The EPA will hold two public listening sessions on potential changes to the water quality standards regulation before proposing a national rule, which the agency hopes to publish by summer 2011.

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 standards reflect a continued commitment to these goals wherever attainable; improving transparency of regulatory decisions; and strengthening federal oversight.

The current water quality standards, established in 1983, are the foundation of the water quality-based approach to pollution control, including Total Maximum Daily Loads and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. Standards 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 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. The EPA 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.

The EPA will also hold separate listening sessions for state, tribal and local governments.

More information is available at www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/wqs/

SOURCE: EPA press release