[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29951-29962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13943]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6989-7]


State and Tribal Water Quality Standards: Notice of EPA Approvals 
and Announcement of EPA Internet Repository

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document contains a listing of State and Tribal 
submissions of new or revised water quality standards that EPA approved 
during the period April 1, 1998 through May 30, 2000. Additionally, 
this notice contains a listing of Indian Tribes that obtained EPA 
approval to administer a water quality standards program during the 
same period. It also contains a list of EPA actions to promulgate or 
remove Federal water quality standards during the same period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cara Lalley, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Mail Code 4305, 
Washington, DC 20460; (202) 260-0314; [email protected]; or see the 
EPA Regional Water Quality Standards Contacts table in SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION to contact your Regional Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document contains a list of State and 
Tribal water quality standards adoptions and revisions which EPA 
approved during the period beginning on April 1, 1998 and ending on May 
30, 2000. The most recent list was published on October 7, 1998 (63 FR 
53911), reflecting State and Tribal submissions of new or revised water 
quality standards that EPA approved during the period September 1, 1995 
through March 31, 1998.
    For each EPA approval action, this document provides a reference to 
the State's or Tribe's regulations that contain the State and Tribal 
water quality standards, followed by the date of State and Tribal 
adoption and/or effectiveness, the date of EPA approval, and a brief 
description of EPA's approval. Additionally, this notice contains a 
listing of Tribes that have obtained EPA approval to administer a water 
quality standards program. It also contains a listing of federal water 
quality standards rulemakings.
    This document does not include the following information: (1) The 
actual text of the water quality standards, (2) any exceptions or 
conditions that apply to EPA's approval, such as portions of the State 
and Tribal standards submissions on which EPA did not take action or 
EPA disapproved, (3) whether approvals were made subject to the results 
of consultation under the Endangered Species Act, (4) Tribal 
application materials submitted to EPA for authorization to administer 
the water quality standards program, or (5) the text of the federal 
water quality standards rulemakings. The text of a State's or Tribe's 
standards and copies of the approval letters may be obtained from the 
State's or Tribe's pollution control agency or the appropriate EPA 
Regional Office (See ``EPA Regional Water Quality Standards Contacts'' 
table). Proprietary publications such as those of the Bureau of 
National Affairs, Inc. also contain the text of State and Tribal water 
quality standards.
    Due to recent changes in EPA's water quality standards regulations 
commonly referred to as the Alaska Rule, this will be the last list of 
water quality standard approvals published as a Federal Register 
notice. The Alaska Rule (published in the Federal Register on April 27, 
2000 and effective as of May 30, 2000) requires that new and revised 
State and Tribal water quality standards be approved by EPA before they 
become effective for Clean Water Act purposes. Prior to the Alaska 
Rule, water quality standards were Clean Water Act-effective once they 
were adopted by states and authorized tribes, regardless of EPA 
approval. The new regulations replaced the requirement for an annual 
publication of EPA approvals (formerly contained at 40 CFR 131.21(d)) 
with the establishment of a repository of Clean Water Act-effective 
water quality standards (referred to as the Clean Water Act Water 
Quality Standards Docket in the Alaska Rule preamble). (See 65 FR 
24641.) With this Federal Register notice, EPA is announcing the 
availability of the Internet version of this repository for all water 
quality standards effective under the Clean Water Act. The public may 
view the effective Federal, State, Territory, and Tribal water quality 
standards at http://www.epa.gov/ost/wqs. This Internet repository will 
be updated periodically to include new and revised water quality 
standards approved by EPA in the future.
    In addition, EPA Regional offices continue to maintain hard copies 
of the effective water quality standards of the States and authorized 
Tribes within their jurisdiction. You may view hard copy versions of 
the effective water quality standards by contacting the appropriate 
Regional EPA Office (See ``EPA Regional Water Quality Standards 
Contacts'' table). With the availability of the effective State, 
Territory, and Tribal

[[Page 29952]]

water quality standards on EPA's web site and through EPA's Regional 
Offices, the Federal Register notice of EPA approvals is now redundant 
and unnecessary.
    For further information on specific approval actions described in 
this notice, please contact the corresponding EPA Regional Office:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            State              EPA regional office       EPA contact
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut, Maine,           EPA Region 1, 1       Bill Beckwith, 617-
 Massachusetts, New            Congress Street,      918-1544.
 Hampshire, Rhode Island,      Suite 1100, CWQ,
 and Vermont.                  Boston, MA 02114-
                               2023.
New Jersey, New York, Puerto  EPA Region 2, 290     Wayne Jackson, 212-
 Rico, Virgin Islands.         Broadway, New York,   637-3807.
                               NY 10007.
Delaware, District of         EPA Region 3, 1650    Denise Hakowski, 215-
 Columbia, Maryland,           Arch Street,          814-5726.
 Pennsylvania, Virginia,       Philadelphia, PA
 West Virginia.                19103-2029.
Alabama, Florida, Georgia,    EPA Region 4, Water   Fritz Wagener, 404-
 Kentucky, Mississippi,        Division--15th        562-9267.
 North Carolina, South         Floor, Atlanta
 Carolina, Tennessee.          Federal Center, 61
                               Forsyth Street SW,
                               Atlanta, GA 30303.
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,  EPA Region 5, Water   David Pfeifer, 312-
 Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin.   Division, 77 West     353-9024.
                               Jackson Boulevard,
                               Chicago, IL 60604-
                               3507.
Arkansas, Louisiana, New      EPA Region 6, Water   Russell Nelson, 214-
 Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.      Division, 1445 Ross   665-6646.
                               Avenue, First
                               Interstate Bank
                               Tower, Dallas, TX
                               75202.
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,       EPA Region 7, 726     Ann Jacobs, 913-551-
 Nebraska.                     Minnesota Avenue,     7930.
                               Kansas City, KS
                               66101.
Colorado, Montana, North      EPA Region 8, 999     Bill Wuerthele, 303-
 Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,   18th Street, Suite    312-6943.
 Wyoming.                      500, Denver, CO
                               80202-2466.
Arizona, California, Hawaii,  EPA Region 9, Water   Gary Wolinsky, 415-
 Nevada, American Samoa,       Division, 75          744-1978.
 Guam.                         Hawthorne Street,
                               San Francisco, Ca
                               94105.
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon,        EPA Region 10, Water  Lisa Macchio, 206-
 Washington.                   Division, 1200        553-1834.
                               Sixth Avenue,
                               Seattle, WA 98101.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Water Quality Standards Approvals

EPA Region 1

Connecticut

    Water quality standards for the State of Connecticut adopted 
pursuant to section 22a-426 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
    Effective Date: October 22, 1997 and March 30, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on September 17, 1999.
    For the surface waters in the Housatonic and Southwest Coastal 
Basins, Connecticut reclassified ten waterbodies from Class AA to Class 
A, one waterbody segment from Class A to Class AA, and upgraded 11 
coastal and marine waters from Class SB to Class SA.

Massachusetts

    Water quality standards for the State of Massachusetts as adopted 
pursuant to the Massachusetts Water Quality Standards Regulations.
    Adopted by the State: September 2, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on September 10, 1998.
    EPA's Boston Harbor enforcement case required that the 
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) design and construct 
facilities to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSO) to the Charles 
River. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued a 
temporary variance to water quality standards for those discharges 
remaining after the CSO control facilities are constructed. The two-
year variance includes a number of requirements designed to ensure the 
implementation of CSO controls. The variance also requires the MWRA to 
participate in an extensive study of water quality problems in the 
Charles River.

