[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12045]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 136, 141 and 143

[FRL-6974-7]
RIN-2040-AD59


Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule; Guidelines Establishing Test 
Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants Under the Clean Water Act; 
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and National Secondary 
Drinking Water Regulations; Methods Update

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 ``Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures 
for the Analysis of Pollutants Under the Clean Water Act; National 
Primary Drinking Water Regulations and National Secondary Drinking 
Water Regulations; Methods Update; Direct Final Rule.'' We published 
the direct final rule (66 FR 3466) with a companion proposed rule (66 
FR 3526) on January 16, 2001. We stated in the direct final rule that 
if we received adverse comment by March 19, 2001, 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 action based on the parallel proposal. 
The proposed rule stated that we would not institute a second comment 
period on this action.

DATES: As of May 15, 2001, EPA withdraws the direct final rule 
published at 66 FR 3466 on January 16, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Gomez-Taylor, Ph.D., Engineering 
and Analysis Division (4303), USEPA Office of Science and Technology, 
Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460 
(phone: 202-260-1639; e-mail: [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA published a direct final rule on January 
16, 2001, to approve the use of updated versions of test procedures 
(i.e., analytical methods) for the determination of chemical, 
radiological, and microbiological pollutants and contaminants in 
wastewater and drinking water. These updated versions of analytical 
methods have been published by one or more of the following 
organizations: American Society for Testing Materials, United States 
Geological Survey, United States Department of Energy, American Public 
Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water 
Environment Federation. Previously approved versions of the methods 
would remain approved. The rule also corrected method citations and 
minor typographical errors in EPA's regulations for test procedures. 
EPA published a companion proposed rule (66 FR 3526) on the same date 
as the direct final rule.
    The companion proposed rule invited comment on the substance of the 
direct final rule and stated that if adverse comments were received by 
March 19, 2001, the direct final rule would not become effective and a 
document would be published in the Federal Register to withdraw the 
direct final rule before the May 16, 2001, effective date. The EPA 
subsequently received adverse comments on the final rule. EPA plans to 
address those comments in a subsequent action. Today's action withdraws 
the direct final rule; the updated versions of the test procedures are 
not approved under 40 CFR parts 136, 141, or 143.

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 136

    Environmental protection, Analytical methods, Incorporation by 
reference, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water pollution 
control.

40 CFR Part 141

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Incorporation by reference, 
Indian-lands, Intergovernmental relations, Radiation Protection, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water supply.

40 CFR Part 143

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Incorporation by reference, 
Indian-lands, Water supply.

    Dated: May 7, 2001.
Christine Todd Whitman,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-12045 Filed 5-14-01; 8:45 am]
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