EPA Requests Comments on Final Draft of

                            Tribal Drinking Water Operator

                            Certification Program Guidelines


        Dear Tribal Environmental Director,

              The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting comments on the Tribal
        Drinking Water Operator Certification Program Draft Final Guidelines (Draft Final Guidelines).
        The Notice of Availability of the Draft Final Guidelines will be published in the Federal Register
        in the next few weeks.  The Federal Register Notice as well as a copy of the Draft Final
        Guidelines will be available on our website at www.epa.gov/safewater/tribai.html

              This program is intended to provide additional certification and training opportunities for
        operators of water systems in Indian country. Currently, there is no requirement for operators in
        Indian Country to be certified. In order to improve environmental performance and protect
        public health, EPA has established program guidelines and baseline standards for operators
        and certification providers to follow.  The program is voluntary, but, if a tribe receives funds the
        from Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Tribal Set-Aside (DWIG TSA) program, EPA will
        require the tribe to have, or agree to obtain within the project grant budget period, a certified
        operator(s) available to their drinking water system(s). This requirement will take effect once the
        guidelines are final.

        The baseline standards for the program are as follows:
           1.  Classification of Systems, Facilities, and Operators
           2.  Operator Qualifications
           3.  Program Implementation
           4.  Certification Renewal
           5.  Re-certification
           6.  Stakeholder Involvement and Program Review
           7.  Certification Provider  Requirements

           The Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water published a first draft of these guidelines in
        the Federal Register on March 30,2000 (65 FR 16917) and collected comments from tribes and
        other stakeholders. EPA is now seeking final comments on the program guidelines from tribes
        and other interested parties.  A 60-day comment period will begin when the Notice of Availability
        of the Draft Final Guidelines is published in the Federal Register.

           If you have any questions, please contact Jill Nogi, EPA Office of Ground Water and
        Drinking Water, nogi.iill@epa.gov or 202-564-1721, for more information regarding the Draft
        Final Guidelines.  You may also want to visit the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking
        Water web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/tribai.html for updates.
        U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
        Office of Water
        Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

        EPA816-F-04-006
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