Rhode Island

    Water quality standards for the State of Rhode Island as adopted 
pursuant to the Department of Environmental Management's Water Quality 
Regulations.
    Adopted by the State: March 25, 1999.
    Effective Date: April 14, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on January 26, 2000.
    Rhode Island revised its surface water quality standards by 
upgrading the waters around the recently eliminated Fort Adams marine 
sewer outfall, and by revising its freshwater ammonia criteria.
    Adopted by the State: August 6, 1997.
    Effective Date: August 26, 1997.
    EPA Action: January 15, 1999.
    Rhode Island revised its surface water quality standards by: 
Clarifying that full ``goal'' uses of the Clean Water Act at Section 
101(a)(2) are included in use classifications where appropriate; 
upgrading numerous waters to provide for primary contact recreation; 
including a narrative criteria for maintaining instream flow 
conditions; clarifying variance provisions; adopting freshwater 
dissolved oxygen criteria for protection of spawning and early life 
stages of cold water species; adopting a narrative nutrient criterion 
protecting marine waters and a numeric phosphorus criterion for certain 
fresh waters; adopting numeric criteria for protection of human health; 
revising its metals criteria for aquatic life protection; adopting a 
``Tier 2.5 Special Resource Protection Water'' antidegradation 
provision; including an antidegradation implementation policy; adopting 
a partial use classification to accommodate waterbody segments that are 
unable to attain full Clean Water Act

[[Page 29953]]

Section 101(a)(2) ``goal'' uses due to combined sewer overflow 
discharges; removing the prohibition of certain new discharges to Class 
A and SA waters (and other waters that meet Class A and SA standards); 
and adopting site-specific criteria for certain metals applicable to 
specified segments of the Pawtuxet River.

Vermont

    Water quality standards for the State of Vermont as adopted 
pursuant to Vermont state law at 3 V.S.A.
    Adopted by the State: June 10, 1999.
    Effective Date: July 2, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on December 22, 1999.
    Vermont revised its surface water quality standards by: Changing 
some of its terms/definitions; adopting a water conservation policy; 
adopting a riparian vegetation policy; adopting an important 
antidegradation provision; deleting a provision which caused concerns 
that indirect discharges of sewage could be exempt from the State's 
High Quality Waters and Outstanding Resource Waters antidegradation 
provisions; adopting additional narrative criteria concerning water 
quality within mixing zones; deleting an assumption that an ambient 
water quality criterion for a toxic pollutant was met in a waterbody if 
the concentration of that pollutant in a discharge was less than the 
analytical limit of detection; including conditions governing site-
specific studies used to establish instream flow requirements for the 
protection of aquatic habitat and uses; including conditions 
specifically recognizing the need to control human induced water level 
fluctuations and high flows, in addition to human induced low flows, as 
necessary to protect uses; dividing Class A waters into Class A(1) 
Ecological and Class A(2) Water Supply; creating three Class B ``Water 
Management Types'' for future division of Class B waters; and adopting 
a narrative biological criteria for each use classification or 
management type.

EPA Region 2

New York

    Water quality standards for the State of New York as adopted 
pursuant to Title 6 of the New York State Code of Rules and Regulations 
(6NYCRR) Parts 800-941.
    Adopted by the State: May 31, 1996.
    Effective Date: May 31, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on February 18, 1999.
    The amended surface water classifications for the four New York 
City water supply reservoirs consist of the reclassification of all or 
portions of the Cannonsville, Neversink, Pepacton, and Schoharie 
Reservoirs from Class ``A'' to Class ``AA,'' such that all portions of 
these four reservoirs are now classified as Class ``AA.''
    Adopted by the State: January 5, 1991.
    Effective Date: January 5, 1991.
    EPA Action: Approval on February 18, 1999.
    The amended surface water classifications for the Susquehanna River 
drainage basin consist of the reclassification of a total of 1,276 
segments in the basin to higher classifications, including the upgrade 
of 1,229 segments from Class ``D.''
    Adopted by the State: February 2, 1991.
    Effective Date: February 2, 1991.
    EPA Action: Approval on February 18, 1999.
    The amended surface water classifications for the Chemung River 
drainage basin consist of the reclassification of a total of 248 
segments in the basin to higher classifications, including the upgrade 
of 209 segments from Class ``D.''
    Adopted by the State: January 12, 1992.
    Effective Date: January 12, 1992.
    EPA Action: Approval on February 18, 1999.
    The amended surface water classifications for the Upper Hudson 
River drainage basin consist of the reclassification of a total of 857 
segments in the basin to higher classifications, including the upgrade 
of 629 segments from Class ``D.''
    Adopted by the State: May 23, 1991.
    Effective Date: May 23, 1991.
    EPA Action: Approval on February 18, 1999.
    The amended surface water classifications for the Lake Ontario 
drainage basin consist of the reclassification of a total of 606 
segments in the basin to higher classifications, including the upgrade 
of 518 segments from Class ``D.''
    Adopted by the State: May 23, 1991.
    Effective Date: May 23, 1991.
    EPA Action: Approval on February 18, 1999.
    The amended surface water classifications for the Lake Erie/Niagara 
River drainage basin consist of the reclassification of a total of 333 
segments in the basin to higher classifications, including the upgrade 
of 297 segments from Class ``D.'' The most significant result of these 
reclassification actions is the upgrade of the numerous segments in 
these drainage basins from Class ``D,'' which provides protection for 
fish survival, to higher classifications which are protective of both 
fish survival and fish propagation. The designated uses for the above-
referenced segments are now fully consistent with the ``fishable/
swimmable'' goals of the Clean Water Act. In those cases where NYSDEC 
has determined that a particular water body segment was unable to 
support fish propagation, and the Class ``D'' designation was retained, 
the State provided individual use attainability analyses (UAAs) to 
support these determinations.

New Jersey

    Water quality standards for the State of New Jersey are adopted 
pursuant to: New Jersey Administrative Code 7:9B.
    Adopted by the State: December 6, 1993.
    Effective Date: December 6, 1993.
    EPA Action: Approval on March 17, 2000.
    New Jersey adopted revisions to several water body classifications 
based on trout fisheries data; designated the Rockaway River as a 
Category 1 water for antidegradation purposes; made numerous editorial/
clarification changes; adopted provisions to set thermal criteria to 
restrict thermal dissipation in lakes, ponds and reservoirs classified 
as FW2-TP; adopted thermal criteria for estuaries; included wetlands in 
the definition of State waters; adopted a provision which will allow 
for the issuance of compliance schedules for water-quality based 
effluent limits; adopted a provision to prohibit mixing zones for 
bacterial indicators; revised the steady-state design flows for 
establishing critical low flows applicable to the attainment of acute 
and chronic aquatic life-based criteria, and carcinogenic and non-
carcinogenic human health-based criteria; revised the State's steady-
state design flows; and adopted chemical-specific numeric criteria for 
toxic pollutants of concern in the State.

EPA Region 3

Delaware

    Water Quality Standards for the State of Delaware are contained in: 
7 DE Code Section 6010, Surface Water Quality Standards.
    Adopted by the State: July 15, 1999.
    Effective Date: August 11, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on December 2, 1999.
    The State of Delaware adopted revisions to its surface water 
quality standards to address EPA's April 1998 disapproval. The State 
deleted intake credit and erosion/corrosion provisions, modified low 
flow waters language, and specified that its metals criteria are 
expressed as total recoverable.

[[Page 29954]]

District of Columbia

    Water quality standards for the District of Columbia are contained 
in: Chapter 11 of Title 21 DCMR, Water Quality Standards of the 
District of Columbia.
    Adopted by the District: January 12, 2000.
    Effective Date: January 21, 2000.
    EPA Action: Approval on April 18, 2000.
    The District of Columbia revised its variance and mixing zone 
provisions, and adopted appropriate conversion factors for its metals 
criteria. These revisions addressed earlier disapprovals.

