[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 58047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28840]



[[Page 58047]]

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DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION


Water Quality Regulations; Amendments to Comprehensive Plan, 
Water Code of the Delaware River Basin and Administrative Manual--Part 
III Water Quality Regulations

AGENCY: Delaware River Basin Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: At its October 23, 1996 business meeting, the Delaware River 
Basin Commission amended its Comprehensive Plan, Water Code and Water 
Quality Regulations concerning water quality criteria for toxic 
pollutants, and policies and procedures to establish wasteload 
allocations and effluent limitations for point source discharges to 
Zones 2 through 5 (Trenton, New Jersey to the Delaware Bay) of the 
tidal Delaware River.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Commission's Water Code of the Delaware River 
Basin, Administrative Manual--Part III Water Quality Regulations, the 
full text of the amendments and Response Document--September 5, 1996 
Public Hearing are available from the Delaware River Basin Commission, 
P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, New Jersey 08628.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan M. Weisman, Commission 
Secretary, Delaware River Basin Commission: Telephone (609) 883-9500 
ext. 203.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 5, 11 and 13, 1995, the 
Commission held public hearings on proposed amendments to its water 
quality regulations as noticed in the Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 
143, July 26, 1995 and Vol. 60, No. 183, September 21, 1995. As a 
result of comments received on that proposal and discussions with the 
Commission's Water Quality and Toxics Advisory Committees, the 
Commission modified its initial proposal. The proposed regulations, as 
modified, were the subject of a public hearing on September 5, 1996 as 
noticed in the Federal Register, Vol. 61, No. 139, July 18, 1996.
    Specifically, water quality criteria for selected toxic pollutants 
are incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan and Article 3 of the Water 
Code and Water Quality Regulations as stream quality objectives. 
Article 4 of the Water Quality Regulations has also been amended to 
include policies and procedures to be used to establish wasteload 
allocations for those discharges containing pollutants which exceed the 
stream quality objectives and impact the designated uses of the river.
    Adoption of these amendments provides a mechanism for identifying 
toxic pollutants which impair aquatic life and human health, and 
developing uniform and equitable wasteload allocations for those NPDES 
discharges to the tidal Delaware River which contribute to their 
impairment. The permitting authorities of the Basin states will utilize 
allocations developed by the Commission to establish effluent 
limitations for NPDES permittees in their jurisdiction, as appropriate.
    Modifications to the initial proposal include the following:
    1. Revised numerical values for the stream quality objectives for 
five parameters;
    2. Inclusion of language requiring the Commission to identify and 
designate critical habitat within the tidal Delaware River;
    3. Revised language regarding discharges to exposed benthic 
habitat;
    4. Inclusion of a provision for a demonstration to support 
alternative requirements for dispersion areas or mixing zones where 
stream quality objectives for the protection of aquatic life from acute 
effects may be permitted;
    5. Specification that the Commission rather than the Executive 
Director is authorized to establish alternative requirements based upon 
the demonstration discussed in item no. 4.;
    6. Deletion of tables of values of Minimum Performance Standards, 
and replacement with language describing the basis for establishing 
Minimum Performance Standards;
    7. Inclusion of language and definitions specifying the order of 
preference for information/data used to establish initial loadings for 
allocation of wasteloads;
    8. Revised language on adjustments for pollutants in intake water;
    9. Modification of language specifying the maximum extent of acute 
toxicity dispersion areas or mixing zones to indicate that these 
requirements will be used as a guideline in establishing wasteload 
allocations;
    10. Revised language regarding the basis for the effluent flows for 
municipal wastewater treatment plants that will be used to set 
wasteload allocations; and
    11. Revised language regarding the type of point source discharge 
that will be covered by these regulations.
    Based upon testimony received since the initial proposal and 
considerable deliberation, the Commission has amended its Comprehensive 
Plan, Water Code of the Delaware River Basin and Administrative 
Manual--Part III Water Quality Regulations.

Delaware River Basin Compact, 75 Stat. 688.

    Dated: October 25, 1996.
Susan M. Weisman,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-28840 Filed 11-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6360-01-P