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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 09-679

NOTICES

Draft Assessment and Listing Methodology Notice of Availability for Public Comment

[39 Pa.B. 1926]
[Saturday, April 11, 2009]

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is making available for public comment its draft Assessment and Listing Methodology (methodology). Sections 303(b) and 305(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act require states to report on the condition of all their waters in the biennial Integrated Report (report). The report combines the comprehensive section 305(b) report status of water quality in this Commonwealth and the section 303(d) list of waters for which Total Maximum Daily Loads 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. The methodology is a compilation of the protocols being used to assess waters that will appear in the 2010 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report.

   The protocols comprising the methodology describe the field data collection procedures and data analysis methods used to obtain and evaluate water quality data. The individual protocols apply to a wide range of water resource types, data sources and environmental indicators.

   The draft methodology is available on the Department's web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us. Select ''Water Topics'' in the top menu bar, then ''Water Quality'' in the drop down menu, and finally 2009 Assessment Methodology. The previous 2007 Assessment Methodology, and the accompanying comment-response document, are also available for comparison. Because of the large number of pages, the methodology will not be available in hardcopy.

   There will be a 60-day comment period. Persons wishing to comment on the draft methodology may do so in writing to the Bureau of Water Standards and Faculty Regulation or by e-mail no later than June 11, 2009. Comments should be mailed or e-mailed to Amy Williams, Division of Water Quality Standards, P. O. Box 8467, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467, (717) 772-4045, amywilli@ 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 Amy Williams directly at (717) 772-4045 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5894 (TTD) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.

JOHN HANGER,   
Acting Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 09-679. Filed for public inspection April 10, 2009, 9:00 a.m.]


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