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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 21-997

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Draft Revised Water Quality Assessment Methodology; Available for Public Comment

[51 Pa.B. 3549]
[Saturday, June 26, 2021]

 The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is requesting public comment for a draft revision in the Assessment and Listing Methodology (assessment methodology) for the 2022 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report (Integrated Report). Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314 of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.A. §§ 1313(d), 1315(b) and 1324) require states to report on the condition of all surface waters in the biennial Integrated Report. The methodology referred to in this public notice will be used, when finalized, to assess the quality of the waters in this Commonwealth under this legal mandate.

 The draft revised assessment methodology is the Discrete Physicochemical Assessment Method used to assess waters that may appear in the Integrated Report. For the 2022 Integrated Report, the assessment methodology is being updated to reflect this clarified methodology.

 The Department will accept comments on the draft revised Discrete Physicochemical Assessment Method. The Department will consider all comments regarding the data analysis protocols contained in this draft methodology.

 The draft methodology is available online through the Department's eComment tool at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment.

 Interested persons may submit written comments on this draft revised water quality assessment methodology by August 9, 2021. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. All comments, including comments submitted by e-mail, must include the commentator's name and address. Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's online eComment tool at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment or by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov. Written comments can be mailed to the Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, 400 Market Street, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063. Commentators are requested to use ''Revised Assessment Methodology'' as the subject line in written communication.

 Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Gary Walters at (717) 787-9637 or through the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5894 (TTD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.

PATRICK McDONNELL, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 21-997. Filed for public inspection June 25, 2021, 9:00 a.m.]



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