Notice of Intent To Develop a Policy on the Determination of a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and Hypoxia as an Event of National Significance in Freshwater Systems

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting public comment to inform the development of an Agency policy for determining if a harmful algal bloom (HAB) or hypoxia event in freshwater is an "event of national significance." Recent amendments to the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA), provide the EPA with the statutory authority to make such a determination in the case of a freshwater HAB or hypoxia event. Public comments are intended to inform the development of a policy for the EPA to make such determinations, specifically for events in freshwater. A federal determination that such an occurrence is an event of national significance enables mobilization of federal resources to assess and mitigate its detrimental effects, subject to the availability of appropriations. The EPA requests input on what the Agency should specifically consider for determining a "HAB or Hypoxia event of national significance" in freshwater, and related factors in order to inform development of a draft EPA policy. On July 25, 2019, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a separate notice to solicit comments on HAB or hypoxia events of nat