Watershed Staff Videoconference October 17, 2012

antidegradation Why antidegradation? “…restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” Designated uses Criteria to support designated uses Antidegradation provisions Designated uses Criteria to support designated uses Antidegradation provisions 2

What is antidegradation? 3

antidegradation How does antidegradation work? Outstanding resources (Tier 3) Outstanding resources (Tier 3) High water quality (Tier 2) High water quality (Tier 2) Existing uses (Tier 1) Existing uses (Tier 1) Levels of protection 4

Tier 2 protection Tier 2 protection Prevents unnecessary degradation of high water quality 5 Variability Long-term average Water quality criterion

Long-term average Variability Tier 2 protection Tier 2 protection Permanent exceedance of water quality standard is prohibited 6 Water quality criterion

What is antidegradation review? 7

What happens if a proposal would lower high water quality? Procedure triggered Antidegradation Assessment: 1.Alternative analysis 2.Social/economic justification Antidegradation Assessment: 1.Alternative analysis 2.Social/economic justification Agency review & preliminary determination Public participation Agency final determination 8

Why revise the rule? 9

Review trigger Exemptions Proposed changes Scope of implementation Physical alterations / existing uses Clarify Restricted ORVW protection Public participation 10 Parameters of concern

Proposed changes 11 Name change

Rule format Proposed changes 12 Purpose statement reflects federal regulations More definitions Antidegradation procedures sequentially follows the review process

Review trigger Proposed changes 13

Exemptions Proposed changes Emergency response actions Class 7 waters (under specific conditions) Temporary and limited impacts 14

Activities that impact waters of the state CWA regulatory authority exists 15 No regulatory control, but implementation mechanisms may exist (Size ≠ scale of activities) Scope of implementation Current scope of antidegradation implementation

Activities that impact waters of the state CWA regulatory authority exists Proposed rule increases scope of implementation 16 No regulatory control, but implementation mechanisms exist (Size ≠ scale of activities) Scope of implementation

Proposed changes Widened scope of implementation - requires separate procedures for: Individual NPDES wastewater permits and individual 401 certifications; and Individual NPDES stormwater permits and general authorizations 17

Parameters of concern Proposed changes Parameters to be reviewed are identified early, allowing for an effective alternatives analysis 18

Physical alterations / existing uses Proposed changes 19

Clarify Restricted ORVW protection Proposed changes 20

Public participation Proposed changes 21

Public participation coincides with the comment periods for permits and certifications Public participation 22

Rulemaking next steps 2007 Start Initial stakeholder meetings Response to comments/ questions Water quality forum direction Proposed changes Initial draft More internal/ external input 23 Revise rule SONAR development “Administrative” process Adopt EPA approve