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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 07-1013

NOTICES

Draft Assessment and Listing Methodology; Notice of Availability for Public Comment

[37 Pa.B. 2663]
[Saturday, June 9, 2007]

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is making available for public comment its draft Assessment and Listing Methodology (methodology). Sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act require states to report on the condition of all their waters in the biannual Integrated Report (report). The report combines the comprehensive Section 305(b) report concerning the status of water quality in this Commonwealth and the Section 303(d) list of waters including those for which Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are required.

   Stream and lake evaluations presented in the report must be supported by assessment methodologies based on sound science and technical procedures that are clear and complete. This methodolgy is a compilation of the protocols used to assess waters that will appear in the 2008 Integrated Report.

   The protocols comprising the methodology describe the field data collection procedures and data analysis methods used to both obtain and evaluate water quality data. The individual protocols apply to a wide range of water resource types, data sources and environmental indicators. The Instream Comprehensive Evaluation document describes the Department's assessment strategy for freestone streams. Other field protocols are presented for use in surface waters that present different aquatic habitats.

   The draft methodology is available on the Department's website at www.depweb.state.pa.us (Select ''Water'' in the top menu bar and then ''Water Quality'' in the drop down menu. The methodology appears under the heading ''What's New'' on this page). Due to the large number of pages the methodology will not be available in hardcopy.

   Persons wishing to comment on the draft methodology may do so in writing to the Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation or by e-mail no later than July 9, 2007. Comments should be mailed or e-mailed to Sara Mastbaum, Division of Water Quality Standards, Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation, P. O. Box 8467, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467, (717) 787-9637, smastbaum@state.pa.us. Comments received by facsimile will not be accepted.

   The Department will consider all public comments regarding the appropriateness of the narrative, collection methods and data analyses protocols contained in the methodology.

   Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the American With Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Sara Mastbaum directly at (717) 787-9637 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5894 (TTD) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-1013. Filed for public inspection June 8, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]


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