[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 46 (Thursday, March 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 13896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05020]



[[Page 13896]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-10021-03-Region 8]


Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of 
Colorado

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Public notice is hereby given that the state of Colorado has 
revised its Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program by adopting 
federal regulations for the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) that 
correspond to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR). 
EPA has reviewed Colorado's regulations and determined they are no less 
stringent than the federal regulations. EPA is proposing to approve the 
RTCR for Colorado.
    This approval action does not extend to public water systems in 
Indian country. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, Unit B.

DATES: Any interested parties may request a public hearing on this 
determination by April 12, 2021. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, 
Unit 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/her own motion, this determination shall 
become applicable April 12, 2021 and no further notice will be issued.

ADDRESSES: Requests for a public hearing should be submitted to: Robert 
Clement by email at [email protected] or by phone (303) 312-6653.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Clement, Drinking Water B 
Section, EPA Region 8, Denver, Colorado by email at 
[email protected] or by phone toll-free at 1-(800) 227-8917 
extension 312-6653, or directly at (303) 312-6653.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 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 Colorado has revised its PWSS 
program by adopting federal regulations for the RTCR that correspond to 
the NPDWR in 40 CFR parts 141 and 142. EPA has reviewed Colorado's 
regulations and determined they are no less stringent than the federal 
regulations. EPA is proposing to approve Colorado's primacy revision 
for the RTCR. This approval action does not extend to public water 
systems in Indian country as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151. Please see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, Unit B.

A. Why are revisions to State programs necessary?

    States with primary PWSS enforcement authority must comply with the 
requirements of 40 CFR part 142 to maintain 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 this action affect Indian country (18 U.S.C. 1151) in 
Colorado?

    EPA's approval of Colorado's revised PWSS program does not extend 
to Indian country as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151. Indian country in 
Colorado generally includes (1) lands within the exterior boundaries of 
the following Indian reservations located within Colorado, in part or 
in full: The Southern Ute Indian Reservation and the Ute Mountain Ute 
Reservation; (2) any land held in trust by the United States for an 
Indian tribe; and (3) any other areas which are ``Indian country'' 
within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. 1151. EPA or eligible Indian tribes, as 
appropriate, will retain PWSS program responsibilities over public 
water systems in Indian country.

C. Requesting a Hearing

    Any interested party may request a hearing on this determination 
within thirty (30) days of this notice. All requests shall include the 
following information: Name, address, and telephone number of the 
individual, organization, or other entity requesting a hearing; a brief 
statement of interest and information to be submitted at the hearing; 
and a signature of the interested individual or responsible official, 
if made on behalf of an organization or other entity. Frivolous or 
insubstantial requests for a hearing may be denied by the RA.
    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 in 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 of the hearing, information regarding 
time and location for the hearing, and the address and telephone number 
where interested persons may obtain further information. The RA will 
issue an order affirming or rescinding the determination upon review of 
the hearing record.
    Please bring this notice to the attention of any persons known by 
you to have an interest in this determination.

    Dated: March 5, 2021.
Debra H. Thomas,
Acting Regional Administrator Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2021-05020 Filed 3-10-21; 8:45 am]
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