[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 247 (Monday, December 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72341-72342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33450]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6514-9]


National Drinking Water Advisory Council Request for Nominations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites all 
interested persons to suggest individuals to serve as members of the 
working groups that will be formed under the National Drinking Water 
Advisory Council (NDWAC) on specific matters relating to implementation 
of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The Advisory Council was 
established to provide practical and independent advice, consultation, 
and recommendations to the Agency on the activities, functions and 
policies related to the Act as amended. At the November 2-4, 1999, 
meeting of the Council, it was decided that two new working groups 
should be formed on the following subjects: (1) Contaminant 
Identification, Regulation Review, and Occurrence; and (2) Drinking 
Water Research.

1. Contaminant Identification, Regulation Review, and Occurrence

    The Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, requires EPA to make 
regulatory determinations for at least five contaminants from the 
Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) every five years. The SDWA deadline 
for the first set of contaminant identification regulatory 
determinations is August 6, 2001. In order to make an affirmative 
determination to regulate, the SDWA requires three findings be made for 
each contaminant: (1) It adversely affects public health; (2) is known 
or likely to occur in public water systems with a frequency and at 
levels posing a health concern; and (3) regulation of the contaminant 
must present a meaningful opportunity for reduction of health risks.
    SDWA also requires that EPA review all existing National Primary 
DrinkingWater Regulations (NPDWRs) every six years and revise as 
appropriate The SDWA deadline for completing the first review of 
existing NPDWRs is August 6, 2002. In reviewing existing NPDWRs, EPA 
proposes to subject regulated contaminants to rigorous evaluation based 
on available data to determine whether the Agency could justify 
possible rule revisions. According to SDWA, any revision to a 
regulation must result in an equal or greater level of public health 
protection. The process by which EPA will review existing regulations 
will be outlined in a protocol currently under development.
    EPA hopes the NDWAC working group members will develop a framework 
and specific recommended processes to assist the Agency in evaluating 
the scientific data available to inform regulatory determinations from 
the CCL and in reviewing and selecting existing NPDWRs for possible 
revision. Also, the group would be asked to recommend processes in 
evaluating what occurrence data are needed and how to obtain this 
information to assist the Agency in its future reviews of NPDWRs.

2. Drinking Water Research

    EPA is developing a Comprehensive Research Strategy that considers 
the broad range of research needed to support the Agency's drinking 
water regulatory activities. This research strategy will include an 
assessment of research needs for microbes and disinfection by-products 
(M/DBPs), arsenic, CCL contaminants, and other critical research 
issues. Ensuring that EPA has the science needed to make sound 
regulatory decisions has been an ongoing concern of the Council. A 
Research working group would be charged with two major activities: (1) 
Consider the research needs associated with this broad range of issues, 
including but not limited to those covered by the existing M/DBP and 
Arsenic Research Plans and the CCL Research Plan that is under 
development; and (2) consider the overall needs for drinking water 
research and provide advice to the NDWAC on how the Agency might 
prioritize research in the context of annual budget allocation demands. 
The working group will be asked to produce a ``white paper'' on 
drinking water research needs and priorities that NDWAC could forward 
to the Agency for consideration in the development of the Comprehensive 
Research Strategy.
    Because membership on these groups will be limited and must be 
representative of balanced views, selections will be made by the 
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, based on drinking 
water expertise and demonstrated interest in drinking water policy. Any 
interested person or organization may suggest an individual for a 
position on the working groups. Candidates should be identified by 
name, occupation, position, address and telephone number and the 
working group for which they wish to be considered for membership.

[[Page 72342]]

    Persons selected for membership are responsible for any expenses 
that would be incurred while attending meetings. Suggestions should be 
submitted to Charlene E. Shaw, Designated Federal Officer, National 
Drinking Water Advisory Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (4601), 401 M Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20460, no later than January 26, 2000. The Agency will 
not formally acknowledge or respond to nominations. E-Mail your 
questions to [email protected] or call 202/260-2285.

    Dated: December 17, 1999.
Elizabeth Fellows,
Acting Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 99-33450 Filed 12-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P