STATEMENTS OF POLICY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
[25 PA. CODE CH. 15]
Implementation of Antidegradation Requirements
[27 Pa.B. 1473] The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is holding a public hearing and soliciting public comments on a proposed policy for implementation of antidegradation requirements in the water quality standards program.
The public hearing will be held on May 7, 1997, at 10 a.m. in the 2nd floor auditorium, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market St., Harrisburg, PA.
The proposed policy contains details of the implementation procedures for the proposed antidegradation regula-tion at Chapter 93 (relating to water quality standards), which appears at 27 Pa.B. 1459 (March 22, 1997). Included in the procedures are implementation of the chemistry and biology tests that must be met to qualify a water for High Quality and Exceptional Value Waters protection, and procedures for completeness and acceptability of antidegradation evaluation reports submitted to the Department by a person who petitions the Environmental Quality Board for assessment of waters for potential classification as High Quality or Exceptional Value Waters. The Department will evaluate complete reports to determine if the petitioned water qualifies for antidegradation protection.
A copy of the proposed policy is available from Edward R. Brezina, Chief, Division of Water Quality Assessment and Standards, Bureau of Watershed Conservation, P. O. Box 8555, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8555 (express mail: Rachel Carson State Office Building, 10th Floor, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301), (717) 787-9637. Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users) and request that the call be relayed. The proposed statement of policy is available electronically through the Department's Web site (http://www.dep.state.pa.us).
Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing are requested to contact Mary Houghton, Bureau of Watershed Conservation, P. O. Box 8555, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8555 (717) 787-9637 at least 1 week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time to present testimony. Oral testimony is limited to 10 minutes for each witness. Witnesses are requested to submit three written copies of their oral testimony to the hearing chairperson at the hearing. Organizations are limited to designating one witness to present testimony on their behalf.
Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Mary Houghton directly or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.
Comments, suggestions or objections regarding the proposed statement of policy should be sent to Edward Brezina or may be submitted electronically at RegComments@A1.dep.state.pa.us. A subject heading of the proposal and return name and address must be included in each transmission. If an acknowledgment of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be retransmitted to ensure receipt. Comments must be received by May 21, 1997. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted.
JAMES M. SEIF,
Secretary(Editor's Note: For a proposed rulemaking relating to this notice, see 27 Pa.B. 1459 (March 22, 1997).)
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-446. Filed for public inspection March 21, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]
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