[Federal Register: October 16, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 200)]
[Notices]
[Page 52606-52607]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16oc01-64]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[WH-FRL-7084-6]
U.S. EPA Reschedule Notice of the Public Meeting on the Draft
Strategy for Waterborne Microbial Disease
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This action announces the rescheduled public meeting on the
Draft Strategy for Waterborne Microbial Disease. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a meeting on November 6, 2001, to
present to interested parties the Draft Strategy for Waterborne
Microbial Disease. The draft Strategy explains suggested approaches to
reducing microbial pollution of the Nation's waters. Interested parties
will have an opportunity to comment on the approaches listed in the
draft Strategy at this meeting. In addition interested parties may
provide written comments on the draft strategy by November 15, 2001.
DATES: The public meeting concerning the Draft Strategy for Waterborne
Microbial Disease will be held November 6, 2001, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
EST.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel,
2399 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia, in the Dewey
conference room. Sciences, Inc. (an EPA contractor) will provide
logistical support for the meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the meeting,
please contact Ms. Harriet McCollum at Sciences, Inc., 1800 Diagonal
Road, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 23314; phone (703) 684-0123; fax (703)
684-2223, or email at hmccollum@sciences.com.
Approximately 100 seats will be available on a first-come, first
serve basis. On-site registration for the meeting will begin at 8 am,
EST. Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting may pre-
register by phone by contacting Ms. McCollum by October 24, 2001. Those
registered by October 24, 2001 will receive background materials prior
to the meeting.
For information concerning the Draft Strategy for Waterborne
Microbial Disease, or a copy of the draft Strategy please, contact Lisa
Almodovar, at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, (MC-4304), Washington, DC 20460; phone: (202)
260-1310, fax: (202) 260-1036 or email at almodovar.lisa@epa.gov.
Copies of the draft Strategy are available on EPA's Internet at
www.epa.gov/ost/criteria/microbialdraft.pdf.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA, States, local governments and the
private sector have made significant strides in reducing water
pollution. Much of this progress is the result of controls on pollution
from industries and sewage treatment facilities. Despite this progress,
States report that about 30% of the waters they assess do not meet
clean water goals. Today, water pollution problems are caused by a wide
range of diffuse sources (e.g. pollutant runoff from agricultural
lands, stormwater flows from cities, inadequate sewage treatment, and
seepage into ground water). Many of these sources contribute microbial
contaminants to waterbodies and this contamination impairs the use of
waters for recreational, fishing, and shellfish growing purposes and
limits use of waters as a source of drinking water.
In response to growing evidence of significant microbial
contamination of waters, the Office of Water has prepared a Draft
Strategy for Waterborne Microbial Disease. This draft Strategy
[[Page 52607]]
describes the microbial water pollution problem and identifies four
areas of concern as the primary focus of efforts to reduce water
pollution and threats to public health.
EPA seeks public comment on all aspects of the draft Strategy.
Examples of questions that might be addressed by the public include:
(1) Does the draft Strategy appropriately describe the water
pollution problem and public health risk posed by microbial
contamination?
(2) The draft Strategy emphasizes four areas of concern. Are these
four areas appropriate as the focus of the draft Strategy? If not,
which other areas of concern should be addressed and why?
(3) Are the actions identified to strengthen water pollution
control programs appropriate? What other actions should be considered?
EPA will produce a report that will summarize the meeting as well
as capture all comments and suggestions. Submitted written comments
will also be included in the document. Comments must be submitted to
Ms. Harriet McCollum at Sciences, Inc., 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 500,
Alexandria, VA 23314; phone (703) 684-0123; fax (703) 684-2223, or
email at hmccollum@sciences.com, by October 24, 2001.
Dated: October 3, 2001.
Geoffrey H. Grubbs,
Director, Office of Science and Technology.
[FR Doc. 01-25965 Filed 10-15-01; 8:45 am]
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