ENVE 4505Surface Water Quality EngineeringDr. Martin T. Auer

Welcome to … The Life Aquatic

1. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  A. In the Beginning

1. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  B. Awakening

1. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  C. Congressional Considerations

1. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate A. In the BeginningB. Awakening

C. Congressional Considerations

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  D. NEPA – The National Environmental Policy Act

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  D. NEPA – The National Environmental Policy Act… insure that presently unquantified environmental amenities and values be given appropriate consideration in decision-making along with economic and technical considerations.

… include in every recommendation or report on proposals for legislation and other major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, a detailed statement by the responsible official on the environmental impact of the proposed action.

1969 National Environmental Policy Act

1970 Environmental Protection Agency established

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Consumer Product Safety Act

1972 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act

Clean Water Act

Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act

Noise Control Act

1973 Endangered Species Act

1974 Safe Drinking Water Act

1975 Hazardous Materials Transportation Act

1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Solid Waste Disposal Act

Toxic Substances Control Act

1977 Clean air Act Amendments

Clean Water Act Amendments

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate D. NEPA – The National Environmental Policy Act

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I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  E. The Clean Water Act

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  E. The Clean Water Act

The objective of this act is to, “restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.”

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  E. The Clean Water Act… by establishing two ‘national goals’

(1) elimination of the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters by 1985 (zero discharge); and

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  E. The Clean Water Act(2) achieving an interim water quality level that would protect fish, shellfish and wildlife while providing for recreation in and on the water wherever attainable (fishable, swimmable).

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  E. The Clean Water ActTechnology-based approach

• existing direct dischargers• new dischargers• indirect dischargers• POTWs

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  E. The Clean Water ActWater quality-based approach

• beneficial use• State standards, reviewed by U.S. EPA• fishable-swimmable• conventional pollutants

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  E. The Clean Water ActToxic substances

• 129 priority pollutants• effluent standards• water quality standards

I. Surface Water QualityThe Legislative and Regulatory Mandate  E. The Clean Water ActManagement

• permits• penalties• TMDLs• antidegradation