E.P.A. To Hold Listening Sessions on Potential Revisions to Water Quality Requirements Regulation

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A. (EPA) will hold 2 public listening sessions on potential changes to the water quality requirements regulation before proposing a national rule. The current regulation, which has been in place since 1983, governs how states and authorized tribes adopt requirements needed under the Clean Water Act to protect the quality of their rivers, streams, lakes, and estuaries. Potential revisions include strengthening protection for water bodies with water quality that already exceeds or meet the interim goals of the Clean Water Act; ensuring that requirements reflect a continued commitment to these goals wherever attainable; improving transparency of regulatory decisions; and strengthening federal oversight.

Water quality requirements are the foundation of the water quality-based approach to pollution control, including Total Maximum Daily Loads and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. Requirements are also a fundamental component of watershed management.

The public listening sessions will be held via audio teleconferences on August 24 and 26, 2010, from one p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. At the sessions, E.P.A. will provide a review of the current regulation and a summary of the revisions the agency is considering. Clarifying questions and brief oral comments (three minutes or less) from the public will be accepted at the sessions, as time permits. E.P.A. will consider the comments received as it develops the suggested rulemaking.

E.P.A. will also hold separate listening sessions for state, tribal and local governments.

E.P.A. expects to publish the suggested revisions to the water quality Requirements regulation in summer 2011.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/wqs/

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