Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Notices 50335

will perform the necessary studies or

assessments for evaluating requests for

Transmission Service as set forth in the

Tariff. Any facility construction or

interconnection necessary to provide

transmission service will be subject to

Southwestern’s Requirements for

Interconnection, which are available

upon request, and will require that

funds necessary for such construction

be submitted in advance to

Southwestern, subject to Southwestern’s

authority to receive such funds.

Based on a reasonable level of risk,

Southwestern has marketed the

maximum practical amount of power

from each of its projects, leaving little

flexibility for provision of additional

power services. Changes in water

conditions frequently affect the ability

of hydroelectric projects to meet

obligations on a short-term basis. The

unique characteristics and limitations of

the hydroelectric resource caused by

changing water conditions may limit

Southwestern’s ability to provide

certain generation-related services,

including some Ancillary Services and

any redispatching which may require

the use of Federal hydro resources.

Southwestern is committed to

providing comparable open-access

transmission service to any Eligible

Customer without discrimination, as has

been its practice throughout its history.

However, nothing in the Tariff shall

alter, amend, or abridge the statutory

and regulatory obligations of

Southwestern to market Federal Power

to Federal Customers and to repay the

Federal investment in the projects and

facilities from which Southwestern

markets power and energy.

Southwestern will provide Firm and

Non-Firm Point-to-Point Transmission

Service and, if practicable, Network

Integration Transmission Service,

consistent with the Tariff. The specific

terms and conditions for providing

transmission service to an Eligible

Customer will be set forth in a Service

Agreement.

[FR Doc. 97–25333 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

[FRL–5898–6]

Public Meeting on Drinking Water

Issues

Notice is hereby given that the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

is holding a workshop for purposes of

information exchange on issues related

to developing a national estimate of

waterborne disease occurrence. The

purpose of the workshop will be to

provide a brief review of the Safe

Drinking Water Act mandate to develop

a national estimate; review and discuss

current approaches to developing the

national estimate; review and discuss

planned and ongoing epidemiological

studies and the goals and methodologies

of these studies; and discuss approaches

for enhancing these studies as well as

identifying additional studies that might

be useful in improving the national

estimate. Experts in epidemiology,

biostatistics, public health and related

fields will be invited to the workshop to

offer their insight.

The meeting will take place on

October 9, 1997, from 8:30 a.m. until

5:30 p.m. and October 10, 1997 from

9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at the

Washington National Airport Hilton at

2399 Jefferson Davis Highway,

Arlington, VA 22202. The agenda will

include discussion of methods for

assessing rates of waterborne disease

and the economic impact of those

diseases. Discussion is expected to focus

on the extent to which planned and

ongoing studies can be used in

developing a national estimate and

other potentially viable approaches to

developing this national estimate.

EPA is inviting interested members of

the public to participate in the meeting,

which continues a series of public

meetings that the Agency has been

holding since last year on issues related

to the development of regulations to

control pathogens and disinfection

byproducts in drinking water. As with

all previous meetings in this series, EPA

is maintaining an open door policy to

allow members of the public to attend.

To assist EPA in managing limitations

on conference room seating, members of

the public who are interested in

attending are requested to contact

Valerie Blank of EPA’s Office of Ground

Water and Drinking Water. Members of

the public who are interested in

additional information about this or

other meetings in this series or who

would like to be included on the

mailing list to receive notice of further

meetings in this series are also

requested to contact Ms. Blank, who can

be reached at 401 M Street, SW, 4607,

Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260–8376,

blank.valerie@epamail.epa.gov.

Dated: September 19, 1997.

Elizabeth Fellows,

Acting Director, Office of Ground Water and

Drinking Water.

[FR Doc. 97–25504 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

[OPPTS–00224; FRL–5746–4]

Notice of Public Meeting on

Establishing a Program for LeadBased Paint Hazard Evaluation and

Reduction Products

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: EPA is announcing a public

meeting on September 29, 1997, in

Arlington, VA, to take suggestions from

a cross-section of stakeholders on the

development of a program to carry out

the testing and registration of lead-based

paint hazard evaluation and reduction

products as required under Section

405(f) of the Toxic Substances Control

Act (TSCA, 15 U.S.C. Section 2685(f).

