PUB00145 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. Western States Water Council Water Quality Committee Boise, Idaho April 21, 2005 Paul Frohardt said a question for WSWC/WGA will be how we manage this at a staff level in lieu of grant money. Clearly we will need to have staff engaged at some level, but it will be a question of at what level given resources. Paul Frohardt suggested a positive spin on the grant was that EPA's motivation seems to be of political perceptions, indicating they want the process to be viewed as even-handed and defensible which indicates their interest in finalizing a product. Tom Stiles asked Roger Gorke, EP A, to deliver a message that it would be wrong for EP A to think that WGA or WSWC would be wanting to preordain some outcome of the project. He said such an assumption by EP A would be wrong and is very troublesome. We have not operated that way at all during this long process. We have not pushed an agenda at all, except to get some clarity on these issues. Paul Frohardt agreed with Tom. We really worked hard to include both environmental groups and the regulated community at our meetings. It has been a very inclusive process. . GENERAL EPA UPDATE Roger Gorke from EP A Head Quarters discussed the following matters: . Will definitely bring the message back to Denise Keehner and her superiors regarding the grant proposal. . Water conservation - discussion yesterday was great. To have EP A with USDA and Interior is great. . EP A is continuing to work internally on water efficiency e.g. product labeling (sprinklers, dishwashers, etc.). . UAA process - Ben Grumbles wants to know how it is going with UAA's. How can EPA be supportive. What are the stumbling blocks/successes in the region. Stephen Bernath: As we get into UAAs, it is going to be a huge effort, and we are not excited about it. Tom Stiles - the recreation UAAs, they are moving along well and have had good cooperation from the Region. What has been problematic has been exceptions to certain high flows for recreation. Have not had guidance from EPA on this issue. Will submit comments on 303(d) listing criteria on Friday. Stephen Bernath-said they are submitting comments on category E. Originally it was intended for point sources, but needs to be changed to apply to NPS. Need to deal with these issues through TMDLs. Mark Pifher-Water and Research Foundation . is looking at what UAAs across country were successful and why they were successful. . Roger Gorke: How are states reconciling standards across state boundaries? Answer - there is no mechanism, other than to try to encourage states to work together. Susan Burke - does 5