The EPA in a Wednesday, July 21, 2010, press release, invited small businesses and municipalities to nominate representatives to provide input on a proposed stormwater rule. Selected participants would provide input to a Small Business Advocacy Review panel, which will consist of officials from the EPA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Office of Management and Budget.

The agency is establishing the panel because of a requirement under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, since the rule could have a significant economic impact on small entities. The representatives will provide input on how the agency can minimize the potential burden on small businesses. Nominations must be received by Aug. 4, 2010.

The proposed stormwater rule would toughen the national stormwater program under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and focus on stormwater discharges from developed sites, such as subdivisions, roadways, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings or shopping centers.

More information about participating in the panel is available at www.epa.gov/sbrefa/stormwater.htm.

More information about the rulemaking is available at www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/rulemaking.

Source: EPA Press Release