Laserfiche WebLink
<br />.t,~~~r\1 Comments <br />December 8, 1998 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />program as a whole. The creation of specific, detailed requirements regarding <br />individual program elements would inappropriately restrict states' efforts to <br />determine the best way to implement the Clean Water Act to meet their unique <br />circumstances. <br /> <br />3. A~noted in the ANPRM's introductory discussion, state water quality programs <br />currently face substantial resource constraints. State program budgets are <br />generally level or declining, At the same time, states are attempting to address <br />major enhanced water quality monitoring needs in view of expanded section 305(b) <br />reporting expectations, TMDL requirements, threatened and endangered species <br />protection issues, and the increasing watershed management emphasis. The <br />creation of new regulatory mandates as suggested by parts of the ANPRM would <br />divert resources from these needs, with counterproductive results. <br /> <br />"1l <br />:!., <br /> <br />rr;ortlie'extent1;th1it-:EP NClo8iflIfsue\chaif' es76rraClaitiOri~tO!,tfiercu(reritWlaf€f. <br />'-'''''~~~~--''-'''''--'---'-'''''''''''''''--''''"' ,~"",p_-~--_._._."--,,,,-"_.......,,,g -'." "'"'-,..........."~----.._._""'-"'.= _..".........--------..~....-,-~ ......""""..- <br />gualim.s!anaaJt:lS)p'r~jQtct'!l7:~..i~:~rlt!calitli~t.~~LJ~~.ti:m9t:litLi&JiM.!lin6t:g,~~;~ifiiRly~aa(j~Q <br />onllo~j.lillITgat~H9@.m@~~f~s;Jnaep..lfnd~!)W~ViiP.tQgram!~,~1l.:DJ_~~~..!ber;~jiJ <br />p'ursuID9l'i?l!Y~9.1!if.@tjqns~i~~J?,'IStio!!!~9.iiE~@J1~exam!De',[o.p'p_o];!9pjties~for <br />c(ioi"ainatm~nd'stfeaffilinin'-~ fe-TIifements;,witliiifllie;context:oftffe'ovefall.Wa-ter <br />..._-,-_._g~.._-.. ......---... .g......q .--,,--.-..,"..,.. -....._.~----_...,--- .._~-..-...~.~...-.< <br />glJal!!y;sta1idart:ls-j:>L<?gfai!kt9]i1i!Xiiiiii~}effi~jency~jnJ!:f~ce;gf,:stibst~Jescillf~ <br />constfarn!~ .. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />4-g. In view of the increasing importance of water quality monitoring, in formulating its <br />future policy direction, EPA should consider how regulatory provisions can best be <br />structured in a way that createsafl p'psiti)!~ incentive for other government agencies <br />and private entities to assist with monitoring efforts. State water quality program <br />resources alone will not be adequate to achieve the scope of enhanced water <br />quality monitoring that will be needed to advance water quality management <br />programs nationally over the next few years. N a,minimum"EJ=lA should avoid <br />policy approaches (e.g. with respect to the "independent application" issue, as <br />discussed below) that create significant disincentives for private entities to <br />undertake additional water quality monitoring. <br /> <br />52. The portions of the ANPRM that set forth background information and basic <br />descriptions of the elements of the EPA water quality standards program provide <br />extremely useful information for anyone wanting to understand what this program <br />is and how it operates. With relatively minor editing (to remove the policy option <br />discussions and lists of specific questions) this document could become a very <br />helpful water quality standards program resource document. We commend EPA <br />for providing this comprehensive program description in one document and . <br />