[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 140 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42317-42318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14536]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7943-2]


National Drinking Water Advisory Council Request for Nominations 
for the Working Group on Public Education Requirements of the Lead and 
Copper Rule

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 a Working Group of the National Drinking 
Water Advisory Council on the Public Education Requirements of the Lead 
and Copper Rule (WGPE) 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: The Lead and Copper Rule requires systems that exceed 
the action level to complete a number of steps, which include 
delivering public education to alert the public of the problem and 
provide information on steps customers can take to reduce their risk. 
In order to ensure ``at risk populations'' are receiving the necessary 
information to protect themselves from exposure to lead, EPA is 
reviewing the public education requirements of the Lead and Copper 
Rule. EPA believes that public information is an important component of 
drinking water protection because it allows consumers to make informed 
public health decisions.
    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 June 1, 2005, the NDWAC voted on and approved the formation of a 
Working Group (WGPE) to provide recommendations on the Public Education 
Requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule. After WGPE completes their 
charge, they will make recommendations to the full NDWAC. The full 
NDWAC will, in turn, make appropriate recommendations to EPA. For a 
general description of the WGPE charge, the criteria for selecting WGPE 
members, and the specific directions for submitting WGPE member 
nominations, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

DATES: Submit nominations via U.S. mail on or before August 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Address all nominations to Elizabeth McDermott, Designated 
Federal Officer, National Drinking Water Advisory Council Working Group 
on Public Education, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of 
Ground Water and Drinking Water, Drinking Water Protection Division 
(Mail Code 4606M), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E-mail your questions to Elizabeth 
McDermott, Designated Federal Officer, at [email protected], 
or call (202) 564-1603.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Working Group Charge: The charge for the 
Working Group on the Public Education Requirements of the Lead and 
Copper Rule (WGPE) is to (1) review the current public education 
requirements to find and define the need for improvements and make 
recommendations to the full NDWAC accordingly; (2) develop language for 
communicating the risk and a suggested response to the public; and (3) 
define the delivery means to the public. The NDWAC established a target 
date of May 2006 to complete these tasks.
    Selection Criteria: The criteria for selecting WGPE members are as 
follows: the members are recognized experts in their fields; the 
members are as impartial and objective as possible; the members 
collectively represent an array of backgrounds and perspectives within 
the water sector and related disciplines (e.g., public health); and the 
members are available to fully participate in the WGPE. The schedule 
remains flexible, however, it is estimated that the first WGPE meeting 
will be convened in the Fall of 2005, and subsequent meetings will be 
conducted over a relatively short time frame of approximately one (1) 
year. Over the course of this period, WGPE members will be asked to 
attend a maximum of four (4) in-person meetings, 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 WGPE. The EPA is looking to create a 
diverse working group. Potential nominations could include individuals 
from the drinking water industries, stakeholder organizations, state 
and local officials, public health officials, environmental 
organizations, and risk communication experts. The Agency is looking 
for a range of industry representation in terms of the size of the 
population served, as well as investor

[[Page 42318]]

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 WGPE. 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 the public 
education requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule. Please note that 
the Agency will not formally acknowledge or respond to nominations.

    Dated: July 18, 2005.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 05-14536 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P