Revisions To Oklahoma Water Quality Standards

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) Water Quality Programs Division is currently planning the 2012 triennial revision of Oklahoma’s Water Quality Standards (OAC 785:45) and the Implementation of Oklahoma’s Water Quality Standards (WQS) (OAC 785:46). In contrast to previous interim revisions, this revision may consider all aspects of the WQS document. OWRB has already announced that it is currently planning revisions to the human health criteria.

OWRB is requesting public input on any additional revisions stakeholders believe should be considered. Because is the first time the entire WQS document has been completely opened since 2009, OWRB anticipates a significant number of revision requests. Informal meetings will be held on the following dates, to discuss the potential revision topics in the Board Room at the OWRB Oklahoma City office.

• Friday, September 14, 2012, 9:30 A.M.
• Thursday, October 11, 2012, 2:00 P.M.

The meetings will be followed with a formal Notice of Rulemaking Intent, formal proposed language, a Rule Impact Statement, a formal comment period from mid-November through December 2012 and a formal public hearing in January 2013.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary Action Plan Released

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released an Action Plan that proposes seven measures for improving water quality, restoring aquatic habitat, and improving the management of the San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary. The release of the Action Plan follows the agency’s analysis concluding that existing federal and state water quality programs are not adequately safeguarding the ecosystem.

The Action Plan responds to findings and recommendations made following EPA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in 2011 that sought public input on the effectiveness of existing federal and state water quality protection programs. The Action Plan prioritizes the following seven actions to be pursued in partnership with the State Water Resources Control Board, the Regional Water Boards for the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and numerous other state and federal agencies:

• By 2013, propose a standard for selenium discharges from cities, farms, and oil refineries;
• By 2013, achieve organophosphate pesticide water quality goals in Sacramento County urban streams;
• By 2014, set new estuarine habitat standards, including salinity, to improve conditions for aquatic life;
• By 2017 establish a monitoring and assessment program for water quality in the Delta;
• Ensure that EPA’s pesticide regulation program more fully considers the effects that pesticides have on aquatic life;
• Restore and rebuild wetlands and floodplains to sequester drinking water contaminants, methylmercury, and greenhouse gases and make the Delta more resilient to floods, earthquakes, and climate change;
• Support the development and implementation of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.
Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Wisconsin and Michigan Awarded Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded seven Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants, totaling over $2.6 million, to improve water quality at Great Lakes beaches in Michigan and Wisconsin. Projects awarded grant funding include:

• $1 million (two grants of $500,000 each) to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to redesign eight Wisconsin beaches to reduce bacteria levels, resulting in fewer swimming bans and beach closures. The beaches are: Red Arrow Park Beach, Marinette; Crescent Beach, Algoma; Red Arrow Park Beach, Manitowoc; Thompson West End Park, Washburn; Grant Park, South Milwaukee; Samuel Myers Park, Racine; and Simmons Island and Eichelman Parks, Kenosha.
• $179,700 to the City of Marquette, Michigan, to lower health risks and to improve water quality at two Lake Superior beaches in Marquette by using green management practices to reduce contamination.
• $500,000 to the City of Marysville, Michigan, to install rain gardens and other green infrastructure to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff and to deter geese at Chrysler Beach on the St. Clair River.
• $500,000 to the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority for green infrastructure to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff at Lake St. Clair Metropark (Metro Beach.)
• $217,015 to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to construct rain gardens, plant native grass and install a filtration system to improve water quality and reduce health risks at Sherman Park and Four Mile beaches in Sault Ste. Marie.
• $263,188 to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to build a green stormwater infiltration system at New Buffalo City Beach to reduce bacteria and nutrient levels.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.
 Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Proposed Tennessee Rules On Biosolid Land Application

The Tennessee Water Quality Board has initiated the rulemaking process to promulgate rules for the land application of biosolids. Biosolids are solid organic matter recovered from a sewage treatment plant and used especially as fertilizer. Biosolids are currently regulated under 40 CFR Part 503. However, the State of Tennessee has no authority to enforce 40 CFR Part 503. EPA-Region 4 is the permitting authority per Part 503, but has had a very small presence in Tennessee since the promulgation of 40 CFR Part 503 in 1993.

The requirements of the proposed Tennessee rules are similar to 40 CFR Part 503 for the land application of Class B biosolids. In order to land apply Class B biosolids under 40 CFR Part 503, a level of pathogen reduction and vector attraction reduction option must be achieved and the concentrations of certain metals (pollutants or contaminants) must not exceed safe levels. With regard to pathogen reduction, vector attraction reduction and metal concentrations, the requirements of these proposed rules for the land application of Class B biosolids are the same as the requirements in 40 CFR Part 503.

The monitoring frequency, the recording keeping and reporting requirements are also the same, except that the proposed rules provide specifics for the agronomic rate calculation and add a few more setbacks to ensure protection of the waters of the state. There are no fees associated with the biosolids rules and general permit for the land application of Class B biosolids.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.
 Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Grant To Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) $100,000 to reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The funds will be used to develop a statewide nutrient reduction strategy for Louisiana which adopts strategic elements identified in action plans of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force.

Because of the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Louisiana Legislature restructured the state's Wetland Conservation and Restoration Authority to form the CPRA. The CPRA is the single state entity with authority to articulate a clear statement of priorities and to focus development and implementation efforts to achieve comprehensive coastal protection for Louisiana.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website