99-33031. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Radon-222

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71367-71368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33031]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 141 and 142

[WH-FRL-6513-5]
RIN 2040-AA94


National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Radon-222

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed radon in drinking water rule; notice of extension of 
public comment period.

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SUMMARY: Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing 
notice to extend the public comment period for the proposed rule that 
would provide a multimedia approach to reducing radon risks in indoor 
air (where the problem is greatest), while protecting public health 
from the highest levels of radon in drinking water (40 CFR Parts 141 
and 142). The proposed rule for radon in drinking water was published 
in the Federal Register on November 2, 1999 (64 FR 59246).

DATES: EPA must receive public comments, in writing, on the proposed 
regulations by February 4, 2000. Comments provided electronically will 
be considered timely if they are submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. 
(Eastern time) February 4, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may send written comments to the Radon-222, W-99-08 
Comments Clerk, Water Docket (MC-4101); U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency; 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. Comments may be hand-
delivered to the Water Docket, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 
401 M Street, SW., East Tower Basement, Washington, DC 20460. Comments 
may be submitted electronically to [e-mail]. 
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII, WP6.1, or WP8 file 
avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. 
Electronic comments must be identified by the docket number W-99-08. 
Comments and data will also be accepted on disks in WP6.1, WP8, or 
ASCII format. Electronic comments on this action may be filed online at 
many Federal Depository libraries.
    Please submit a copy of any references cited in your comments. 
Facsimiles (faxes) cannot be accepted. EPA would appreciate one 
original and three copies of your comments and enclosures (including 
any references). Commenters who would like EPA to acknowledge receipt 
of their comments should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
    The proposed rule and supporting documents, including public 
comments, are available for review in the Water Docket at the address 
listed previously. The Docket also has several of the key supporting 
documents electronically available as PDF files. For information on how 
to access Docket materials, please call [phone] between 9 a.m. 
and 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on radon in 
drinking water, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, phone (800) 
426-4791. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline is open Monday through 
Friday, excluding Federal holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern 
Time. For technical inquiries regarding the proposed regulations, 
contact Sylvia Malm, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency (mailcode 4607), 401 M Street, SW, 
Washington DC, 20460. Phone: [phone]. E-mail: 
[e-mail]. For inquiries regarding the proposed multimedia 
mitigation program, contact Anita Schmidt, Office of Radiation and 
Indoor Air, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (mailcode 6609J), 401 
M Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20460. Phone: [phone]. E-mail: 
[e-mail]. For general information on radon in indoor air, 
contact the Radon Hotline at 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 2, 1999, EPA published the 
proposed regulation for radon in drinking water, 40 CFR Parts 141 and 
142 (64 FR 59246). The November 2 notice provided a deadline of 60 days 
from the date of publication for receipt of public comments. Since the 
publication date, EPA has received requests to extend the comment 
period to allow sufficient time for all parties potentially impacted by 
this proposal to consider and provide comprehensive comments. In 
response to these requests, EPA has decided to extend the public 
comment period by an additional 30 days to February 4, 2000.

[[Page 71368]]

    The Agency is proposing a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) and 
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) for radon-222 in 
public water supplies. Under the framework set forth in the 1996 
amendments to the SDWA, EPA is also proposing an alternative maximum 
contaminant level (AMCL) and requirements for multimedia mitigation 
(MMM) programs to address radon in indoor air. Public water systems 
(PWS) are defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This proposed 
rule applies to community water systems (CWS), a subset of PWSs. Under 
the proposed rule, CWSs may comply with the AMCL if they are in States 
that develop an EPA-approved MMM program or, in the absence of a State 
program, develop a State-approved CWS MMM program. This approach is 
intended to encourage States, Tribes, and CWSs to reduce the health 
risk of radon in the most cost-effective way. The Agency is also 
proposing a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for radon-222, to apply to 
CWSs in non-MMM States that choose not to implement a CWS MMM program. 
The proposal also includes monitoring, reporting, public notification, 
and consumer confidence report requirements for radon-222 in drinking 
water.

    Dated: December 15, 1999.
Dana D. Minerva,
Acting Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-33031 Filed 12-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P