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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any public comment provided to EPA Dated: May 3, 2011. member of the public wishing to obtain program offices. Therefore, the process Anthony Maciorowski, general information concerning the for submitting comments to a Federal Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Staff public teleconference may contact Dr. advisory committee is different from the Office. Holly Stallworth, Designated Federal process used to submit comments to an [FR Doc. 2011–11209 Filed 5–6–11; 8:45 am] Officer (DFO), EPA Science Advisory EPA program office. BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Board via e-mail at Federal advisory committees and [email protected], telephone/ panels, including scientific advisory voice mail (202) 564–2073, or fax (202) committees, provide independent ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 565–2098. General information advice to EPA. Members of the public AGENCY concerning the EPA Science Advisory can submit comments for a Federal [FRL–9302–9] Board can be found on the EPA Web site advisory committee to consider as it at http://www.epa.gov/sab. develops advice for EPA. Input from the Re-Issuance of a General Permit to the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SAB public to the SAB will have the most National Science Foundation for the was established pursuant to the impact if it provides specific scientific Ocean Disposal of Man-Made Piers Environmental Research, Development, or technical information or analysis for From McMurdo Station in ; and Demonstration Authorization Act SAB panels to consider or if it relates to Proposed Permit (ERDAA), codified at 42 U.S.C. 4365, to the clarity or accuracy of the technical provide independent scientific and AGENCY: Environmental Protection information. Members of the public Agency (EPA). technical advice to the EPA wishing to provide comment should ACTION: Administrator on the technical basis for contact the Designated Federal Officer Notice. Agency positions and regulations. The directly. Oral Statements: Individuals or SAB is a Federal Advisory Committee SUMMARY: EPA proposes to re-issue a groups requesting an oral presentation permit authorizing the National Science chartered under the Federal Advisory will be limited to three minutes. Those Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C., App. Foundation (NSF) to dispose of ice piers interested in being placed on the public in ocean . Permit re-issuance is 2. Pursuant to FACA and EPA policy, speaker list for the June 7, 2011 notice is hereby given that the SAB will necessary because the current permit teleconference should contact Dr. has expired. EPA does not propose hold a public teleconference to conduct Stallworth at the contact information a quality review of a draft report entitled changes to the content of the permit provided above no later than June 1, because ocean disposal under the terms ‘‘SAB Review of Valuing Mortality Risk 2011. Written Statements: Written Reductions for Environmental Policy.’’ of the previous permit will continue to statements should be supplied to the meet the ocean disposal criteria. The SAB will comply with the DFO via e-mail at the contact provisions of FACA and all appropriate DATES: Written comments on this information noted above by June 1, 2011 proposed general permit will be SAB Staff Office procedural policies. for the teleconference so that the Background: The SAB was asked to accepted until June 8, 2011. All information may be made available to comments must be received or review and provide advice to EPA on a the Panel members for their draft White Paper, entitled ‘‘Valuing postmarked by midnight of June 8, 2011, consideration. Written statements Mortality Risk Reductions for or must be delivered by hand by the should be supplied in one of the Environmental Policy: A White Paper’’ close of business of that date to the following electronic formats: Adobe (December 2010). To conduct this address specified below. Acrobat PDF, MS Word, MS review, the SAB Staff Office requested ADDRESSES: This proposed permit is PowerPoint, or Rich Text files in IBM– public nominations of experts (74 FR identified as Docket No. EPA–HQ–OW– PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format. It is 32607–32608) and augmented the SAB 2011–0306. Submit your comments by the SAB Staff Office general policy to Environmental Economics Advisory one of the following methods: post written comments on the Web page Committee. The Environmental Mail: Send an original and three for the advisory meeting or Economics Advisory Committee copies of your comments and enclosures teleconference. Submitters are requested Augmented for Valuing Mortality Risk (including references) to Docket, Reduction