[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 73 (Friday, April 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18902-18903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9475]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6324-6]


Safe Drinking Water Act 25th Anniversary--Futures Forum 
``Research 2025'' Public Meeting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) is holding a public meeting on May 4, 1999, beginning at 
9:00 am. at Resolve, 23rd Street, NW, Suite 275, Washington, DC, for 
the purpose of information exchange with stakeholders and the general 
public to discuss the research needs of the national drinking water 
program. 1999 marks the 25th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
(SDWA). Originally enacted as Title XIV of the Public Health Act, the 
SDWA remains a significant landmark in public health protection in the 
20th century. EPA and many prominent stakeholder groups are marking 
this anniversary with a variety of events. The overall theme for the 
anniversary is ``Protect Our Health from Source to Tap''. The year long 
event will, celebrate achievements in reducing waterborne disease 
illnesses and deaths, educate the public about the quality of their 
drinking water and ways that they can assist in ensuring its' future 
safety; evaluate the status of program goals, progress, and needs; plan 
near and long

[[Page 18903]]

term goals and objectives; and initiate critical actions and projects.
In pursuit of these objectives, EPA and a number of partners launched a 
Drinking Water Futures Forum to evaluate the challenges facing the 
nation in ensuring a safe supply of drinking water for the next 25 
years.
    To answer the overriding question of ``How can we ensure safe 
drinking water in 25 years?'', the Futures Forum has selected seven 
critical areas to address. The areas chosen are: Treatment 
Technologies, Unserved Populations, Cost, Source Water, Vulnerable 
Subpopulations, Small Systems and Research. The goal is that by 
December 16, 1999, consensus will be reached on the most important 
issues and recommendations presented by the Futures Forum. The 
deliberations will be guided by four questions:
    1. What science and research are necessary to achieve public health 
objectives, satisfy SDWA standards for sound science, and meet 
statutory requirements and deadlines in the areas of health effects, 
treatment and distribution systems, exposure, analytical methods and 
special issues (i.e., sensitive subpopulations, mixtures)?
    2. What level of research investment is adequate to address near 
and long term needs?
    3. What is the most efficient, effective and timely combination of 
public and private efforts to undertake, coordinate and manage the 
necessary drinking water research and data collections?
    4. If there is a gap between programmatic research needs and 
available resources, what is the best way for EPA and interested 
stakeholders to decide on priorities?
    EPA is inviting all interested members of the public to participate 
in the meeting. As with all previous meetings in this process, to the 
extent that is available, EPA is instituting an open door policy to 
allow any member of the public to attend any of the meetings for any 
length of time. Seats will be available on a first-come, first served 
basis.

DATES: The meeting will start at 9:00 AM on May 4 and will adjourn on 
May 4 at 5:00 PM.

ADDRESSES: For additional information about the meeting, please contact 
William R. Diamond, at 202-260-7575 of EPA's Office of Ground Water and 
Drinking Water at (202) 260-7575 or Joan Harrigan Farrelly at 202-260-
6672 or by e-mail at Farrelly. J[email protected]., Questions may 
also be sent to William R. Diamond, U.S. EPA (4607), Office of Ground 
Water and Drinking Water, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joan Harrigan Farrelly, U.S. EPA, 
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, telephone 202-260-6672.

    Dated: April 7, 1999.
William R. Diamond,
Director, Standards and Risk Management Division, Office of Ground 
Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 99-9475 Filed 4-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P