Comment & Consultation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized Tribes regarding regulatory management of unreasonable risks identified in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluations for Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Dicyclohexyl Phthalate (DCHP), Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP), and Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP).

TSCA requires EPA to issue a proposed rule under TSCA section 6(a) applying risk management requirements to the extent necessary to address the unreasonable risks one year after the date on which the final risk evaluation is published and publish a final rule two years after the publication date of the final risk evaluation. EPA’s final risk evaluations for BBP1, DBP2, DCHP3, DEHP4, and DIBP5 were published on regulations.gov and announced via a Federal Register notice on January 6, 2026 (91 FR 373)and is also available (with supporting documents), on EPA’s website.

This consultation and coordination process will be conducted in accordance with the EPA Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes and the Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty or Similar Rights. EPA invites you and/or your designated consultation representative(s) to participate in this process to discuss potential risk management to address the unreasonable risks identified in the BBP, DBP, DCHP, DEHP, and DIBP risk evaluations under TSCA including implications for treaty or similar rights, Indigenous Knowledge, and sacred sites. OCSPP’s anticipated timeline for the consultation and coordination period is expected to extend from September 1, 2026 – November 1, 2026. During this period, two identical technical webinars will be conducted, covering the same information. To participate, OPPT invites you and/or your designee(s) to join us for one or both of the following sessions:

•September 14, 2026 Tribal Technical Briefing 1 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm (ET)

Zoom Registration Link:

https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/2goZiUNARrmaZV3-p0VgGQ

•September 16, 2026 Tribal Technical Briefing 2 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm (ET)

Zoom Registration Link:

https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/_Ke6KlqoQJKioMIDeGe8sQ

We look forward to your participation in this consultation and coordination process and hope that you or your designee(s) can join us for one or both technical webinars. If you have any questions, are unavailable to participate in the webinar and/or have comments, including written comments, would like to request a consultation, or if we may be of additional assistance in the interim, please contact Amanda Miles at miles.amanda@epa.gov or 202-566-0348.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized Tribes regarding regulatory management of unreasonable risk identified in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluation for 1,3-butadiene.

TSCA requires EPA to issue a proposed rule under TSCA section 6(a) applying risk management requirements to the extent necessary to address the unreasonable risks one year after the date on which the final risk evaluation is published and publish a final rule two years after the publication date of the final risk evaluation. EPA’s final risk evaluation for 1,3-butadiene found unreasonable risk to human health. The final risk evaluation was published on regulations.gov (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0451) and announced via a Federal Register notice on January 5, 2026 (91 FR 264) and is available (with supporting documents), on EPA’s website.

This consultation and coordination process will be conducted in accordance with the EPA Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes2 and the Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty or Similar Rights.3 EPA invites you and/or your designated consultation representative(s) to participate in this process to discuss potential risk management to address the unreasonable risks identified in the 1,3-Butadiene risk evaluation from August 10, 2026 to October 9, 2026. During this period, two identical technical webinars will be conducted, covering the same information. To participate, OPPT invites you and/or your designee(s) to join us for one or both of the following sessions:

• August 25, 2026 Tribal Technical Briefing 1 from 2:00- 4:00pm (ET) Zoom Registration Link: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/bK-BCeMaQcWKhiSwKjIp9Q

• September 1, 2026 Tribal Technical Briefing 2 from 2:00- 4:00pm (ET) Zoom Registration Link: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/FICHob5eQkWxz7lwSXiMlw

We look forward to your participation in this consultation and coordination process and hope that you or your designee(s) can join us for one or both technical webinars. If you have any questions, would like to request a consultation, are unavailable to participate in the webinar and/or have comments, including written comments or if we may be of additional assistance in the interim, please contact Amanda Miles at miles.amanda@epa.gov or (202) 566-0348.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released draft risk evaluations for o-dichlorobenzene (oDCB) and p-dichlorobenzene (pDCB) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and is seeking public comment.

Both chemicals are used in certain household and commercial products and can evaporate into indoor air. pDCB is commonly associated with some air fresheners, deodorizing products, and moth repellents. EPA’s draft evaluations examined potential exposures for workers, consumers, the general public, and the environment.

Among the preliminary findings:

• EPA identified unreasonable risks to workers from several occupational uses of both chemicals.
• EPA also identified consumer inhalation risks for certain uses, including some products containing pDCB.
• EPA’s draft evaluations did not identify unreasonable risks to the general public through ambient outdoor air or to the environment under the evaluated conditions.

If finalized, EPA could develop risk management actions under TSCA to address identified risks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 is inviting Tribal participation in the consultation process regarding a proposed modification to the Washington Tribal and Federal Aquaculture National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit (WAG130000).

The proposed modification would expand permit coverage to include:

• Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery
• Two Puyallup Tribal aquaculture facilities
• One Muckleshoot Tribal aquaculture facility

EPA encourages interested Tribes to participate in the consultation process and provide input on the proposed permit modification.

Additional information about this consultation is available through EPA’s

Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System (TCOTS)

For More Information

Martin Merz

EPA Region 10 NPDES Permitting Section

Phone: (206) 553-0205

Email: merz.martin@epa.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the proposed 2027 Construction General Permit (CGP) for a 30-day public comment period. Once finalized, the permit will replace the 2022 Construction General Permit, which expires on February 16, 2027.

The CGP authorizes stormwater discharges from eligible construction activities in areas where EPA is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting authority, including portions of EPA Region 10.

On Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Pacific the EPA will also host a free informational webinar to review the proposed permit changes and answer questions.

Learn More & View the Proposed Permit

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.