[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 129 (Thursday, July 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 38207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15147]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8687-8; Docket ID No: EPA-RO8-OW-2008]


Public Water System Supervision Program Variance and Exemption 
Review for the State of Montana

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of results review.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 has completed 
its statutory review of variances and exemptions issued by the State of 
Montana under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Public Water System 
Supervision (PWSS) program. This review was announced in the Federal 
Register published February 21, 2008 (``73 FR 9567''), and provided the 
public with an opportunity to comment. No comments related to Variances 
and/or Exemptions issued or proposed by the State of Montana were 
received.
    The Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 determined as a 
result of this review that the State of Montana did not abuse its 
discretion on any variance or exemption granted or proposed as of the 
date of its on-site review on April 28, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Finke at 406-457-5026 or e-mail 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Montana has an EPA approved program 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.

A. Why Do States Issue Variances and Exemptions?

    States with primary PWSS enforcement authority are authorized to 
grant variances and exemptions from National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations due to particular situations with specific public water 
systems, providing these variances and exemptions meet the requirements 
of SDWA sections 1415 and 1416 and are protective of public health.

B. Why Is a Review of Variances and Exemptions Necessary?

    Montana is authorized to grant variances and exemptions to drinking 
water systems in accordance with SDWA. The SDWA requires that EPA 
periodically conduct reviews on State-issued variances and exemptions 
to determine whether the State has abused its discretion or failed to 
prescribe schedules in accordance with the statute in a substantial 
number of cases, and publish the results of that review in the Federal 
Register. 42 U.S.C. 300g-4(e)(8); 42 U.S.C. 300g-5(d).

    Dated: June 24, 2008.
Judith Wong,
Acting Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. E8-15147 Filed 7-2-08; 8:45 am]
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