Water Quality Standards Workgroup
Water Quality Standards are a critical part of working towards the goal of fishable/swimmable waters in the United States. The Water Quality Standards workgroup are active in writing and submitting comments on the water quality standards regulations and in defending their water quality standards from being weakened. Some of the priority issues that the workgroup is addressing are:
- Nutrient Standards
- Use Attainability Analysis (UAA)
- Pathogen Standards
- Antidegradation Rules
- Dissolved Oxygen Standards
- Heat (temperature) Standards
- Total Dissolved Solids
- Radium Standards
- Ammonia Standards
Latest Workgroup News
Western Gov letter supporting Bad Pesticides bill
U.S. EPA Finalizes Numeric Nutrient Standards for Florida
On November 14th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its Numeric Nutrient Standards for Florida. The final standards set numeric limits on the amount of nutrient pollution allowed in Florida's lakes, rivers, streams and springs.
Click the following link to visit EPA's website for the latest information on the finalized rule. CWN's Water Quality Standards Workgroup will review the final rule language as soon as possible. The Network also plans to send out additional specifics and fact sheets on the rule later this week.
EPA Threatens to Take Over Alabama Enforcement Program
EPA has issued a formal objection to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management 's (ADEM) proposed storm water permits for small cities, according to a recent article in the Birmingham News. EPA has expressed concerns that ADEM is not holding local governments to strict enough standards for controlling the runoff of sediment and pollution into waterways during rain storms.
Resolution to Restrict EPA from Using Funds from CR to Implement Strict Water Standards in Florida Defeated
APPROPRIATIONS: Congress passes funding measure to keep government running (09/30/2010)
Katherine Ling and Patrick Reis, E&E reporters
Congress sent a $219 billion stopgap spending bill to the White House early this morning, funding federal agencies for two months and avoiding a government shutdown scheduled to start tomorrow.
EPA Faces Legal Pressures To Make Decision On Landmark Antidegradation Plan
Story from the September 23, 2010 issue of Inside EPA's Water Regulation Alert
Environmentalists are asking a federal court to force EPA to finalize its review of an antidegredation implementation plan submitted nearly a year ago by the state of Kentucky, a move that could eventually set a precedent for what the agency requires in other state programs to protect pristine waters.
CWN and Member Groups Seek Pollutant-Specific Limits in New EPA Water Antidegradation Rules
Joint Comments on EPA's Proposed Rulemaking to Revise Water Quality Standards Regulations
Attached are comments authored by former Clean Water Network (CWN) Board Member Albert Ettinger of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. CWN signed on in support of the comments along with a number of other CWN member groups including Amigos Bravos, Gulf Restoration Network, National Garden Clubs, Ohio Environmental Council, River Network and the Tennessee Clean Water Network. These member groups were also joined in their support for these comments by a number of organizations that work with CWN but are not official members of the Network.
Florida Nutrient Standards Under Attack
How Florida is Skirting the Clean Water Act
Crenshaw Amendment Letter
CWN Submits Comments to EPA on Florida's Proposed Numeric Nutrient Standards
EPA Proposes Water Quality Standards for Florida's Lakes and Flowing Water
Memo to CWN Water Quality Standards Workgroup about the EPA's Proposed Florida Nutrient Standards
Food for Thought Articles
One of Clean Water Network's important roles is to share information as well as inspire and facilitate discussion on new ideas and approaches amongst our extensive and diverse membership. As part of that mission, CWN will periodically post to the website longer more in-depth articles on key topics and issues that are important to the clean water community. This first installment is an opinion/informational piece that is designed to foster discussion amongst CWN members on water pollution and agriculture.
EPA Proposes Standards to Protect Florida's Waters
On January 14th, the EPA recently announced new standards to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in Florida's waters. The official EPA press release is pasted below.
Compilation of EPA’s Regulations and Guidance on Key TMDL Topics
This document is a compilation of assorted policy points on key TMDL development issues. This document can serve as a cheat sheet for citizens who are commenting on TMDLs, but don't have the time or inclination to wade through the regulations and all the random guidance and memos out there. It is by no means a complete run down of TMDL policy, but rather a shorthand look at some key citations.
TMDL Glossary
TMDL Glossary
For more detailed description of key TMDL pieces, see the Network’s Compilation of EPA’s Regulations and Guidance on Key TMDL Issues.
Petition to Establish Numeric Standards and TMDLs for Nitrogen and Phosphorous
Petition submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calling on them to establish numeric water quality standards for nitrogen and phosphorous in the Mississippi River Basin. The standards should protect not only the river itself but extend to the portion of the ocean protected by the Clean Water Act but outside the jurisdiction of any state and to all water bodies in all states for which numeric water quality standards controlling nitrogen and phosphorus pollution have not yet been established.
Legislative and Administrative Water Priorities
Comprehensive list of the Clean Water Network's legislative and administrative recommendations for the New Administration and 111th Congress.