held a face-to-face public to provide an unsigned version of each U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, meeting on January 20–21, 2011 (75 FR document because the SAB Staff Office Mail Code: 2822–IT, 1200 Pennsylvania 80048–80049) and a public does not publish documents with Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, teleconference on March 14, 2011 (76 signatures on its Web sites. Members of Attention Docket No. EPA–HQ–OW– FR 11242–11243). The SAB will the public should be aware that their 2011–0306. conduct a quality review of the Panel’s personal contact information, if Hand delivery: EPA Water Docket, draft report. Background information included in any written comments, may EPA Docket Center, EPA West Building, about this SAB advisory activity can be be posted to the SAB Web site. Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, found on the SAB Web site at http:// Copyrighted material will not be posted NW., Washington, DC 20460, Docket yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/ without explicit permission of the No. EPA–HQ–OW–2011–0306. fedrgstr_activites/Mortality%20Risk%20 copyright holder. Deliveries to the docket are accepted Valuation?OpenDocument. Accessibility: For information on only during their normal hours of Availability of Meeting Materials: The access or services for individuals with operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., agenda and other materials in support of disabilities, please contact Dr. Monday through Friday, excluding legal the teleconference will be placed on the Stallworth at (202) 564–2073 or holidays. For access to docket materials, SAB Web site at http://www.epa.gov/sab [email protected]. To request call: 202/566–2426, to schedule an in advance of the teleconference. accommodation of a disability, please appointment. Procedures for Providing Public Input: contact Dr. Stallworth preferably at least E- mail: [email protected]; Public comment for consideration by ten days prior to the teleconference to Attention Docket No. EPA–HQ–OW– EPA’s Federal advisory committees and give EPA as much time as possible to 2011–0306. To ensure that EPA can panels has a different purpose from process your request. properly respond to comments,

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commenters should cite the years old, and is effectively at the end currents, away from the open paragraph(s) or sections in the proposed of its service life. channel in the ice. The pier will then permit to which each comment refers. When an ice pier is at the end of its float amidst the ice pack, where it mixes Commenters should use a separate effective life, all transportable with the annual Antarctic , and paragraph for each issue discussed, and equipment, materials, and debris are eventually disintegrates. must submit any references cited in removed; the pier is cast loose from its their comments. If you submit an moorings at the base. It is then towed B. Statutory and Regulatory electronic comment, EPA recommends out to McMurdo Sound for disposal, Background where it disintegrates naturally. Re- that you include your name and other 1. Obligations Under United States Law contact information in the body of your issuance of this general permit is comment. Electronic files should avoid necessary because the pier must be Section 102(a) of the MPRSA, 33 any form of encryption and should be towed out to sea for disposal at the end U.S.C. 1412(a), requires that agencies or free of any defects or viruses. of its effective life. This proposed instrumentalities of the United States general permit is intended to protect the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: obtain a permit to transport any material marine environment by setting forth from any location for the purpose of Jonathan Amson, Senior Marine specific permit terms and conditions dumping into ocean waters. MPRSA Scientist, Marine Pollution Control including operating conditions that Branch, Oceans and Coastal Protection occur over the life of the pier. It also Section 104(c), 33 U.S.C. 1414(c), and Division (4504T), U.S. Environmental describes required clean-up actions that EPA regulations at 40 CFR 220.3(a) Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania the NSF must comply with before the authorize the issuance of a general Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; disposal of any ice pier can take place. permit under the MPRSA for the telephone: 202/566–1276. dumping of materials which have a A. Background on McMurdo Station Ice minimal adverse environmental impact, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Pier February 14, 2003, EPA issued a general and are generally disposed of in small permit to the National Science For background information on the quantities. The proposed towing