The EPA in the Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 Federal Register decided to extend the public comment period on its new revisions to the total Coliform rule, announced this past July. The new comment date is Oct. 13, 2010, which is 30 days after the original proposed comment period.

The agency in July essentially proposed to make some monitoring and sampling changes to its 1989 Fecal Coliform Rule.

The agency didn't give a reason. Under President Obama, some in industry and the media have noted a shortening of comment periods from the previous White House, but in recent months the length of comment period time has generally gone back to its pre-2009 average of a month to a month and a half for most minor regulatory proposals.

Read PE's previous coverage on the new Coliform rule here.

SOURCE: Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-21697.htm