Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 143 / Monday, July 27, 1998 / Notices 40121

liver of poultry at 0.3 ppm, eggs at 0.1

ppm and milk at 0.02 ppm.

[FR Doc. 98–20005 Filed 7–24–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560–50–F

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

[FRL–6129–8]

Proposed Second Modification of

General NPDES Permit (GP) for

Alaskan Mechanical Placer Miners

(Permit Number AKG–37–0000)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of proposed second

modification of a general permit.

SUMMARY: This proposed modification of

the GP is intended to regulate activities

of mechanical placer mining in the state

of Alaska. The proposed modifications

are based on the ‘‘Withdrawal of Federal

Regulations of the Applicability to

Alaska’s Waters of Human Health

Criteria’’ which was published in the

Federal Register on March 2, 1998 (63

FR 10140) and became effective on

April 1, 1998, and other changes as

described in the Fact Sheet.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may

submit comments on the proposed

modification of the GP to Director,

Office of Water; U.S. EPA, Region 10,

1200 Sixth Avenue, OW–135; Seattle,

Washington 98101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Copies of the Proposed Second

Modification of the General Permit and

Fact Sheet are available upon request.

Requests may be made to Jeanette

Carriveau at (206) 553–1214 or to Cindi

Godsey at (907) 271–6561. Requests may

also be electronically mailed to:

CARRIVEAU.

JEANETTE@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV or

GODSEY.CINDI@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV.

Copies of the permit and fact sheet can

also be found by visiting the Region 10

website at www.epa.gov/r10earth/

offices/water/npdes.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Executive Order 12866

The Office of Management and Budget

has exempted this action from the

review requirements of Executive Order

12866 pursuant to section 6 of that

order.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

After review of the facts presented in

the notice printed above, I hereby certify

pursuant to the provision of 5 U.S.C.

605(b) that this modification of the GP

will not have a significant impact on a

substantial number of small entities.

Moreover, the permit reduces a

significant administrative burden on

regulated sources.

Dated: July 14, 1998.

Roger K. Mochnick,

Acting Director, Office of Water, Region 10.

Fact Sheet—United States

Environmental Protection Agency,

Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, OW–

130, Seattle, Washington 98101, (206)

553–1214

Permit No.: AKG–37–0000

Proposed second modification of the

National Pollutant Discharge

Elimination System (NPDES) General

Permit (GP) to discharge pollutants

pursuant to the provisions of the Clean

Water Act (CWA) for Alaskan

Mechanical Placer Miners.

This fact sheet includes (a) the

tentative determination of the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

to modify the GP, (b) information on

public comment, public hearings and

appeal, and (c) the conditions and

requirements contained in the

modification.

Persons wishing to comment on the

modifications contained in the proposed

GP may do so before the expiration date

of the public document. Only the

modifications are open to public

comment. All written comments should

be submitted to EPA as described in the

public comments section of the attached

public document.

After the expiration date of the public

document, the Director, Office of Water,

will make final determinations with

respect to issuance of the modified GP.

The tentative determinations contained

in the proposed GP will become final

conditions if no substantive comments

are received during the public comment

period.

A General Permit follows rulemaking

procedures so EPA’s issuance and

promulgation activities must be

conducted in accordance with the

Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

The modified GP will become effective

30 days after publication of the final

modified GP in the Federal Register

according to section 553(d) of the APA.

Anyone wishing to appeal the

modifications to this GP must do so in

court according to 40 CFR 124.71.

Interested persons may challenge the

amendments, within 120 days of

issuance, in the Circuit Court of Appeals

of the United States under section

509(b)(1) of the Act.

The proposed NPDES permit and fact

sheet are on file and may be inspected

and copies made at the above address

any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00

p.m., Monday through Friday. Copies

and other information may be requested

by writing to EPA at the above address

to the attention of the NPDES Permits

Unit, or by calling (206) 553–1214. The

proposed GP and fact sheet are also

available from the EPA Alaska

Operations Office, Room 537, Federal

Building, 222 West 7th Avenue,

Anchorage, Alaska 99513–7588 or

Alaska Operations Office, 410

Willoughby Avenue, Suite 100, Juneau,

Alaska 99801 or the Alaska Department

of Environmental Conservation (ADEC),

Watershed Management Section, 610

University Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska

99709.

