The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold two public listening session on potential changes to the water quality standards regulation before proposing a national rule.

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 whenever attainable; improving transparency of regulatory decisions; and strengthening federal oversight. Water quality standards are the foundation of the water quality-based approach to pollution control, including Total Maximum Daily Loads and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits. They are also a fundamental component of watershed management.

The listening sessions will be held via audio teleconferences on August 24 and 26, 2010 from 1-2:30 pm EDT. At the sessions, EPA will provide a review of the current regulations and a summary of the revisions the agency is considering. Clarifying questions and brief oral comments (three minutes or less) will be accepted at the sessions, as time permits. For more information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/wqs/