2016-19786. Program Requirement Revisions Related to the Public Water System Supervision Programs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of Rhode Island and the State of Vermont

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of Rhode Island and the State of Vermont 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 Commonwealth of Massachusetts has adopted drinking water regulations for the Ground Water Rule (71 FR 65574) promulgated on November 8, 2006, the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (71 FR 654) promulgated on January 5, 2006, and the Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (71 FR 388) promulgated on January 4, 2006. After review of the submitted documentation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Ground Water Rule, Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, and Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve Massachusetts' PWSS program revision for these rules.

The State of Rhode Island has adopted drinking water regulations for the Lead and Copper Rule (56 FR 26460-26564) promulgated on June 7, 1991, the Lead and Copper Minor Revisions Rule (65 FR 1950) promulgated on January 12, 2000, the Lead and Copper Short-Term Revisions Rule (72 FR 57782) promulgated on October 10, 2007, the Ground Water Rule (71 FR 65574) promulgated on November 8, 2006, and the Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (71 FR 388) promulgated on January 4, 2006. After review of the submitted documentation, EPA has determined that the State of Rhode Island's Lead and Copper Rule, Lead and Copper Short-Term Revisions Rule, Lead and Copper Minor Revisions Rule, Ground Water Rule, and Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations, with the understanding that the state regulations include a small number of typographical errors or other very minor, non-substantive differences that the state has agreed to correct. These issues are discussed in further detail in EPA's administrative record. Therefore, EPA intends to approve Rhode Island's PWSS program revision for these rules.

The State of Vermont has adopted drinking water regulations for the Ground Water Rule (71 FR 65574) promulgated on November 6, 2008, the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (71 FR 654) promulgated on January 5, 2006, and the Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (71 FR 388) promulgated on January 4, 2006. After review of the submitted documentation, EPA has determined that the State of Vermont's Ground Water Rule, Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, and Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve Vermont's PWSS program revision for these rules.

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 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following office(s):

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ecosystem Protection, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109-3912.

For documents specific to that State: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Supply, 1 Winter Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.

Rhode Island Department of Public Health, Division of Drinking Water Quality, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5097.

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Water Supply Division, Agency of Natural Resources, 103 South Main Street, Old Pantry Building, Waterbury, VT 05671-0403.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Jeri Weiss, U.S. EPA—New England, 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: August 11, 2016.

H. Curtis Spalding,

Regional Administrator, EPA—New England.