Comment & Consultation

The EPA has extended the comment period for the Federal CCR Permit Program rulemaking to allow submittal of additional comments on the proposal. 

EPA is specifically seeking comments on the estimated timeframes needed to compile permit application materials, deadlines for Federal CCR permit applications, and implementation of an electronic permitting process. 

EPA will accept comments on this proposal until July 29, 2026. 

Read more on our website and view the memo extending the public comment period in the rule’s docket.

TCOTS Link

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering consultation with federally recognized Tribes regarding the Agency’s proposed Federal plan requirements for existing Other Solid Waste Incineration (OSWI) units that commenced construction on or before August 31, 2020, and have not been modified or reconstructed after August 29, 2025.

The proposed Federal plan would implement emission guidelines for OSWI units located in states or Tribal lands that do not have an approved State or Tribal plan in place. The rule would remain in effect until individual states or Tribes have approved plans of their own.

EPA anticipates the Tribal consultation period will remain open through August 17, 2026, and invites Tribal leaders and designated representatives to provide input, including information related to treaty or similar rights, Indigenous Knowledge, and sacred sites.

Request Government-to-Government Consultation by: August 3, 2026

Public Comments: Tribes may submit comments through the open Federal Register comment period under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-3028.

For questions or to request consultation, contact:

Patrick CoatarPeter, EPA Office of Clean Air Programs | Natural Resources Branch

Email: CoatarPeter.Patrick@epa.gov |Phone: (202) 564-1382

EPA is requesting additional information to support the development of a proposed rule addressing legacy uses and associated disposals of asbestos, including chrysotile and non-chrysotile asbestos fiber types and asbestos-containing talc.

EPA’s 2024 Risk Evaluation found that exposure risks can occur when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed during activities such as renovation, demolition, maintenance, and repair. To strengthen future protections, EPA is seeking information from workers, Tribes, states, industry, building owners, and communities on real-world asbestos exposure scenarios.

EPA is specifically requesting information on:

• Activities that disturb asbestos-containing materials

• Legacy asbestos-containing construction materials and products

• Air sampling methods and laboratory capabilities

• Worker and community exposure scenarios

• Costs and benefits associated with potential risk management actions

The information collected will help EPA develop a durable and scientifically supported rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Comment Deadline: August 24, 2026

Docket Number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2025-0036

Submit comments and learn more: https://www.regulations.gov

EPA plans to propose the asbestos risk management rule by June 3, 2027.

EPA is advancing its review of five chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and has released draft technical support documents for public comment and independent scientific peer review.

The chemicals under review include:

• 1,1,2-Trichloroethane

• Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)

• 1,2-Dichloropropane

• Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)

• trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene

These chemicals are used in products and processes including flame retardants, cleaning and degreasing products, leaded aviation gasoline, laboratories, and industrial manufacturing.

EPA’s draft assessments examine potential risks to:

• Workers and occupational settings

• Communities located near sources of exposure

• Children and other sensitive populations

• Fish, wildlife, and environmental resources

EPA is emphasizing the use of current scientific data and is seeking feedback on how real-world exposures should be considered in future risk evaluations.

Public Comment Deadline: July 23, 2026

Comments on the draft technical support documents and peer review questions may be submitted through Docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-2246 at Regulations.gov.

SACC Preparatory Meeting

July 23, 2026

Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) Peer Review Meeting

August 3–7, 2026

The SACC will review EPA’s draft technical support documents and provide independent scientific feedback before EPA finalizes its risk evaluations.

Learn more and submit comments:

https://www.regulations.gov

EPA’s draft documents do not represent final agency decisions, and findings may change based on public comments and peer review.

TCOTS Link

Webinar: June 2, 2026

Webinar Registration: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/cd4f68b7-b19b-4936-ba96-c3769a98c4f1@88b378b3-6748-4867-acf9-76aacbeca6a7

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in coordination with the Department of War, is initiating consultation with federally recognized Indian Tribes on a proposed rulemaking to establish national standards for discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels of the Armed Forces (e.g., U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force) that operate nationwide in coastal and inland waters. The standards to be developed in this proposed rulemaking would be the third and final batch of Phase II performance standards for marine pollution control devices under the Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) program. These performance standards are intended to reduce environmental impacts associated with vessel discharges, stimulate the development of improved pollution control devices and environmentally sound military practices, and establish nationwide standards.

Clean Water Act Section 312(n) directs the EPA and the DoW to establish uniform national standards for discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces. In 1999, the EPA and DoW jointly promulgated Phase I of these regulations which identified 25 discharges from vessels of the Armed Forces that would require control by a marine pollution control device. The EPA and the DoW agreed to establish performance standards for the 25 identified discharges in batches in Phase II. Phase II Batch One and Batch Two, which included Tribal consultations, were finalized in 2017 and 2020, respectively, establishing 22 of the 25 performance standards. The EPA and DoW are now working on Phase II Batch Three rulemaking to develop performance standards for the three remaining discharges: clean ballast, compensated ballast, and dirty ballast. National discharge standards will result in enhanced environmental protection because standards will be established for three discharges that currently are not regulated comprehensively.

This proposed rulemaking will not affect vessels operated by Tribes because the rule only regulates discharges from vessels of the Armed Forces of the United States. However, Tribes may be interested in this action because vessels of the Armed Forces of the United States, including Coast Guard vessels, may operate in or near Tribal waters. The EPA’s anticipated timeline for the consultation period is expected to extend from May 15, 2026, to July 14, 2026.

We also encourage you to submit written comments to the docket to identify any information that you believe may be relevant to the development of the rule. Tribes may submit written comments at www.regulations.gov, EPA-HQ-OW-2026-2575, any time during the Tribal consultation, which ends July 14, 2026.

Enclosed is a consultation plan that includes a description of the action under consultation, a timeline for the consultation period, and information on how you can provide input on this action. This information is also available on the EPA’s Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System.

To request government-to-government consultation with the EPA and the DoW on the UNDS rulemaking, please contact Catherine Brady, at brady.catherine@epa.gov by June 16, 2026, to ensure consultation can occur during the consultation period. Please also identify a Tribal representative to serve as a point of contact for planning purposes. The EPA will work with your staff to schedule the consultation meeting with your Tribal government as requests are received.