DATES: The meeting will take place on

Monday, September 29, 1997, beginning

promptly at 6:00 p.m. and continuing

until 8:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place

at the Crystal Gateway Marriot Hotel,

1700 Jefferson Davis Highway,

Arlington, VA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Darlene Watford, National Program

Chemicals Division, (7404), Office of

Pollution Prevention and Toxics,

Environmental Protection Agency, 401

M St., SW., Washington, DC. 20460,

telephone: (202) 260–3989, fax: (202)

260–0001, e-mail:

watford.darlene@epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

On October 28, 1992, the Residential

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act

of 1992, Title X of the Housing and

Community Development Act of 1992,

became law. Title X amended TSCA by

adding a new Title IV, the purpose of

which is to reduce the hazards from

lead in paint and coatings used in

housing, public and commercial

buildings, and other structures. Section

405(f) of TSCA stipulates that EPA

establish testing criteria, testing

protocols, and performance

characteristics as necessary to ensure to

the greatest extent possible that leadbased paint hazard evaluation and

reduction products introduced into

commerce are effective for the intended

use described by the manufacturer.

Several states have already begun to

pass lead laws and regulations which

establish lead prevention programs, as

well as the infrastructure necessary to

support such programs. Many of these

programs specify a set of performance

standards that must be met by lead
50336 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Notices

hazard control products to be included

on a state’s list of registered products,

and certified lead abatement contractors

must use only products that have been

registered in the state. Although most of

these state programs are similar, there

are some significant differences. As a

result, some manufacturers of lead

hazard control products fear that

registration of their products will be

very costly if they have to be tested and

approved by each state using different

criteria. A federal program could

provide a minimal set of consistent

requirements to evaluate lead hazard

control products, and could be utilized

by many, if not all, state and local

agencies.

Under section 405(f), EPA plans to

establish a national program that

provides a mechanism to develop

testing protocols, criteria, and

performance characteristics for leadbased paint hazard evaluation and

reduction products. EPA wishes to

activate section 405(f) by obtaining

feedback and information from

interested parties concerning their

suggestions on establishing the program.

II. Participants

Any and all stakeholders (e.g.,

individuals, or representatives of

organizations, state and local

governments, or academia) are invited

to attend as members of the audience.

III. Draft Approach to Establishing

Program

Section 405(f) stipulates that EPA

shall establish ‘‘appropriate testing

criteria, testing protocols, and

performance characteristics as are

necessary to ensure to the greatest

extent possible and consistent with the

purposes and policy of this Title [TSCA

Title IV], that lead-based paint hazard

evaluation and reduction products

introduced into commerce . . . are

effective for the intended use described

by the manufacturer.’’ In general, a

product is to be evaluated by subjecting

it to a set of standard test methods

according to a given protocol. The

results of these tests will be compared

to performance-based testing criteria

established to measure the product’s

effectiveness in accurately and precisely

evaluating lead levels or minimizing the

user’s exposure to lead-based paint

hazards. If a product meets the testing

criteria, it will be approved for use as

described by the manufacturer and

recognized as an EPA-approved

product.

EPA is initiating the process of

developing a Lead-Based Paint Hazard

Evaluation and Reduction Program

(LBPHERP) that will define the

requirements of and create, an

organization to administer the program.

The program will also identify the

specific classes of products that are

currently used for lead-based paint

hazard evaluation and reduction, and

develop criteria and requirements for

testing these products.

EPA plans to focus its efforts on

hazard evaluation and reduction

products that are used in renovation and

remodeling activities. A priority will be

placed on products that homeowners

will use; however, products used by

certified abatement professionals may

be covered where applicable and

practical. Lead-based paint hazard

products that may require testing and

registration under section 405(f)

include: chemical spot test kits,

electrochemical lead paint and/or dust

analyzers, encapsulants, chemical paint

removers, household cleaners;

respirators; mechanical grinders or

blasters with shrouds, and HEPA

vacuums. At present, most of these

products do not have a complete set of

test methods, testing protocols, testing

criteria, and defined performance

characteristics to determine whether the

product is effective for its intended use

as a lead hazard evaluation or reduction

product.