Pennsylvania

    Water quality standards for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are 
contained in: Title 25, Environmental Protection, Department of 
Environmental Protection, Chapter 93. Water Quality Standards.
    Adopted by the Commonwealth: December 20, 1994.
    Effective Date: September 9, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 28, 1998.
    Pennsylvania revised a number of stream designations statewide 
(Chapter 93, section 93.9).
    Adopted by the Commonwealth: August 20, 1996.
    Effective Date: November 9, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on June 3, 1998.
    Pennsylvania revised a number of stream redesignations statewide 
(Chapter 93, section 93.9).
    Adopted by the Commonwealth: July 15, 1997.
    Effective Date: October 11, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on June 3, 1998.
    Pennsylvania revised a number of stream redesignations statewide 
(Chapter 93, section 93.9).
    Adopted by the Commonwealth: May 19, 1999.
    Effective Date: July 17, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on March 17, 2000.
    Pennsylvania revised its antidegradation regulation in response to 
EPA's 1994 disapproval. EPA's action approved the modifications to its 
Tier 1 and Tier 2 provisions.

West Virginia

    Water quality standards for the State of West Virginia are 
contained in: Title 46, Legislative Rule, Environmental Quality Board, 
Series 1, Requirements Governing Water Quality Standards.
    Adopted by the State: June 1, 1998.
    Effective Date: July 1, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on June 22, 1999.
    West Virginia adopted revisions to its water quality standards for 
the state's mixing zone policy, site-specific criteria, variances, 
designated uses, and specific water quality criteria. EPA approved 
these revisions, many of which pertain to the removal of a number of 
site-specific criteria and variances.

EPA Region 4

Alabama

    Water quality standards for the State of Alabama are contained in: 
Rules of Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Water 
Division, Water Quality Program, Chapter 335-6-10 (Water Quality 
Criteria) and Chapter 335-6-11 (Water Use Classifications for 
Interstate and Intrastate Waters).
    Adopted by the State: June 8, 1999.
    Effective Date: October 19, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on February 9, 2000.
    The State of Alabama adopted revisions to its water quality 
standards to reclassify the Outstanding Alabama Water designation for 
Tensaw River, Briar Lake, and Tensaw Lake.

Florida

    Water quality standards for the State of Florida are contained in: 
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-302 (Surface Water Quality 
Standards).
    Adopted by the State: January 30, 1995.
    Effective Dates: April 4, 1995 and April 12, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on August 31, 1998.
    Florida adopted revisions to its water quality standards to 
designate the Hillsborough Riverine system as an Outstanding Florida 
Water.
    Adopted by the State: November 30, 1995.
    Effective Date: November 30, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 26, 2000.
    Florida adopted revisions to its water quality standards to remove 
the aquatic life chronic criterion for marine waters for silver.
    Effective Date: May 3, 1994.
    EPA Action: September 16, 1999.
    The Everglades Forever Act (EFA) provides a compliance schedule for 
the existing narrative criteria for nutrients in Florida water quality 
standards as applied to agricultural activities in the Everglades 
Agricultural Area (EAA). EPA approved that provision of the EFA as a 
change to water quality standards.

Georgia

    Water quality standards for the State of Georgia are contained in: 
Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control, Chapter 391-3-6-.03, 
Water Use Classification and Water Quality Standards.
    Adopted by the State: October 21, 1998.
    Effective Date: November 23, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 15, 1999.
    Georgia adopted revisions to its water quality standards including 
modified aquatic life chronic criteria for metals (i.e., from the total 
recoverable to dissolved concentration), and added acute dissolved 
criteria for the same metals.
    Adopted by the State: April 23, 1997.
    Effective Date: May 22, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 19, 2000.
    Georgia adopted revisions to its water quality standards including 
the modification of additional narrative turbidity criteria to protect 
the State's water bodies from impacts due to man-made activities.

Miccosukee Tribe of Florida

    The Water Quality Standards are contained in: The Miccosukee 
Environmental Protection Code Subtitle B: Water Quality Standards for 
Surface Waters of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
    Adopted by the Tribe: December 19, 1997 and March 4, 1998.
    Effective Date: December 19, 1997 and March 4, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 25, 1999.
    The Miccosukee Tribe adopted the initial Tribal Water Quality 
Standards for the Miccosukee's Federal Reservation including designated 
uses, supporting criteria, an antidegradation policy, and implementing 
provisions.

Mississippi

    Water quality standards for the State of Mississippi are contained 
in: State of Mississippi Water Quality Criteria for Intrastate, 
Interstate, and Coastal Waters.
    Adopted by the State: February 24, 1994 and November 16, 1995.
    Effective Date: February 24, 1994 and November 16, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on December 28, 1998.
    Mississippi adopted revisions of state water quality standards 
based on its triennial review. Revisions include establishment of the 
water effects ratio for the derivation of site specific criteria, 
stream flow for the establishment of storm water permit limits, and 
adoption of dissolved numeric criteria for metals.

[[Page 29955]]

North Carolina

    Water Quality Standards for the State of North Carolina are 
contained in: 15 NCAC 2B .0100 Procedures for Assignment of Water 
Quality Standards and .0200 Classifications and Water Quality Standards 
Applicable to Surface Waters of North Carolina.
    Adopted by the State: March 30, 1998.
    Effective Date: May 1, 1996 and December 31, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on September 21, 1998.
    North Carolina adopted revisions to its water quality standards 
including revised recreational and water supply use designations.
    Adopted by the State: February 1, 1999.
    Effective Date: August 1, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on September 10, 1999.
    North Carolina adopted revisions to its water quality standards 
adding subcategories of recreational use, water supply use, high 
quality and outstanding resource water designations.

Seminole Tribe of Florida

    Water quality standards for the Seminole of Florida are contained 
in: Seminole Tribe of Florida's Rules, Chapter B, Part 12, Water 
Quality Standards for Surface Waters.
    Adopted by the Tribe: March 25, 1998.
    Effective Date: March 25, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on November 19, 1998.
    The Seminole of Florida adopted revisions to its water quality 
standards to extend the protection of the Tribal Water Quality 
Standards to the Brighton Reservation.

South Carolina

    Adopted by the State: May 8, 1998.
    Effective Date: June 26, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 26, 2000.
    South Carolina adopted revisions to its water quality standards 
based on its triennial review, including allowance for a zone of 
initial dilution, defining allowable dissolved oxygen deficit in areas 
with naturally low dissolved oxygen, and updating toxics criteria.
    Adopted by the State: May 8, 1998.
    Effective Date: June 26, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on September 21, 1998.
    South Carolina adopted revisions to its water quality standards 
including redesignation of selected streams in the Little, Middle 
Saluda, Toxaway, Keowee, Oolenoy, South Pacolet, South Saluda, and 
Tugaloo river basins to Outstanding Resource Waters or to protect trout 
populations.

Tennessee

    Water quality standards for the State of Tennessee are contained 
in: State of Tennessee Water Quality Standards, Rules of the Department 
of Environment and Conservation, Bureau of Environment, Division of 
Water Pollution Control Chapter 1200-4-3 General Water Quality Criteria 
and Chapter 1200-4-4 Use Classifications for Surface Waters.
    Adopted by the State: June 22, 1999.
    Effective Date: October 11, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on March 14, 2000.
    Tennessee adopted revisions to its water quality standards 
including: Additional high quality and outstanding resource water 
designations, addition of recreational use E. coli bacteriological 
criteria, fish and aquatic life criteria revisions for pH and mercury, 
recreation human health use criteria revisions for seven toxics, 
antidegradation revisions, and flow criteria.

