[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 209 (Thursday, October 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 58047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28362]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6179-1]
Final Guidelines for Implementation of the Drinking Water
Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set-Aside Program
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of availability of final guidelines.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released Final
Guidelines for the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set-
Aside (DWIG TSA) program (EPA 816-R-98-020). The Tribal Set-Aside
Program was established as a result of the reauthorized Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA), signed by President Clinton on August 6, 1996.
Section 1452 of the SDWA authorizes a Drinking Water State Revolving
Loan Fund (DWSRF) similar to a fund for wastewater treatment systems
that has been in place under the Clean Water Act for several years. The
SDWA also authorizes EPA to set aside up to 1\1/2\ percent of the
amounts annually appropriated to carry out section 1452 for grants to
Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. The SDWA directs EPA to use
these funds for infrastructure improvements to public drinking water
systems that serve Indian Tribes.
EPA first received federal funds for section 1452 in its FY1997
Appropriation Bill. EPA received $1.275 billion in FY1997, and $725
million in FY1998 for the programs authorized by section 1452. Of these
amounts, 1\1/2\ percent (the maximum allowed by law) has been set aside
for the Tribal program--$19,125,000 in fiscal year 1997 and $10,875,000
in fiscal year 1998.
These funds and each future year's Tribal Set-Aside Program funds
will be allotted, by formula (which is described in the Final
Guidelines), among the nine EPA Regional offices with Tribal programs.
In consultation with the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Tribes in
their Region, each EPA Region will identify potential projects,
prioritize those projects, and select the ones to receive funding from
its share of the Set-Aside Program allotment. The EPA Regions will then
award and administer the funds. Each Regional office will give the
Tribes in their Region an opportunity to review and comment on the
Regional program as they develop it, and once developed, will consult
with the IHS and the Tribes in their Region regarding annual project
selections.
The Final Guidelines explain how the Tribal Set-Aside Program will
be implemented; outline who is eligible to receive funds from the
program; and list the types of projects that are eligible and
ineligible to be funded with DWIG TSA monies. Within the conditions and
allowances described in the Final Guidelines, the EPA Regions will have
flexibility in designing a program that works best for the Tribes in
their Region.
Copies of the Final Guidelines have been sent to every Indian Tribe
currently recognized and eligible for funding and services from the
Bureau of Indian Affairs.
DATES: The Guidelines become effective on October 29, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final Guidelines are available through the
Safe Drinking Water Act Hotline, telephone (800) 426-4791, and from the
Office of Water Resource Center (RC4100), U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460. A single copy of the document can be picked up at
the Resource Center in Room 2615 of the Waterside Mall at the address
above. The Center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday. The Guidelines may also be obtained from the EPA Web Site at
the URL address ``http://www.epa.gov/safewater/tribes.html''.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Safe Drinking Water Hotline,
telephone (800) 426-4791. For technical inquiries, contact Ray Enyeart,
Drinking Water Implementation and Assistance Division, Office of Ground
Water and Drinking Water, U.S. EPA, (4606), 401 M Street SW,
Washington, DC 20460, telephone (202) 260-5551.
Authority: Pub. L. 104-182.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 98-28362 Filed 10-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
