[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 67 (Monday, April 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16751-16752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8420]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7168-7]


Demonstration Program To Recognize Local Governments Taking 
Extraordinary Efforts to Protect Watersheds-Clean Water Partners for 
the 21st Century

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Announcement of a demonstration program to recognize local 
governments that are taking extraordinary actions now to protect and 
improve watershed health and commit to actions in the future. Request 
for applications.

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

SUMMARY: Leadership by local governments is essential if the overall 
health of the Nation's watersheds are to be maintained and improved 
over time. While state and federal agencies have an important role to 
play, local leadership must be encouraged and recognized. Accordingly, 
the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
announces its intention to undertake a demonstration program to 
recognize local governments of various types that are undertaking 
extraordinary actions now to protect and enhance watershed health and 
also commit to undertake specific actions in the future, over and above 
the requirements of the Clean Water Act. This demonstration program is 
being undertaken initially as part of an overall effort to celebrate 
the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Depending on the 
success of this effort, EPA would hope to continue the program in 
future years. This program is intended to give local government 
entities of all types the opportunity to be recognized, and is not 
limited to wastewater treatment agencies.
    Organizations interested in applying would be asked to describe 
their current actions to protect and enhance watershed health and make 
specific commitments to future actions, based on application guidelines 
developed for the program. These guidelines are available at 
www.cleanwaterpartners.org. Organizations applying for the program 
would undergo a screen of their past compliance based on EPA's 
Compliance Screening Guidelines for Voluntary Programs. These 
guidelines can be found at http://es.epa.gov/oeca/polover.pdf. 
Applications will then be evaluated by a committee made up of members 
of various local government organizations. Both individual and group 
applications will be accepted. Those local governments that are 
ultimately selected to participate would be recognized as a Clean Water 
Partner by EPA at an appropriate recognition event in fall 2002, 
roughly coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and 
would be allowed to publicize their selection in various ways 
throughout their organization.
    This program is intended to recognize a broad range of current 
activities and future commitments by local governments of all types 
designed to enhance overall watershed health. It will not replace EPA's 
existing National Wastewater Management Excellence awards program, 
which will continue to recognize operational achievements in specific 
areas of wastewater management.

DATES: Application should be submitted no later than May 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Applications can be electronically to 
www.cleanwaterpartners.org. Hard copy applications can be mailed or 
faxed to Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century Program 1816 
Jefferson Place,

[[Page 16752]]

NW. Washington, DC 20036-2505; FAX (202-564-4657).
    EPA Point of Contact: Jim Horne, Office of Wastewater Management, 
Phone: (202) 564-0571, E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: April 1, 2002.
Michael B. Cook,
Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 02-8420 Filed 4-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M