[Federal Register: November 30, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 229)]
[Notices]
[Page 69599-69600]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30no04-52]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7843-8]
National Drinking Water Advisory Council's Water Security Working
Group Meeting Announcement
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
[[Page 69600]]
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the third
public meeting of the Water Security Working Group (WSWG) of the
National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC), which was established
under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The purpose of this meeting is to
provide an opportunity for the WSWG members to continue deliberations
on the features of active and effective security programs for drinking
water and wastewater utilities (water sector), to continue
deliberations on incentives to encourage broad adoption of active and
effective security programs throughout the water sector, and to begin
deliberations on mechanisms to measure the extent of implementation of
water security programs. Final WSWG findings and recommendations will
be provided to the NDWAC for their consideration. The WSWG anticipates
providing findings and recommendations to the NDWAC in Spring 2005. Two
additional meetings of the WSWG are planned and will be announced in
the near future.
DATES: The WSWG meeting is December 15-17, 2004. On December 15, 2004,
the meeting is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., eastern time
(e.t.). On December 16, 2004, the meeting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to
5:30 p.m., e.t. On December 17, 2004, the meeting is schedule from 8
a.m. to 12 p.m., e.t.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Radisson Barcelo Hotel,
Washington, 2121 P Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037. The telephone
number for this hotel is (202) 293-3100.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested participants from the
public should contact Marc Santora, Designated Federal Officer, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ground Water and Drinking
Water, Water Security Division (Mail Code 4601-M), 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 20460. Please contact Marc Santora at
santora.marc@epa.gov or call 202-564-1597 to receive additional
details.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The WSWG mission is to: (1) Identify, compile, and characterize
best security practices and policies for drinking water and wastewater
utilities and provide an approach for considering and adopting these
practices and policies at a utility level; (2) consider mechanisms to
provide recognition and incentives that facilitate a broad and
receptive response among the water sector to implement these best
security practices and policies and make recommendations as
appropriate; (3) consider mechanisms to measure the extent of
implementation of these best security practices and policies, identify
the impediments to their implementation, and make recommendations as
appropriate. The Group is comprised of sixteen members from water and
wastewater utilities, public health, academia, state regulators, and
environmental and community interests. It is supported by technical
experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of
Homeland Security, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
the Department of Defense.
Closed and Open Parts of the Meeting
The WSWG is a working group of the NDWAC; it is not a Federal
advisory committee and therefore not subject to the same public
disclosure laws that govern Federal advisory committees. The Group can
enter into closed session as necessary to provide an opportunity to
discuss security-sensitive information relating to specific water
sector vulnerabilities and security tactics. Currently, the WSWG does
not anticipate closing any parts of the December meeting to the public.
However, the Group reserves the right to enter into closed session, if
necessary, late in the afternoon of December 15, 2004, immediately
before lunch on December 16, 2004, and late in the day on December 17,
2004. If closed sessions are needed, opportunities for public comment
will be provided before the closed sessions begin.
If the there is a closed meeting session, only WSWG members,
Federal resource personnel, facilitation support contractors and
outside experts identified by the facilitation support contractors will
attend the closed meeting. A general summary of the topics discussed
during closed meetings and the individuals present will be included
with the summary of the open portions of the WSWG meeting.
Public Comment
An opportunity for public comment will be provided during the open
part of the WSWG meeting. Oral statements will be limited to five
minutes, and it is preferred that only one person present the statement
on behalf of a group or organization. Written comments may be provided
at the meeting or may be sent, by mail, to Marc Santora, Designated
Federal Officer for the WSWG, at the e-mail address listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
Special Accommodations
Any person needing special accommodations at this meeting,
including wheelchair access, should contact Marc Santora, Designated
Federal Officer, at the number or e-mail address listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Requests for
special accommodations should be made at least five business days in
advance of the WSWG meeting.
Dated: November 23, 2004.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 04-26402 Filed 11-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P