01-22127. Notice of Tentative Approval, Request for Comments and Solicitation of Requests for a Public Hearing for Public Water System Supervision Program Revisions for the State of Maryland

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice of Tentative Approval and Solicitation of Requests for a Public Hearing.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provision of section 1413 of the Safe Drinking Water Act as amended, and the rules governing National Primary Drinking Water Regulations that the State of Maryland has revised its approved Public Water System Supervision Primacy Program. Specifically, Maryland has adopted the Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Variance and Exemption Rule, and the public water system definition; and made other minor revisions to its regulations. EPA has determined that these program revisions are no less stringent than the Federal provisions and satisfy the requirements of the Federal regulations. Therefore, EPA has decided to tentatively approve the program revisions. All interested parties are invited to submit written comments on this determination and may request a public hearing.

DATES:

Comments or a request for a public hearing must be submitted by October 5, 2001. This determination shall become effective on October 5, 2001, if no timely and appropriate request for a hearing is received and the Regional Administrator does not elect to hold a hearing on his own motion, and if no comments are received which cause EPA to modify its tentative approval.

ADDRESSES:

Comments or a request for a public hearing must be submitted to Barbara Smith, Drinking Water Branch (3WP22), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029.

All documents relating to this determination are available for inspection between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following offices:

• Drinking Water Branch, Water Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2029; and
• Maryland Department of the Environment, Water Supply Program, 2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barbara Smith at the Philadelphia address given above; telephone [phone] or fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

All interested parties are invited to submit written comments on this determination and may request a public hearing. All comments will be considered, and, if necessary, EPA will issue a response. 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 October 5, 2001, a public hearing will be held. A request for public hearing shall include the following: (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 and of information that the requesting person intends to submit at such a hearing; and (3) 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.

Dated: August 23, 2001.

Donald S. Welsh,

Regional Administrator, EPA, Region III.