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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 throu gh the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) serve as a primary source of occurre nce 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 t ribal 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 inpu t 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, 2 014 (with webinar capability for stakeholders to participate remotely)

. Representatives
from the t wo tribes that par ticipated in the public meeting and webinar received an electronic PDF
document of all the PowerP oint 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 tr ibal 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 partici pated 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 po ssible impact s on tribes

, and shared information regarding the upcoming tribal consultation and c oordination 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.

• N o written comments regarding UCMR 4 were submitted by tribes during the consultat ion

comment period that ended October 17, 2014

.

The UCMR 4 proposal is anticipated to be published in late 2015. T ribes will have another opportunity to comment on the proposal during the 60 day public comment period.