[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 56365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22420]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-R10-OW-2014-0505; FRL-9916-89-Region 10]


Announcement To Extend the Period To Evaluate Public Comments 
Received on the Proposed Determination for the Pebble Deposit Area, 
Southwest Alaska

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of extension.

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SUMMARY: On July 21, 2014, EPA published in the Federal Register (79 FR 
42314) a Notice of Proposed Determination, under Section 404(c) of the 
Clean Water Act, to restrict the use of certain waters in the South 
Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek 
watersheds in Southwest Alaska as disposal sites for dredged or fill 
material associated with mining the Pebble deposit, a copper-, gold-, 
and molybdenum-bearing ore body. The notice established a public 
comment period that ended September 19, 2014. EPA also held seven 
hearings throughout Southwest Alaska during the week of August 11, 
2014. More than 830 community members participated in the seven 
hearings, more than 300 of whom provided oral statements. In addition 
to testimony taken at the hearings, as of September 11, 2014, EPA had 
received over 155,000 written comments. EPA expects that number will be 
significantly larger at the conclusion of the comment period on 
September 19, 2014.
    EPA's regulations require that, within 30 days after the conclusion 
of public hearings (but not before the end of the comment period), the 
Regional Administrator either withdraw the Proposed Determination or 
prepare a Recommended Determination (40 CFR 231.5(a)). However, upon a 
showing of good cause, EPA may extend this time requirement (40 CFR 
231.8).
    To allow full consideration of the extensive administrative record, 
including public comments, EPA finds there is good cause to extend the 
time period provided in 40 CFR 231.5(a). The time period to either 
withdraw the Proposed Determination or to prepare the Recommended 
Determination is therefore extended until no later than February 4, 
2015.

    Dated: September 11, 2014.
Michelle L. Pirzadeh,
Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2014-22420 Filed 9-18-14; 8:45 am]
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