[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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