BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC),Division of Water will be accepting public comment on potential issues and updates to Title 18, Chapter 70 of the Alaska Administrative Code. The federal Clean Water Act requires states to conduct a review of topics associated with state water quality standards on a triennial basis. This ensures pollution limits for Alaska’s waters are integrating the latest science, technology, policy,and federal requirements in state water quality regulations. THIS REVIEW IS A PLANNING PROCESS, NOT A RULE MAKING PROCEEDING AND WILL NOT DIRECTLY RESULT IN NEW REGULATIONS.
As required by the federal Clean Water Act, everythree years the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducts a comprehensive review of the Water Quality Standards (WQS) in 18 AAC 70 (the “Triennial Review”). The Triennial Review provides anopportunity to discuss the priorities and commitments DEC makes with the EPAand others regarding potential updates to surface water quality standards. TheWQS are subject to approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
You may comment on topics for consideration during the2015-2017 Triennial Review cycle by submitting written comments to Brock Tabor, DEC Division of Water, at 410 Willoughby Ave, Suite 303, P.O. Box 118000, Juneau, Alaska 99811. Additionally, the Division of Water will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-5274 and by electronic mail at brock.tabor@alaska.gov.Comments may also be submitted electronically through the Alaska Online PublicNotice System at http://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices. The comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m.on February 27, 2015.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Eric Hotchkiss at (907) 465-6171 no later than February20, 2015 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
For a copy of the potential topics being considered for the 2015-2017 Triennial Review cycle, contact Brock Tabor, DEC Division of Water, at 410 Willoughby Ave, Suite 303, P.O. Box 118000. Juneau, Alaska 99811or (907) 465-5185, or go to the Division of Water Triennial Review web page at http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wqsar/trireview/index.htm.
After the public comment period ends, the Division of Water will make a determination regarding issues for prioritization during the 2015-2017 Triennial Review cycle. There may be multiple WQS revision packages proposed during the Triennial Review cycle. DEC will public notice all proposed changes to the WQS regulations. A single regulation package may include revisions for multiple issues. State and federal law also requires DEC to hold a public hearing during the public comment period when revising the WQS.
You should comment during the time allowed if your interests couldbe affected. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.
DATE: January 9, 2015 /s/
Michelle Hale