[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 158 (Friday, August 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48919-48920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20891]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7544-9]


Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of 
Colorado

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The State of Colorado has revised its Public Water System 
Supervision (PWSS) primacy program by adopting regulations for the 
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR), Disinfectants/
Disinfection Byproducts Rule (D/DBPR), Radionuclides Rule, revisions to 
the Variances and Exemptions Rule, Administrative Penalty Authority, 
Definition of ``Public Water System,'' and the Public Notification Rule 
(PNR). Having determined that these revisions meet all pertinent 
requirements in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and EPA's 
implementing regulations, the EPA approves them.
    Today's approval action does not extend to public water systems in 
Indian country. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, Item B.

DATES: Any member of the public is invited to submit written comments 
and/or request a public hearing on this determination by September 15, 
2003. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, Item C, for information on 
submitting comments and requesting a hearing. If no hearing is 
requested or granted, then this action shall become effective September 
15, 2003. If a public hearing is requested and granted, then this 
determination shall not become effective until such time following the 
hearing as the Regional Administrator (RA) issues an order affirming or 
rescinding this action.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests for a public hearing should be 
addressed to: Robert E. Roberts, Regional Administrator, c/o Qian Zhang 
(8P-W-MS), U.S. EPA, Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 
80202-2466.
    All documents relating to this determination are available for 
inspection at the following locations: (1) U.S. EPA, Region 8, 
Municipal Systems Unit, 999 18th Street (4th Floor), Denver, CO 80202-
2466; (2) Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), 
Drinking Water Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Qian Zhang, Municipal Systems Unit, 
EPA, Region 8 (8P-W-MS), 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202-
2466, 303-312-6267.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA approved Colorado's application for 
assuming primary enforcement authority for the PWSS program, pursuant 
to section 1413 of SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300g-2, and 40 CFR part 142. CDPHE 
administers Colorado's PWSS program. The State of Colorado has revised 
its PWSS primacy program by adopting regulations for the IESWTR 
(December 16, 1998, 63 FR 69478-69521), D/DBPR (December 16, 1998, 63 
FR 69390-69476), Radionuclides Rule (December 7, 2000, 65 FR 76708), 
revisions to the Variances and

[[Page 48920]]

Exemptions Rule (August 14, 1998, 63 FR 43833-43851), Administrative 
Penalty Authority (April 28, 1998, 62 FR 23362), Definition of ``Public 
Water System'' (April 28, 1998, 63 FR 23362), and the PNR (May 4, 2000, 
65 FR 25981-26049), that correspond to the National Primary Drinking 
Water Regulations (NPDWRs) in 40 CFR part 141.

A. Why Are Revisions to State Programs Necessary?

    States with primary PWSS enforcement authority must comply with the 
requirements of 40 CFR part 142 for maintaining primacy. They must 
adopt regulations that are at least as stringent as NPDWRs at 40 CFR 
part 141 (40 CFR 142.10(a)). Changes to state programs may be necessary 
as federal primacy requirements change, as states must adopt all new 
and revised NPDWRs in order to retain primacy (40 CFR 142.12(a)).

B. How Does Today's Action Affect Indian Country (18 U.S.C. 1151) in 
Colorado?

    Colorado is not authorized to carry out its PWSS program in Indian 
country. This includes, but is not limited to, land within formal 
Indian reservations located within or abutting the State of Colorado, 
including the Southern Ute Indian Reservation and the Ute Mountain Ute 
Indian Reservation, any land held in trust by the United States for an 
Indian tribe, and any other areas which are ``Indian country'' within 
the meaning of 18 U.S.C. 1151.

C. Requesting a Hearing and Submitting Written Comments.

    Any request for a public hearing shall include the following: (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 RA's determination 
and of information that the requesting person intends to submit at such 
hearing; and (3) 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 the responsible official of the organization 
or other entity.
    Notice of any hearing shall be given not less than fifteen (15) 
days prior to the time scheduled for the hearing. Such notice will be 
made by the RA in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general 
circulation in the State of Colorado. A notice will also be sent to the 
person(s) requesting the hearing as well as to the State of Colorado. 
The hearing notice will include a statement of purpose, information 
regarding time and location, and the address and telephone number where 
interested persons may obtain further information. A final 
determination will be made upon review of the hearing record.
    Frivolous or insubstantial requests for a hearing may be denied by 
the RA. However, if a substantial request is made within thirty (30) 
days after this notice, a public hearing will be held.
    Please bring this notice to the attention of any persons known by 
you to have an interest in this determination.

    Dated: August 6, 2003.
Robert E. Roberts,
Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 03-20891 Filed 8-14-03; 8:45 am]
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