[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 25, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52181-52182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19334]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 141

[OW-2003-0067; FRL-7805-6]
RIN 2040-AE62


Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule; National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations: Analytical Method for Uranium

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Withdrawal of direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA published a direct final rule on June 2, 2004 (69 FR 
31008), concerning three additional analytical methods for compliance 
determinations of uranium in drinking water. EPA stated in the direct 
final rule that if the Agency received adverse comment by July 2, 2004, 
EPA would publish a timely notice of withdrawal in the Federal 
Register. We subsequently received a somewhat ambiguous comment letter. 
EPA will address the comments in that letter in a final action based on 
the parallel proposal also published on June 2, 2004 (69 FR 31068). As 
stated in the parallel proposal, we will not institute a second comment 
period on this action.

DATES: As of August 25, 2004, EPA withdraws the direct final rule 
published at 69 FR 31008 on June 2, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General Information--Lisa Christ, 
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Mail Code: 4606M, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-8354; e-mail address: 
[email protected]. Technical information--David Huber, Office of 
Ground Water and Drinking Water, Mail Code: 4606M, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200

[[Page 52182]]

Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 
564-4878; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA published the direct final rule and 
companion proposed rule for approval of the use of three additional 
analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking 
water in the Federal Register on June 2, 2004 (69 FR 31008 and 31068). 
In the companion proposal, EPA proposed the approval of three methods 
that use an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) 
technology. Specifically, EPA proposed the approval of ICP-MS methods 
published by EPA, ASTM International, and the Standard Methods 
Committee (EPA 200.8, ASTM D5673-03, and SM 3125) for compliance 
determinations of uranium in drinking water. The proposed approval of 
the three ICP-MS methods did not affect approval of the 15 methods 
currently specified at 40 CFR 141.25(a) for compliance determinations 
of uranium.
    In the companion proposed rule (69 FR 31068) section of the June 2, 
2004, EPA invited comment on the substance of the direct final rule and 
stated that if adverse comments were received by July 2, 2004, the 
direct final rule would not become effective and a notice would be 
published in the Federal Register to withdraw the direct final rule 
before the August 31, 2004, effective date. The EPA subsequently 
received comment on the proposed rule.

List of Subjects for 40 CFR Part 141

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

    Dated: August 5, 2004.
Benjamin H. Grumbles,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 04-19334 Filed 8-24-04; 8:45 am]
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