Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced upcoming “listening sessions” and “roundtables” to “obtain further input on EPA’s revision to the Lead and Copper Rule…particularly from individuals and communities that are most at-risk of exposure to lead in drinking water.” Links to a pre-publication Federal Register, an EPA Press Release and a Q&A document are presented below.
EPA Pre-Publication Federal Register Announcement (copy also enclosed):
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2021-03/documents/10022-33-ow.lcrr_engagements.prepub.pdf
EPA Press Release:
EPA Q&A:
The following presents the list and types of meetings that EPA is planning to hold.
Public Listening Sessions. Will be held on April 28, 2021 and May 5, 2021. The time indicated in the Press Release and in the enclosed pre-publication Federal Register notice is 10 am to 10 pm (ET) for both dates.
Community Roundtables. Starting in May 2021 EPA plans on holding virtual community roundtables. EPA is requesting that communities that want to be considered for one of these roundtables submit a nominating letter by April 23, 2021. Additional details are presented in the Federal Register notice.
Stakeholder Roundtables. Starting in June 2021 EPA plans on holding roundtable discussions with national organizations (e.g., environmental groups, drinking water utilities, public health organizations, consumer associations).
National Co-Regulator Meeting. In July 2021 EPA intends to hold a meeting with primacy agencies to discuss feedback EPA received in the previous public listening sessions and roundtables.
Background Note: The final Revised Lead and Copper Rule was published on January 15, 2021. Earlier this month EPA proposed to delay the effective date of the Revised Lead and Copper Rule from March 16, 2021 until December 16, 2021 and to delay the compliance deadline from January 16, 2024 until September 16, 2024.