of ice Foundation (NSF) for ocean disposal of McMurdo Station ice pier, the reader is piers by the NSF from McMurdo Station man-made ice piers from its base at referred to the Federal Register notice of for disposal at sea constitutes January 7, 2003 (68 FR 775–780), which McMurdo Station in Antarctica. This transportation of material for the is hereby incorporated by reference into ocean dumping permit had a term of purpose of dumping in ocean waters; this notice. None of the stipulated facts seven years. It remains in effect under thus, it is subject to the requirements of of Section A (‘‘Background on McMurdo the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 the MPRSA. Ocean disposal of the Station Ice Pier’’) of the January 7, 2003, U.S.C. 558(c), after its February 18, 2010 materials incorporated into the ice pier notice have changed since its issuance expiration because NSF applied for re- will have a minimal adverse on that date. The materials to be issuance prior to expiration. The environmental impact, and represents dumped (other than the ice in the pier purpose of today’s proposed general comparatively small quantities of non- itself, which melts naturally) include permit is to re-issue the 2003 permit for materials used in construction of the ice recoverable, non-ice matter. another seven-year period. The re- pier that cannot be removed prior to The NSF has completed a United issued permit will allow the NSF to disposal. As explained in the January 7, States Antarctic Program (USAP) ocean dispose the ice pier currently in 2003, notice, construction of an ice pier Environmental Impact Statement (June use at McMurdo Station, which is at the at McMurdo Station involves the 1980), a USAP Final Supplemental end of its service life. following types and approximate Environmental Impact Statement EPA proposes to re-issue the general quantities of materials that are normally (October 1991), and an Initial permit under Sections 102(a) and 104(c) used: (a) 6,300 m (21,000 ft) of one-inch Environmental Evaluation (May 1992). of the Marine Protection, Research, and steel cable; (b) 200 m (650 ft) of two- More recently, the NSF has issued two Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) to authorize inch steel pipe; (c) three or four Records of Environmental Review: the NSF to dispose of man-made ice chemically-untreated wooden utility Installation of Freeze Cells in Ice Piers piers in ocean waters from McMurdo poles approximately one-foot in (1998), and Use of Freeze Cells in Ice Station in Antarctica. The NSF is the diameter, (d) several steel bollards; and Piers to Repair Cracks (2000). All these entity of the United States Government (e) 4,200 cubic meters (5,000 cubic documents address various aspects of responsible for oversight of the United yards) of gravel, 2 cm or smaller in size. the construction, operation, and States Antarctic Program. The NSF When the pier has deteriorated to the disposal of ice piers at McMurdo Station currently operates three major bases in point that it is no longer capable of in Antarctica, and are available for Antarctica: McMurdo Station on Ross being used during the next operating review at the Office of Polar Programs Island, adjacent to McMurdo Sound; season, the wooden poles are cut off just Palmer Station, near the western above the surface of the ice, the steel of the NSF, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, terminus of the Antarctic Peninsula; and bollards are blasted loose and removed, Arlington, VA 22230. (For further Amundsen-Scott Station, at the the gravel is scraped off and stored for information, contact Polly Penhale, at geographic . McMurdo use during the next operating season, all 703/292–7420). None of these Station is the largest of the three bases, transportable equipment, materials, and documents identified any potential and serves as the primary logistics base debris are removed, and the pier is environmental impacts from the for Antarctica. The great majority of separated from its attachment at disposal of ice piers, other than the personnel and supplies destined for the McMurdo Station at the end of the minor navigational hazard equivalent to three stations are unloaded at, and pass austral . It is then towed by a that posed by an ice floe or a small through, McMurdo Station. To unload ship into McMurdo Sound past the . The Agency considered the supplies, ships dock at an ice pier. Man- northern end of the open channel in the analyses contained in the five made ice piers have a normal life span ice, as close to the Ross Sea currents as documents in developing this proposed of three to five years; the current ice possible. The pier is cast loose in a re-issuance of the general permit for the pier, constructed in 1999, is over ten direction to allow it to flow with the NSF.

