PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Water quality standards
for surface waters of the state of Washington, chapter 173-201A WAC, the surface water quality standards rule-making
will:
| • | Clarify and modify existing regulatory tools. |
| • | Evaluate and potentially add other tools identified during the rule-development process. |
| • | Evaluate and potentially add other amendments related to updates listed above. |
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 90.48.035 provides clear and direct authority for ecology to revise the water quality standards. Additionally, 40 C.F.R. 131.20 requires states or tribes (with primacy for Clean Water Act actions) to review and update the water quality standards.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The purpose of these amendments is to provide flexible and predictable regulatory tools that help entities comply with new source control requirements or discharge limits. The changes will allow entities to maintain compliance with requirements while they effectively work toward meeting permit limits and controlling sources of pollutants.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Ecology will work with tribes to discuss rule activities and seek input. Other coordinating federal and state agencies include Washington department of fish and wildlife, Washington state department of health, and United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Stakeholders will be involved through a series of public meetings about developments, updates, and changes to implementation language.
Process for Developing New Rule: Ecology plans to involve interested parties with one-on-one meetings, public forums, and public notice. Ecology will use all these public activities to clearly explain the updated rule to interested parties. We plan to actively seek input on the proposed rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Becca Conklin, Water Quality Program, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-6413, fax (360) 407-6426, e-mail swqs@ecy.wa.gov.
October 24, 2011
Kelly Susewind
Water Quality Program Manager