Agency Releases Memo on State Reporting and Listing Decisions
Recognizing economic hardships, EPA says states and regions still need to continue "best efforts" on reporting impaired waters data.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released the Clean Water Act Sections 303(d), 305 (b), and 314 integrated reporting memorandum for the 2012 reporting cycle. This memorandum provides clarification on existing policy and regulations, including recommendations and options for states as they develop their 2012 integrated water quality reports.
Specifically, the memorandum focuses on:
- Timeliness of state integrated report submissions and EPA approval;
- Assessment and Total Maximum Daily Load Tracking and Implementation System data clarifications;
- Availability of recent EPA guidance on Ocean Acidification; and
- EPA’s intent to work with states to develop future guidance on the interplay between antidegradation and the 303(d) program.
Denise Keehner, director of the Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, authored the memo, which notes that state budgets and staff have been "adversely impacted" in the current economic climate. "At the same time, both EPA and the states need to continue best efforts to provide timely information on the status of the nation's waters and lists of impaired waters," Keehner wrote.
The agency offers best practices to help states and regions improve their timeliness in Information Concerning 2008 Clean Water Act Sections 303(d), 305(b), and 314 Integrated Reporting and Listing Decisions.
Source: EPA