Environmental Law

EPA to Withdraw Rule Regarding New Phase I ESA Standard E1527-13 as Satisfying All Appropriate Inquiries

30 November 1999

When EPA issued its Direct Final Rule on August 15, 2013 (78 Fed. Reg. 49690), approving the use of the new proposed 2013 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) standard (ASTM E1527-13) to satisfy the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule, 40 CFR Part 312, the agency specified it would withdraw the Final Rule and it would not take effect if EPA received an adverse comment during the comment period. That has now happened as an adverse comment was received on August 28. Consequently, EPA will withdraw the final rule (if it does what it said it would do) and rely upon the companion Proposed Rule issued simultaneously on the same day, 78 Fed. Reg. 49714, and respond to comments in order to proceed with a final rule.