[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 41049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20175]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5866-5]


Safe Drinking Water Act State Primary Enforcement Program 
Revision Approval: New York State

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of final action.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces EPA's approval of a state primary 
enforcement program revision application from New York State to include 
the Surface Water Treatment Rule.

DATES: EPA's approval is effective June 3, 1997, except as noted below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of EPA's final determination 
and response to comments are available for public distribution by 
writing to USEPA Region II, Division of Environmental Planning and 
Protection, 290 Broadway, 28th Floor, New York, New York, 10007-1866, 
ATTN: NYC Watershed Team or by calling (212) 637-3519.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 29, 1989, EPA promulgated the 
Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), 40 CFR part 141, subpart H under 
authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act. As prescribed under 40 CFR 
142.12, Revision of State Program, states with primary enforcement 
responsibility (primacy) for the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) must 
adopt all new and revised national primary drinking water regulations 
(NPDWRs). States must submit primacy program revision application 
packages to EPA regions for approval of the program revision. The 
package must sufficiently demonstrate that the state's revised 
regulations are no less stringent than the federal regulations and that 
they are enforceable by the state. If the application meets the 
requirements of 40 CFR 142.12, it is to be approved by EPA.
    On March 11, 1992, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) 
promulgated its own surface water treatment regulations as part of the 
State Sanitary Code and, thereafter, applied to EPA for primacy program 
revision to include these regulations. EPA reviewed the NYSDOH's 
request to revise its Public Water System Supervision Primacy Program 
regulations. Based on this review EPA found that the regulations, when 
compared to the federal SWTR regulations (40 CFR part 141, subpart H), 
met the standards for approval of primacy program revision set out in 
40 CFR part 142, subpart B. The NYSDOH was notified of EPA's initial 
determination to approve its application in a letter dated July 22, 
1993.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 142.13 a notice of EPA's initial decision 
to approve NYSDOH's application was published in the Federal Register 
on July 30, 1993 and in several newspapers of general circulation 
throughout the State shortly thereafter. The Notices included an 
opportunity to request a public hearing. A public hearing was requested 
by The Coalition of Watershed Towns and Putnam County within the 
allowed 30 day request period. Accordingly, EPA held a public hearing 
on December 7, 1993. EPA received written and oral comments at the 
hearing and thereafter. Subsequent to the public hearing, EPA must 
either affirm or rescind its initial determination by order pursuant to 
40 CFR 142.13(f).
    A final decision was delayed due to challenges to New York City's 
proposed promulgation of revised watershed regulations and critical 
watershed protection programs set forth in EPA's 1993 Filtration 
Avoidance Determination (FAD) for New York City's Catskill/Delaware 
water supply system. This led to negotiations between EPA, New York 
City, New York State, the Coalition of Watershed Towns, several 
counties and environmental groups over the next two years, causing 
further delays. The negotiations resulted in the New York City 
Watershed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), executed January 21, 1997.
    As part of the New York City Watershed Memorandum of Agreement 
(MOA) signed on January 21, 1997, the State and EPA agreed that EPA 
will retain SWTR primacy for New York City's Catskill/Delaware water 
supply system until May 15, 2007. Therefore, EPA's approval of the 
State's application for SWTR primacy with respect to this system will 
become effective on May 15, 2007. The reason for EPA retaining primacy 
during this period is to provide the appropriate oversight of New York 
City's implementation of the conditions of a Filtration Avoidance 
Determination which EPA issued on May 6, 1997. This period will allow 
EPA to continue its work with the City to ensure the City meets the 
conditions of EPA's Filtration Avoidance Determination. It will also 
allow time for NYSDOH to strengthen its oversight program for New York 
City's Catskill/Delaware system. As provided in the Watershed MOA, 
during this period of EPA retained primacy, EPA and the NYSDOH will 
work jointly and cooperatively with respect to decisions concerning 
enforcement of the SWTR as it applies to the Catskill/Delaware system.

    Dated: July 14, 1997.
Jeanne M. Fox,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-20175 Filed 7-30-97; 8:45 am]
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