Notice of Public Meeting: Environmental Justice Considerations for the Development of the Proposed Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), 7412-7413 [2022-02733]

Download as PDF 7412 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds. Dated: February 3, 2022. Deborah Szaro, Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region 1. [FR Doc. 2022–02675 Filed 2–8–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 141 [EPA–HQ–OW–2022–0114; FRL–8543–O3– OW] Notice of Public Meeting: Environmental Justice Considerations for the Development of the Proposed Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting two identical public meetings to discuss and solicit input on environmental justice considerations related to the development of the proposed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) national primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). In the context of developing this proposed regulation, environmental justice considerations include the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies with a particular focus on unique challenges faced by communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks. EPA is holding these meetings to share information and provide an opportunity for communities to offer input on the development of the proposed PFAS NPDWR. Information on how to register and request to speak during one of the meetings is detailed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this announcement. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:39 Feb 08, 2022 Jkt 256001 Comments must be received on or before April 20, 2022. The two identical public meetings will be held on March 2, 2022 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m., eastern time) and April 5, 2022 (5 p.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time). The public meetings will be held in an online-only format. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OW–2022–0114, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket ID No. EPA– HQ–OW–2022–0114 for this action. Comments received may be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov/, including any personal information provided. For detailed instructions on sending comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this announcement. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical inquiries, contact Ashley Greene, Standards and Risk Management Division, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (MC 4607M), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460 at (202) 566–1738 or greene.ashley@epa.gov. For more information about the proposed PFAS NPDWR, visit: https://www.epa.gov/ sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substancespfas. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: I. Public Participation These online meetings will be open to the public and EPA encourages input and will provide opportunities for public engagement. A. Written Comments Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No, EPA–HQ–OW–2022–0114 at https://www.regulations.gov; see instructions identified in the ADDRESSES section of this announcement. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from the docket. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. B. Participation in Public Meeting Registration: Individuals planning to participate in either of the online public meetings must register at https:// www.epa.gov/sdwa/andpolyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas no later than March 1, 2022, for the March 2, 2022 meeting and April 4, 2022, for the April 5, 2022 meeting. Individuals are also invited to speak during the meetings. Those interested in speaking can sign-up to make brief verbal remarks as a part of their registration. EPA will do its best to include all those interested in attending and requesting verbal input, but may have to limit attendance due to web conferencing size or limit verbal remarks due to meeting time limitations; therefore, EPA urges people to register early. Meeting information and web conferencing meeting details, including telephone call-in information, will be emailed to registered participants in advance of each of the meetings. If you have any difficulty registering or have additional questions or comments about the public meeting, please email PFASmeetingsupport@ cadmusgroup.com. Special Accommodations: For information on electronic access or accommodations for individuals with disabilities or other requested assistance (e.g., language translation), please contact Ashley Greene at (202) 566– 1738 or by email at greene.ashley@ epa.gov. Please allow at least five business days prior to each of the meetings to give EPA time to process your request. II. The Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Under SDWA, EPA sets public health goals and enforceable standards for drinking water quality. On March 3, 2021, EPA published a final determination (https://www.epa.gov/ccl/ regulatory-determination-4) to regulate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water. EPA is currently developing a proposed NPDWR for PFOA and PFOS. EPA is also evaluating additional PFAS and assessing the available science to consider regulations for groups of PFAS. NPDWRs are legally E:\FR\FM\09FEP1.SGM 09FEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or treatment techniques that apply to public water systems. MCLs and treatment techniques protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water. In October 2021, EPA released the PFAS Strategic Roadmap (https:// www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategicroadmap-epas-commitments-action2021-2024) laying out an overall approach to addressing PFAS. Establishing an NPDWR for PFOA and PFOS is a key action in the Roadmap. EPA expects to issue a proposed regulation in fall 2022 (before the