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2. Obligations Under International Law explained in Section C of the January 7, that shall be met during the life of, and The Antarctic Science, Tourism, and 2003, notice, and have not changed, prior to the dumping of, the ice pier. In Conservation Act of 1996 amended the with one exception. That exception is addition, it requires the NSF to report Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. the updated spill prevention, control, by June 30 of every year to the Director This law is designed to implement the and countermeasures (SPCC) plan, of the Oceans and Coastal Protection provisions of the Protocol on which is described below. Division, in EPA’s Office of Water, on EPA notes that the NSF has a SPCC Environmental Protection to the any spills, discharges, or clean-up plan for all the stations and bases under Antarctic Treaty (‘‘the Protocol’’). The procedures on the ice pier, and on any NSF jurisdiction in Antarctica. That United States Senate ratified the dumping of ice piers from McMurdo plan, initially formulated in 1994, has Protocol on April 17, 1997, and it Station that are conducted under this been updated by NSF, and is titled: general permit. entered into force on January 18, 1998. SPCC Plan for McMurdo Station, The Protocol builds on the Antarctic This general permit requires that the McMurdo Sound, Antarctica; the final NSF have an SPCC plan in place for the Treaty to extend its effectiveness as a document is dated January 7, 2010. The mechanism for ensuring protection of ice pier. This plan must address SPCC plan includes a section addressing (specified in Item 1 in the permit): the Antarctic environment. It designates fuel storage and transfer systems for the Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted (a) The unloading of petroleum ice pier at McMurdo Station. EPA products from supply tankers to the to peace and science, and sets forth adopts the findings from the January 7, basic principles as well as detailed storage tanks at McMurdo Station; 2010, notice in its proposed permit (b) The unloading of drummed mandatory rules that are applicable to today. human activities in Antarctica. It chemicals, petroleum products, and prohibits all activities relating to D. Discussion material from cargo freighters to supply depots at McMurdo Station; and mineral resources on the continent, This new general permit that EPA (c) The loading of materials to except for scientific research. It commits proposes to re-issue to NSF and its signatories (known as Parties) to the agents for the ocean dumping of man- freighters that are destined to be Protocol to complete environmental made ice piers from NSF’s McMurdo returned to bases outside of Antarctica. impact assessment procedures for Station, Antarctica, is subject to specific The proposed permit requires that the proposed activities, both governmental conditions. This proposed general SPCC plan include methods to and private. Among other things, it permit applies only to the ocean minimize the accidental release or requires Parties to protect Antarctic dumping of man-made ice piers from discharge of any products to the ice flora and fauna, and it imposes strict the NSF base at McMurdo Station, pier. In addition, the proposed general limitations on disposal of wastes on the Antarctica. Agents of the NSF are permit requires that the following clean- continent, as well as discharges of included in the permit because up and reporting procedures must be pollutants in Antarctic waters. transportation for the purpose of followed by NSF in the event of a spill Several sets of regulations exist that dumping an ice pier may be by vessels or discharge on the pier (specified in assist in the implementation of the which are not under the direct Item 2 in the permit): Protocol. These include: (a) NSF ownership or operational control of the (a) All spills or discharges must be regulations regarding environmental NSF. Section 104(a) of the MPRSA cleaned up within two hours of the spill impact assessment of proposed provides that permits shall be issued for or discharge, or as soon as possible Foundation actions in Antarctica (45 a period not to exceed seven years (33 thereafter; CFR Part 641), (b) NSF waste regulations U.S.C. 1414(a)); thus, the term of this (b) If a spill or discharge occurs, for Antarctica (45 CFR Part 671), and (c) proposed permit is limited to seven clean-up procedures must be completed EPA regulations regarding years from the date of issuance. to a level below any visible evidence of environmental impact assessment of With the institution of new protective the spill or discharge; non-governmental activities in measures, such as longer length hoses (c) As part of normal permit Antarctica (40 CFR Part 8). for unloading petroleum products from monitoring requirements, an official EPA’s proposal to re-issue a general the annual supply tanker, and new record of the following information permit under the MPRSA does not precautions taken in the handling and shall be kept by NSF (specified in Item conflict with obligations under the return to bases outside of Antarctica of 3 in the permit): Protocol and any implementing used and contaminated chemicals, (1) The date and time of all spills or legislation. EPA has coordinated