Determination of Sole Source Aquifer Petition, 3723 [E8-999]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / Notices (LEAs, e.g., elementary or secondary public school districts or a private school or school system); asbestos training providers to schools and educational systems; and state education departments or commissions or state public health departments or commissions. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated No. of Respondents: 125,691. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 2,530,600 hours. Estimated Total Annual Labor Costs: $76,352,159. Changes in Burden Estimates: There is a net increase of 45,160 hours (from 2,485,440 hours to 2,530,600 hours) in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that currently in the OMB inventory. This increase reflects changes in the estimated numbers of Local Education Agencies and training providers. The increase is an adjustment. Dated: January 15, 2008. Sara Hisel-McCoy, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E8–1000 Filed 1–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8518–1] Determination of Sole Source Aquifer Petition Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of Sole Source Aquifer Petition Determination. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today provides notice that it approves ˜ the petition to designate the Espanola Basin Aquifer System a Sole Source Aquifer. The aquifer is eligible for designation because it is the principal source of drinking water for the area covered by the petition. ADDRESSES: The administrative record underlying today’s decision was available for inspection at the EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202. EPA had also posted a fact sheet, summary of public comments and responses, and a decision support document on its Web site at https:// www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6wq/swp/ssa. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Bechdol, Environmental Scientist, Source Water Protection Branch (6WQ–SG), EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202–2733, VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:38 Jan 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 phone (214) 665–7133, bechdol.michael@epa.gov. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Pursuant to Section 1424(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300h–3(e), EPA may designate an aquifer a ‘‘sole source aquifer’’ if it serves as the sole or principal drinking water source for an area and contamination of that aquifer would create a significant hazard to public health. EPA may essentially ‘‘veto’’ financial assistance proposed by Federal agencies for projects it finds may contaminate such a designated aquifer. To date, EPA has designated 75 sole source aquifers. On June 2, 2006, EPA received a petition for sole source aquifer designation from the La Cienega Valley Citizens for Environmental Safeguards. The petition sought designation for the ˜ Espanola Basin Aquifer System, which covers approximately 3,000 sq miles which includes the cities of Santa Fe, ˜ Los Alamos and Espanola. The area also includes the Pueblos of San Juan, Santa Clara, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Nambe, Tesuque, Picuris, and Cochiti. The U.S. census for 2000 shows a population in the petitioned area of approximately 172,750, including around 70,000 in the City of Santa Fe. To show the aquifer was the primary source of drinking water for the area, the petitioner relied on documentation of water rights allocated to water users by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and by U.S. Geological Survey’s 1990 generalized estimates of water use in New Mexico. EPA published notice of the petition in the Santa Fe New Mexican and requested comments thereon. It received a number of comments and carefully considered them in reaching today’s decision. EPA also performed an independent review of the hydrology and water use in the area covered by the petition. The Agency concludes that approximately 85% of the drinking water used in the area covered by the petition is derived from wells in the ˜ aquifer. EPA thus approves the Espanola Basin Aquifer System petition. 3723 [FRL–8518–3] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: January 10, 2008. Richard E. Greene, Regional Administrator, Region 6. [FR Doc. E8–999 Filed 1–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Meeting of the Local Government Advisory Committee Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) and the Small Community Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS), and workgroups will meet on February 5–6, 2008 in Washington, DC. The Committee and Subcommittee meetings will be located at The Madison, at 1177 Fifteenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005, in conference rooms Vernon A & B. The focus areas of the meeting will be Green Buildings, Small Communities, and other environmental issues potentially affecting local governments. This is an open meeting and all interested persons are invited to attend. The Committee will hear comments from the public between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Each individual or organization wishing to address the LGAC meeting will be allowed a maximum of five minutes to present their point of view. Also, written comments should be submitted electronically to Eargle.Frances@epa.gov. Please contact the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at the number listed below to schedule agenda time. Time will be allotted on a first come, first serve basis, and the total period for comments may be extended, if the number of requests for appearances require it. ADDRESSES: The LGAC meeting will be held at The Madison, a Loews Hotel, located at 1177 Fifteenth St., NW. on February 5–6 in conference rooms Vernon A & B. The Committee’s meeting minutes and Subcommittee summary notes will be available after the meeting online at https://www.epa.gov/ocir/scas and can be obtained by written request to the DFO. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frances Eargle, DFO for the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), at (202) 564–3115 or e-mail at Eargle.Frances@epa.gov. For those interested in participating in the Small Community Subcommittee meeting, contact Anna Raymond at (202) 564– 2663 or by e-mail at Raymond.Anna@epa.gov. Information on Services for Those With Disabilities: For information on access or services for individuals with E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 3723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-999]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8518-1]


Determination of Sole Source Aquifer Petition

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of Sole Source Aquifer Petition Determination.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today 
provides notice that it approves the petition to designate the 
Espa[ntilde]ola Basin Aquifer System a Sole Source Aquifer. The aquifer 
is eligible for designation because it is the principal source of 
drinking water for the area covered by the petition.

ADDRESSES: The administrative record underlying today's decision was 
available for inspection at the EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, 
Texas 75202. EPA had also posted a fact sheet, summary of public 
comments and responses, and a decision support document on its Web site 
at https://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6wq/swp/ssa.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Bechdol, Environmental 
Scientist, Source Water Protection Branch (6WQ-SG), EPA Region 6, 1445 
Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202-2733, phone (214) 665-7133, 
bechdol.michael@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 1424(e) of the Safe 
Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300h-3(e), EPA may designate an 
aquifer a ``sole source aquifer'' if it serves as the sole or principal 
drinking water source for an area and contamination of that aquifer 
would create a significant hazard to public health. EPA may essentially 
``veto'' financial assistance proposed by Federal agencies for projects 
it finds may contaminate such a designated aquifer. To date, EPA has 
designated 75 sole source aquifers.
    On June 2, 2006, EPA received a petition for sole source aquifer 
designation from the La Cienega Valley Citizens for Environmental 
Safeguards. The petition sought designation for the Espa[ntilde]ola 
Basin Aquifer System, which covers approximately 3,000 sq miles which 
includes the cities of Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Espa[ntilde]ola. The 
area also includes the Pueblos of San Juan, Santa Clara, Pojoaque, San 
Ildefonso, Nambe, Tesuque, Picuris, and Cochiti. The U.S. census for 
2000 shows a population in the petitioned area of approximately 
172,750, including around 70,000 in the City of Santa Fe. To show the 
aquifer was the primary source of drinking water for the area, the 
petitioner relied on documentation of water rights allocated to water 
users by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and by U.S. 
Geological Survey's 1990 generalized estimates of water use in New 
Mexico.
    EPA published notice of the petition in the Santa Fe New Mexican 
and requested comments thereon. It received a number of comments and 
carefully considered them in reaching today's decision. EPA also 
performed an independent review of the hydrology and water use in the 
area covered by the petition. The Agency concludes that approximately 
85% of the drinking water used in the area covered by the petition is 
derived from wells in the aquifer. EPA thus approves the 
Espa[ntilde]ola Basin Aquifer System petition.

    Dated: January 10, 2008.
Richard E. Greene,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
 [FR Doc. E8-999 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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