Various Federal agencies, quasigovernmental groups, and private

agencies were contacted to solicit input

and possible involvement in

implementing section 405(f). In

addition, test methods and protocols

that have been developed are being

evaluated to determine if they satisfy

EPA testing requirements. Based on this

preliminary investigation, it was

determined that no single national

organization or agency currently

addresses the requirements of section

405(f) with respect to the wide variety

of products that could potentially fall

within the scope of this program. Also,

the current state of development of test

protocols and testing criteria for these

products varies significantly across the

classes of products identified.

The ultimate goal of the LBPHERP is

to provide regulators, industry, and

consumers with a nationally recognized

means to reliably assess lead-based

paint hazard evaluation and reduction

products. Accomplishing this goal will

require that products are tested against

a set of accepted standards, and that

only those products which meet the

predetermined performance criteria be

considered EPA-registered products.

Pursuant to section 12(d) of the National

Technology Transfer and Advancement

Act of 1995, Pub. No. 104-113,

Voluntary Consensus Boards will be

used to develop standards for those

products for which test methods or

protocols do not yet exist. Once

standard test methods and protocols and

testing criteria are established, product

registration can occur. The registration

of a product is intended to confirm that

the product conforms to specified

standards, and provides the user with

explicit or implicit information about

the characteristics and performance of

the product.

EPA has determined that certain key

elements must be considered when

establishing the LBPHERP. These

elements focus on keeping government

costs to a minimum; ensuring that

guidelines support existing Title X rules

and programs such as section 402,

section 403, section 404, and section

1,018; requiring the use of accredited

third-party laboratories for product

testing; and making results easily

accessible to the public. EPA is

considering nonprofit or not-for-profit

organizations that have expertise in the

lead-based paint hazard field to

administer the LBPHERP. This

organization would be capable of

gaining the confidence of interested

government authorities, manufacturers,

and the public so that they accept and

adopt the organization’s or group’s

recommendations and standards. This

organization would also utilize

independent testing laboratories as

required by section 405(f) to test the

lead hazard evaluation and reduction

products.

Presently, there is no one organization

that stands out as the obvious choice to

administer the LBPHERP; however,

there are groups who may be interested.

There are numerous federal agencies,

accreditation organizations, standards

organizations, nationally recognized

lead abatement organizations, national

laboratories, contract research centers,

and quasi-government organizations

which are heavily involved in the leadbased paint hazard evaluation and

reduction field, and might welcome the

opportunity to become involved in the

administration of the LBPHERP. Many

configurations of these agencies and

organizations could facilitate the

LBPHERP.

EPA is considering the position that

the LBPHERP should be able to

eventually finance itself through fees

charged to manufacturers to register

their products and maintain this

registration.

IV. Topics of Discussion

There are two main topics of

discussion that EPA would like to

address during this public meeting:

1. What type of organization could

best facilitate the lead-based paint
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Notices 50337

hazard evaluation and reduction

program and meet the scope of section

405(f)?

2. Which lead hazard reduction

products are going to be required to be

tested before they can be registered

under this program?

There are several factors affecting the

first question, such as the cost and size

of the program; timeliness of

implementation; cost to the government

and industry; and acceptance by

industry, state regulators, and

consumers. The acceptance of a program

will depend in part on the expertise of

the staff administering the program and

the recognition of the organization as an

accredited certification/registration

body.

Several issues associated with the

second question will need to be

discussed, such as testing methods, and

protocols, development of testing

criteria, voluntary consensus standards,

cost of testing products, and reciprocity

between states.

V. Public Docket

The official record for this notice has

been established under docket control

number ‘‘OPPTS–00224.’’ The record is

available for inspection from 12 noon to

4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,

excluding legal holidays. The record is

located at: TSCA Docket (7407), Office

of Pollution Prevention and Toxics,

Environmental Protection Agency,

Room E–G99, 401 M St., SW.,

Washington, DC. 20460.