Technical Information

1. Summary of Modifications

The intent of this proposed

modification of the GP is to revise the

effluent limitation for arsenic based on

a change to the state’s Water Quality

Standards. This has been requested by

a Permittee according to the

requirements of 40 CFR 124.5 for the

reasons specified in 40 CFR 122.62.

Also, some additions and deletions of

permit language have been made due to

the water quality standard change,

changes in regulation and the correction

of typographical errors. Renumbering of

Permit Parts, where necessary, has been

done without being noted.

2. Coverage of Modified Permit

It is the intent of EPA to apply the

final modified general permit to all

facilities previously covered by a

general permit for mechanical

operations without the submission of a

new Notice of Intent (NOI). Upon

issuance of the final GP, a copy of the

new permit will be sent to each

permittee.

3. Description of the Industry

Placer mining involves the mining

and extraction of gold or other heavy

metals and minerals primarily from

alluvial deposits. These deposits may be

in existing stream beds or ancient often

buried stream deposits, i.e. paleo or

fossil placers. Many Alaskan placer

deposits consist of unconsolidated clay,

sand, gravel, cobble and boulders that

contain very small amounts of native

gold or other precious metals. Most are

stream deposits and occur along present

stream valleys or on benches or terraces

above existing streams. Beach placer

deposits have been and continue to be

important producers in Alaska. These

deposits, most notable near Nome,
40122 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 143 / Monday, July 27, 1998 / Notices

include both submerged and elevated

beach placer deposits.

4. Receiving Waters

The receiving waters for the

discharges are waters of the United

States including tundra wetlands which

are classified in 18 AAC 70 as Classes

(1)(A), (B), and (C) for use in drinking,

culinary, and food processing,

agriculture, aquaculture, and industrial

water supply; contact and secondary

recreation; and growth and propagation

of fish, shellfish, other aquatic life and

wildlife. Since most of these

waterbodies are protected for all uses,

the most restrictive water quality

standards will be applied in this

modified GP.

5. Regulatory Authority

A. State of Alaska Water Quality

Standards and Limitations

Section 301(b)(1) of the Act requires

the establishment of limitations in

permits necessary to meet water quality

standards by July 1, 1977. All discharges

to state waters must comply with state

and local coastal management plans as

well as with state water quality

standards, including the state’s

antidegradation policy. Discharges to

state waters must also comply with

limitations imposed by the state as part

of its coastal management program

consistency determinations, and of its

certification of NPDES permits under

section 401 of the Act.

The NPDES regulations at 40 CFR

122.44(d)(1) require that permits

include water quality-based limits

which ‘‘Achieve water quality standards

established under section 303 of the

CWA, including State narrative criteria

for water quality.’’

B. Section 308 of the Clean Water Act

Under section 308 of the Act and 40

CFR 122.44(i), the Director must require

a discharger to conduct monitoring to

determine compliance with effluent

limitations and to assist in the

development of effluent limitations.

6. Specific Permit Conditions

EPA has concluded, based on

available sampling data, that arsenic is

commonly associated with placer

mining wastes. Locally, it is the most

abundant toxic metal present. It is for

this reason that EPA has determined

that arsenic is a pollutant of concern.

This modification of the existing

Modified General Permit AKG–37–0000

for Alaskan Mechanical Placer Miners

(GP) is based on the ‘‘Withdrawal from

Federal Regulations of the Applicability

to Alaska’s Waters of Human Health

Criteria’’ which was published in the

Federal Register on March 2, 1998 (63

FR 10140) and became effective on

April 1, 1998. This rulemaking

withdraws the human health criteria for

arsenic. This makes the drinking water

maximum contaminant level (MCL) of

50 μg/L the applicable standard

protective of the designated uses of the

receiving waters covered by the GP.

The effluent limitation proposed for

arsenic is a daily maximum limit of 50

μg/L. This is based on the Primary

Drinking Water MCL applicable through

18 AAC 70.020(1)(A) for Toxic and

other Deleterious Organic and Inorganic

Substances. EPA defines the MCL as the

‘‘maximum permissible level of a

contaminant’’ (40 CFR 142.2) so it is

included as an instantaneous maximum

limit.

