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<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-04-30-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>2040-AF17</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>201010</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>2040</CODE>
            <NAME>Water</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>WATER</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>2000</CODE>
            <NAME>Environmental Protection Agency</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>EPA</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Regulations for New Dischargers and the Appropriate Use of Offsets With Regard to Water Quality Permitting</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[This rulemaking may consider how to best clarify EPA's approach to permitting new dischargers in order to ensure the protection of water quality under Clean Water Act section 301(b)(1)(C). The rulemaking may examine options to address the appropriate and permissible use of offsets, which ensures that NPDES permits are protective of water quality standards. The rulemaking may also examine options for addressing new dischargers in impaired waters, both when a TMDL is in place and prior to TMDL issuance.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>Undetermined</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>40 CFR 122.4(i)</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1361</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>33 USC 1311(b)(1)(C)</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>Yes</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <RPLAN_INFO>
            <STMT_OF_NEED><![CDATA[The EPA is initiating a rulemaking to consider clarifying the EPA's interpretation of 40 CFR section 122.4(i) and addressing the adverse Ninth Circuit decision in Friends of Pinto Creek v. EPA (2007), which created uncertainty regarding the permitting of new dischargers.  Through this rulemaking, EPA will consider how to best ensure that the requirements at 40 CFR 122.4(i) and/or related regulations pertaining to the permitting of new dischargers are consistent with Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements.]]></STMT_OF_NEED>
            <LEGAL_BASIS><![CDATA[Clean Water Act (CWA) section 301(b)(1)(C) requires permits to include limitation as stringent as necessary to meet water quality standards.  The Federal regulations at 40 CFR 122.4(i) implements that requirement for new dischargers.]]></LEGAL_BASIS>
            <ALTERNATIVES><![CDATA[TBD]]></ALTERNATIVES>
            <COSTS_AND_BENEFITS><![CDATA[TBD]]></COSTS_AND_BENEFITS>
            <RISKS><![CDATA[TBD]]></RISKS>
        </RPLAN_INFO>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>04/00/2011</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Final Action</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>01/00/2012</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <ADDITIONAL_INFO>SAN No. 5240</ADDITIONAL_INFO>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>Undetermined</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>No</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>Undetermined</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>Undetermined</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Sara</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Hilbrich</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2040</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Water</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>OW</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 564-0441</PHONE>
                <EMAIL>Hilbrich.Sara@epamail.epa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>4203M,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20460</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Michelle</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Schutz</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2050</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Land and Emergency Management</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>OLEM</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>703 603-8708</PHONE>
                <EMAIL>schutz.michelle@epa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20460</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
