1. Report of Proceedings Surface Water Quality Standards Triennial Review Environmental Management Commission November 13, 2014
Steve Tedder – EMC Hearing Officer
Connie Brower - Division of Water Resources

2. Timeline of Events November 2013 Scoping Public Hearing
March 2014 (EMC) Hearing Officer’s Report
Mar–Apr Draft proposed rules
May 2014 (EMC) Amendment review &
approval for Hearings
June NC Register Public Notice
July Public Hearings
August 22, End of Comment Period
November 2014 (EMC)
Hearing Officer’s Report and Request for Approval

3. Public Proceedings…… Two public hearings July 15th, 2014 Raleigh
~70 individuals attended
23 requested to comment
July 16th, Statesville
~50 individuals attended the public hearing,
12 requesting to make oral comments.

4. Public Proceedings…… ~925 Written Comments ~900 private citizens
13 business/industries, local governments, representatives of local gov & agricultural interests
3 federal governments
9 Non-Governmental Organizations

5. Proposed Changes: Aquatic life metals standards Human Health standards
Clarifications/reorganization of water quality standards regulations

6. Proposed Changes to Aquatic Life Standards

7. Review of National Criteria and Science
Since 1980’s - US EPA has published revisions to several metals
To date, North Carolina has not adopted those recommended changes
Metals standards were proposed for modification to reflect current science
{15A NCAC 02B and .0220}

8. Aquatic Life Standards Proposals
Acute standards are proposed
(along w chronic)
1Q10 flow for NPDES implementation of acute standards
Duration information is proposed
1 hour average - acute
96 hour average - chronic

9. Metals Toxicity
Toxicity is influenced by form and speciation of the metal, pH, TSS, DOC, TOC, water hardness, etc…
EPA’s national criteria take some of these factors into account
Dissolved metals
Hardness-based criteria with equations
Copper Biotic Ligand Model
(10 co-parameters)

10. Aquatic Life Standards Dissolved Metals vs Total Recoverable
Dissolved metals standards better represent the bioavailable (more toxic) fraction
With the exception of Mercury and Selenium, DWR proposed the use of
dissolved metals water quality standards

11. Hardness-Dependent Metals
For some metals:
↓ water hardness is associated with
↑ aquatic toxicity
Metal specific equations that include provisions for localized hardness applications were proposed 11

12. Hardness-Dependent Metals NPDES Implementation
Permits will incorporate protective metals levels that consider in-stream and effluent water hardness
In-stream hardness for NPDES use:
Median percentile of local 8 digit HUC data
Effluent hardness for NPDES use:
Median percentile of effluent hardness data

13. Biological Affirmation
With the exception of Mercury and Selenium, the proposals allow for careful consideration of aquatic life biological integrity for water quality assessment purposes.

14. Summary of Other Proposals
Modification to 2,4-D for public health protection
Removal of Manganese and Iron standards
Naturally occurring at elevated levels in NC waters
Request was made to more clearly address Site-specific standard derivation

15. Fiscal Impact Fiscal impacts detailed in accordance with NC G.S. 150 B
Prepared & submitted to Office of State Budget Management (OSBM)
OSBM approved the finalized Fiscal Note on October 8th, 2014.

16. Classifications and Standards/ Rules Review Branch.
Connie Brower
Classifications and Standards/ Rules Review Branch