Proposed Rules. Proposed rule; extension of comment period

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Action: Proposed rule; extension of comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 2013-25577 · EPA-HQ-OECA-2009-0274; FRL-9902-11-OECA · 40 CFR 122, 123, 127, 403, 501, 503

Summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is extending the comment period for the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule, published on July 30, 2013. EPA is soliciting public comment on a new regulation that would require electronic reporting for current paper-based NPDES reports. This action will save time and resources for permittees, states, tribes, territories, and EPA while improving compliance and providing better protection of the Nation's waters. The proposed Clean Water Act regulation would require permittees and regulators to use existing, available information technology to electronically report information and data related to the NPDES permit program in lieu of filing written reports. In response to requests from stakeholders, this action extends the comment period for 45 days.

Dates

Comments on the preliminary plan published on July 30, 2013 (78 FR 46006), will be accepted through December 12, 2013. Comments provided electronically will be considered timely if they are submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 12, 2013.

Supplementary Information

On July 30, 2013 (78 FR 46006), EPA published the proposed NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule. This proposed rule describes EPA's approach to substitute electronic reporting for paper-based reports, which will over the long term save time and resources for permittees, states, tribes, territories, and EPA while improving compliance and better protecting the Nation's waters. The proposed rule would require permittees and regulators to use existing, available information technology to electronically report information and data related to the NPDES permit program in lieu of filing written reports. The original comment deadline was October 28, 2013. Numerous stakeholders have requested an extension to the comment period in order to adequately understand and comment on the preliminary plan. This action extends the comment period for 45 days. Dated: September 30, 2013. Lisa Lund, Director, Office of Compliance. [FR Doc. 2013-25577 Filed 10-28-13; 8:45 am]