greg denton tennessee department of environment and conservation division of water pollution control
TRANSCRIPT
Greg Denton
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Division of Water Pollution Control
Once established and approved, water quality standards provide the foundation for three critical departmental activities:
Water Quality Assessment - Data from streams and lakes across the state are compared to clean water goals. Impaired streams are identified. Output: 303d List and 305(b) Reports.
Allowable In-stream Concentrations. The maximum allowable concentration in the water column. Output: NPDES permits.
Allowable Pollutant Loadings Over Time. Output: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies.
Substantive Changes:
Stream-use Classifications for Surface Waters [Chapter 1200-4-4]
None proposed.
Reason: Comments will be accepted.
Substantive Changes:
Domestic Water Supply Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(1)]
None proposed.
Reason: No recent revisions to
MCLs.
Substantive Changes:
General Considerations [1200-4-3-.0(1)(6)]
Wet weather conveyance definition being revised. (Different regulatory track.)
Reason: Consistency with state law.
Substantive Changes: Fish and Aquatic Life Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(3)]
Revise acute selenium criterion to incorporate formula based on selenate and selenite fractions. (Chronic criterion not proposed for revision.)
Reason: Match EPA National Criterion
Substantive Changes: Recreational Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(4)]
Add selenium criteria. Modify existing criteria for acrolein and phenol.
Reason: Match EPA National Criteria
Substantive Changes: Definitions [1200-4-3-.04(9)]
Add definition for “measurable degradation.”
Reason: Term referred to in antidegradation policy. (Unavailable conditions and ONRW)
Substantive Changes: Interpretation of Criteria [1200-4-3-.05(7)]
Add words “or in water quality assessments” to paragraph about natural conditions.
Reason: Make it clear that criteria violations due to natural conditions are not pollution.
Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06]
General reordering of paragraphs.
Reason: More logically follow the permit application process.
Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(2) ]
Under Unavailable Conditions incorporate concept of measurable degradation.
Reason: Eliminate potential confusion over whether de minimis levels of degradation can be allowed.
Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(5) ]
Delete paragraphs (6) and (7).
Reason: Paragraphs (6) and (7) were out of place and provide information already found
elsewhere (in other regulations).
Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(4)(d) & (6)]
Delete paragraphs dealing with declaratory order contested cases for ETWs. Adds section (6) for permit appeals process which stays the effectiveness of the proposed permit.
Reason: Update to make the Antidegradation Policy consistent with the third-party appeal law passed by the general assembly.
