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Ecology Revised the State Standards Following EPA Ruling

In August 2006 Ecology held hearings on proposed revisions to the surface water quality standards (Chapter 173-201A WAC). Ecology developed this supplemental revision to the 2003-adopted water quality standards in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) disapproval of the state’s standards in March 2006. This revision sets colder temperature standards for specific streams, and increases the amounts of dissolved oxygen that will be required in those streams.

After carefully considering the written and oral testimony provided, Ecology's director signed the final rule on November 20, 2006. The revised rule went into effect on December 21, 2006. It replaced the version of the rule adopted in 2003.

A Focus Sheet on the revisions can be found at: www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0610093.html

• Revised Version of the Surface Water Quality Standards

  • Easy-to-read version (Ecology publication)
  • Code Reviser version (Washington State Legislature page)
  • Waters Requiring Supplemental Spawning and Incubation Protection for Salmonid Species (Ecology publication)
     
  • To view the changes made to the text of the water quality standards regulation (PDF):
    • http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/wac173201a/x0604a.pdf
    • http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/wac173201a/x0604b.pdf
       
• Supporting Documents

December, 2006 - Ecology Began Transitioning to Using the New State Standards

• Implementation in Permits: Ecology began applying the new standards after December 21, 2006 as new applications were received or as permits came up for review under their established 5-year permit review cycle.
  
  Ecology developed guidance and training for permit managers to teach them how to incorporate the new, more complex criteria into future permit work.
   
• Implementation in TMDLs: TMDLs (water clean up plans) started after December 21, 2006 were established using the revised water quality standards. Monitoring to determine the effectiveness of existing TMDLs will include a trend analysis to determine if the new standards will also be met.

See Implementation Plan for more information. (Ecology publication)

If you have questions about the water quality standards please go to our Contacts page.  You can also subscribe to the Water Quality Standards mailing list.

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