeation 
control are encouraged to review the recreational vehicle requirements. 
The final rule for recreational vehicles is available on the EPA web 
site at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/recveh.htm. When the recreational 
vehicle final rule is published in the Federal Register we will place a 
copy of it in Docket A-2000-02 so that interested parties may review it 
during the extended comment period.
    Additionally, at the public hearing on the proposed motorcycle 
provisions testimony was presented that encouraged EPA to ensure that 
the proposed emission standards be applicable to engine manufacturers 
as well as motorcycle manufacturers. We request additional comment on 
this issue. Although the current federal requirements do not 
specifically apply to motorcycle engines and motorcycle engine 
manufacturers, the California requirements with which we proposed to 
harmonize clearly do apply to these entities, and at least one engine 
manufacturer is currently certifying engines to the California and 
federal requirements.
    The testimony from the public hearings and other materials have 
been placed in the docket since we published the proposal, and the 
hearing transcripts have been placed in the docket and on the EPA 
Office of Transportation and Air Quality web site. Additional 
information will be placed in the docket as it becomes available. We 
therefore encourage interested parties to stay abreast of docketed 
materials and to periodically check the following web pages for 
updates:

Highway Motorcycles

     http://www.epa.gov/otaq/roadbike.htm.

Gasoline Boats and Personal Watercraft

    http://www.epa.gov/otaq/marinesi.htm.

    Dated: October 22, 2002.
Robert Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 02-27616 Filed 10-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P