with solvents, and hazardous materials, the discharges, the location of the spill or other responsible authorities, as chance of a spill or discharge of these discharge, the approximate volume of appropriate, in EPA’s consideration of materials is low. There is considerable the spill or discharge, the clean-up the issuance of a general permit under vehicular traffic on the ice pier during procedures employed, and the results of the MPRSA. the austral summer season, and the those procedures; possibility of leaks or discharges from (2) The number of wooden poles C. Potential Effects of Ice Pier Disposal these vehicles cannot be totally avoided. remaining in the pier at the time of EPA’s findings regarding (a) the fate of However, the NSF has informed EPA release from McMurdo Station, and materials disposed in the ocean, (b) the that vehicles are parked on the pier for their approximate length; potential effects of ice pier disposal on only brief periods of time, ranging from (3) The approximate length of the organisms in the polar marine a few minutes to less than an hour, and steel cables remaining in the pier at the environment, such as cetaceans that no vehicles are ever parked on the time of its release; (whales), pinnipeds (seals), avian pier overnight. Additionally, such small (4) Any other non-ice substances species, and endangered or threatened discharges are typically contained remaining on the pier at the time of its species, and (c) environmental concerns within the temporary gravel cover, release; and associated with any operational which is removed prior to ocean (5) The date of detachment of the pier discharges, leaks, or spills that may disposal. from McMurdo Station, and the have contaminated the surface of the ice The proposed general permit geographic coordinates (latitude and pier over the period of its existence are establishes several specific conditions longitude) of the point of final release of

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the pier in McMurdo Sound or the ice pier from February 14 to May 1, critical. Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA and Antarctic Sea. 1999: its implementing regulations (50 CFR (d) A copy of this record shall be Part 402) require EPA to ensure, in submitted to the Director of the Oceans Date Latitude Longitude consultation with the Secretary of the and Coastal Protection Division, in the ° ° Interior or Commerce, that any action Office of Water, at EPA Headquarters, by February 77.75 S. 166.37 E. authorized, funded, or carried out by June 30 of every year as part of the 14, 1999 February 76.92° S. 162.90° E. EPA in the United States or upon the annual reporting requirements. 28, 1999 high seas, is not likely to jeopardize the The conditions specified in the March 15, 75.43° S. 167.35° E. continued existence of any endangered proposed permit are intended to protect 1999 or threatened species, or adversely affect the Antarctic environment against March 30, 73.48° S. 170.91° E. their critical habitat. release of contaminants from the 1999 In compliance with Section 7 of the ° ° McMurdo Station ice pier following its April 10, 70.77 S. 169.46 E. ESA, an endangered species list for the ocean dumping and subsequent 1999 affected area of ocean dumping of ice April 20, 70.53° S. 168.06° E. disintegration and melting. piers from the NSF facility at McMurdo Furthermore, the NSF is directed, as 1999 ° ° Station in Antarctica was requested by a condition of this permit, to utilize a May 1, 70.38 S. 167.22 E. 1999 EPA and received from both the U. S. methodology to track any ice piers Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) of released from McMurdo Station for a Using a great circle distance the Department of the Interior, and the period of one year from the date of calculator, it can be determined that, National Marine Fisheries Service release of the pier (specified in Item 5(c) from the time of its release until the pier (NMFS) of the U.S. Department of of the permit). Such methodologies may Commerce. No endangered, threatened, include the use of satellite-tracked was frozen into the ice pack, the ice pier or candidate species are reported to pingers placed on the ice pier, or any travelled a total distance of 526 statute potentially occur in the affected area. other methodology that will allow data miles, or 457 nautical miles. Considering that any contaminants to be collected on the course, speed, and EPA has discussed this matter with remaining on the surface of the pier are location of the released ice pier. The both the USF&WS and the NMFS expected to be extremely small, and that results of these tracking efforts shall be pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA, and the area over which the disintegration included in the reports that NSF is both agencies have agreed that the ocean and melting of the piers is immense required to submit to EPA. The period dumping of ice piers by the NSF or its (and probably incalculable), the of one year was chosen by EPA for agents from McMurdo Station in several reasons. First, batteries for potential for damage to the environment Antarctica will have no effect on pinger-tracking operations beyond a from the ocean dumping of ice piers endangered or threatened species. EPA period of one year become