EPA Preliminary Study on Aquaculture Effluents
Federal Register: March 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 60)

[Page 15158-15159]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6317-4]
Effluent Guidelines Plan Update and Notice of Public Meeting
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: EPA announces several recent developments in the effluent guidelines program. The Agency is developing a proposed rule for the Construction and Development industry and announces a public meeting to discuss the project. EPA also initiated a preliminary study of the Aquaculture industry. Finally, EPA announces a revised deadline for the Iron and Steel Manufacturing rule.
DATES: The public meeting for the Construction and Development rulemaking will be held on April 20, 1999, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Voice of America Auditorium, Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, 300 block of C Street, SW (between 3^rd and 4^th Streets), Washington, DC. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for details on parking and transit. Written inquiries may be sent to: Engineering and Analysis Division (4303), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the Construction and Development rulemaking, contact Eric Strassler, telephone 202-260-7150, E-mail: strassler.eric@epa.gov. For the Aquaculture preliminary study, contact Michael Clipper, telephone 202-260-1278, E-mail clipper.mike@epa.gov. For the Iron and Steel rulemaking, contact George Jett, telephone 202-260-7151, E-mail:
jett.george@epa.gov. Fact sheets on these projects are available on EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/OST/guide.

EPA conducts preliminary studies to evaluate existing information on wastewater discharges from industrial categories. The Agency has begun a study of Aquaculture, also known as fish farming, in response to comments received during the preparation of the 1998 Effluent Guidelines Plan.

EPA will summarize available information on aquaculture wastewater characterization; waste collection, storage, and treatment systems; and management practices. The Agency will include information on industry demographics, trends and economics. EPA will also examine environmental impacts that are associated with wastewater from aquaculture operations and existing case studies of the costs and benefits of controls to mitigate these impacts. This information may be used to inform future decisions on the need to regulate wastewater discharges from this industry.

EPA relies extensively on the participation of stakeholders as it develops effluent guidelines. The Agency will be identifying its information needs for the Construction and Development rule and the Aquaculture study, and will initiate a data sharing process that will actively involve interested participants from industry, citizen groups, state and local governments, other Federal agencies and researchers.

EPA will conduct a public meeting on the Construction and Development rulemaking project on April 20, 1999, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at the Voice of America Auditorium, Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, 300 block of C Street, SW (between 3^rd and 4^th Streets), Washington, DC. The closest Metro subway station is Federal Center, SW (2 blocks from the Auditorium). Limited public parking is available. Public garages are located at 301 4^th St., SW;

Virginia Ave. between 3^rd and 4^th St., SW; and 6^th St. at C St., S.W. Agency staff will provide background on the effluent guidelines development process and identify data needs. EPA will answer questions and all stakeholders can participate in an informal discussion as time allows. This meeting is not a public hearing and the Agency will not be accepting formal testimony.

EPA welcomes suggestions on the development of effluent guidelines and preliminary studies. Internet web pages will be provided to explain the projects and distribute technical documents for review and comment. These web pages will be available through the Effluent Guidelines home page at http://www.epa.gov/OST/guide.

Dated: March 23, 1999.
Tudor T. Davies,
Director, Office of Science and Technology.
[FR Doc. 99-7772 Filed 3-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P