1231 Notice of additional public meeting/hearing and extension of public comment period on draft antidegradation guidance

Notice of Additional Public Meeting/Hearing and Extension of Public Comment Period on Draft Antidegradation Guidance

[31 Pa.B. 3598]

   The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is holding a series of public meetings/hearings on its draft Antidegradation Implementation Guidance. This document describes procedures proposed for use in administering the antidegradation component of Pennsylvania's Water Quality Standards as required under the Federal Clean Water Act. The Guidance was developed by DEP's Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management and is available on the DEP website at www.dep.state.pa.us (directLINK ''Water Quality Assessment and Standards'') or can be obtained by contacting Mary Houghton at DEP Office of Water Management, Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management, Division of Water Quality Assessment and Standards, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 10th Floor, P. O. Box 8555, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8555, [phone], [e-mail].

   The purpose of the Antidegradation Program is to protect existing and designated uses of all surface waters and to protect existing quality of High Quality (HQ) and Exceptional Value (EV) waters. This implementation guidance provides a general description of the program and its legislative history, an explanation of existing and designated uses and presents discussion on the following topics:

   1)  Processing of petitions, evaluations and assessments to change a designated use;

   2)  Qualifying as High Quality or Exceptional Value waters;

   3)  Protection of High Quality and Exceptional Value waters including nondischarge alternatives, nondegrading discharge alternatives and minimum technology-based standards (Antidegradation Best Available Combination of Technologies);

   4)  Social or Economic Justification needed to lower water quality;

   5)  Nonpoint source controls; and

   6)  Public participation during implementation of antidegradation requirements.

   Previously scheduled and announced public meetings/hearings include the following:

July 17, 2001 6:30 p.m.	Conley Resort Inn 740 Pittsburgh Road Butler, PA [phone]
July 18, 2001 6:30 p.m.	Clarion Inn 13015 Ferguson Valley Road Burnham, PA [phone]
July 19, 2001 6:30 p.m.	Days Inn 1151 Bulldog Drive Allentown, Pa. [phone]

   In addition to the listed public meetings/hearings, a fourth session is now scheduled for the following location:

August 1, 2001 6:30 p.m.

Department of Environmental    Protection Rachel Carson State Office Building Auditorium, 2nd Floor 400 Market Street Harrisburg, Pa. [phone]

   The public meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a public hearing that will begin no later than 7:30 p.m. During the public meeting, DEP will provide a short summary of the guidance and answer questions. The hearing will offer an opportunity for formal testimony.

   Persons wishing to present oral testimony at the hearing are requested to contact Mary Houghton at least 1 week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time slot. Oral testimony is limited to 10 minutes for each witness and each organization is limited to one witness. Witnesses are requested to submit three written copies of their testimony to the chairperson at the hearing.

   Written comments may be submitted in place of or in addition to oral testimony and should include the name, address and telephone number of the person submitting them. Written comments will be accepted by regular or electronic mail at the addresses listed above. Comments submitted by facsimile or voice mail will not be accepted.

   The comment period is extended through August 8, 2001, and comments or testimony received by that date will be considered in the formulation of final guidance for the Antidegradation Program, which will be announced in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

   Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) should contact Mary Houghton at [phone] or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at [phone] (TDD) or [phone] (voice) to discuss how DEP may accommodate their needs.

DAVID E. HESS,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-1231. Filed for public inspection July 6, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]