EPA Region 5

Illinois

    Water quality standards for the State of Illinois are contained in: 
35 Illinois Administrative Code 302 and 304.
    Adopted by the State: July 29, 1999
    EPA Action: March 16, 2000.
    Illinois adopted site specific criteria for chlorine and total 
suspended solids for the North Branch of the Chicago River.
    Adopted by the State: June 25, 1999.
    EPA Action: December 1, 1999.
    Illinois revised its water quality criteria and implementation 
procedures for ammonia, and revised its water quality criteria for lead 
and mercury.

Michigan

    Water quality standards for the State of Michigan are contained in: 
Department of Environmental Quality General Rules Part IV and Michigan 
Administrative Code 323.
    Adopted by the State: April 5, 1999.
    EPA Action: May 21, 2000.
    Michigan updated its uses and revised its antidegradation policy 
for Lake Superior.

Ohio

    Water quality standards for the State of Ohio are contained in: 
Ohio Administrative Code 3745.
    Adopted by the State: July 22, 1999.
    EPA Action: November 12, 1999.
    Ohio updated the designated uses for its surface waters.

EPA Region 6

Arkansas

    Water Quality Standards for the State of Arkansas are contained in: 
Regulation No. 2--Regulation Establishing Water Quality Standards for 
Surface Waters of the State of Arkansas.
    Adopted by the State: September 29, 1995.
    Effective Date: November 27, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on April 28, 1999.
    Interim revision (due to a third party request): Arkansas deleted 
its domestic water supply use designation for Hurricane Creek and its 
tributaries, Holly Creek, Dry Lost Creek and its tributary, and Lost 
Creek. The State also revised its sulfate, chloride, and total 
dissolved solids criteria on Hurricane Creek and its tributaries, Dry 
Lost Creek and its tributary, Lost Creek, and the East Fork of the 
Saline River bifurcation. Holly Creek's chloride criterion was also 
revised.
    Adopted by the State: March 27, 1998.
    Effective Date: May 2, 1998.
    EPA Approval: Approval on April 28, 1999.
    Through this interim revision, Arkansas deleted the domestic water 
supply use designation for Horsehead Creek and its tributary, and 
revised the sulfate, chloride, and total dissolved solids criteria for 
Horsehead Creek and its tributary, and for Bayou Dorcheat.

Louisiana

    Water quality standards for the State of Louisiana are contained 
in: Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 33, Part IX, Chapter 11.
    Adopted by the State: April 20, 1998.
    Effective Date: April 20, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on August 13, 1998.
    Through this interim revision, Louisiana established a seasonal 
recreational period for bacteria criteria.
    Adopted by the State: November 20, 1998.
    Effective Date: November 20, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on January 7, 1999.
    Louisiana revised its seasonal dissolved oxygen (DO) criterion for 
several waterbodies in the Mermentau River Basin (Bayou Nezpique, Bayou 
Plaquemine Brule, Bayou des Cannes, Mermentau River, Bayou Queue de 
Tortue, and Bayou Lacassine).
    Adopted by the State: December 20, 1999.
    Effective Date: December 20, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 12, 2000.
    In this triennial revision, Louisiana added definitions and updated 
criteria

[[Page 29956]]

for Dieldrin, Endrin, and Arsenic. A table listing conversion factors 
for dissolved metals was added. Citations and references were updated 
with a new section added to cite additional toxicity testing. Clerical 
errors were corrected in the table containing numeric criteria and 
designated uses. Four subsegments were consolidated into two 
subsegments. Four streams in the Mermentau River Basin were designated 
as naturally dystrophic waters with seasonal dissolved oxygen (DO) 
criteria (Bayou Blue, Castor Creek, Bayou Joe Marcel, and Bayou 
Mallet).

Oklahoma

    Water Quality Standards for the State of Oklahoma are contained in: 
OAC 785:45, Oklahoma's Water Quality Standards.
    Adopted by State: May 8, 1997.
    Effective Date: July 7, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on June 18, 1999.
    In its triennial revision, Oklahoma changed its use designations, 
removed the arsenic criteria for protection of human health, and 
adopted dissolved metals criteria.
    Adopted by State: March 10, 1998.
    Effective Date: April 21, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on March 3, 2000.
    Oklahoma changed its use designations, established new definitions, 
clarified its antidegradation policy, and corrected clerical errors.
    Adopted by State: March 9, 1999.
    Effective Date: April 13, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on March 23, 2000.
    Oklahoma revised its definitions, expanded its antidegradation 
policy applicability, replaced equivalent terms with identical terms, 
and established an acute mixing zone policy.

Pueblo of San Juan

    Water quality standards for the Pueblo of San Juan are contained in 
the Pueblo of San Juan Water Quality Code as adopted pursuant to Tribal 
Resolution 98-05.
    Adopted by the Tribe: March 11, 1998.
    Effective Date: March 11, 1998.
    EPA Action: June 4, 1998.
    This was a triennial revision for the Tribe which included updating 
aquatic life and human health criteria, conversion of dissolved metals, 
and adoption of criteria for E. coli.

EPA Region 7

Iowa

    Water quality standards for the State of Iowa are contained in: 567 
Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 61, Water Quality Standards.
    Adopted by the State: 17 separate actions between June 1990 and 
January 1997.
    Effective Date: (of last revision) March 19, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 1, 1999.
    Through 17 separate water quality standards actions, Iowa 
substantially revised and restructured its designated uses category for 
Class B waters for 770 stream segments. The State of Iowa also adopted 
112 water quality criteria for 61 pollutants to support both Class B 
and Class C uses.

Kansas

    Water quality standards for the State of Kansas are contained in: 
Kansas Administrative Regulations, Title 28, Article 16, Section 28, 
Surface Water Quality Standards.
    Adopted by the State: June 29, 1999.
    Effective Date: July 30, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on January 19, 2000.
    Kansas substantially revised its antidegradation regulations to 
include the three levels of water quality protection specified in 40 
CFR 131.12. The revisions to the antidegradation regulations resolved 
an outstanding disapproval. Kansas also revised its antidegradation 
implementation procedures to address many of EPA's 1998 disapprovals. 
Kansas revised its mixing zone policy to clarify mixing zone 
limitations and to allow for alternate mixing zones provided that the 
proposal is scientifically defensible and remains protective of 
designated uses. Kansas added a provision to allow for the development 
of alternate low flows provided that the proposed alternate low flow is 
scientifically defensible and that water quality criteria are not 
exceeded more often than once every three years. The state revised its 
recreational use terminology and added boating and mussel harvesting to 
the list of primary contact recreation activities. Kansas also 
substantially revised its water quality implementation procedures to 
address newly added provisions and to clarify existing procedures. The 
designated beneficial uses were upgraded for 24 stream segments and 34 
lakes. In addition, 15 lakes and 36 wetlands were also added to the 
Kansas Surface Water Register. Kansas adopted 29 water quality criteria 
for 22 pollutants, which prompted EPA to remove Kansas from the 
National Toxics rule for several of these newly adopted pollutants. 
Lastly, the State of Kansas revised its site-specific criteria and 
variance procedures.

