[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60242-60243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29480]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5919-2]


Announcement of Stakeholder Meeting on Possible Revisions to 
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Radionuclides

AGENCY: United States Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.

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SUMMARY: On December 11 and 12, 1997, the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting in Washington, D.C., to discuss 
issues concerning development and revisions of National Primary 
Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) for radionuclides. The 
radionuclides, for purposes of this meeting, include alpha emitters, 
beta and photon emitters, radium and uranium, but do not include radon. 
Under a court order on stipulated agreement by the parties, EPA agreed 
to publish final regulations for uranium, and revise as necessary the 
current alpha, beta and photon emitters, and

[[Page 60243]]

radium NPDWRs by November 2000. The Agency is in the process of 
reviewing current scientific information, new technologies, cost 
factors, implementation issues, and other considerations relating to 
these contaminants in light of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments 
of 1996. Before deciding on any course of action, EPA is interested in 
obtaining the views of individuals, agencies, and organizations, who 
have a stake in possible revisions to the drinking water regulations 
for radionuclides. The meeting is open to all members of the public at 
no cost.

DATES AND TIMES: The stakeholder meeting will be held on Thursday, 
December 11, 1997, from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. EDT and Friday, December 
12, 1997, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m EDT.

LOCATION: Washington D.C. area.

REGISTRATION: To register, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline toll 
free at 1-800-426-4791 between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm EDT. Individuals who 
register by December 2, 1997 will receive by mail an agenda, logistics 
sheet, and background materials prior to the meeting. These materials 
will also be distributed at the meeting.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For members of the public unable to attend the 
meeting in person, a limited number of telephone conference lines will 
be available on a first-reserved, first-served basis. To register for a 
conference call line, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-
426-4791.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA established National 
Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NIPDWRs) for radionuclides 
in 1976. At that time, the Agency set three different maximum 
contaminant levels (MCLs): an MCL for radium-226 and radium-228 
combined (5pCi/l); an MCL level for all radionuclides that emit alpha 
particles (15 pCi/l); and an MCL for all radionuclides that emit beta 
particles and photon radiation, alone or combination in water (4 mrem). 
Radon and uranium were not included in these regulations.
    The 1986 Amendments to the SDWA directed EPA to develop, or revise, 
regulations for 83 listed contaminants which included all the 
radionuclides above. The Amendments also finalized the regulations by 
eliminating the term ``interim''; interim rules became National Primary 
Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs). EPA was charged with promulgating 
health-based maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG) as well as MCLs. 
When EPA failed to meet the statutory schedules for promulgating the 
radionuclide NPDWRs, a lawsuit was brought which established a new 
schedule.
    In 1991, the Agency proposed revisions to these regulations which, 
among other changes, included revised, separate MCLs for radium-226 (20 
pCi/l) and radium-228 (20 pCi/l), and revised beta and photon limits (4 
mrem-ede). EPA also proposed MCLs for uranium (20 ug/l or 30 pCi/l) and 
radon (300 pCi/l), and MCLGs for all radionuclides (zero). A final 
regulation based on the proposal was not promulgated.
    The SDWA Amendments of 1996 directed EPA to withdraw the portion of 
the proposal dealing with radon (which has been done), and adopt the 
schedule from earlier consent decrees for the major radionuclide 
groups. The Amendments also direct EPA to review and revise the 
regulations every six years as appropriate to maintain or provide 
greater protection of health.
    In 1996, the United States District Court for the District of 
Oregon issued an order on stipulated agreement with plaintiffs 
concerning uranium, radium, alpha, beta and photon emitters which 
updated the existing schedule. The Court directed EPA to take final 
action for uranium within four years (November 2000), and to either 
take final action on the proposal regarding radium, alpha, beta and 
photon emitters within four years, or state its reasons for not taking 
final action, thereby either reaffirming the current standard, or 
establishing a different one.

B. Meeting Issues and Request for Stakeholder Involvement

    EPA intends to base any revisions to the NPDWRs for radionuclides 
on the best available health effects data, treatment technologies, 
occurrence data, implementation options and on stakeholder input. To 
realize these intentions, EPA will cover a broad range of issues at the 
meeting, including, but not limited to:

<bullet> Statutory provisions;
<bullet> Options for comprehensive regulation;
<bullet> Implementation strategies and considerations;
<bullet> Identification of costs and benefits; and
<bullet> Environmental equity issues.

    EPA has announced this public meeting to hear from stakeholders on 
EPA's plans to develop the radionuclides rule. EPA invites all 
interested parties to share their views on this important topic.

    Dated: November 4, 1997.
William R. Diamond,
Acting Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, 
Environmental Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 97-29480 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]
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