7. Removals, Changes and Additions

A. Removal of Language

In the previous permit, Permit Part

II.B.4. contained language discussing

the application of the minimum level

(ML) because the effluent limitation was

below the method detection level

(MDL). Since the proposed effluent

limitation of 50 μg/L is above the MDL

and the ML, there is no need for the

permit to contain this language.

B. Additions

The Commissioner of ADEC, Michele

Brown, sent a letter to Robert

Perciasepe, Assistant Administrator for

EPA’s Office of Water, dated October 8,

1997, concerning the State’s regulations

on using ‘‘site specific data to develop

appropriate permit limits or site specific

criteria to further our statutory mission,

which includes protection of public

health.’’ Permit Part II.A.1.e. contains

new language to address site specific

criteria that could be developed that are

more stringent than the proposed

effluent limitation if concerns are raised

to the State by an affected community

or individual. EPA is working with the

State to generate a mechanism by which

a site specific criterion would be

developed and implemented.

C. Changes

Permit Part V.B. lists the

administrative and civil penalties for a

violation of the permit as $10,000 and

$25,000, respectively. Changes to

$11,000 and $27,500 were noticed in the

Federal Register (61 FR 69360,

December 31, 1996). To avoid the

possibility of different levels being

listed in different places, this section

has been updated to include generic

penalty language.

Permit Part IV.B. has been changed

from the Enforcement Unit at mailstop

WD–135 to the NPDES Compliance Unit

at mailstop OW–133.

Permit Part I.F.4. has been updated

from a mailstop of WD–134 to OW–130.

Permit Part I.F.6. contained a

typographical error listing Wrangell St.

Alias instead of Wrangell St. Elias. This

has been corrected.

8. Other Legal Requirements

A. Oil Spill Requirements

Section 311 of the Act prohibits the

discharge of oil and hazardous materials

in harmful quantities. Routine

discharges specifically controlled by a

permit are excluded from the provisions

of section 311. However, this general

permit does not preclude the institution

of legal action or relieve permittees from

any responsibilities, or penalties for

other, unauthorized discharges of oil

and hazardous materials which are

covered by section 311 of the Act.

B. Coastal Zone Management Act

A determination that the activities

allowed by this proposed GP are

consistent with the Alaska Coastal

Management Plan must be made in

accordance with the Coastal Zone

Management Act before a final permit

will be issued.

C. State Water Quality Standards and

State Certification

Whereas state waters are involved in

this proposed GP, the provisions of

section 401 of the Act will apply.

Furthermore, in accordance with 40

CFR 124.01(c)(1), public notice of the

proposed GP has been provided to the

State of Alaska and Alaska state

agencies having jurisdiction over fish,

shellfish, and wildlife resources, and

over coastal zone management plans.

D. Endangered Species Act

Letters were sent to the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service (USFW) and to the

National Marine Fisheries Service

(NMFS) on April 20, 1998, requesting

information to the extent the permit

modification may affect threatened and

endangered species.

References

1. Letter from John Cook to Robert R.

Robichaud dated March 25, 1998, requesting

that EPA modify the General Permit.

2. Letter from Steve Borell, Executive

Director of the Alaska Miners Association,

Inc., to Robert R. Robichaud dated March 24,

1998, requesting that EPA modify the General

Permit.

3. 63 FR 10142, March 2, 1998—

Withdrawal from Federal Regulations of the

Applicability to Alaska’s Waters of Human

Health Criteria.

4. Letter from Michele Brown to Robert

Perciasepe dated October 8, 1997.
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 143 / Monday, July 27, 1998 / Notices 40123

5. 61 FR 69360, December 31, 1996—Civil

Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule.

[FR Doc. 98–19831 Filed 7–24–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P

FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION

Farm Credit Administration Board

Action to Approve a Plan of Voluntary

Liquidation of AgCo Services

Corporation and Cancel the Charter of

AgCo Services Corporation

AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

On June 29, 1998, the Farm Credit

Administration Board adopted FCA

Board Action NV 98–26 authorizing the

voluntary liquidation of AgCo Services

Corporation (AgCo) without the

appointment of a receiver pursuant to

12 CFR 627.2795(a), and the

cancellation of AgCo’s charter arising

out of the voluntary liquidation of

AgCo. The text of the FCA Board Action

is set forth below: Farm Credit

Administration (FCA) Board Action to

Cancel the Charter of AGCO Services

Corporation.

