Deadline Extension for Regional Roundtable Discussions Regarding “Waters of the United States”
| Published date | 08 November 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 61730 |
| Record Number | 2021-24317 |
| Section | Proposed rules |
| Court | Army, Corps Of Engineers Department,Defense Department,Environmental Protection Agency |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 213 (Monday, November 8, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 213 (Monday, November 8, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61730-61731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24317]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
33 CFR Part 328
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 120
[FRL-6027.4-05-OW]
Deadline Extension for Regional Roundtable Discussions Regarding
``Waters of the United States''
AGENCY: Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of
Defense; and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of events; extension of deadline request for
nominations.
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SUMMARY: On October 13, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (hereafter, ``the agencies'')
signed a Federal Register publication and publicly announced a process
for stakeholders to submit nomination letters with a slate of
participants to potentially be selected as one of ten geographically
focused roundtables to provide input on the regional implications of
``waters of the United States'' (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The
intent for each regional roundtable is to engage individuals
representing diverse perspectives in meaningful dialogue on the
definition of ``waters of the United States.'' This Federal Register
document was published on October 25, 2021. In response to robust
interest in these roundtables, the agencies are extending the deadline
for nominations to be submitted to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on
December 1, 2021. In addition, the agencies are providing certain
clarifications regarding the nomination process.
DATES: Nomination letters for the roundtables must be received on or
before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 1, 2021. As a
result of the deadline extension, EPA anticipates roundtables will be
held in early 2022. Specific dates will be coordinated with selected
nominees based on availability. Please refer to the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section for additional information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Balasa, Office of Water,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (312) 886-6027; email address:
[email protected], or Stacey Jensen, Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Department of the Army, 108 Army
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0104; telephone number: (703) 459-6026;
email address: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to robust interest in and
certain inquiries regarding the regional roundtables on ``waters of the
United States'' announced on October 13, 2021, the agencies are
extending the deadline for submitting nominations and providing
clarifications.
The Federal Register publication published on October 25, 2021 (86
FR 58829) states: ``On June 9, 2021, [the agencies] announced their
intent to revise the definition of `waters of the United States' under
the Clean Water Act through two rulemakings--first, a foundational rule
that will propose to restore longstanding protections, and a second
rulemaking process that builds on that regulatory foundation. . . . The
[[Page 61731]]
agencies are seeking input on a durable definition of `waters of the
United States' not limited to the scope of the regulatory processes
announced on June 9, 2021.'' The agencies offer the following
clarification. During the regional roundtables, the agencies anticipate
discussing issues related to ``waters of the United States'' that will
be applicable to the agencies' second rulemaking. The regional
roundtables will serve as one part of a robust pre-proposal outreach
and engagement strategy--including but not limited to consultation and
engagement with state and tribal co-regulators--to gain an
understanding of the scope of potential issues to address in the second
rulemaking.
The October 25, 2021 Federal Register document also states: ``The
agencies are inviting stakeholders to organize interested parties and
regional participants that comprise up to 15 representatives for these
roundtables.'' The agencies offer the following clarification. The
agencies are requesting that stakeholders or organizations nominate an
entire group of no more than 15 people (including the organizer) who
represent diverse perspectives. Individuals should not nominate
themselves alone to the agencies.
The document also states: ``Each nomination for a roundtable must
include a proposed slate of participants representing perspectives of:
Agriculture; conservation groups; developers; drinking water/wastewater
management; environmental organizations; environmental justice
communities; industry; and other key interests in that region.'' The
agencies offer the following clarification. The agencies will consider
nominations that lack representation from one or more of the named
stakeholder groups. However, the agencies will give more weight in the
selection process to those nominations that include stakeholders
representing a more robust and wider range of perspectives.
The Federal Register document also stated: ``The agencies
anticipate coordinating with elected officials that represent the
location of selected roundtables.'' The agencies offer the following
clarification. The agencies' intent is to coordinate with relevant
states, tribes, and Alaska Native Villages regarding potential
participation in selected roundtables.
The Federal Register document further stated: ``EPA cannot hold in-
person public meetings at this time. The agencies will host these
roundtables virtually. . . . The agencies also intend to livestream
each roundtable to make them available for public viewing.'' The
agencies offer the following clarification. Information on how to
access the livestream will be posted on the agencies' websites once the
roundtable dates/times have been established.
Additionally, the Federal Register document did not include
information on roundtable agenda, format, or logistics. The agencies
would like to clarify that roundtables will be run by a facilitator and
will be scheduled for no more than two and a half hours in duration.
Additionally, the agencies will coordinate with roundtable
organizers on further implementation planning once roundtables are
selected.
Jaime A. Pinkham,
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), Department of the
Army.
Radhika Fox,
Assistant Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 2021-24317 Filed 11-5-21; 8:45 am]
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