As required by the federal Clean Water Act, every three years the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducts a comprehensive review of the Water Quality Standards (WQS) at 18 AAC 70 (the “triennial review”). The triennial review process provides an opportunity to discuss the priorities and commitments DEC makes with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others regarding potential updates to surface water quality standards. State WQS are subject to EPA approval prior to implementation in state water pollution control programs.

You may comment on the potential topics being considered for the 2021-2024 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 Public Notice System at http://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices. The comments must be received no later than 5:00p.m. on November 30, 2020.

Oral or written comments also may be submitted at a hearing to be held on November 5, 2020), in the DEC Main Conference Room, Second Floor. 410 Willoughby Avenue, Juneau. The hearing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and might be extended to accommodate those present before 6:00 p.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment. Those individuals who cannot attend the public hearing but wish to participate via teleconference may do so by calling (800) 315-6338. Access Code 51851.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Brock Tabor by electronic mail at brock.tabor@alaska.gov or 410 Willoughby Ave, Suite 303. P.O. Box 11800, Juneau, Alaska 99811. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. DEC will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on http://dec.alaska.gov/water/water-quality/triennial-review. DEC may, but is not required to, answer written questions received after the 10-day cut-off date and before the end of the comment period.

If you are a person in need of special accommodations in order to participate in this process, please contact Kate Orozco at (907) 465-6171 no later than October 31, 2020 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided in a timely manner.