E6-3348. Program Requirement Revisions Related to the Public Water System Supervision Programs for the States of Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that the States of Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are in the process of revising their respective approved Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) programs to meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

The State of Connecticut has adopted drinking water regulations for the Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (66 FR 31086-311054) promulgated on June 8, 2001. After review of the submitted documentation, EPA has determined that Connecticut's Filter Backwash Recycling Rule is no less stringent than federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve Connecticut's PWSS program revision for the Filter Backwash Rule.

The State of New Hampshire has adopted drinking water regulations for the new Public Water System definition (63 FR 23362, 23364) promulgated on April 28, 1998. After review of the submitted documentation, EPA has determined that New Hampshire's public water system definition is no less stringent than federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve New Hampshire's PWSS program revision for the Public Water System definition.

The State of Rhode Island has adopted drinking water regulations for the Variances and Exemptions Rule (63 FR 43834-43851) promulgated on August 14, 1998. After review of the submitted documentation, EPA has determined that Rhode Island's Variances and Exemptions Rule is no less stringent than federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve Rhode Island's PWSS program revision for the Variances and Exemptions Rule.

DATES:

All interested parties may request a public hearing for any of the above EPA determinations. A request for a public hearing must be submitted within thirty (30) days of this Federal Register publication date to the Regional Administrator at the address shown below. Frivolous or insubstantial requests for a hearing may be denied by the Regional Administrator.

However, if a substantial request for a public hearing is made by this date, a public hearing will be held. If no timely and appropriate request for a hearing is received, and the Regional Administrator does not elect to hold a hearing on his/her own motion, this determination shall become final and effective 30 days after the publication of this Federal Register Notice.

Any request for a public hearing shall include the following information: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the individual organization, or other entity requesting a hearing; (2) a brief statement of the requesting person(s interest in the Regional Administrator(s determination; (3) information that the requesting person intends to submit at such hearing; and (4) the signature of the individual making the request, or if the request is made on behalf of an organization or other entity, the signature of a responsible official of the organization or other entity.

ADDRESSES:

All documents relating to this determination are available for inspection between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following office(s): U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ecosystem Protection, One Congress Street, 11th floor, Boston, MA 02114.

For documents specific to that State:

Connecticut Department of Public Health, Water Supply Section, 450 Capitol Avenue, P.O. Box 340308-51 WAT, Hartford, CT 06134-0308.

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Water Supply Engineering Bureau, 29 Hazen Drive, P.O. Box 95, Concord, NH 03302-0095.

Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water Quality, 3 Capitol Hill, Cannon Building, Room 209, Providence, RI 02908-5097.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barbara McGonagle, Office of Ecosystem Protection (telephone [phone]).

Authority: Section 1401 (42 U.S.C. 300f) and section 1413 (42 U.S.C. 300g-2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (1996), and 40 CFR 142.10 of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

Dated: February 28, 2006.

Robert W. Varney,

Regional Administrator, EPA—New England.