[Federal Register: May 21, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 98)] [Notices] [Page 27958-27959] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21my98-96] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6100-8] Public Meeting To Discuss Adverse Environmental Impacts Resulting From Cooling Water Intake Structures AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of public meeting ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting to discuss issues associated with defining and measuring adverse environmental impacts from cooling water intake structures. The purpose of this meeting is to facilitate an exchange of information that will assist EPA in developing regulatory options for [[Page 27959]] minimizing adverse environmental impact. The public meeting is open to anyone wishing to attend. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1995, EPA entered into a Consent Decree that requires the Agency, no later than July 2, 1999, to propose regulations implementing Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C Section 1326(b), and to take final action with respect to the regulations no later than August 13, 2001. The Agency is currently developing these regulations for proposal. Section 316(b) provides that any standard established pursuant to sections 301 or 306 of the Clean Water Act and applicable to a point source shall require that the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures reflect the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact. A primary purpose of Section 316(b) is to minimize the impingement and entrainment of fish and other aquatic organisms as they are drawn into a facility's cooling water intake. The issues that EPA has developed for discussion fall into three categories: (1) Environmental Criteria: Defining and Assessing Adverse Environmental Impacts; (2) Plant Characteristics: Determining the Contribution to Adverse Environmental Impacts; and (3) Minimizing Adverse Environmental Impacts: Designing an Approach. The following is a potential list of issues for discussion at the June 29, 1998 public meeting: (1) Environmental Criteria: Defining and Assessing Adverse Environmental Impact What constitutes an adverse environmental impact? Should the impact be defined in terms of actual and/or potential effects? What environmental parameters are most important for defining adverse environmental impacts? For which environmental parameters might qualitative or quantitative thresholds and/or decision criteria be developed for determining adverse impacts? What approaches and methods are most appropriate for assessing adverse environmental impact? (2) Plant Characteristics: Determining the Contribution to Adverse Environmental Impact What factors related to the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures most significantly contribute to adverse environmental impacts? (For example: source waterbody type, flow rate, velocity, configuration of intake, type of technology at the intake.) For which such factors (e.g., velocity, flow rate, waterbody type, etc.) might qualitative or quantitative thresholds and/ or decision criteria be developed? (3) Minimizing Adverse Environmental Impact: Designing an Approach What information should be considered when designing an approach to minimize adverse environmental impacts. What are possible approaches to defining and measuring the cumulative effects of impingement and entrainment? DATES: The public meeting will be held on Monday, June 29, 1998. The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and will end at approximately 4:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Crystal City Marriott, 1999 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202. The Crystal City Marriott phone number is (703) 413-5500. The nearest Metro stop is Crystal City station on either the Blue or the Yellow Line. If you need overnight accommodations, please call the hotel directly. A block of 25 rooms is reserved for the night of Sunday, June 28, 1998. The rooms are listed under ``U.S. EPA 316(b) Meeting.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Nagle, senior project manager, Office of Wastewater Management (4203), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460; phone number is (202) 260-2656 and E-mail address is nagle.deborah@epamail.epa.gov. To register for the meeting, please contact Betty Peterson of SAIC via FAX at (703) 903-1374 or via mail at 1710 Goodridge Drive (1-11-7), McLean, VA 22102. Please register by June 22, 1998. Dated: May 14, 1998. Tudor T. Davies, Director, Office of Science and Technology. [FR Doc. 98-13613 Filed 5-20-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P