The department of ecology (ecology) is seeking public input on draft revisions to water quality Policy 1-11, Chapter 1, Washington's Water Quality Assessment Listing Methodology to Meet Clean Water Act Requirements, (Policy 1-11). The revisions will address: (1) New methodology for evaluating the impacts of freshwater harmful algae blooms (commonly referred to as HABs); and (2) nonsubstantial revisions that provide improved clarity in several sections of the policy, including the methodology for applying the natural condition provision.

Policy 1-11 guides how ecology assesses data on waterbody segments and makes listing decisions on the water quality status. The updated Policy 1-11 will be used as guidance to conduct the next water quality assessment for Washington waters in order to develop and submit a new "Integrated Report" to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements under Sections 303(d) and 305(b).

Ecology is conducting a 60-day public review of the draft revisions to Policy 1-11 from November 7, 2022 - January 6, 2023. Ecology will hold a statewide webinar on December 6 to explain the purpose of these revisions and answer questions from the public. A copy of the draft revisions to Policy 1-11 for HABs and nonsubstantial revisions, as well as additional information on the assessment process and webinar, can be found on ecology's website at https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Water-quality/Water-improvement/Assessment-of-state-waters-303d/Assessment-policy-1-11.

The deadline for submitting public comments on the revisions to water quality Policy 1-11, Chapter 1, is 11:59 p.m. on January 6, 2023. Comments may be submitted online at https://wq.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=QmFx2 or sent to the address provided below.

More details about the water quality assessment can be found at https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Water-quality/Water-improvement/Assessment-of-state-waters-303d.

Questions and comments about Policy 1-11 revision for HABs and nonsubstantial revisions, or the water quality assessment process, should be directed to Justin Donahue, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone 360-628-3630, email justin.donahue@ecy.wa.gov.