[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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