Withdrawal of Certain Federal Human Health and Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria Applicable to Vermont, the District of Columbia, Kansas and New Jersey

In 1992, EPA promulgated Federal regulations establishing water quality criteria for toxic pollutants for twelve States and two territories (hereafter "States"), including Vermont, the District of Columbia, Kansas and New Jersey. These States have now adopted, and EPA has approved, human health and aquatic life water quality criteria for many of these pollutants. In today's action, EPA is amending the Federal regulations to withdraw certain human health and aquatic life water quality criteria applicable to these States. EPA published the proposal to this rulemaking in the Federal Register on March 26, 2001 and provided an opportunity for public comment on the proposed withdrawal of the criteria, because the States adopted certain criteria less stringent than the promulgated Federal criteria. Seven comments were received, but no changes were made to the proposed rulemaking and EPA is finalizing the proposed withdrawal. In addition, New Jersey adopted, and EPA approved, additional water quality criteria no less stringent than the promulgated Federal criteria. EPA is withdrawing these criteria without notice and comment rulemaking because New Jersey's adopted criteria are no less stringent than the promulgated Federal criteria.