[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 21143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10512]



[[Page 21143]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6971-7]


Program Requirement Revisions Related to the Public Water System 
Supervision Program for the States of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 
Vermont, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the States of New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island and Vermont, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are in the 
process of revising their approved Public Water System Supervision 
Programs to meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
(SDWA).
    Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont have all 
adopted regulations establishing Administrative Penalty Authority that 
apply to their respective Drinking Water Programs. They have submitted 
documentation, along with certification from their respective State 
Attorney General's office, indicating that the Administrative Penalty 
Authority currently in effect meets the minimum requirements set forth 
in the 1996 SDWA Amendments. EPA has determined that the Administrative 
Penalty Authority currently in effect for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
Rhode Island, and Vermont are no less stringent than corresponding 
federal requirements, as authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act 
Amendments of 1996 and final rule provided on April 28, 1998 (63 FR 
23362). Therefore, EPA intends to approve the Administrative Penalty 
Authority requirement for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 
and Vermont.
    In addition, the State of Rhode Island has adopted drinking water 
regulations for Synthetic Organic Chemicals and Inorganic Chemicals 
(also known as Phase V Drinking Water Regulations) that correspond to 
the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations promulgated by EPA on 
July 17, 1992 (57 FR 31776). After additional review of the submitted 
documentation, EPA has determined that the State program revisions for 
its Phase V Drinking Water Regulations are no less stringent than the 
corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve 
this Public Water System Supervision Program requirement for Rhode 
Island.
    Furthermore, EPA has determined that Rhode Island's Revised Public 
Water Supply Definition is no less stringent than the corresponding 
revised federal definition, as authorized under the Safe Drinking Water 
Act Amendments of 1996 and final rule provided on April 28, 1998 (63 FR 
23362). Therefore, EPA also intends to approve this Public Water Supply 
Supervision Program requirement for Rhode Island.

DATES: All interested parties may request a public hearing for any of 
the above EPA determinations. A request for a public hearing must be 
submitted to the Regional Administrator at the address shown below on 
or before May 29, 2001. Frivolous or insubstantial requests for a 
hearing may be denied by the Regional Administrator. However, if a 
substantial request for a public hearing is made by this date, a public 
hearing will be held. If no timely and appropriate request for a 
hearing is received, and the Regional Administrator does not elect to 
hold a hearing on his/her own motion, this determination shall become 
final and effective on May 29, 2001.
    Any request for a public hearing shall include the following 
information: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the 
individual organization, or other entity requesting a hearing; (2) a 
brief statement of the requesting person's interest in the Regional 
Administrator's determination; (3) information that the requesting 
person intends to submit at such hearing; and (4) the signature of the 
individual making the request, or if the request is made on behalf of 
an organization or other entity, the signature of a responsible 
official of the organization or other entity.

ADDRESSES: All documents relating to this determination are available 
for inspection between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through 
Friday, at the following office(s): U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Office of Ecosystem Protection, One Congress Street, 11th 
floor, Boston, MA 02114.
    For documents specific to that State/Commonwealth:

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water 
Program, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Water Supply 
Engineering Bureau, P.O. Box 95, 6 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302-0095
Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water Quality, 3 
Capitol Hill, Cannon Building, Room 209, Providence, RI 02908-5097
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Water Supply 
Division, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont 05671-0403

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Chin, EPA-New England, Municipal 
Assistance Unit, Office of Ecosystem Protection (telephone 617-918-
1764) regarding the Administrative Penalty Authority determinations, or 
Ellie Kwong, EPA-New England, Rhode Island State Program Unit, Office 
of Ecosystem Protection (telephone 617-918-1592) regarding Rhode 
Island's Phase V Rule and Revised Public Water Supply Definition 
determinations.

    Authority: (Section 1401 and section 1413 of the Safe Drinking 
Water Act, as amended (1996), and 40 CFR Part 142).

    Dated: April 18, 2001.
Ira W. Leighton,
Acting Regional Administrator, EPA-New England.
[FR Doc. 01-10512 Filed 4-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P