Every couple of years, the WV DEP is required to publish a list of those streams that are impaired. This "303(d)list" (from the Clean Water Act section that imposes the requirement) describes the segment of the stream that is impaired and the reason it is deemed to be violating water quality standards. Later, a total maximum daily load, or TMDL, is done for the stream. The TMDL sets restrictions on point source and nonpoint source reductions that are intended to allow the stream to come back into compliance with water quality standards. The DEP is proposing the 303(d) list in draft form, and soliciting comments on it. Speak now or hold your peace for 2 years.
The Department of Environmental Protection, under the authority of the federal Clean Water Act, Section 303(d) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Quality Planning and Management Regulations, 40 CFR Part 130.7, has developed a draft list of West Virginia’s impaired streams and lakes.
An “impaired water” is a water body, which, due to a pollutant or combination of pollutants, fails to meet state water quality standards. By violating applicable water quality standards, impaired waters fail to support one or more of their designated uses such as, public drinking water supply, aquatic life propagation, or contact recreation.
The WVDEP is required to update its list of impaired waters every two years. The list, commonly known as the 303(d) List, is compiled from readily available information and serves as an inventory of waters for which Total Maximum Daily Loads must be developed.
In order to allow public participation in the listing process, a public comment period began March 15. The comment period ends April 19, 2010.
Comments may be submitted by e-mail to
Stephen.A.Young@wv.gov or via U.S. mail to:
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water and Waste Management
2010 303(d) List – Attn: Stephen A. Young
601 57th Street, S.E.
Charleston, WV 25304
The draft West Virginia 2010 Section 303(d) List may be viewed on DEP’s Web site, http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/WATERSHED/IR/Pages/default.aspx
For more information about the impaired streams list, please contact Steve Young at (304) 926-0495.
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