[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9312-9313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4387]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7627-5]


National Drinking Water Advisory Council; Request for Water 
Security Working Group Nominations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is 
announcing the formation of the Water Security Working Group (WSWG) of 
the National Drinking Water Advisory Council, and soliciting all 
interested persons to nominate qualified individuals to serve a one-
year term. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified 
individuals for membership on the working group.
    Background: Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 designates 
EPA as the sector-specific agency for the security of the nation's 
drinking water and wastewater sectors. In order to assist the water 
sector in becoming more secure against malevolent threats, the Agency 
is facilitating the development of voluntary best security practices 
and policies for drinking water and wastewater facilities. The National 
Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC), established under the Safe 
Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.), provides 
practical and independent advice, consultation and recommendations to 
the Agency on the activities, functions and policies related to the 
implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. On February 10, 2004, 
NDWAC voted on and approved the formation of the Water Security Working 
Group. After this working group completes their charge, they will make 
recommendations to the full NDWAC. The full NDWAC will in turn, make 
appropriate recommendations to the EPA. For a general description of 
the working group charge, the criteria for selecting working group 
members, and the specific directions for submitting working group 
member nominations, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

DATES: Submit nominations via U.S. mail on or before March 29, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Address all nominations to Marc Santora, Designated Federal 
Officer, National Drinking Water Advisory Council Water Security 
Working Group, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ground 
Water and Drinking Water, Water Security Division (Mail Code 4601-M), 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E-mail your questions to Marc Santora, 
Designated Federal Officer, [email protected], or call 202-564-1597.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Working Group Charge: The charge for the Water Security Working 
Group (WSWG) is to provide recommendations to the full NDWAC that: (1) 
Identify, compile, and characterize best security practices and 
policies for drinking water and wastewater utilities and provide an 
approach for considering and adopting these practices and policies at a 
utility level; (2) consider mechanisms to provide recognition and 
incentives that facilitate a broad and receptive response among the 
water sector to implement these best security practices and policies, 
and make recommendations as appropriate; (3) consider mechanisms to 
measure the extent of implementation of these best security practices 
and policies, identify the impediments of their implementation, and 
make recommendations as appropriate.
    Selection Criteria: The criteria for selecting WSWG members are as 
follows: the WSWG members are recognized experts in their fields; the 
WSWG members are as impartial and objective as possible; the WSWG 
members collectively represent an array of backgrounds and perspectives 
within the water sector and related disciplines (e.g. public health, 
emergency response); and the WSWG members are available to fully 
participate in the working group. The schedule remains flexible, 
however, it is estimated that WSWG's meetings will be convened by 
spring of 2004 and will be conducted

[[Page 9313]]

over a relatively short time frame, approximately one (1) year. Over 
the course of this period, WSWG members will be asked to attend a 
series of meetings, a maximum of five (5), participate in conference 
calls and video conferencing as necessary, participate in the 
discussion of key issues at all meetings, and review and finalize the 
products and outputs of the working group. The EPA is looking to create 
a diverse WSWG. Potential WSWG nominations could include individuals 
from the wastewater and drinking water industries, stakeholder 
organizations, state and local officials, public health officials, 
environmental organizations, emergency first responders, and security 
experts. The Agency is looking for a range of industry representation 
in terms of the size of the population served, as well as investor and 
publicly owned and operated facilities. This is not an exhaustive list; 
it is only intended to provide a framework to consider potential 
nominees.
    Nomination of a Member: Any interested person or organization may 
nominate qualified individuals for membership to the working group. 
Name, occupation, position, address, and telephone number should 
identify all nominees. To be considered, all nominations must include a 
current resume providing the nominee's background, experience and 
qualifications, in addition to a statement (not to exceed two 2 
paragraphs) about their particular expertise and interest in water 
security. Please note that the Agency will not formally acknowledge or 
respond to nominations.

    Dated: February 24, 2004.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 04-4387 Filed 2-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P