Whereas, AgCo Services Corporation,

chartered under section 4.25 of the Farm

Credit Act of 1971 as amended, and

originally organized by CoBank, ACB

and AgAmerica, FCB for the purpose of

consolidating their management

information systems and electronic data

processing functions, has not performed

any of the services for which it was

originally chartered for nearly two

years;

Whereas, the board of directors of

AgCo Services Corporation has

submitted a plan of voluntary

liquidation pursuant to FCA Regulation

12 CFR 627.2795(a) to liquidate the

service corporation;

Whereas, CoBank, ACB of Englewood,

Colorado, as the sole remaining

shareholder of AgCo Services

Corporation, voted to voluntarily

liquidate the service corporation

pursuant to 12 CFR 627.2795; and

Whereas, CoBank, ACB has agreed to

assume all present and future liabilities

and responsibilities in whatever form

and substance as well as acquire the

remaining assets of AgCo Services

Corporation;

Now, therefore, it is hereby ordered

that:

1. The Charter of the AgCo Services

Corporation is hereby canceled.

2. The foregoing FCA Board action

shall be effective at 5:00 p.m. EDT on

July 22, 1998.

Signed by Marsha Pyle Martin, Chairman,

Farm Credit Administration Board, on June

29, 1998.

Dated: July 21, 1998.

Floyd Fithian,

Secretary, Farm Credit Administration Board.

[FR Doc. 98–19889 Filed 7–24–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6705–01–P

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS

COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information

Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for

Review and Approval

July 21, 1998.

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications

Commission, as part of its continuing

effort to reduce paperwork burden

invites the general public and other

Federal agencies to take this

opportunity to comment on the

following information collection, as

required by the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. An

agency may not conduct or sponsor a

collection of information unless it

displays a currently valid control

number. No person shall be subject to

any penalty for failing to comply with

a collection of information subject to the

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that

does not display a valid control number.

Comments are requested concerning (a)

whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper

performance of the functions of the

Commission, including whether the

information shall have practical utility;

(b) the accuracy of the Commission’s

burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance

the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information collected; and (d) ways to

minimize the burden of the collection of

information on the respondents,

including the use of automated

collection techniques or other forms of

information technology.

DATES: Written comments should be

submitted on or before August 26, 1998.

If you anticipate that you will be

submitting comments, but find it

difficult to do so within the period of

time allowed by this notice, you should

advise the contact listed below as soon

as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Les

Smith, Federal Communications

Commissions, Room 234, 1919 M St.,

N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via

internet to lesmith@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For

additional information or copies of the

information collections contact Les

Smith at 202–418–0217 or via internet

at lesmith@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060–0332.

Title: Section 76.614 Cable television

system regular monitoring.

Type of Review: Extension of a

currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business and other forprofit entities.

Number of Respondents: 9,300.

Estimated Time Per Response: .5

hours–1 hour.

Frequency of Response: On occasion

reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden to Respondents:

9,300 hours.

Total Annual Cost to Respondents:

$32,550.

Needs and Uses: Section 76.614

requires that cable television operators

transmitting carriers in the frequency

bands 108–137 and 225–400 MHz shall

provide for a program of regular

monitoring for signal leakage by

substantially covering the plant every

three months. This collection (3060–

0332) accounts for the paperwork and

recordkeeping burden associated with

maintaining logs that show the date and

location of each leakage source

identified, the date on which the

leakage was repaired and the probable

cause of the leakage. This data are used

by cable television systems and the

Commission to prevent, locate, and

eliminate harmful interference as it

occurs, to help assure safe operation of

aeronautical and marine radio services

and to minimize the possibility of

interference to these safety-of-life

services. If this collection of information

is not conducted, there would be a

greater likelihood of harmful

interference to aeronautical and safety

radio services, Commission efforts to

locate and eliminate such interference

would be impaired, and there would be

a potentially greater risk to safety-of-life

and property.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98–19946 Filed 7–24–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Formations of, Acquisitions by, and

Mergers of Bank Holding Companies

The companies listed in this notice

have applied to the Board for approval,

pursuant to the Bank Holding Company

Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.)

(BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part

225), and all other applicable statutes

and regulations to become a bank

holding company and/or to acquire the