[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45986-45987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22020]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[WH-FRL-7046-9]


U.S. EPA Notice of Public Meeting on the Draft Strategy for 
Waterborne Microbial Disease

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: This action announces a public meeting on the draft Strategy 
for Waterborne Microbial Disease.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a meeting 
on September 18, 2001, to present to interested parties the draft 
Strategy for Waterborne Microbial Disease. The draft Strategy explains 
suggested approaches to reducing microbial pollution of the Nation's 
waters. Interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the 
approaches listed in the draft Strategy at this meeting. In addition 
interested parties may provide written comments on the draft strategy.

DATES: The public meeting concerning the draft Strategy for Waterborne 
Microbial Disease will be held September 18, 2001, from 8 a.m. to 5 
p.m. EST. Written comments on the draft strategy will be accepted until 
October 19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, 
2399 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia, in the Roanoke 
conference room. Sciences, Inc. (an EPA contractor) will provide 
logistical support for the meeting. Written comments should be sent to 
Ms. Harriet McCollum at Sciences, Inc., 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 500, 
Alexandria, VA 23314; phone (703)684-0123; fax (703) 684-2223, or email 
at [email protected].

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the meeting, please 
contact Ms. Harriet McCollum at Sciences, Inc., 1800 Diagonal Road, 
Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 23314; phone (703) 684-0123; fax (703) 684-
2223, or email at [email protected].
    Approximately 100 seats will be available on a first-come, first 
serve basis. On-site registration for the meeting will begin at 8 a.m., 
EST. Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting may pre-
register by phone by contacting Ms. McCollum by September 10, 2001. 
Those registered by September 10, 2001 will receive background 
materials prior to the meeting.
    For information concerning the Draft Strategy for Waterborne 
Microbial Disease, or a copy of the draft Strategy please, contact Lisa 
Almodovar, at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, (MC-4304), Washington, DC 20460; phone; (202) 
260-1310, fax: (202) 260-1036 or email at [email protected]. 
Copies of the draft Strategy are available on EPA's Internet at 
www.epa.gov/ost/criteria/microbialdraft.pdf.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA, States, local governments and the 
private sector have made significant strides in reducing water 
pollution. Much of this progress is the result of controls on pollution 
from industries and sewage treatment facilities. Despite this progress, 
States report that about 30% of the waters they assess do not meet 
clean water goals. Today, water pollution problems are caused by a wide

[[Page 45987]]

range of diffuse sources (e.g., pollutant runoff from agricultural 
lands, stormwater flows from cities, inadequate sewage treatment, and 
seepage into ground water). Many of these sources contribute microbial 
contaminants to waterbodies and this contamination impairs the use of 
waters for recreational, fishing, and shellfish growing purposes and 
limits use of waters as a source of drinking water.
    In response to growing evidence of significant microbial 
contamination of waters, the Office of Water has prepared a draft 
Strategy for Waterborne Microbial Disease. This draft Strategy 
describes the microbial water pollution problem and identifies four 
areas of concern as the primary focus of efforts to reduce water 
pollution and threats to public health.
    EPA seeks public comment on all aspects of the draft Strategy. 
Examples of questions that might be addressed by the public include:
    (1) Does the draft Strategy appropriately describe the water 
pollution problem and public health risk posed by microbial 
contamination?
    (2) The draft Strategy emphasizes four areas of concern. Are these 
four areas appropriate as the focus of the draft Strategy? If not, 
which other areas of concern should be addressed and why?
    (3) Are the actions identified to strengthen water pollution 
control programs appropriate? What other actions should be considered?
    EPA will produce a report that will summarize the meeting as well 
as capture all comments and suggestions. Submitted written comments 
will also be included in the document. Comments must be submitted to 
Ms. Harriet McCollum at Sciences, Inc., 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 500, 
Alexandria, VA 23314; phone (703) 684-0123; fax (703) 684-2223, or 
email at [email protected], by October 19, 2001.

    Dated: August 15, 2001.
Jeanette Wiltse,
Acting Director, Office of Science and Technology.
[FR Doc. 01-22020 Filed 8-30-01; 8:45 am]
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