[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 72200] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-34421] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Parts 141 and 143 [WH-FRL-6212-4] RIN 2040-AC77 Withdrawal of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Methods for Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants; Direct Final Rule
Agency
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Action
Withdrawal of direct final rule.
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Summary
Because EPA received adverse comments, we are withdrawing the direct final rule entitled ``National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Methods for Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants''. We published the direct final rule on September 3, 1998 (63 FR 47097-47114). We stated in the direct final rule that if we received adverse comment by November 2, 1998, we would publish a timely notice of withdrawal in the Federal Register. We subsequently received adverse comments on the direct final rule. We will address those comments in a subsequent final action based on the parallel proposal also published on September 3, 1998 (63 FR 47115). We will not institute a second comment period on this action.
Dates
As of December 31, 1998, EPA withdraws the direct final rule published at 63 FR 47097-47114 on September 3, 1998.
For Further Information Contact
Jitendra Saxena, Ph.D., Standards and Risk Management Division, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (MC-4607), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460, (202) 260-9579.
Supplementary Information
EPA published the analytical methods direct final and companion proposed rule on September 3, 1998. The rule proposed the use of 93 analytical methods for measurement of chemical and microbiological contaminants in drinking water; of these 43 are updated versions of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater (Standard Methods or SM) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods, and 50 are ASTM and SM methods with minor editorial or nomenclature changes. EPA proposed to withdraw earlier versions of the EPA methods but earlier versions of ASTM and SM would continue to be approved. The rule also provided for corrections of method citations and minor correction or clarification changes to current regulations. Additional methods for monitoring secondary drinking water contaminants were recommended. The companion proposed rule (63 FR 47115) section of the September 3, 1998, package invited comment on the substance of the direct final rule and stated that if adverse comments were received by November 2, 1998, the rule would not become effective and a notice would be published in the Federal Register to withdraw the direct final rule before the January 4, 1999, effective date. The EPA subsequently received adverse comments on the final rule.
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 141
Environmental protection, Analytical methods, Chemicals, Incorporation by reference, Indians--lands, Intergovernmental relations, Radiation protection, Reporting and record keeping requirements, Water supply.
40 CFR Part 143
Environmental protection, Analytical methods, Chemicals, Incorporation by reference, Indians--lands, Water supply.
Dated: December 22, 1998. Carol M. Browner, Administrator. [FR Doc. 98-34421 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P