[Federal Register: February 21, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 35)]
[Notices]               
[Page 9567-9568]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21fe08-61]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8531-4]

 
Public Water System Supervision Program Variance and Exemption 
Review for the State of Montana

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8 will 
conduct a statutory review of variances and exemptions issued by the 
State of Montana under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Public Water 
System Supervision (PWSS) program. The SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300 et seq., 
requires that EPA periodically review variances and exemptions issued 
by states with primary enforcement authority to determine compliance 
with requirements of the statute 42 U.S.C. 300g-4(e)(8); 42 U.S.C. 
300g-5(d). In accordance with these provisions in the SDWA, and its 
regulations, EPA is giving public notice that the EPA, Region 8 will 
conduct a review of the variances and exemptions issued by the State of 
Montana to Public Water Systems under its jurisdiction. The review will 
be conducted during February, 2008.
    The public is invited to submit comments on any or all variances 
and/or exemptions issued by the State of Montana, and on the need for 
continuing them, by March 15, 2008. Results of this review will be 
published in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments on variances and exemptions issued by the State of 
Montana should be addressed to: Robert E. Roberts, Regional 
Administrator, c/o Eric Finke, U.S. EPA, Region 8, Montana Office, 10 
West 15th Street, Suite 3200, Helena, Montana 59620.
    All data and other information with respect to the variances and 
exemptions issued by the State of Montana are located at the Montana 
Department of Environmental Quality, Public Water Subdivisions Bureau, 
Lee Metcalf Building, 1520 East 6th Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620.

[[Page 9568]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Finke at 406-457-5024 or 
finke.eric@epa.gov.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Montana has an EPA approved program for 
primary enforcement authority for the PWSS program, pursuant to section 
1413 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300g-2 and 40 CFR 
142.22.

A. Why do states issue variances and exemptions?

    States with primary enforcement authority are authorized to grant 
variances and exemptions from National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations to specific public water systems, provided these variances 
and exemptions meet the requirements of the SDWA, sections 1415 and 
1416, and are protective of public health.

B. Why is a review of the variances and exemptions necessary?

    Montana is authorized to grant variances and exemptions to drinking 
water systems in accordance with the SDWA. The SDWA requires that EPA 
periodically review State issued variances and exemptions to determine 
compliance with the Statute. 42 U.S.C. 300g-4(e)(8); 42 U.S.C.300g-
5(d).

    Dated: February 12, 2008.
Judith Wong,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. E8-3233 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am]

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