[Federal Register: July 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 140)]
[Notices]
[Page 42317-42318]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jy05-43]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7943-2]
National Drinking Water Advisory Council Request for Nominations
for the Working Group on Public Education Requirements of the Lead and
Copper Rule
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is
announcing the formation of a Working Group of the National Drinking
Water Advisory Council on the Public Education Requirements of the Lead
and Copper Rule (WGPE) and soliciting all interested persons to
nominate qualified individuals to serve a one-year term. Any interested
person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for
membership on the working group.
Background: The Lead and Copper Rule requires systems that exceed
the action level to complete a number of steps, which include
delivering public education to alert the public of the problem and
provide information on steps customers can take to reduce their risk.
In order to ensure ``at risk populations'' are receiving the necessary
information to protect themselves from exposure to lead, EPA is
reviewing the public education requirements of the Lead and Copper
Rule. EPA believes that public information is an important component of
drinking water protection because it allows consumers to make informed
public health decisions.
The National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC), established
under the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.),
provides practical and independent advice, consultation, and
recommendations to the Agency on the activities, functions, and
policies related to the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
On June 1, 2005, the NDWAC voted on and approved the formation of a
Working Group (WGPE) to provide recommendations on the Public Education
Requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule. After WGPE completes their
charge, they will make recommendations to the full NDWAC. The full
NDWAC will, in turn, make appropriate recommendations to EPA. For a
general description of the WGPE charge, the criteria for selecting WGPE
members, and the specific directions for submitting WGPE member
nominations, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
DATES: Submit nominations via U.S. mail on or before August 22, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Address all nominations to Elizabeth McDermott, Designated
Federal Officer, National Drinking Water Advisory Council Working Group
on Public Education, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Ground Water and Drinking Water, Drinking Water Protection Division
(Mail Code 4606M), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E-mail your questions to Elizabeth
McDermott, Designated Federal Officer, at mcdermott.elizabeth@epa.gov,
or call (202) 564-1603.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Working Group Charge: The charge for the
Working Group on the Public Education Requirements of the Lead and
Copper Rule (WGPE) is to (1) review the current public education
requirements to find and define the need for improvements and make
recommendations to the full NDWAC accordingly; (2) develop language for
communicating the risk and a suggested response to the public; and (3)
define the delivery means to the public. The NDWAC established a target
date of May 2006 to complete these tasks.
Selection Criteria: The criteria for selecting WGPE members are as
follows: the members are recognized experts in their fields; the
members are as impartial and objective as possible; the members
collectively represent an array of backgrounds and perspectives within
the water sector and related disciplines (e.g., public health); and the
members are available to fully participate in the WGPE. The schedule
remains flexible, however, it is estimated that the first WGPE meeting
will be convened in the Fall of 2005, and subsequent meetings will be
conducted over a relatively short time frame of approximately one (1)
year. Over the course of this period, WGPE members will be asked to
attend a maximum of four (4) in-person meetings, participate in
conference calls and video conferencing as necessary, participate in
the discussion of key issues at all meetings, and review and finalize
the products and outputs of the WGPE. The EPA is looking to create a
diverse working group. Potential nominations could include individuals
from the drinking water industries, stakeholder organizations, state
and local officials, public health officials, environmental
organizations, and risk communication experts. The Agency is looking
for a range of industry representation in terms of the size of the
population served, as well as investor
[[Page 42318]]
and publicly owned and operated facilities. This is not an exhaustive
list; it is only intended to provide a framework to consider potential
nominees.
Nomination of a Member: Any interested person or organization may
nominate qualified individuals for membership to the WGPE. Name,
occupation, position, address, and telephone number should identify all
nominees. To be considered, all nominations must include a current
resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and
qualifications, in addition to a statement (not to exceed two (2)
paragraphs) about their particular expertise and interest in the public
education requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule. Please note that
the Agency will not formally acknowledge or respond to nominations.
Dated: July 18, 2005.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 05-14536 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P