2017-18214: Definition of “Waters of the United States”-Schedule of Public Meetings

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) will hold ten teleconferences to hear from stakeholders their recommendations to revise the definition of "Waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Nine of the teleconferences will be tailored to a specific sector, i.e., agriculture (row crop, livestock, silviculture); conservation (hunters and anglers); small entities (small businesses, small organizations, small jurisdictions); construction and transportation; environment and public advocacy (including health and environmental justice); mining; industry (energy, chemical, oil/gas); scientific organizations and academia; and stormwater, wastewater management, and drinking water agencies. One of the teleconferences will be open to the public at large. The teleconferences will run throughout the fall on Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. eastern time, beginning on September 19, 2017. In addition, the agencies will hold an in-person meeting with small entities on October 23, 2017 from 9:00 a.m.-11 a.m., and will accept written recommendations from any member of the public.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 10 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 33 CFR 328 Definition of Waters of the United States
• 40 CFR 110 Discharge of Oil
• 40 CFR 112 Oil Pollution Prevention
• 40 CFR 116 Designation of Hazardous Substances
• 40 CFR 117 Determination of Reportable Quantities for Hazardous Substances
• 40 CFR 122 EPA Administered Permit Programs: the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
• 40 CFR 232 404 Program Definitions; Exempt Activities Not Requiring 404 Permits
• 40 CFR 300 National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
• 40 CFR 302 Designation, Reportable Quantities, and Notification
• 40 CFR 401 General Provisions