When EPA published the final Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) in December 2021, the Federal Register announcement indicated that the Agency intended to publish a Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) rule in the future. The intent of the LCRI is to address (change) several aspects of the LCRR (in the December 2021 Federal Register, however, EPA indicated there will be no change in the schedule and requirements for the preparation of a lead service line inventory). At the present time, EPA is engaging in several activities regarding the development of the LCRI and environmental justice considerations. These activities are described below.
Public Meeting on Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and Environmental Justice
EPA “…will host two virtual public meetings to discuss and solicit input on environmental justice considerations related to the development of the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). These sessions will provide opportunities for EPA to share information about the upcoming LCRI rulemaking and for individuals to offer input on environmental justice considerations related to the rule. The two public meetings will be identical and will be held in an online-only format on October 25 (1:00 – 4:00 pm EDT) and November 1, 2022 (5:00 – 8:00 pm EDT).”
Link to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-meetings-on-ej-considerations-for-the-development-of-the-lcri-tickets-427977089997
Science Advisory Board (SAB) and LCRI and Environmental Justice
EPA has requested the SAB’s input on the LCRI and environmental justice. Specifically, EPA is requesting the SAB’s input on “…tools, indicators, and measures for use in future analyses to determine Environmental Justice impacts of lead service line presence and replacement in a drinking water system.” The SAB will meet (virtually) on November 3, 2022 and November 4, 2022. There are three topics for the SAB meeting, one of the topics is specifically regarding the LCRI and environmental justice. Enclosed is the Federal Register announcement of the SAB meeting with details on time and a link to view the meeting. Also enclosed are two documents prepared by EPA for the SAB meeting: (1) the charge to the SAB for their input on environmental justice and removal of lead service lines, and (2) three case studies on environmental justice and lead service lines.
LCRI Public Docket and Environmental Justice
EPA is accepting written comments on environmental justice and the LCRI in a public docket until November 15, 2022. The following link will take you to the federal Regulations.gov website: http://www.regulations.gov/. Once there, enter EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0801 in the search bar. There are no details available as to the content of the LCRI. As of this Regulatory Update, the only document in the Docket is the announcement of the public meetings on environmental justice and the LCRI.
LCRI Current Schedule
EPA intends to propose the LCRI for public comment in 2023 and take final action by October 16, 2024.