considerably from McMurdo Station, in Antarctica, is will consider any comments offered by heavier and bulkier (and a greater minimal. In addition, the possibility of either the USF&WS or the NMFS on this source of pollution to the marine entanglement of any large organisms in issue before promulgating a final general environment when the ice pier suspended loops of cable from the permit on the ocean dumping of ice eventually disintegrates and melts); and melting piers has been determined by piers. second, one year’s tracking EPA to be very minimal; further Dated: May 3, 2011. discussion of this issue can be found in measurements should provide Paul Cough, substantial evidence about the ‘‘C. Potential Effects of Ice Pier Disposal’’, in the January 7, 2003 notice. Director, Oceans and Coastal Protection geographic track of ice piers during the Division. disintegration process. The NSF shall Statutory and Executive Order Reviews submit tracking reports to EPA for all Paul Cough, releases of ice piers from McMurdo A. Paperwork Reduction Act Director, Oceans and Coastal Protection Station under this permit. If tracking The Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 Division. results demonstrate that all ice piers U.S.C. 3501 et seq., is intended to EPA proposes to re-issue a general released have generally followed the minimize the reporting and record- permit for the NSF as follows: same geographic path and time of keeping burden on the regulated Disposal of Ice Piers From McMurdo disintegration for the one year following community, as well as to minimize the Station, Antarctica release, EPA will consider whether cost of Federal information collection further tracking efforts and reports shall and dissemination. In general, the Act The U.S. National Science Foundation be required from NSF in any future requires that information requests and and its agents are hereby granted a issuances of this permit. record-keeping requirements affecting general permit under Sections 102(a) EPA received the tracking records ten or more non-Federal respondents be and 104(c) of the Marine Protection, from NSF of the last release of an ice approved by the Office of Management Research, and Sanctuaries Act, 33 pier from McMurdo Station. The pier and Budget. Since this proposed general U.S.C. 1412(a) and 1414(c), to transport was released on February 14, 1999, and permit affects only a single Federal ice piers from McMurdo Station, travelled in a generally northern agency’s record-keeping and reporting Antarctica, for the purpose of ocean direction into the ; it requirements, it is not subject to the dumping, subject to the following was tracked until the pinger signal was requirements of the Paperwork conditions: lost on December 7, 1999. However, the Reduction Act. (1) The NSF shall have a spill ice pier only showed movement from prevention, control, and the time of its release until May 1, 1999; B. Endangered Species Act countermeasures (SPCC) plan in place, from that time until December 7th, there The Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the McMurdo Station ice pier. The was no further travel of the pier, and it imposes duties on Federal agencies SPCC plan shall address procedures for is assumed it was frozen into the regarding endangered species of fish, loading and unloading the following Antarctic ice pack. The following table wildlife, or plants and habitat of such materials, and shall include methods to provides information on the path of the species that have been designated as minimize the accidental release or

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discharge of any of these materials to anthropogenic origin), shall be removed under the authority of Section the ice pier: from the ice pier prior to dumping; 1605(b)(1) [inconsistent with the public (a) Petroleum products unloaded from (b) The gravel non-slip surface of the interest] to the City of South Burlington, supply tankers to storage tanks at ice pier shall be removed to the Vermont (‘‘City’’) for the installation of McMurdo Station; maximum extent possible, and shall be two specific turbo aeration blower units (b) Drummed chemicals, petroleum stored on the mainland for subsequent for the City’s Airport Parkway products, and all materials unloaded use during the next operating season; Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade from cargo freighters to supply depots at and project. This is a project specific waiver McMurdo Station; and (c) A methodology to track any ice and only applies to the use of the (c) All materials loaded to freighters piers released from McMurdo Station specified products for the ARRA project destined to be returned to bases outside shall be established and utilized for a under construction. Any other ARRA Antarctica. period of one year from the date of recipient that wishes to use the same (2) If a spill or discharge occurs on an release of the ice pier. The results of products must apply for a separate ice pier, clean-up procedures must be these tracking efforts shall be included waiver based on project specific completed by NSF or its contractors to in the annual reports that the NSF is circumstances. The City was provided a level below any visible evidence of the required to submit to the Agency. written representations by the spill or discharge. All spills or (6) The NSF shall submit a report by manufacturer (K Turbo USA) during discharges on an ice pier must be June 30 of every year to the Director, 2009 and early 2010 that the turbo cleaned up within two hours of the spill Oceans and Coastal Protection Division, aeration blower units being supplied or discharge, unless circumstances Office of Water, 1200 Pennsylvania would be substantially transformed in prevent cleanup within that time frame. Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460, the United States and would be in In that event, the spill or discharge shall on: compliance with the Buy American be cleaned up as soon as possible (a) Any spills, discharges, or clean-up provisions of ARRA. However, as a thereafter. procedures on the ice pier at McMurdo result of a recent on-going criminal (3) As part of normal monitoring Station; investigation, the written requirements, a record of the following (b) Any ocean dumping of ice piers representations provided by the information shall be kept by NSF: from McMurdo Station; and manufacturer that the specified aeration (a) The date and time of all spills or (c) Any tracking efforts of ice piers blowers units had undergone substantial discharges, the location of the spill or released from McMurdo Station under transformation in the United States have discharge, a description of the material this general permit, for the year been questioned. Based on the that was spilled or discharged, the preceding the date of the annual report. information provided by the City, EPA approximate volume of the spill or (7) For the purpose of this permit, the agrees with the City that, if the K–Turbo discharge, clean-up procedures term ‘‘ice pier(s)’’ means those man- units in question are determined to be employed, and the results of those made ice structures containing non-American made, requiring the procedures; embedded steel cable, wooden pole installation of domestically (b) The number of wooden poles ends, and any remaining gravel frozen manufactured turbo aeration blower remaining in the pier at the time of its into the surface of the pier, that are units will extend the time frame of the release from McMurdo Station, and constructed at McMurdo Station, project by approximately five months their approximate length; Antarctica, for the purpose of off- due to the redesign, procurement, (c) The approximate length of the loading the annual provisions of fuel, submittal delivery, submittal review, steel cables remaining in the pier at the supplies, and materiel for use by NSF fabrication, delivery, and replacement of time of its release from McMurdo activities in Antarctica, as well as for the aeration blower installation at the Station; the purpose of loading the previous construction site. This delay is (d) Any other non-ice materials year’s accumulation of wastes, which inconsistent with the public interest, remaining on the pier at the time of its can be returned to the United States for and a waiver of the Buy American release from McMurdo Station; and recycling and disposal. provisions in these circumstances is (e) The date of detachment of the pier (8) This permit shall be valid until justified. The Regional Administrator is from McMurdo Station, and the (month)(day), 2018. making this determination based on the geographic coordinates (latitude and [FR Doc. 2011–11211 Filed 5–6–11; 8:45 am] review and recommendations of the longitude) of the point of final release of BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Municipal Assistance Unit. The the pier in McMurdo Sound or the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Antarctic Sea. Administration and Resources (4) The non-embedded ends of all ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Management has concurred on this wooden utility poles or bollards shall be AGENCY decision to make an exception to the cut off from the ice pier prior to [FRL–9303–3] requirements of Section 1605(a) of disposal, and shall not be disposed of in ARRA. This action allows the the ocean. installation of the two specified turbo (5) Prior to the ocean dumping of any Notice of a Regional Project Waiver of aeration blower units that have already ice piers, the NSF shall take the Section 1605 (Buy American) of the been delivered to the construction site following actions: American Recovery and Reinvestment (a) Other than the matter physically Act of 2009 (ARRA) to the City of South as noted in the City’s March 31, 2011 embedded in the ice pier (such as the Burlington, VT request. ends of wooden light poles frozen in the AGENCY: Environmental Protection DATES: Effective Date: May 9, 2011. pier, and the strengthening steel cables), Agency (EPA). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: all other objects (including the non- ACTION: Notice. Katie Connors, Environmental Engineer, embedded portions of the wooden poles (617) 918–1658, or, David Chin, used for lighting, power, or telephone SUMMARY: The EPA is hereby granting a Environmental Engineer, (617) 918– connections, and any removable cables, waiver of the Buy American 1764, Municipal Assistance Unit (CMU), equipment debris, or objects of requirements of ARRA Section 1605 Office of Ecosystem Protection (OEP),

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