EPA launches rulemaking Web site

The Environmental Protection Agency launched a Web site today that's designed to give the public new ways to participate in the rulemaking process, according to the agency.

The site, Rulemaking Gateway, provides the public more concise information about agency regulations than previous information sharing efforts at EPA, the agency said.

It also allows users to search for EPA rules that relate to specific interests, including impacts on small business; children’s health; environmental justice; and state, local and tribal government.

The portal also provides information as soon as work begins and provides updates on a monthly basis as new information becomes available, according to EPA. Time-sensitive information, such as notice of public meetings, is updated on a daily basis.

The site is designed to complement Regulations.gov, the federal government’s primary portal for tracking rules from all federal agencies. The gateway provides brief overviews of specific EPA rules and additional ways to search rules based on the phases they are in, the topics they relate to, and the impacts they might have, according to the agency.

Members of the public then can use links to Regulations.gov and to other EPA sources where comprehensive information is available.

The EPA also started a Rulemaking Gateway discussion forum to allow the public to suggest enhancements to the site. The forum will be open through July 16.The agency plans to make enhancements to the site based on ideas received.