agency’s statutory deadline of March 2023). EPA anticipates issuing a final regulation in fall 2023 after considering public comments on the proposal. Jennifer L. McLain, Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. [FR Doc. 2022–02733 Filed 2–8–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 11 [PS Docket No. 15–94; FCC 21–125; FR ID 66157] The Emergency Alert System Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC or the Commission) proposes action to improve the clarity and accessibility of visual Emergency Alert System messages to the public, particularly to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. In addition, in the included Notice of Inquiry (NOI), the Commission launches an examination of broader measures to enhance the Emergency Alert System’s overall functionality and accessibility. DATES: Comments on the NPRM are due on or before March 11, 2022, and reply comments are due on or before March 28, 2022. Comments on the NOI are due on or before April 11, 2022, and reply comments are due on or before May 10, 2022. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by PS Docket No. 15–94, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the internet by accessing the ECFS: https:// apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:39 Feb 08, 2022 Jkt 256001 • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. Filings can be sent by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. • Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. • U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. • Effective March 19, 2020, and until further notice, the Commission no longer accepts any hand or messenger delivered filings. This is a temporary measure taken to help protect the health and safety of individuals, and to mitigate the transmission of COVID–19. See FCC Announces Closure of FCC Headquarters Open Window and Change in Hand-Delivery Policy, Public Notice, DA 20–304 (March 19, 2020), https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcccloses-headquarters-open-window-andchanges-hand-delivery-policy. People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice) or 202– 418–0432 (TTY). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning the information contained in this document, send an email to David Munson, Attorney Advisor, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at 202–418– 2921 or David.Munson@fcc.gov, or Christopher Fedeli, Attorney Advisor, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at Christopher.Fedeli@fcc.gov or call 202–418–1514. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Notice of Inquiry (NOI), in PS Docket Nos. 15–94, FCC 21–725, adopted on December 14, 2021, and released on December 15, 2021. The full text of this document is available at https:// www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeksimprove-accessibility-clarity-emergencyalerts-0. Synopsis The nation’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) ensures that the public is quickly informed about emergency alerts issued PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 7413 by government entities and delivered over broadcast, cable, and satellite television and radio media. The EAS is comprised of both a legacy broadcast system and an internet-based Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) system. The legacy EAS distributes alerts over-theair from one broadcast station antenna to another. Alerts can also be sent over the internet in CAP format for distribution to stations via the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. Because legacy EAS alerts only relay audio and not text, the visual messages for such alerts contain only basic location and event information generated from certain data codes of the alerts, which can cause the visual message to lack clarity. The legacy EAS visual message also typically contains less information than that included in the audio message. CAP EAS alerts, by contrast, can be sent with enhanced text, enabling the visual and audio messages transmitted to the public to contain more expansive information. The procedures for constructing and converting CAP EAS alerts into legacy EAS alerts are set forth in the ECIG Recommendations for a CAP EAS Implementation Guide, Version 1.0 (May 17, 2010) (‘‘ECIG Implementation Guide’’), developed and published by the EAS–CAP Industry Group. The limitations on visual alert information in legacy EAS alerts may result in different or less information displayed visually for those who are unable to access the audio portion of an alert. The NPRM seeks to improve the clarity and accessibility of EAS visual messages to the public, including persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and others who are unable to access the audio message. In the NPRM, the Commission proposes to require use of a predetermined script as the visual message for legacy EAS nationwide tests (but not for CAP-based nationwide EAS tests, because CAP already provides for relaying enhanced text to form the visual message). To improve the clarity of visual messages displayed to the public for CAP-based nationwide EAS tests, the Commission proposes to revise the terminology associated with the codes for nationwide tests.. Although the Commission does not propose to apply the script approach to CAP-based nationwide EAS test alerts, it does seek comment on whether its proposed script approach or its proposed change to the national test code terminology would require changes to the ECIG Implementation Guide, and if so, what revisions would be required. E:\FR\FM\09FEP1.SGM 09FEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7412-7413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02733]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 141

[EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114; FRL-8543-O3-OW]