EPA Region 8

Colorado

    Water quality standards for the State of Colorado are adopted by 
the Water Quality Control Commission (Commission) and are contained in 
the following State regulations:
     The Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water. 
Regulation No. 31.
     Classifications and Numeric Standards for Arkansas River 
Basin. Regulation No. 32.
     Classifications and Numeric Standards for Upper Colorado 
River Basin and North Platte River (Planning Region 12). Regulation No. 
33.
     Classifications and Numeric Standards for San Juan River 
and Dolores River Basins. Regulation No. 34.
     Classifications and Numeric Standards for Gunnison and 
Lower Dolores River Basins. Regulation No. 35.
     Classifications and Numeric Standards for Rio Grande River 
Basin. Regulation No. 36.
     Classifications and Numeric Standards for Lower Colorado 
River Basin. Regulation No. 37.
     Classifications and Numeric Standards for South Platte 
River Basin; Laramie River Basin; Republican River Basin; Smoky Hill 
River Basin (the South Platte Basin). Regulation No. 38.
    Adopted by the State: July 11, 1994.
    Effective Date: August 30, 1994.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Rio Grande River Basin water quality standards 
were adopted for segments 8, 9, and 11 of the Closed Basin (Kerber 
Creek and its tributaries).
    Adopted by the State: October 11, 1994.
    Effective Date: November 30, 1994.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Upper Colorado and North Platte River Basin water 
quality standards were adopted to extend the temporary modification for 
ammonia applicable to segment 6c of the Upper Colorado River Basin 
(unnamed tributary to Willow Creek).
    Adopted by the State: January 10, 1995.
    Effective Date: March 2, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface 
Waters were adopted to clarify the antidegradation rule and to update 
the human health-based numeric standards for organics. The chronic and 
``chronic trout'' table value standards for silver to protect aquatic 
life were suspended for three

[[Page 29957]]

years pending completion of studies. Numeric standards for 
trihalomethanes were also adopted.
    Adopted by the State: February 13, 1995.
    Effective Date: March 30, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the South Platte River Basin water quality standards 
were adopted, including dissolved oxygen numeric standards to protect 
aquatic life applicable to Segment 15 of the Upper South Platte River 
Basin.
    Adopted by the State: February 13, 1995.
    Effective Date: March 30, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Gunnison and Lower Dolores River Basin water 
quality standards were adopted to extend temporary modifications for 
cadmium and zinc applicable to segments 12 and 13 of the Upper Gunnison 
River Basin.
    Adopted by the State: July 10, 1995.
    Effective Date: August 30, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the water quality standards for South Platte, Lower 
Colorado, Rio Grande, Gunnison and Lower Dolores, San Juan and Dolores, 
Upper Colorado and North Platte, and Arkansas River Basins were adopted 
to suspend for three years any numeric standards for silver that were 
based on the chronic and ``chronic trout'' table value standards.
    Adopted by the State: December 11, 1995.
    Effective Date: January 30, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the South Platte Basin water quality standards were 
adopted to extend the temporary modifications for cadmium, manganese, 
zinc, and radium applicable to segment 5 of the Clear Creek Basin.
    Adopted by the State: December 11, 1995.
    Effective Date: January 30, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Gunnison and Lower Dolores River Basin water 
quality standards were adopted to extend temporary modifications for 
cadmium and zinc applicable to segment 12 and 13 of Upper Gunnison 
River Basin.
    Adopted by the State: December 11, 1995.
    Effective Date: January 30, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Upper Colorado and North Platte River Basin. 
Revisions were adopted to reaffirm the acute and chronic numeric 
standard for ammonia and extend the temporary modification for un-
ionized ammonia for segment 6c of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
    Adopted by the State: December 9, 1996.
    Effective Date: January 30, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Upper Colorado and North Platte River Basin water 
quality standards were adopted to make minor changes and correct 
typographical errors.
    Adopted by the State: April 14, 1997.
    Effective Date: May 30, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the South Platte River Basin water quality standards 
were adopted, including the dissolved oxygen numeric standards 
applicable to segment 15 of the Upper South Platte basin.
    Adopted by the State: May 12, 1997.
    Effective Date: June 30, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the South Platte River Basin water quality standards 
were adopted to make minor changes to temporary modifications, ambient-
based standards, dissolved metal standards, and recreation uses and to 
correct typographical errors for eight segments.
    Adopted by the State: May 12, 1997.
    Effective Date: June 30, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Rio Grande River Basin water quality standards 
were adopted for segments 9a and 9b of the Closed Basin (Kerber Creek), 
including revised numeric standards for cadmium and selenium and 
temporary modifications for cadmium, copper, manganese, zinc.
    Adopted by the State: September 8, 1997.
    Effective Date: October 30, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Arkansas River Basin water quality standards were 
adopted to extend temporary modifications for manganese, iron, pH, 
aluminum, cyanide, and zinc applicable to Cripple Creek and Arequa 
Gulch.
    Adopted by the State: November 3, 1997.
    Effective Date: December 30, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Upper Colorado and North Platte River Basin water 
quality standards were adopted to establish temporary modifications for 
iron and manganese on the Williams Fork River.
    Adopted by the State: March 10, 1998.
    Effective Date: April 30, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 1998.
    Revisions to the Arkansas River Basin water quality standards were 
adopted to add a new segment 7 to the Fountain Creek Basin to include 
Willow Springs Pond # 1 and Willow Springs Pond # 2. Segment 7 was 
assigned warmwater Class 2 aquatic life, recreation Class 2 and 
agriculture designated uses and accompanying table value standards. The 
Commission also assigned human health standards based on water and fish 
ingestion and adopted a temporary modification for tetrachloroethylene.
    Adopted by the State: February 13, 1995 and December 8, 1997.
    Effective Date: March 30, 1995 and January 30, 1998, respectively.
    EPA Action: Approval on March 6, 1995 and December 29, 1997, 
respectively.
    Revisions were made to the classifications and numeric standards of 
segments located in the Upper Animas River Basin (San Juan and Dolores 
River Basin).
    Adopted by the State: September 14, 1998.
    Effective Date: October 30, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on March 29, 1999.
    Revisions were made to the classifications and numeric standards 
for segments of the Alamosa River and tributaries (Rio Grande River 
Basin).
    Adopted by the State: December 6, 1993.
    Effective Date: January 31, 1994.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 14, 1999.
    Revisions to the Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface 
Waters provided a statewide numeric standard for 
diisopropylmethylphosphonate for the protection of the water supply 
designated use.
    Adopted by the State: May 13, 1996.
    Effective Date: June 30, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 14, 1999.
    Revisions were made to the classifications and numeric standards 
for the South Platte River Basin to extend the temporary modifications 
for segment 5 of Big Dry Creek.
    Adopted by the State: April 13, 1998.
    Effective Date: May 30, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 14, 1999.
    Revisions to the classifications and numeric standards for the 
Gunnison and Lower Dolores River basins corrected an error in the 
listing of table value standards and deleted the effective date for the 
chronic silver table value standard.
    Adopted by the State: December 14, 1998.

[[Page 29958]]