List of Subjects

Environmental protection.

Dated: September 18, 1997

William H. Saunders III,

Director, Office of Pollution Prevention

and Toxics.

[FR Doc.97–25500 Filed 9–22–97; 3:06 p.m.]

Billing Code 6560–50–F

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

[PF–767; FRL–5748–2]

Notice of Filing of Pesticide Petitions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the

initial filing of pesticide petitions

proposing the establishment of

regulations for residues of certain

pesticide chemicals in or on various

food commodities.

DATES: Comments, identified by the

docket control number PF–767, must be

received on or before October 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: By mail submit written

comments to: Public Information and

Records Integrity Branch, Information

Resources and Services Division

(7506C), Office of Pesticides Programs,

Environmental Protection Agency, 401

M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In

person bring comments to: Rm. 1132,

CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway,

Arlington, VA.

Comments and data may also be

submitted electronically to: oppdocket@epamail.epa.gov. Follow the

instructions under ‘‘SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION.’’ No confidential

business information should be

submitted through e-mail.

Information submitted as a comment

concerning this document may be

claimed confidential by marking any

part or all of that information as

‘‘Confidential Business Information’’

(CBI). CBI should not be submitted

through e-mail. Information marked as

CBI will not be disclosed except in

accordance with procedures set forth in

40 CFR part 2. A copy of the comment

that does not contain CBI must be

submitted for inclusion in the public

record. Information not marked

confidential may be disclosed publicly

by EPA without prior notice. All written

comments will be available for public

inspection in Rm. 1132 at the address

given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, excluding legal

holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:By

mail: George LaRocca, Registration

Division [PM-13], Office of Pesticide

Programs, 401 M St., SW., Washington,

DC 20460. Office location, telephone

number and e-mail address: Rm. 204,

Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis

Hwy., Arlington, VA, (703) 305–6100, email: larocca.george@epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has

received pesticide petitions as follows

proposing the establishment and/or

amendment of regulations for residues

of certain pesticide chemicals in or on

various food commodities under section

408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and

Comestic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a.

EPA has determined that these petitions

contain data or information regarding

the elements set forth in section

408(d)(2); however, EPA has not fully

evaluated the sufficiency of the

submitted data at this time or whether

the data supports granting of the

petition. Additional data may be needed

before EPA rules on the petition.

The official record for this notice of

filing, as well as the public version, has

been established for this notice of filing

under docket control number [PF–767]

(including comments and data

submitted electronically as described

below). A public version of this record,

including printed, paper versions of

electronic comments, which does not

include any information claimed as CBI,

is available for inspection from 8:30

a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,

excluding legal holidays. The official

record is located at the address in

‘‘ADDRESSES’’ at the beginning of this

document.

Electronic comments can be sent

directly to EPA at:

opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov

Electronic comments must be

submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the

use of special characters and any form

of encryption. Comment and data will

also be accepted on disks in

Wordperfect 5.1 file format or ASCII file

format. All comments and data in

electronic form must be identified by

the docket controlnumber [PF–767] and

appropriate petition number. Electronic

comments on this notice may be filed

online at many Federal Depository

Libraries.

List of Subjects

Environmental protection,

Agricultural commodities, Food

additives, Feed additives, Pesticides and

pests, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.

Dated: September 19, 1997.

James Jones,

Acting Director, Registration Division, Office

of Pesticide Programs.

Summaries of Petitions

Petitioner summaries of the pesticide

petitions are printed below as required

by section 408(d)(3) of the FFDCA. The

summaries of the petitions were

prepared by the petitioners and

represent the views of the petitioners.

EPA is publishing the petition

summaries verbatim without editing

them in any way. The petition summary

announces the availability of a

description of the analytical methods

available to EPA for the detection and

measurement of the pesticide chemical

residues or an explanation of why no

such method is needed.

1. AgrEvo USA Company

PP 2F4055, 6F3436, 4F2993, 6F3309

EPA has received a request from

AgrEvo USA Company (acting as

registered US agent for Hoechst

Schering AgrEvo, S. A., Little Falls

Centre, 2711 Centerville Road,