[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34421]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 141 and 143
[WH-FRL-6212-4]
RIN 2040-AC77
Withdrawal of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations:
Analytical Methods for Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants; Direct
Final Rule
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Withdrawal of direct final rule.
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SUMMARY: Because EPA received adverse comments, we are withdrawing the
direct final rule entitled ``National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations: Analytical Methods for Regulated Drinking Water
Contaminants''. We published the direct final rule on September 3, 1998
(63 FR 47097-47114). We stated in the direct final rule that if we
received adverse comment by November 2, 1998, we would publish a timely
notice of withdrawal in the Federal Register. We subsequently received
adverse comments on the direct final rule. We will address those
comments in a subsequent final action based on the parallel proposal
also published on September 3, 1998 (63 FR 47115). We will not
institute a second comment period on this action.
DATES: As of December 31, 1998, EPA withdraws the direct final rule
published at 63 FR 47097-47114 on September 3, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jitendra Saxena, Ph.D., Standards and
Risk Management Division, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
(MC-4607), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, D.C. 20460, (202) 260-9579.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA published the analytical methods direct
final and companion proposed rule on September 3, 1998. The rule
proposed the use of 93 analytical methods for measurement of chemical
and microbiological contaminants in drinking water; of these 43 are
updated versions of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM),
Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater (Standard
Methods or SM) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods, and
50 are ASTM and SM methods with minor editorial or nomenclature
changes. EPA proposed to withdraw earlier versions of the EPA methods
but earlier versions of ASTM and SM would continue to be approved. The
rule also provided for corrections of method citations and minor
correction or clarification changes to current regulations. Additional
methods for monitoring secondary drinking water contaminants were
recommended.
The companion proposed rule (63 FR 47115) section of the September
3, 1998, package invited comment on the substance of the direct final
rule and stated that if adverse comments were received by November 2,
1998, the rule would not become effective and a notice would be
published in the Federal Register to withdraw the direct final rule
before the January 4, 1999, effective date. The EPA subsequently
received adverse comments on the final rule.
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 141
Environmental protection, Analytical methods, Chemicals,
Incorporation by reference, Indians--lands, Intergovernmental
relations, Radiation protection, Reporting and record keeping
requirements, Water supply.
40 CFR Part 143
Environmental protection, Analytical methods, Chemicals,
Incorporation by reference, Indians--lands, Water supply.
Dated: December 22, 1998.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 98-34421 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am]
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