Greg Denton
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Division of Water Pollution Control
Once established and approved, water quality standards provide the foundation for three critical departmental activities:
Water Quality Assessment - Data from streams and lakes across the state are compared to clean water goals. Impaired streams are identified. Output: 303d List and 305(b) Reports.
Allowable In-stream Concentrations. The maximum allowable concentration in the water column. Output: NPDES permits.
Allowable Pollutant Loadings Over Time. Output: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies.
Substantive Changes:
Stream-use Classifications for Surface Waters [Chapter 1200-4-4]
None proposed.
Reason: Comments will be accepted.
Substantive Changes:
Domestic Water Supply Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(1)]
None proposed.
Reason: No recent revisions to
MCLs.
Substantive Changes:
General Considerations [1200-4-3-.0(1)(6)]
Wet weather conveyance definition being revised. (Different regulatory track.)
Reason: Consistency with state law.
Substantive Changes: Fish and Aquatic Life Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(3)]
Revise acute selenium criterion to incorporate formula based on selenate and selenite fractions. (Chronic criterion not proposed for revision.)
Reason: Match EPA National Criterion
Substantive Changes: Recreational Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(4)]
Add selenium criteria. Modify existing criteria for acrolein and phenol.
Reason: Match EPA National Criteria
Substantive Changes: Definitions [1200-4-3-.04(9)]
Add definition for “measurable degradation.”
Reason: Term referred to in antidegradation policy. (Unavailable conditions and ONRW)
Substantive Changes: Interpretation of Criteria [1200-4-3-.05(7)]
Add words “or in water quality assessments” to paragraph about natural conditions.
Reason: Make it clear that criteria violations due to natural conditions are not pollution.
Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06]
General reordering of paragraphs.
Reason: More logically follow the permit application process.
Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(2) ]
Under Unavailable Conditions incorporate concept of measurable degradation.
Reason: Eliminate potential confusion over whether de minimis levels of degradation can be allowed.
Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(5) ]
Delete paragraphs (6) and (7).
Reason: Paragraphs (6) and (7) were out of place and provide information already found
elsewhere (in other regulations).
Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(4)(d) & (6)]
Delete paragraphs dealing with declaratory order contested cases for ETWs. Adds section (6) for permit appeals process which stays the effectiveness of the proposed permit.
Reason: Update to make the Antidegradation Policy consistent with the third-party appeal law passed by the general assembly.
Questions?