83 FR 14635 - Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of Montana

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 66 (April 5, 2018)

Public notice is hereby given that the state of Montana has revised its Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program by adopting federal regulations for the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) that correspond to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR). The EPA has reviewed Montana's regulations and determined they are no less stringent than the federal regulations. The EPA is proposing to approve Montana's primacy revision for the RTCR. This approval action does not extend to public water systems in Indian country. Please see Supplementary Information, Item B.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14635-14636]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06758]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9976-19--Region 8]


Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of 
Montana

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Public notice is hereby given that the state of Montana has 
revised its Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program by adopting 
federal regulations for the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) that 
correspond to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR). 
The EPA has reviewed Montana's regulations and determined they are no 
less stringent than the federal regulations. The EPA is proposing to 
approve Montana's primacy revision for the RTCR.
    This approval action does not extend to public water systems in 
Indian country. Please see Supplementary Information, Item B.

DATES: Any member of the public is invited to request a public hearing 
on this determination by May 7, 2018. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION, Item C, for details. Should no timely and appropriate 
request for a hearing be received, and the Regional Administrator (RA) 
does not elect to hold a hearing on his/her own motion, this 
determination shall become applicable May 7, 2018. If a public hearing 
is requested and granted, then this determination shall not become 
applicable until such time following the hearing as the RA issues an 
order affirming or rescinding this action.

ADDRESSES: Requests for a public hearing should be addressed to: Robert 
Clement, Drinking Water Unit B (8WP-SDB), EPA, Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop 
Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129.
    All documents relating to this determination are available for 
inspection at: EPA, Region 8, Drinking Water Unit (7th Floor), 1595 
Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Clement, Drinking Water Unit B 
(8WP-SDB), EPA, Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129, 
phone 303-312-6653.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions of section 
1413 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300g-2, and 40 
CFR 142.13, public notice is hereby given that the state of Montana has 
revised its PWSS program by adopting federal regulations for the RTCR 
that correspond to the NPDWR in 40 CFR parts 141 and 142. The EPA has 
reviewed Montana's regulations and determined they are no less 
stringent than the federal regulations. The EPA is proposing to approve 
Montana's primacy revision for the RTCR.
    This approval action does not extend to public water systems in 
Indian country as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION, Item B.

A. Why are revisions to State programs necessary?

    States with primary PWSS enforcement authority must comply with the 
requirements of 40 CFR part 142 to maintain primacy. They must adopt 
regulations that are at least as stringent as the NPDWRs at 40 CFR 
parts 141 and 142, as well as adopt all new and revised NPDWRs in order 
to retain primacy (40 CFR 142.12(a)).

B. How does this action affect Indian country (18 U.S.C. 1151) in 
Montana?

    EPA's approval of the drinking water standards Montana submitted 
extends to public water systems in Montana with the exception of those 
public water systems that are within Indian country, as defined in 18 
U.S.C. 1151. Indian country lands within the exterior boundaries of the 
following Indian reservations located within Montana: The Blackfeet, 
Crow, Flathead, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Northern Cheyenne and Rocky 
Boys Indian Reservations; any land held in trust by the United States 
for an Indian tribe; and any other areas which are ``Indian country'' 
within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. 1151. EPA or eligible Indian tribes, as 
appropriate, will retain PWSS program responsibilities over public 
water systems in Indian country.

C. Requesting a Hearing

    Any member of the public may request a hearing on this 
determination within thirty (30) days of this notice. All requests 
shall include the following information: Name, address, and telephone 
number of the individual, organization, or other entity requesting a 
hearing; a brief statement of interest and information to be submitted 
at the hearing; and a signature of the interested individual or 
responsible official, if made on behalf of an organization or other 
entity. Frivolous or insubstantial requests for a hearing may be denied 
by the RA.
    Notice of any hearing shall be given not less than fifteen (15) 
days prior to the time scheduled for the hearing and will be made by 
the RA in the Federal Register and in a newspaper of general

[[Page 14636]]

circulation in the state. A notice will also be sent to both the 
person(s) requesting the hearing and the state. The hearing notice will 
include a statement of purpose of the hearing, information regarding 
time and location for the hearing, and the address and telephone number 
where interested persons may obtain further information. The RA will 
issue an order affirming or rescinding the determination upon review of 
the hearing record.
    Please bring this notice to the attention of any persons known by 
you to have an interest in this determination.

     Dated: March 8, 2018.
Douglas H. Benevento,
Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2018-06758 Filed 4-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P