[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12581-12582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5026]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9641-5]


Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of 
Montana

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of section 1413 of the Safe 
Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300g-2, and 40 CFR 142.13, public 
notice is hereby given that the state of Montana has revised its Public 
Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program by adopting federal regulations 
for the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Stage 2 
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule and Ground Water Rule 
that correspond to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 
(NPDWR) in 40 CFR part 141 and 142. The EPA has completed its review of 
these revisions in accordance with the SDWA and proposes to approve 
Montana's primacy revisions for the above stated rules.
    Today's approval action does not extend to public water systems in 
Indian country, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151. 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 April 2, 2012. 
Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, Item C, for details. Should no 
timely and appropriate request for a hearing be received, and the 
Regional Administrator (RA) does not elect to hold a hearing on his own 
motion, this determination shall become effective April 2, 2012. If a 
public hearing is requested and granted, then this determination shall 
not become effective until such time following the hearing as the RA 
issues an order affirming or rescinding this action.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests for a public hearing should be 
addressed to: James B. Martin, Regional Administrator, c/o Robert 
Clement, Drinking Water Unit (8P-W-DW), U.S. EPA, Region 8, 1595 
Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129.
    All documents relating to this determination are available for 
inspection at the following locations: (1) U.S. EPA, Region 8, Drinking 
Water Unit (7th floor), 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129, (2) 
Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Public Water Supply, 1520 
East 6th Avenue, Helena, MT 59620-0901.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Clement, Drinking Water Unit 
(8P-W-DW), U.S. EPA, Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202-
1129, 303-312-6653.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA approved Montana's application for 
assuming primary enforcement authority for the PWSS Program, pursuant 
to section 1413 of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300g-2, and 40 CFR part 142. 
Montana Department of Environmental Quality administers Montana's PWSS 
Program.

[[Page 12582]]

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 the NPDWRs at 40 
CFR parts 141 and 142, as well as 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 
Montana?

    Montana is not authorized to carry out its PWSS Program in Indian 
country, as that term is defined at 18 U.S.C. 1151. Indian country 
includes, but is not limited to, land within the formal Indian 
Reservations located within or abutting the state of Montana, including 
the Blackfeet, Crow, Flathead, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Northern 
Cheyenne and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations, 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

    Any request for a public hearing shall include: (1) The name, 
address, and telephone number of the individual, organization, or other 
entity requesting a hearing; (2) a brief statement of the requester's 
interest in the RA's determination and of information that he/she 
intends to submit at such hearing; and (3) the signature of the 
requester or responsible official, if made on behalf of an 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 and will be made by 
the RA in the Federal Register and a newspaper of general circulation 
in the state. A notice will also be sent to both the person(s) 
requesting the hearing and the state. 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. The RA will issue a final determination 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: November 9, 2011.
James B. Martin,
Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2012-5026 Filed 2-29-12; 8:45 am]
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