Notice of Public Meeting: Environmental Justice Considerations 
for the Development of the Proposed Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances 
(PFAS) National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting two 
identical public meetings to discuss and solicit input on environmental 
justice considerations related to the development of the proposed per- 
and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) national primary drinking water 
regulation (NPDWR) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). In the 
context of developing this proposed regulation, environmental justice 
considerations include the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of 
all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with 
respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of 
environmental laws, regulations, and policies with a particular focus 
on unique challenges faced by communities disproportionately burdened 
by environmental harms and risks. EPA is holding these meetings to 
share information and provide an opportunity for communities to offer 
input on the development of the proposed PFAS NPDWR. Information on how 
to register and request to speak during one of the meetings is detailed 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this announcement.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 20, 2022. The two 
identical public meetings will be held on March 2, 2022 (1 p.m. to 4 
p.m., eastern time) and April 5, 2022 (5 p.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time). 
The public meetings will be held in an online-only format.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OW-2022-0114, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114 for this action. Comments received may be 
posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov/, including any 
personal information provided. For detailed instructions on sending 
comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the 
``Public Participation'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this announcement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical inquiries, contact 
Ashley Greene, Standards and Risk Management Division, Office of Ground 
Water and Drinking Water (MC 4607M), Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460 at (202) 566-1738 or 
[email protected]. For more information about the proposed PFAS 
NPDWR, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

    These online meetings will be open to the public and EPA encourages 
input and will provide opportunities for public engagement.

A. Written Comments

    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No, EPA-HQ-OW-2022-
0114 at https://www.regulations.gov; see instructions identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this announcement. Once submitted, comments cannot 
be edited or removed from the docket. The EPA may publish any comment 
received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any 
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a 
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment 
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA 
will generally not consider comments or comment contents located 
outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other 
file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA 
public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, 
and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

B. Participation in Public Meeting

    Registration: Individuals planning to participate in either of the 
online public meetings must register at https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas no later than March 1, 2022, for the 
March 2, 2022 meeting and April 4, 2022, for the April 5, 2022 meeting. 
Individuals are also invited to speak during the meetings. Those 
interested in speaking can sign-up to make brief verbal remarks as a 
part of their registration. EPA will do its best to include all those 
interested in attending and requesting verbal input, but may have to 
limit attendance due to web conferencing size or limit verbal remarks 
due to meeting time limitations; therefore, EPA urges people to 
register early. Meeting information and web conferencing meeting 
details, including telephone call-in information, will be emailed to 
registered participants in advance of each of the meetings. If you have 
any difficulty registering or have additional questions or comments 
about the public meeting, please email 
[email protected].
    Special Accommodations: For information on electronic access or 
accommodations for individuals with disabilities or other requested 
assistance (e.g., language translation), please contact Ashley Greene 
at (202) 566-1738 or by email at [email protected]. Please allow at 
least five business days prior to each of the meetings to give EPA time 
to process your request.

II. The Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation

    Under SDWA, EPA sets public health goals and enforceable standards 
for drinking water quality. On March 3, 2021, EPA published a final 
determination (https://www.epa.gov/ccl/regulatory-determination-4) to 
regulate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid 
(PFOS) in drinking water. EPA is currently developing a proposed NPDWR 
for PFOA and PFOS. EPA is also evaluating additional PFAS and assessing 
the available science to consider regulations for groups of PFAS. 
NPDWRs are legally

[[Page 7413]]

enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or treatment techniques 
that apply to public water systems. MCLs and treatment techniques 
protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in 
drinking water.
    In October 2021, EPA released the PFAS Strategic Roadmap (https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024) laying out an overall approach to addressing PFAS. Establishing 
an NPDWR for PFOA and PFOS is a key action in the Roadmap. EPA expects 
to issue a proposed regulation in fall 2022 (before the agency's 
statutory deadline of March 2023). EPA anticipates issuing a final 
regulation in fall 2023 after considering public comments on the 
proposal.

Jennifer L. McLain,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 2022-02733 Filed 2-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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