    Effective Date: January 30, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 14, 1999.
    Revisions were made to the classifications and numeric standards 
for the Gunnison and Lower Dolores River basins to extend the temporary 
modifications for various segments.
    Adopted by the State: January 11, 1999.
    Effective Date: March 2, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 14, 1999.
    Revisions to the Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface 
Waters corrected errors in the regulation.
    Adopted by the State: February 8, 1994 (Rio Grande Basin) and April 
10, 1995 (San Juan and Dolores River Basins).
    Effective Date: March 30, 1994 and May 30, 1995, respectively.
    EPA Action: Approval for all basins on April 25, 2000.
    Revisions were made to the classifications and standards applicable 
to the Rio Grande and San Juan and Dolores River basins. These 
revisions included: Water supply designated uses, numeric standards for 
the protection of water supply designated uses, numeric standards for 
the protection of fish consumption uses, recreation designated uses, 
and numeric standards for the protection of recreation designated uses. 
EPA also approved revisions to: agriculture designated uses, numeric 
standards for the protection of agriculture designated uses, aquatic 
life designated uses, numeric standards for the protection of aquatic 
life uses, and other revisions, including the adoption of temporary 
modifications and Use Protected classifications, and revisions that 
resulted in the re-segmentation, re-naming and consolidation of 
segments.
    Adopted by the State: October 11, 1995 and October 14, 1998 
(Arkansas River Basin).
    Effective Date: November 30, 1995 and November 30, 1998, 
respectively.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 2000.
    Revisions were made to: Water supply designated uses, numeric 
criteria for the protection of water supply designated uses, numeric 
criteria for the protection of fish consumption uses, recreation 
designated uses, and numeric criteria for the protection of recreation 
uses. EPA also approved revisions to: Numeric criteria for the 
protection of agricultural uses and aquatic life, aquatic life 
designated uses, and other revisions, including the adoption of 
temporary modifications, Outstanding Waters classifications, and Use 
Protected classifications, and revisions that resulted in the re-
segmentation, re-naming and consolidation of segments.
    Adopted by the State: July 14, 1997 (Gunnison and Lower Dolores 
Basin Revisions) and October 12, 1999 (Upper Colorado and North Platte 
Basin Revisions).
    Effective Date: August 30, 1997 and November 30, 1999, 
respectively.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 5, 2000.
    Revisions were made to: Water supply designated uses, numeric 
criteria for the protection of water supply designated uses, numeric 
criteria for the protection of fish consumption uses, recreation 
designated uses, and numeric criteria for the protection of recreation 
uses. EPA also approved revisions to: Agriculture designated uses, 
numeric criteria for the protection of agriculture and aquatic life 
uses, aquatic life designated uses, and other revisions, including the 
adoption of temporary modifications, Outstanding Waters and Use 
Protected classifications for individual segments, and revisions that 
resulted in the re-segmentation, re-naming and consolidation of 
segments.

Montana

    Water quality standards for the State of Montana are contained in 
the State's Water Quality Act and the following regulations: Surface 
Water Quality Standards--Sub-chapter 6, including the numerical aquatic 
life criteria in WQB-7 (adopted and incorporated by reference in the 
water quality standards regulation); Mixing Zones in Surface and Ground 
Water--Sub-chapter 5; and Nondegradation of Water Quality--Sub-chapter 
7.
    Adopted by the State: December 1995.
    Effective Date: February 12, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on January 26, 1999.
    Amendments were made to the surface water quality standards, Sub-
chapter 6. The principal element addressed in this amendment was the 
development and adoption of Department Circular WQB-7. This document 
establishes the numerical criteria for toxic, carcinogenic and harmful 
parameters in water and lists criteria for the protection of human 
health and aquatic life.
    Adopted by the State: December 1995.
    Effective Date: February 12, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on January 26, 1999.
    This amendment to Sub-chapter 5 addressed adoption of a revised 
mixing zone provision, including a detailed implementation procedure.
    Adopted by the State: August 11, 1997.
    Effective Date: November 18, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on January 26, 1999.
    This amendment to Sub-chapter 7 addressed adoption of a revised 
nondegradation (antidegradation) and a detailed implementation 
procedure.
    In addition, EPA's January 26, 1999 action approved the following 
elements of Montana's Water Quality Statute: (1) Definitions of: high-
quality waters, outstanding resource waters, and state waters; and (2) 
provisions for: Future establishment of a new aquatic life 
classification for waters not supporting fish; future consideration of 
the economics of waste treatment and prevention in formulating and 
adopting standards; establishment of risk levels of 10-3 for 
arsenic, with a maximum no greater than EPA's maximum contaminant level 
for drinking water, and establishment of a risk level of 
10-5 for other carcinogens; development of site-specific 
water quality standards, based on federal regulations, guidelines or 
criteria, upon application by a permit applicant, permittee or person 
potentially liable under any state or federal environmental remediation 
statute; adoption of temporary standards and conditions for granting 
temporary standards; a statement of basis for Outstanding Resource 
Waters and guidance for establishing rules for designating Outstanding 
Resource Waters; and (3) provisions for defining the following classes 
of activities as non-significant for nondegradation purposes: Existing 
activities that are nonpoint sources of pollution as of April 29, 1993 
and activities that are nonpoint sources of pollution initiated after 
April 29, 1993; acceptable uses of agricultural chemicals; acceptable 
changes in existing water quality resulting from an emergency or 
remedial activity; acceptable land application of animal waste, 
domestic septage, or waste from public sewage treatment systems 
containing nutrients; acceptable incidental leakage of water from a 
public water supply system; acceptable short-term changes in existing 
water quality resulting from ordinary and everyday activities of humans 
or domesticated animals; allowable hazardous waste management 
facilities, solid waste management systems, motor vehicle wrecking 
facilities, and county motor vehicle graveyards; allowable maintenance, 
repair, or replacement of dams, diversions, weirs, or other constructed 
works that are related to existing water rights and that are within 
wilderness areas; and a description of any other activity that is non-
significant because of its low potential for harm to human health or to 
the environment.

[[Page 29959]]

    Adopted by the State: 1999 Session of the State Legislature.
    Effective Date: May 10, 1999.
    EPA Action: Approval on August 12, 1999.
    Amendments were adopted to address EPA disapproval actions dated 
December 24, 1998 and January 26, 1999, including: Classes of 
activities that are considered non-significant for nondegradation 
review purposes; a new definition for degradation; Outstanding Resource 
Water classification rules, criteria, limitations and procedures; 
limits on short-term authorizations to emergency remediation activities 
and application of EPA-registered pesticides when those pesticides are 
used to control nuisance aquatic organisms or to eliminate undesirable 
and nonnative aquatic species; short-term water quality standards for 
turbidity; a provision describing when a discharge to surface water of 
ground water that is not altered from its ambient quality constitutes 
degradation and requires an NPDES permit.

South Dakota

    Water quality standards for the State of South Dakota are contained 
in the State's Water Quality Standards Regulation, Chapters 74:51:01, 
74:51:02, and 74:51:03.
    Adopted by the State: April 29, 1997.
    Effective Date: November 12, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on August 25, 1998.
    These amendments were adopted during South Dakota's triennial 
review of its water quality standards. The principal elements addressed 
in these amendments include: Updated numerical water quality standards 
for toxic pollutants for the protection of human health and aquatic 
life; language clarifying the provisions governing the in-zone quality 
for mixing zones; clarification that the low flow cutoff for low-
quality fishery waters did not apply to the numerical standards for 
toxicants in Appendix B; repeal of the exemption of stream segments 
from fish life propagation categories; additional language clarifying 
application of the antidegradation provisions to outstanding state 
waters, including a process for nominating waters for this designation; 
repeal of variations in parameters found in samples; and upgraded 
classifications for a number of lakes and streams.
    Adopted by the State: December 3, 1998.
    Effective Date: January 27, 1999.
    EPA Action: March 29, 2000.
    These amendments were adopted by South Dakota to address elements 
of its water quality standards that were disapproved by EPA on August 
25, 1998. The principal elements addressed in these amendments include: 
The definition of the wildlife propagation and stock watering 
beneficial use; clarification that both existing and designated uses 
are to be protected; completion requirements for a beneficial use 
analysis prior to renewing an existing permit or issuing a new permit 
to discharge to Class 9 waters; application of criteria to protect 
existing and attainable uses and application of numerical criteria to 
Class 9 waters where the discharge or presence of pollutants could 
reasonably be expected to interfere with existing and attainable uses 
of Class 9 waters; provisions governing the in-zone quality for mixing 
zones, including development of the Department's Mixing Zone and 
Dilution Implementation Procedures, August 1998; antidegradation 
provisions, including development of the Department's Antidegradation 
Implementation Procedures, October 1998; clarification that toxic 
pollutants can include the priority pollutants and any other toxic 
pollutants or substances determined by the Secretary to be of concern; 
upgraded the uses for a number of lakes and streams; and changed the 
uses for four lakes from ``cold water marginal'' to ``warm water 
permanent'' based on an analysis showing that the natural conditions 
and a change in the Department of Game Fish and Parks' fishery 
management policy preclude attainment of a cold water fishery.

