
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 135 (Monday, July 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32698-32699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14949]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9963-93-Region 8]


Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of 
North Dakota

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Public notice is hereby given that the state of North Dakota 
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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed North 
Dakota's regulations and determined they are no less stringent than the 
federal regulations. The EPA is proposing to approve North Dakota's 
primacy revision for the RTCR.

[[Page 32699]]

    Today's 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 August 16, 2017. 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 effective August 16, 2017. If a public 
hearing is requested and granted, then this determination shall not 
become effective 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 North 
Dakota 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 North Dakota's regulations and determined they are no 
less stringent than the federal regulations. The EPA is proposing to 
approve North Dakota's primacy revision for the RTCR.
    Today's 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 today's action affect Indian country (18 U.S.C. 1151) in 
North Dakota?

    Today's approval action does not extend to public water systems in 
Indian country, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151. Pursuant to that statute, 
Indian country includes, but is not limited to, land within the 
exterior boundaries of Indian reservations located within North Dakota, 
including the Fort Berthold, Spirit Lake, Standing Rock, and Turtle 
Mountain 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 
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 
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, information regarding time and 
location, 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: June 6, 2017.
Debra H. Thomas,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2017-14949 Filed 7-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


