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Summary of Tribal Coordination and Consultation Process for the 

Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) Proposal

November 23, 2015

As part of its responsibilities under the SDWA, EPA implements section 1445(a)(2), the Monitoring 

Program for Unregulated Contaminants. This section, as amended in 1996, requires that once every 

five years, beginning in August 1999, EPA issue a list of no more than 30 unregulated contaminants to 

be monitored by PWSs. The data collected through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 

(UCMR) serve as a primary source of occurrence information and supports the Agency’s decision on

whether or not to regulate particular contaminants in drinking water.

Under EPA’s Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes, EPA consulted with tribal 

officials early in the process of developing the rule for the next cycle of monitoring (UCMR 4) so that 

they had an opportunity for meaningful and timely input into the development of the rule. EPA 

specifically invited tribal leaders and representatives to participate in a public meeting announced to 

the public in a Federal Register notice dated May 29, 2014 (79 FR 30787), and the meeting was held 

on June 25, 2014 (with webinar capability for stakeholders to participate remotely). Representatives 

from the two tribes that participated in the public meeting and webinar received an electronic PDF 

document of all the PowerPoint presentations before the event. 

EPA initiated more focused tribal consultation and coordination on August 19, 2014 and conducted 

the consultation process through October 17, 2014. The process included the following:

• On August 19, 2014 a tribal leader notification letter was mailed to over 500 contacts inviting 

leaders and representatives to participate in a September 24, 2014 UCMR 4 tribal consultation 

teleconference (described below). EPA also emailed this information to over 500 tribal 

regulatory staff.

• On September 10, 2014, EPA participated in a monthly conference call with the National Tribal 

Water Council (NTWC). EPA shared information on the potential contaminants to be 

monitored under UCMR 4, described possible impacts on tribes, and shared information 

regarding the upcoming tribal consultation and coordination teleconference.

• The official consultation teleconference was held on September 24, 2014. Prior to the 

meeting, a PowerPoint presentation was made available on the Tribal Consultation 

Opportunities Tracking System (TCOTS)

(http://tcots.epa.gov/oita/TConsultation.nsf/TC?OpenView) along with a copy of the 

notification letter and consultation timeline. Representatives from two tribes attended the 

consultation and coordination teleconference. During discussions, the participating tribal 

representatives asked clarifying questions regarding sampling location and PWS participation. 

• No written comments regarding UCMR 4 were submitted by tribes during the consultation

comment period that ended October 17, 2014. 

The UCMR 4 proposal is anticipated to be published in late 2015. Tribes will have another opportunity 

to comment on the proposal during the 60 day public comment period.