Utah

    Water quality standards for the State of Utah are adopted by the 
Water Quality Board (Board) and are contained in: Standards of Quality 
for Waters of the State. R317-2, Utah Administrative Code.
    Adopted by the State: February 16, 1994; December 19, 1997; and 
March 17, 2000.
    Effective Date: February 16, 1994; December 19, 1997; and March 17, 
2000, respectively.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 30, 2000 (Partial EPA Action taken on 
November 29, 1995).
    Revisions were made to: Domestic water supply designated uses; 
numeric criteria for the protection of human health; recreation 
designated uses; and numeric criteria for the protection of recreation 
uses; antidegradation (317-2-3), including the creation of high quality 
waters--category 2 and high quality waters--category 3; mixing zones 
(317-2-5), including the size restrictions for mixing zones and the 
list of factors to be considered when making mixing zone decisions; use 
designations (317-2-6), including the removal of Class 6 and the 
creation of Class 5 and Class 3E; high quality waters (317-2-12), 
including the addition of Deer Creek to the list of high quality 
waters--category 2 and the addition of the Provo River to the list of 
high quality waters--category 3; classification of waters of the State 
(317-2-13), including the adoption of more stringent use designations 
for a number of segments; and numeric criteria (317-2-14), including 
the revised total residual chlorine criteria for all Class 3C waters 
and a portion of Mill Race.

Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes

    Water quality standards are adopted by the Executive Board of the 
Fort Peck Tribes and are contained in: Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux 
Tribes Water Quality Standards.
    Adopted by the Tribes: December 22, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on April 25, 2000.
    The Tribes adopted public water supply use designations, numeric 
water quality criteria for the protection of public water supply and 
fish consumption uses, recreation use designations, and numeric 
criteria for the protection of recreation uses. EPA also approved the 
following sections/appendices of the standards: Purpose and Authority 
(Section 1); Triennial Review (Section 2); Definitions (Section 3); 
Antidegradation Policy (Section 4); Narrative Water Quality Criteria 
(Section 5); Narrative Biological Criteria (Section 6); Water Quality 
Standards for Wetlands (Section 7); Designated uses (Section 8); 
Numeric criteria (Section 9); Mixing Zone and Dilution Policy (Section 
10); Standards Implementation (Section 11); Analytical Methods (Section 
12); Stream Beneficial Uses for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation 
(Appendix A); Fort Peck Numeric Water Quality Standards (Appendix B); 
Physical and Biological Criteria Table for the Fort Peck Indian 
Reservation (Appendix C); and Agricultural Uses Water Quality Standards 
(Appendix D).

Wyoming

    Water quality standards for the State of Wyoming are contained in: 
Quality Standards for Wyoming Surface Waters, Water Quality Rules and 
Regulations, Chapter 1.
    Adopted by the State: August 24, 1998 and March 7, 2000.
    Effective Date: October 15, 1998 and March 9, 2000, respectively.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 11, 2000.

[[Page 29960]]

    These amendments were adopted to: Provide clarification on the 
prohibition of new or increased point source discharges to Class 1 
waters, Wyoming's highest quality waters; create a new section for 
site-specific criteria; and revise certain numerical criteria.

EPA Region 9

Arizona

    Water quality standards for the State of Arizona are contained in: 
Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 11, Article 1.
    Adopted by the State: March 22, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on December 31, 1998.
    The State revised portions of its water quality standards 
addressing the application of the standards to waste treatment systems, 
the Net Ecological Benefit rule and its implementation, 
antidegradation, narrative water quality criteria for bottom deposits 
and oil and grease, numeric standards and criteria for other 
pollutants, natural background, variances, and use designations.

California

    The water quality standards for California are contained in 
separate Regional Board Water Quality Control Plans, as described 
below.
    Effective Date: July 23, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on October 9, 1998.
    The Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California 
(Ocean Plan) was amended by the State through revision of the Ocean 
Plan list of critical life stage protocols used in testing the toxicity 
of waste discharge, and minor changes in terminology to make the Ocean 
Plan easier to understand and implement.
    Adopted by the State: September 27, 1993.
    Effective Date: August 18, 1994.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 2, 2000.
    Revisions to the Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast 
Region (Board 1) related to water quality standards included changes to 
antidegradation, beneficial uses, water quality criteria and 
implementation of those standards in surface waters.
    Adopted by the State: July 20, 1995 and February 19, 1998.
    Effective Date: November 13, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 29, 2000.
    Resolution numbers 97-076 and 98-014, containing revisions to the 
Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay Basin (Regional 
Board 2), addressed antidegradation, beneficial uses, water quality 
criteria and implementation of those standards in surface waters.
    Adopted by the State: May 19, 1994; November 17, 1994; and August 
17, 1995.
    Effective Date: March 3, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 30, 2000.
    State Board Resolutions 94-44, 94-115, and 95-53 amended the Water 
Quality Control Plan for the Central Coast Region (Board 3) by 
addressing antidegradation, beneficial uses, water quality criteria, 
and implementation of those standards in surface waters.
    Adopted by the State: March 27, 1989; October 22, 1990; June 13, 
1994; and January 27, 1997.
    Effective Date: February 23, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 26, 2000.
    Portions of the 1989, 1990, 1994, and 1997 Water Quality Control 
Plans for the Los Angeles Region (Board 4) were revised to address 
antidegradation, beneficial uses, water quality objectives, specific 
criteria for site-specific determination of effluent limits, and the 
strategic planning and implementation of water quality standards for 
surface waters.
    Adopted by the State: May 3, 1996.
    Effective Date: January 10, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 24, 2000.
    State Board Resolution 96-078, the ``Grassland Amendments'' to the 
Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin 
River Basins (Regional Board 5), addressed antidegradation, beneficial 
uses, water quality criteria, and implementation of water quality 
standards for surface waters.
    Adopted by the State: March 22, 1990.
    Effective Date: September 25, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 26, 2000.
    State Board Resolution 90-28 reformatted and updated the Water 
Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River 
Basins (Regional Board 5) for the first time since its original 
adoption in 1975.
    Adopted by the State: February 15, 1990.
    Effective Date: September 25, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 26, 2000.
    State Board Resolution 90-20, regarding the Water Quality Control 
Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins (Regional 
Board 5), revised the pesticide objectives for inland surface waters 
covered by the Plan and new provisions regarding their implementation.
    Adopted by the State: February 16, 1995.
    Effective Date: May 9, 1995.
    EPA Action: May 26, 2000.
    State Board Resolution 95-12, regarding the Water Quality Control 
Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins (Regional 
Board 5), updated and reformatted the standards, and revised the 
beneficial uses, water quality objectives, and implementation programs.
    Adopted by the State: July 20, 1995.
    Effective Date: September 25, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 26, 2000.
    The Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San 
Joaquin River Basins (Regional Board 5) was revised to include 
compliance schedules in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 
(NPDES) permits under certain conditions.
    Adopted by the State: November 15, 1995.
    Effective Date: February 27, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 29, 2000.
    State Board Resolution 95-86 revised the Water Quality Control Plan 
for the Tulare Lake Basin (Regional Board 5)-- Second Edition (1995), 
addressing antidegradation, beneficial uses, water quality criteria, 
and implementation of those standards in surface waters.
    Adopted by the State: October 1994.
    Effective Date: March 31, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 29, 2000.
    The Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahonton Region (Board 6), 
which was revised in September 1993, was amended again in October 1994 
by State Board Resolution 95-3. The October 1994 Basin Plan sets forth 
the most recent water quality standards for surface and ground waters 
of the Region, which include both designated beneficial uses and the 
narrative and/or numerical objectives which must be maintained to 
protect those uses.
    Adopted by the State: February 17, 1994.
    Effective Date: August 3, 1994.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 29, 2000.
    State Board Resolution 94-18 revised the Water Quality Control Plan 
for the Colorado River Basin (Regional Board 7) by addressing the 
antidegradation policy, beneficial use designations, water quality 
criteria, and procedures for implementing surface water quality 
standards.
    Adopted by the State: April 17, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on December 27, 1999.
    California adopted the ``1996 Review-Water Quality Standards for 
Salinity-Colorado River System Final Report'' (June 1996) and 
``Supplemental Report''

