ProposedAntidegradation RuleA tool to protect Minnesota's waters

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Sept. 10, 2012

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Why are we here?

Informational overview

Invite discussion

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Why antidegradation?

Clean Water Act“…restore and maintain the

chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.”

• Designated uses• Criteria to support

designated uses• Antidegradation provisions

States establish standards

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What is antidegradation?

A regulatory tool to preserve the state’s water quality

• implemented through control documents

• backstop, prevents degradation

• applies to waters of the state

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How does antidegradation work?

Outstanding resources(Tier 3)

High water quality(Tier 2)

Existing uses(Tier 1)

Levels of protection

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Tier 2 protection

Prevents unnecessary degradation of high water quality

Assimilati ve capacity

Variability

Long-term average

Water quality criterion

Conditions

Degraded

Pristine

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Long-term average

Variability

Tier 2 protection

Permanent exceedance of water quality criterion is prohibited

Assimilati ve capacity

Water quality criterion

Conditions

Degraded

Pristine

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What is antidegradation review?

A publically-informed decision-making process

to determine whether and to what extent high water quality may be lowered

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What happens if a proposal would lower high water quality?

Proposer provides:1. Alternative analysis2. Social/economic justification

Agency review &preliminary

determination

Public participation

Agency finaldetermination

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Why revise the rule?

Current rules outdated

Reduce potential for litigation and

permit delays

Improve consistency with

Fed rules/guidance

Improve how we protect

water

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Improve consistency with

Fed rules/guidance

Why revise the rule?

• Scope of implementation

• De minimis discharges

• Demonstration of necessity through a thorough alternative analysis

• Establish existing water quality in antidegradation determinations

• Public participation

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Why revise the rule?

Current rules outdated

Reduce potential for litigation and

permit delays

Improve consistency with

Fed rules/guidance

Improve how we protect

water

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Rulemaking path

2007 Start

Initial stakeholder meetings

Response to comments/ questions

Water quality forum direction

Proposed changes

Initial draft

More internal/ external input

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Review trigger

Exemptions

Proposed changes

Scope of implementation

Physical alterations / existing uses

Clarify Restricted

ORVW protection

Public participation

Parameters ofconcern

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Proposed changes

The term "antidegradation" is more accurate and more consistent

with federal regulations, EPA guidelines and

other states’ provisions

Name change

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Rule format

Proposed changes

• Purpose statement reflects federal regulations

• More definitions

• Antidegradation procedures sequentially follows the review process

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Proposed changesName change

Rule format

Scope of implementation

Physical alterations / existing uses

Clarify Restricted

ORVW protection

Public participation

Parameters ofconcern

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Review trigger

Proposed changes

Review is triggered by anet increase in loading or

other causes of degradation

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Exemptions

Proposed changes

• Emergency response actions• Class 7 waters (under specific conditions)

• Temporary and limited impacts

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Review trigger

Exemptions

Proposed changesName change

Rule format

Physical alterations / existing uses

Clarify Restricted

ORVW protection

Public participation

Activities that impact waters of the state

CWA regulatory authority exists

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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

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No regulatory control, but implementation mechanisms exist

(Size ≠ scale of activities)

Scope of implementation

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Scope of implementation

Proposed changes

Separate procedures for:

• Individual NPDES wastewater permits and individual 401

certifications; and• Individual NPDES stormwater

permits and general authorizations

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Parameters ofconcern

Proposed changes

Parameters to be reviewed are identified early, allowing for an effective alternatives analysis

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Review trigger

Exemptions

Proposed changesName change

Rule format

Scope of implementation

Parameters ofconcern

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Physical alterations / existing uses

Proposed changes

Reconcile the maintenance of

existing uses with physical modifications

allowed under the Clean Water Act

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Clarify Restricted

ORVW protection

Proposed changes

Preserve existing water quality necessary to maintain exceptional

characteristics for which the Restricted ORVW was designated

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Public participation

Proposed changes

Agency provides critical information:

Alternative analysis

Social/economic justification

Agency's preliminary determination

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Public participation coincides with the comment periods for permits and certifications

Public participation

Minn R 700

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Minn R 700

1

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Review trigger

Exemptions

Proposed changesName change

Rule format

Scope of implementation

Physical alterations / existing uses

Clarify Restricted

ORVW protection

Public participation

Parameters ofconcern

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Rulemaking next steps

2008 Start

Initial stakeholder meetings

Response to comments/ questions

Water quality forum direction

Proposed changes

Initial draft

More internal/ external input

Revise rule

SONAR development

“Administrative” process

Adopt

EPA approve