Regulatory Certainty Act of 2018

“(c) Authorization To prohibit specification of defined area

“(1) In general—In accordance with this subsection, the Administrator may—

“(A) prohibit the specification (including the withdrawal of specification) of any defined area as a disposal site; and

“(B) deny or restrict the use of any defined area for specification (including the withdrawal of specification) as a disposal site.

“(2) Determination by Administrator—Before carrying out any action under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall—

“(A) provide notice and an opportunity for a public hearing on the action; and

“(B) determine, in consultation with the Secretary, that the discharge of a material into a defined area will have an unacceptable adverse effect on—

“(i) a municipal water supply;

“(ii) a shellfish bed or fishery area, including a spawning and breeding area;

“(iii) wildlife; or

“(iv) a recreational area.

“(3) Publishing of findings—The Administrator shall make publicly available a written statement that provides the findings and reasons for making any determination under this subsection.

“(4) Time period of specification

“(A) In general—The period during which the Administrator may undertake any action under paragraph (1) shall—

“(i) begin on the date that the Secretary provides notice to the Administrator that the Secretary has completed all procedures for processing an application for a permit under this section relating to the specification and is ready to determine, in accordance with the record and applicable regulations, whether the permit should be issued; and

“(ii) end on the date that the Secretary issues the permit.

“(B) Length of time period—The period described in subparagraph (A) shall consist of not fewer than 30 consecutive days.

“(C) Permit issued by Secretary—The Secretary may issue a permit under this section only after the Secretary provides notice to the Administrator in accordance with this paragraph.”