[[Page 29961]]

(October 1996), and a plan to implement the salinity standards.
    Adopted by the State: July 21, 1994 and July 17, 1997.
    Effective Date: January 24, 1995.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 30, 2000.
    State Board Resolution 94-60 revised portions of the Water Quality 
Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin (Regional Board 8), 
addressing antidegradation, beneficial uses, water quality criteria, 
and implementation of water quality standards for surface waters.
    Adopted by the State: September 8, 1994.
    Effective Date: September 8, 1994.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 29, 2000.
    State Board Resolution 94-116, the Water Quality Control Plan for 
the San Diego Basin (Region Board 9), combined all the separate 
amendments made to the San Diego Basin Plan between November 1987 and 
October 1994.

Nevada

    Water quality standards for the State of Nevada are contained in: 
Nevada Administrative Code (NAC), Water Pollution Control Provisions.
    Adopted by the State: October 22, 1996.
    Effective Date:  August 17, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on November 20, 1998.
    NAC 445A.1915 made revisions to water quality standards for Lake 
Tahoe and selected tributaries.
    Adopted by the State: June 17, 1998 and September 9, 1999.
    Effective Date:  August 17, 1998 and February 16, 2000, 
respectively.
    EPA Action: Approval on May 2, 2000.
    NAC 445A, 445A.121, 445A.194-445A.201 and 445A.213 revised the 
water quality standards for Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead and clarified 
definitions in the State water pollution control regulations.
    Adopted by the State: March 25, 1998.
    Effective Date:  August 17, 1998 (and an amendment on February 16, 
2000).
    EPA Action: Approval on March 28, 2000.
    NAC 445A.194-197 and amendment 445A.143 added the ``1996 Review--
Water Quality Standards for Salinity--Colorado River System Final 
Report'' (June 1996) and ``Supplemental Report'' (October 1996) to 
Nevada's water quality standards, as well as a plan to implement the 
salinity standards.

EPA Region 10

Alaska

    Water quality standards for the State of Alaska are contained in: 
Alaska Administrative Code (AAC), Chapter 70 (identified in 18 AAC 70).
    Adopted by State: January 30, 1998.
    Effective Date:  March 1, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on April 6, 1998.
    Alaska adopted site-specific criteria (SSC) for total dissolved 
solids for the aquaculture and aquatic life use categories for Gold 
Creek, north of Juneau Alaska. The site included Gold Creek from the 
Gold Creek drainage tunnel to Gastineau Channel.
    Adopted by State: November 7, 1997.
    Effective Date:  December 12, 1997.
    EPA Action: Approval on April 6, 1998.
    Alaska adopted site-specific criteria (SSC) for total dissolved 
solids for the water supply (drinking water and aquaculture) and 
aquatic life use categories for Sherman and Camp Creeks in Juneau, 
Alaska. The site includes: Camp Creek below the discharge from the 
Kensington Mine dry tailings facility to tide water (approximately 
1,000 ft) and Sherman Creek below the discharge of Kensington Mine adit 
drainage to tide water (approximately 1.5 miles).
    Adopted by State: July 22, 1998.
    Effective Date:  July 22, 1998.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 29, 1998.
    Alaska adopted a site-specific criterion (SSC) for the aquatic life 
use for zinc. The site specific area includes the mainstem Red Dog and 
Ikalukrok Creeks. This SSC was based on data that are representative of 
the natural condition of these drainages.

Oregon

    Water quality standards for the State of Oregon are contained in: 
OAR 340-41.
    Adopted by State: January 11, 1996.
    EPA Action: Approval on July 22, 1999.
    EPA approved the following portions of the Oregon Water Quality 
Standards: dissolved oxygen, temperature (except for the criteria for 
the lower Willamette), pH, and bacteria. These standards were developed 
to protect different life history stages of salmonids, including 
threatened and endangered salmonid species.

Tribal Water Quality Standards Program Authorizations

Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation of Oregon

    EPA Action: Approval on May 25, 1999
    The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation 
submitted an application to EPA requesting the authority to administer 
the Water Quality Standards program (section 303 of the 
Clean Water Act) and the Water Quality Certification program (section 
401 of the Clean Water Act). This application was submitted to EPA, in 
accordance with Section 518 of the Clean Water Act, for treatment in 
the same manner as a state.

Federal Water Quality Standards Rulemakings

    For purposes of informing the public, EPA is listing those federal 
water quality standards rulemakings taken pursuant to section 303(c)(4) 
of the CWA for the period of April 1, 1998 through May 30, 2000. For 
the full text of the rules, the reader is referred to the Federal 
Register notices cited.

Alaska

    Date of Rule: April 1, 1998.
    Reference: 62 FR 10140.
    In 1992, EPA promulgated federal regulations (The National Toxics 
Rule) establishing water quality criteria for toxic pollutants for 
several states, including Alaska (40 CFR 131.36). One of the toxic 
pollutants included in that rule was arsenic. In this final rule, EPA 
withdrew the applicability to Alaska's waters of the federal human 
health criteria for arsenic.

District of Columbia, Idaho, Kansas, Rhode Island, Vermont

    Date of Rule: April 12, 2000.
    Reference: 65 FR 19659.
    In 1992, EPA promulgated Federal regulations (the National Toxics 
Rule) establishing water quality criteria for toxic pollutants for 
several States, including Rhode Island, Vermont, the District of 
Columbia, Kansas and Idaho. These States have adopted, and EPA has 
approved, human health and aquatic life water quality criteria that are 
no less stringent than the Federal Criteria. Therefore, in this final 
rule, EPA amended the Federal regulations to withdraw certain human 
health and aquatic life criteria applicable to these States.

California

    Date of Rule: May 18, 2000.
    Reference: 65 FR 31681.
    This final rule promulgated: Numeric aquatic life criteria for 23 
priority toxic pollutants; numeric human health criteria for 57 
priority toxic pollutants; and a compliance schedule provision which 
authorizes the State to issue schedules of compliance for new or 
revised National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limits 
based on the federal criteria when certain conditions are met.

[[Page 29962]]

    EPA promulgated this rule based on the Administrator's 
determination that numeric criteria are necessary in the State of 
California to protect human health and the environment. The Clean Water 
Act requires States to adopt numeric water quality criteria for 
priority toxic pollutants for which EPA has issued criteria guidance, 
the presence or discharge of which could reasonably be expected to 
interfere with maintaining designated uses.
    EPA promulgated this rule to fill a gap in California water quality 
standards that was created in 1994 when a State court overturned the 
State's water quality control plans which contained water quality 
criteria for priority toxic pollutants. Thus, the State of California 
was without numeric water quality criteria for many priority toxic 
pollutants as required by the Clean Water Act, necessitating this 
action by EPA. These Federal criteria are legally applicable in the 
State of California for inland surface waters, enclosed bays and 
estuaries for all purposes and programs under the Clean Water Act.

    Dated: May 27, 2001.
Geoffrey H. Grubbs,
Director, Office of Science and Technology.
[FR Doc. 01-13943 Filed 6-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P