[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 34351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13931]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7775-9]
National Drinking Water Advisory Council's Water Security Working
Group Meeting Announcement
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is
announcing the first teleconference meeting of the Water Security
Working Group (WSWG) of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council
(NDWAC). The purpose of this conference call is to provide a forum for
the WSWG members to introduce themselves, to discuss the ground rules
and standard operating procedures, and to develop an estimated time
frame and approach to complete the WSWG charge. Any interested person
or organization may attend or dial into the conference call (see the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section and the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this notice for more information).
DATES: The first WSWG conference call will take place from 3:30 p.m. to
5:30 p.m., Eastern standard time, on July 6, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested participants from the
public should contact Marc Santora, Designated Federal Officer, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ground Water and Drinking
Water, Water Security Division (Mail Code 4601-M), 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 20460. Please contact Marc Santora at
[email protected] or call 202-564-1597 to register and receive
pertinent details such as the telephone number and extension to
participate in the conference call.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The WSWG encourages public participation. A
limited number of additional phone lines may be available for members
of the public that are outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan
commuting area and are unable to attend in person. The Designated
Federal Officer will reserve any additional teleconferencing lines that
are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To ensure adequate
time for public involvement, oral statements will be limited to five
minutes, and it is preferred that only one person present the statement
on behalf of a group or organization. Any person who wishes to file a
written statement can do so before or after the WSWG meeting. Written
statements received prior to the meeting will be distributed to all
members of the WSWG before any final discussion or vote is completed.
Any statements received after the meeting will become part of the
permanent meeting file and will be forwarded to the WSWG members for
their information. Any person needing special accommodations at this
meeting, including wheelchair access, should contact the Designated
Federal Officer, at the number or e-mail listed under the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section, at least five business days before the
meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Background
The EPA is designated as the lead Agency for the security of the
nation's drinking water and wastewater sectors. The National Drinking
Water Advisory Council was established under the Safe Drinking Water
Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) to provide practical and
independent advice, consultation, and recommendations to the Agency on
the activities, functions, and policies related to the implementation
of the Safe Drinking Water Act. On February 10, 2004, NDWAC voted and
approved to form the WSWG to address best security practices for
drinking water and wastewater facilities (i.e., the water sector) in
becoming more secure against malevolent threats. The Agency is
projecting three to five face-to-face meetings over the course of the
next year in addition to conference calls and/or video conferencing on
an as needed basis. After the WSWG completes the charge, a report out
in terms of recommendations will be made to the full NDWAC. The full
NDWAC will, in turn, make appropriate recommendations to the EPA.
Working Group Charge
The charge for the Water Security Working Group is to provide
recommendations to the full NDWAC that: (1) Identify, compile, and
characterize best security practices and policies for drinking water
and wastewater utilities and provide an approach for considering and
adopting these practices and policies at a utility level; (2) consider
mechanisms to provide recognition and incentives that facilitate a
broad and receptive response among the water sector to implement these
best security practices and policies and make recommendations as
appropriate; (3) consider mechanisms to measure the extent of
implementation of these best security practices and policies, identify
the impediments of their implementation, and make recommendations as
appropriate.
Dated: June 15, 2004.
Nanci Gelb,
Acting Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 04-13931 Filed 6-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P