2020-02889: NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule-Phase 2 Extension

Summary

EPA published the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule ("NPDES eRule") on 22 October 2015. The 2015 rule required EPA and states to modernize Clean Water Act (CWA) reporting. The NPDES eRule included a phased implementation schedule. In this notice, EPA proposes postponing the compliance deadlines for Phase 2 implementation by three years and providing states with additional flexibility to request additional time as needed. Further, this notice proposes changes to the NPDES eRule that would clarify existing requirements and eliminate some duplicative or outdated reporting requirements. Taken together, these changes are designed to save the NPDES authorized programs considerable resources, make reporting easier for NPDES-regulated entities, streamline permit renewals, ensure full exchange of NPDES program data between states and EPA, enhance public transparency, improve environmental decision- making, and protect human health and the environment.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 6 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 40 CFR 9 OMB Approvals Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
• 40 CFR 122 EPA Administered Permit Programs: the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
• 40 CFR 123 State Program Requirements
• 40 CFR 127 NPDES Electronic Reporting
• 40 CFR 403 General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and New Sources of Pollution
• 40 CFR 503 Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge